The Progressive Policies Are Still Coming

This item seems to be a bit of a ping pong game b/c every new administration seems to do this based on their base but now it is time for the liberals to take it back over. 

Obama is going to restore funding for the "U.S. funding for international family-planning groups involved with abortion."

This is one of my most angering pet peeves with the wingnuts. It is a proven fact that funding that teach everything at family planning; abstinence, birth control, and abortion (not just abstinenc only) actually reduces the amount of abortions. This rediculous ignorant idealogical notion that the only way to reduce abortions is to teach abstinence only is absolutely f-ing CRAZY!!

It really makes me mad to see this. If reducing the abortion rate was really what the wingnuts wanted, they would give money hand over fist to family planning groups that cater to every need. 

Quote of the Day

Got this off Politico. Obama, in responding to why he doesn't include more repubs in the making of his economic package, said "I won."

You gotta love it when he is doing his best to include everyone, still gets crap from the losing side. I like this so much b/c Obama just says what needs to be said. 

Repubs, quit the whining, you lost, be thankful you have even a small voice. 

The Boss

and while we are talking about beyonce, i would also like to talk about another fantastic musician who got snubbed for the Oscars. Bruce Springsteen-why werent you nominated?! i mean, there are only 3 songs in the best song category and they couldnt fit you in? WTF. You won the Oscar in my play book. Slum Dog Millionare has nothing on you. BRRRRUUUUUCCCEEE!!!!

Michelle worea dress by up and coming designer Jason Wu to the ball. He had no idea she was going to wear his dress to this major event. Only 26 years old, and his style will be in the history books forever. wow! The dress looked amazing on her. a classic idea updated to modern style. BEAUTIFUL.
Also amazing about this night was beyonce's "at Last". She nailed it. i mean, wowsers girl she really killed it. That woman is unstoppable. check it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-pzlZPRvx8

Original "Hope" Photo Discovered

The original "Hope" photo is found. The photo was used for the "Hope" poster made popular by Shepard Fairey. Check it out

inauguration fashion

well done obamas! you killed it! that palette you and your girls were in was so on point! When I first saw Michelles outfit, i will be honest, i was not too keen. I felt the color was a little jarring and not the wisest choice, however still vrey confident and brave. But-then i saw her with her girls and i suddenly understood. They all looked beautiful together. their color palette, as a family was smokin. The citrus tones, paired with the ruch blue brings on feelings of optimism and hope and joy. You will be seeing these colors all over becasue they are the colors of the season (see Pantone color guide Spring 08). But these ladies really presented the palette in style. The colors work so beautifully together-a perfect balance to the days crazy events.

Gillibrand is the Freshman Senator from N.Y.

I like this pick a lot. There are several reasons why this is better than Kennedy. First, she has run a good campaign n '06 against a nasty repub opponent.  Why is that important. It is important to be able to raise lots of cash in a short time. It is also important to be able to run a campaign against a good opponent. Kennedy had done neither. (Kennedy even admitted to not voting half the time. That's horse sh@t)

The times writes "[Gillibrand] proved to be a formidable candidate, raising millions of dollars and assembling a campaign organization that aggressively exploited the personal and political baggage of her opponent, Representative John E. Sweeney, who frequently found himself on the defensive."

Cuomo would have been fine (Son of Mario), but it was important, I think to continue the legacy started by Hillary, that of being a woman. 

I think this is a great pick. Check out the article. 

Update: It gets better.

After talking to Kirsten Gillibrand, I am very happy to say that New York is poised to have its first U.S. Senator who supports marriage equality for same-sex couples,” Van Capelle said.

She also supports the full repeal of the federal DOMA (Defense of Marriage Act) law, repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell (DADT) and passage of legislation outlawing discrimination against transgender people. While we had a productive discussion about a whole range of LGBT concerns, I was particularly happy to hear where she stands on these issues.

finally, style we can believe in!

For the first style Friday post i would like to start by saying how exciting i am that we finally have a style icon in the white house. I bet you are wondering what makes a style icon?.... well, ill tell you. it is someone who takes fashion risks. someone who is willing to wear bold colors and modern statements. someone who is not intimidated by history, but rather inspired by it and passionate about redefining it. Michelle Obama is all these things. She takes classic ideas and updates them for our modern world. She wears bold color, not all that dreary wishy washy color that those lame republican first ladies wore. She has fun, and is feisty, and is not afraid to show it. Michelle doesnt discrimminate when chosing what to wear. she can wear anything from a jcrew outfit, to an up and coming fashion designer (jason Wu, only 26 years old) to Oscar de la Renta-this is true style people. The ability to dress not according to money or status, but to dress according to what you like and how you want to be presented. All hail the queen!

Style Fridays

Happy friday everyone! are you sick of all the politics talk yet? Well, every friday we will have a guest blogger, molly della, who will break down the fashion news about our new style icons. Are you excited yet?......

Cleaning Out the Gitmo Closet

I am still inhaling the breezes of fresh, good, nonidealic, follow-the-law air that are blowing out of the white house. Obama has decided to close Gitmo within the year. Why is this important? Imagine being held in prison for 6 years with no charges and not being on trial. I can only imagine the frustration of being detained and not knowing how long you would be in jail.

If they broke the law, charge them. If not, let them go. Thank god we are trying to erase the last 8 years as quick as possible.

Link

Repubs Are Going After Climate Change

According to TPM, the repubs are going after climate change in the new administration. It seems that the repubs are using the secret hold on one of Obamas appointees. 

The Journal's blog relays the basic fact: an anonymous senator has placed one of those pesky "holds" on the nomination of Lisa Jackson, the president's pick to head the EPA, as well as the nomination of Nancy Sutley, future head of the Council on Environmental Quality.

Why these people you ask? Well, Jackson apparently said "she would quickly re-examine California's request" for more strict carbon emissions.  So this is the repubs shot across the bow. A party so far in the forest and they still continue to cow to big business. Based on their actions, I hope this confirmation goes through. 

There is a good analysis of the bigger political reason. Trying to knock off Boxers future climate bill. Read it here

Coleman Takes A New Job

Now that Coleman has so much free time on his hands, he might as well make some money while his lawyers try and steal the senate seat from Franken. Coleman has taken a "consulting" gig from the Republican Jewish Coalition. This is one the nastier groups that attacked Obama during the election.

Ben Smith has the info. 

Stick a Fork in Coleman

This man cannot stand the fact that he lost to Franken. He is trying everything he can to steal the election. He has sued to have ALL rejected ballots recounted. The same ballots he fought to not have recounted earlier. This man is just making it worse for himself in any future runs at congress. 

Now he's making the rounds in congress trying to sell his snake oil to anyone willing to buy it.  It looks like we will have to wait until monday when the Minnesota courts take up Coleman's hail mary lawsuit. 

Obama Hits the Ground Running

Obama is having a very busy day. From daily kos he has...

White House press secretary Gibbs announced that President Obama placed calls to President Mubarak of Egypt, Prime Minister Olmert of Israel, King Abdullah of Jordan, and President Abbas of the Palestinian Authority this morning and expressed his "commitment to active engagement," in pursuing peace in the Middle East, and that in the aftermath of the recent conflict in Gaza, will work to consolidate the ceasefire and "facilitating in partnership with the Palestinian Authority a major reconstruction effort for Palestinians in Gaza."

He isn't wasting any time. Thank god we got someone working. I really do feel go about the future. 

Really Good Photo Essay

The Times  magazine has a really good photo essay on Obama's team. Really good photos on everyone from his V.P. to his personal assistant.

Check it out.  

Best Lines from Inaugural Address

There were a lot of greats from his speech. Listening to it, it was a breath of fresh air from a president. For too long we have had to listen to poorly worded uninteligent speeches drenched in dogma. Below are some passages that stood out to me. Add some that you enjoyed at your leisure. Here is the transcript.

On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn-out dogmas that for far too long have strangled our politics. We remain a young nation, but in the words of Scripture, the time has come to set aside childish things.

I really like this because it mentions the dogma that the Bush era has entrenched itself in. To govern to only one side of the isle is the worst way to govern. A president is not a president of only 50% of the country. And that what Bush was, half a president.

We will restore science to its rightful place and wield technology's wonders to raise health care's quality...

For far too long "gut feelings" have replaced science. It is about time science has its place again. 

To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history, but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist.

He has already done this by listening and reaching out to republicans in drafting the second half of the bailout. Building good will now is very important. He wants to be president for the whole U.S., not the religious zelots. 

To those leaders around the globe who seek to sow conflict or blame their society's ills on the West, know that your people will judge you on what you can build, not what you destroy.

So F-ing true. What you build is so much more important than what you destroy. How we make society better and improve it is better than bitching and moaning and trying to impede/break down progress. 

My hat is off to Obama's cheif speech writer Joe Favreau. Expect some good things in the future. 

Kennedy Collapses

Ted Kennedy collapsed and started convulsing during a luncheon today. He was put in a stretcher and taken to the hospital. The article says it was caused by fatigue but worrying none the less.

Caddy 1

The President's new vehicle. Not the prettiest ever but man, this thing can handle some knocks.

Quote of the Day

From Ben Smith: 

A well-placed Republican operative emails: "As I watched Biden take the oath of office, I thanked God that it was not Sarah Palin up there."

Presidential Video

Check out his inauguration. FYI- Obama didn't flub the lines, Chief Justice Roberts did. So don't put too much into some rumors Obama screwed up. 

The New Presidential Website

Man, I don't have that cringing feeling when I go to the Presidential website anymore. Just in case you didn't know.  http://www.whitehouse.gov/

Check Out Our New President

Here he is in all his glory.