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="Benjamin Grimm":27zpzqup]For those who care about such things, Michelle appears to be wearing a yellow-gold colored dress.
The Vice President of the United States needs to move his own boxes?[/quote:27zpzqup]
Most don't but who knows what Chaney had in those boxes , probably bullets and such.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 20 2009 08:27 AM
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Is there something wrong with me that I don't really care that much about this event? I'm appreciative of the magnitude of the event in my own way and yyybbb but I just don't get all excited over ceremonies.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 08:34 AM
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I want to watch the swearing in. It's a nice crisp minute or two, and it's the actual transition of power, with the outgoing and presidents and VP's sharing the stage.
The parades and pomp don't really interest me.
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Centerfield
Jan 20 2009 08:40 AM
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I caught some of the concert last night and that seemed pretty cool.
I don't remember ever seeing anything like that for any other president.
Bono is starting to resemble Robin Williams as he gets older.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 08:47 AM
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The wives have entered their limos (Mrs. Biden rides with Mrs. Cheney, and Mrs. Bush rides with Mrs. Obama...)
Dick Cheney now being wheeled out of the White House. He's carrying a cane in his lap.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 08:47 AM
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Joe Lieberman with BIG smiles. Does he think his guy won?
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metsmarathon
Jan 20 2009 08:52 AM
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did you hear? this is a historic inauguration!
unlike... all those other inaugurations, i guess...
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 08:59 AM
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Well, yeah, but obviously this one is a bit more historic than the others.
The two-president limo is driving up Pennsylvania Avenue to the Capitol.
If I'm Barack Obama right now (and I'm not) I'd be one giant goosebump.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:09 AM
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The Quayles, the Gores, and the Mondales are in da house.
Are they the only living former VP's? (Other than Poppy Bush, of course.)
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:14 AM
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Poppy Bush is a little wobbly on his feet. Is he still planning on jumping from an airplane again?
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:15 AM
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Jimmy Carter looks "spry." (What's the minimum age for being "spry"?)
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:16 AM
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Bill Clinton shows up. He brought Hillary as his date.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 20 2009 09:16 AM
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What time is the walk across the Potomac scheduled?
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themetfairy
Jan 20 2009 09:19 AM
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Thanks for the link Irish.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:29 AM
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Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp show up together!
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:39 AM
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I'm hoping that after the oath, President Obama and Chief Justice Roberts share a fist bump.
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cooby
Jan 20 2009 09:40 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":2fbimclp]Bill Clinton shows up. He brought Hillary as his date.[/quote:2fbimclp]
I think at this point, it's the other way around.
Metirish, I'll send that link to my husband, I stayed home today after all, but for a different reason. THanks!
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:45 AM
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Barack looking bi-partisan in a blue shirt and a red tie.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 20 2009 09:47 AM
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The honorable Diane Feinstein!
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:49 AM
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Polite smattering of applause (and no boos) for Rick Warren.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:55 AM
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Aretha Franklin singing "My Country Tis of Thee."
I wish it was Gladys Knight so I could make a joke about her Pips.
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 20 2009 09:56 AM
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Nice hat.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 09:59 AM
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I have one just like it.
The VP oath is a bit of a mouthful, isn't it? Biden had to say more than Obama will.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 10:07 AM
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A blooper!
Obama talked over Roberts! Roberts got the words wrong! Obama waited while Roberts repeated them! Obama then didn't say it right!
Does that mean he's not really President? The lawsuits are already being written, I'm sure!
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metirish
Jan 20 2009 10:07 AM
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What a moment , I am going to get my citizenship this year I feel so giddy.
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metirish
Jan 20 2009 10:13 AM
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President Obama is finding his legs as the speech goes on.
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metirish
Jan 20 2009 10:20 AM
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President Obama pronounces nuclear correctly....
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metirish
Jan 20 2009 10:27 AM
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Beautiful , an inspiring speech from President Obama.
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seawolf17
Jan 20 2009 10:55 AM
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Friend from college who's in the Navy Sea Chanters just on-screen as they make an appearance. Nice.
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Rockin' Doc
Jan 20 2009 10:57 AM
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Lunchbucket - <i>"Is there something wrong with me that I don't really care that much about this event? I'm appreciative of the magnitude of the event in my own way and yyybbb but I just don't get all excited over ceremonies."</i>
There is nothing wrong with you and you are far from alone. I understand and appreciate the historical significance of Obama's election and inauguration, but I have no more interest in watching his inauguration than that of any of his predecessors.
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TheOldMole
Jan 20 2009 10:59 AM
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I watched it, and was moved.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 20 2009 11:06 AM
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My feed from CNN went out
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Edgy DC
Jan 20 2009 11:08 AM
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People at my supermarket were watching the monitor in the store, but they were all glad they live in the outskirts and not downtown. Folks in the crowd said they wanted their grandkids to be part of history. I'd be afraid my grandkids would be part of the pavement.
My favorite new site: http://www.barackobamaisyournewbicycle.com/
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MFS62
Jan 20 2009 11:13 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":7wqodz7s]Barack looking bi-partisan in a blue shirt and a red tie.[/quote:7wqodz7s]
IIRC he always wears a red tie with a suit. Not sure if it is appropriate with a tux. We'll see tonight.
Later
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metirish
Jan 20 2009 11:18 AM
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Conservative commentator Michael Graham has a weekly gig on an Irish radio station , he just hammered the Obama speech as bland and that anyone could have gave it and that he expected more yybbb.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 20 2009 11:20 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":2wuoxkw5]A blooper!
Obama talked over Roberts! Roberts got the words wrong! Obama waited while Roberts repeated them! Obama then didn't say it right!
Does that mean he's not really President? The lawsuits are already being written, I'm sure![/quote:2wuoxkw5]
The Presidential change is automatic. The oath is a formality, not a necessity.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 20 2009 11:59 AM
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So which office did Biden get sworn into?
I hear he had his choice of several and was wondering if there were any last-minute changes.
At least Bush gets credit for leaving town immediately -- as opposed to Clinton who couldn't resist hanging around and hogging the spotlight with several photo-ops.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 12:12 PM
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="Frayed Knot":t62yzce6]
The Presidential change is automatic. The oath is a formality, not a necessity.[/quote:t62yzce6]
I know that. Doesn't mean there can't be frivolous lawsuits.
Even though Biden took the oath before noon and Obama took it after, they both entered office at the same time, exactly at 12. There was no period where Bush was President and Biden Vice President.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 01:05 PM
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| ="MSNBC.com"]BREAKING NEWS: Sens. Kennedy, Byrd reportedly stricken at inaugural luncheon |
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themetfairy
Jan 20 2009 01:25 PM
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The swearing in and the speech -
<embed id="VideoPlayback" src="http://video.google.com/googleplayer.swf?docid=-5457222695829770067&hl=en&fs=true" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"> </embed>
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 01:44 PM
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Inaugural Bloopers:
| ]"I Barack Hussein Obama," began Roberts.
"I Barack," said Obama, and before he could continue, Roberts said, "do solemnly swear."
Obama: "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear"
Roberts: "That I will execute the office of president to the United States faithfully...
Obama: "that I will execute..."
Roberts: "faithfully execute the office of president of the United States..."
Obama: "The office of president of the United States faithfully..."
At that point, Roberts got back on course, leading as Obama followed with "and will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
"So help you God?" asked Roberts.
"So help me God." |
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MFS62
Jan 20 2009 01:56 PM
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="Benjamin Grimm"]| ="MSNBC.com"]BREAKING NEWS: Sens. Kennedy, Byrd reportedly stricken at inaugural luncheon |
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I heard that Ted was carried out in a stretcher.
Any updates on either of them?
Later
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 02:03 PM
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Kennedy is alert and okay. Byrd walked out on his own power and wasn't even hospitalized.
When both Senators had their troubles, Obama was rushed from the room, according to MSNBC. I guess they feared there might have been a gas attack or something going on, and the old guys were the canaries in the coal mine.
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themetfairy
Jan 20 2009 02:05 PM
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Barack and Michelle have left the presidential limo at 9th Street and are now walking the rest of the route.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 02:12 PM
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Did they misplace their two girls?
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 20 2009 02:57 PM
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Robert Byrd, the former Klansman, has issues on the day the first black president takes office.
Hmmm.
Some impressions...
A fine speech, I liked the outstretched hand/closed fist line.
George HW looked frail, Carter, who usually looks frail, looked pretty good.
People in the newsroom thought Cheney looked like Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life."
We look at this from kind of detached view. But people from other departments came in to watch our televisions, and some of the African-American employees were sobbing. It was nice to see this event be so meaningful to them. Very moving!
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 03:44 PM
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Some inaugural fun facts, from an article in today's Philadelphia Inquirer by Jerome J. Shestack.
John Quincy Adams was the first president to be inaugurated wearing trousers. (Previously, each President wore breeches. I have to confess I have no idea what breeches are. Are they a different kind of pants? I've always thought trousers was just a synonym for pants.)
Theodore Roosevelt was the first president to be inaugurated bareheaded. I don't know if all the early presidents wore hats; perhaps some covered their heads with powdered wigs.
And I thought this was interesting: Jimmy Carter was the first to wear a business suit. I assume his most immediate predecessors, at least, must have worn tuxedos.
And finally, Millard Fillmore was actually inaugurated wearing a gorilla suit.
(I made up that last item.)
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Rockin' Doc
Jan 20 2009 03:57 PM
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I think breeches are riding pants. Generally, knee length.
<img src="http://www.mccordclan.com/George%20Washington%201782%20painting.jpg" width="300">
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sharpie
Jan 20 2009 04:11 PM
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I watched the festivities in a room with about 300 other people. Was a lot of fun.
A couple of things: Why did Rick Warren spit out the names "Sasha" and "Malia"?
I was happy that in the speech Obama invoked "Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and non-believers." As a non-believer my group never gets mentioned by politicians.
I thought the poem was really good. So much better than Maya Angelou's 16 years ago.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 20 2009 04:16 PM
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="sharpie":ld6huk9m]I was happy that in the speech Obama invoked "Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and non-believers." As a non-believer my group never gets mentioned by politicians.
[/quote:ld6huk9m]
I too appreciated that shout-out.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 20 2009 05:42 PM
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="sharpie":1k5z82ju]Why did Rick Warren spit out the names "Sasha" and "Malia"?[/quote:1k5z82ju]
Seemed to me like he was trying just a bit too hard at being overly dramatic. It also wasn't all that different from the rest of his delivery so maybe that's just his normal pattern.
(I never heard the guy speak before - at least not while in his preacher-ish role)
I like that the Prez took the oath as 'Barack Huessein Obama' rather than dropping the middle name out of fear it might un-nerve a handful of small-mindeds -- and certainly better than when James Earl Carter took the oath as 'Jimmy' in what was probably a lame attempt to sound more folksy.
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metirish
Jan 20 2009 05:44 PM
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I picked up on Warren in how he said the girls names and thought it odd but watching online I wasn't sure what to think as at times the coverage and sound quality was not great.
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Kong76
Jan 20 2009 05:47 PM
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FK: What time is the walk across the Potomac scheduled? <<<
bwahahabwahahhah!
(that's a riotous lol for those who don't speak bwahah)
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Frayed Knot
Jan 20 2009 05:51 PM
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A shot at some members of the media, of course, and not the President himself.
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Kong76
Jan 20 2009 06:13 PM
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I didn't really think he could walk on water.
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G-Fafif
Jan 20 2009 07:07 PM
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| ]certainly better than when James Earl Carter took the oath as 'Jimmy' in what was probably a lame attempt to sound more folksy. |
Watching a PBS documentary on the 39th president recently and it was pointed out he simply never went by James Earl Carter in his life, so why start at the biggest moment of his life?
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G-Fafif
Jan 20 2009 07:08 PM
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="sharpie":wqx7p7dl]I was happy that in the speech Obama invoked "Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and non-believers." As a non-believer my group never gets mentioned by politicians.[/quote:wqx7p7dl]
Amen!
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Willets Point
Jan 21 2009 09:32 AM
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Breeches are short pants that only go to the knee (also known as 'knickers') with the rest of the leg covered in stockings. I know this from personal experience of having to wear breeches for 4 years.
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 21 2009 09:44 AM
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="Willets Point":2plgv5gq]Breeches are short pants that only go to the knee (also known as 'knickers') with the rest of the leg covered in stockings. I know this from personal experience of having to wear breeches for 4 years.[/quote:2plgv5gq]
You didn't think you were gonna drop that out there and not have us demand to know why you were wearing breeches for four years....do tell!
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 21 2009 09:50 AM
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My guess: A school uniform.
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Fman99
Jan 21 2009 09:57 AM
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="G-Fafif":116g6lhw]="sharpie":116g6lhw]I was happy that in the speech Obama invoked "Christians, Muslims, Jews, Hindus and non-believers." As a non-believer my group never gets mentioned by politicians.[/quote:116g6lhw]
Amen![/quote:116g6lhw]
He forgot the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Joy_of_Sect:116g6lhw]Movementarians.[/url:116g6lhw]
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HahnSolo
Jan 21 2009 10:03 AM
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="G-Fafif"]| ]certainly better than when James Earl Carter took the oath as 'Jimmy' in what was probably a lame attempt to sound more folksy. |
Watching a PBS documentary on the 39th president recently and it was pointed out he simply never went by James Earl Carter in his life, so why start at the biggest moment of his life? |
It was also only 8 years removed from the actions of a certain other "James Earl." I would guess that thought at least went through his mind.
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seawolf17
Jan 21 2009 10:13 AM
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| ="HahnSolo"]It was also only 8 years removed from the actions of a certain other "James Earl." I would guess that thought at least went through his mind. |
"People will come, Ray."
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Willets Point
Jan 21 2009 11:25 AM
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="metsguyinmichigan":xvbzqaqj]="Willets Point":xvbzqaqj]Breeches are short pants that only go to the knee (also known as 'knickers') with the rest of the leg covered in stockings. I know this from personal experience of having to wear breeches for 4 years.[/quote:xvbzqaqj]
You didn't think you were gonna drop that out there and not have us demand to know why you were wearing breeches for four years....do tell![/quote:xvbzqaqj]
I was paid to wear breeches. And a waistcoat.
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Edgy DC
Jan 21 2009 11:32 AM
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I think we may have to look to that portion of his youth spent in the Commonwealth of Virginia to complete the puzzle.
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soupcan
Jan 21 2009 11:33 AM
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="Willets Point":2fqt16gn]="metsguyinmichigan":2fqt16gn]="Willets Point":2fqt16gn]Breeches are short pants that only go to the knee (also known as 'knickers') with the rest of the leg covered in stockings. I know this from personal experience of having to wear breeches for 4 years.[/quote:2fqt16gn]
You didn't think you were gonna drop that out there and not have us demand to know why you were wearing breeches for four years....do tell![/quote:2fqt16gn]
I was paid to wear breeches. And a waistcoat.[/quote:2fqt16gn]
I understand - I had a friend who was a gay male escort too. The stories he would tell!
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Willets Point
Jan 21 2009 11:37 AM
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If only my life were that interesting.
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Edgy DC
Jan 21 2009 12:15 PM
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<blockquote><a href="http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/20/MNAF15E20I.DTL"><img src="http://www.iri.org/newsarchive/images/news-SanFranciscoChronicle.png"></a>
Experts say Obama should retake the oath
Carolyn Lochhead, Chronicle Washington Bureau
Wednesday, January 21, 2009(01-21) 04:00 PST Washington - -- Several constitutional lawyers said President Obama should, just to be safe, retake the oath of office that was flubbed by Chief Justice John Roberts.
The 35-word oath is explicitly prescribed in the Constitution, Article II, Section 1, which begins by saying the president "shall" take the oath "before he enter on the execution of his office."
The oath reads: "I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of president of the United States and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."
In giving the oath, Roberts misplaced the word "faithfully," at which point Obama paused quizzically. Roberts then corrected himself, but Obama repeated the words as Roberts initially said them.
A do-over "would take him 30 seconds, he can do it in private, it's not a big deal, and he ought to do it just to be safe," said Boston University constitutional scholar and Supreme Court watcher Jack Beermann. "It's an open question whether he's president until he takes the proper oath."
The courts would probably never hear a challenge, and some might argue that Obama automatically took office at noon because that's when President Bush left the office. But because the procedure is so explicitly prescribed in the Constitution, Beermann said if he were Obama's lawyer, he would recommend retaking it, just as two previous presidents, Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur, did under similar circumstances.
"The Constitution says what he's supposed to say," Beermann said. "... It's kind of surprising the chief justice couldn't get it right."
The only reason not to retake the oath would be to prevent further embarrassment of the chief justice, he said. "It would seem appropriate for the president of the United States to take the oath specified in the Constitution," he said. "It's the same oath all 43 of his predecessors took. He ought to take it."
Charles Cooper, head of the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel under President Ronald Reagan, said that the oath is mandatory, that an incorrect recitation should be fixed and that he would be surprised if the oath hadn't already been re-administered.
Jonathan Turley, a constitutional law professor at George Washington University, was hosting an inauguration party at his home in McLean, Va., Tuesday and did a mock swearing-in of 35 children. When Roberts erred, one child shouted: "That's not right!"
"He should probably go ahead and take the oath again," Turley said. "If he doesn't, there are going to be people who for the next four years are going to argue that he didn't meet the constitutional standard. I don't think it's necessary, and it's not a constitutional crisis. This is the chief justice's version of a wardrobe malfunction."</blockquote>
Chronicle news services contributed to this report. E-mail Carolyn Lochhead at clochhead@sfchronicle.com.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 21 2009 12:45 PM
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My understanding is that Obama took office and became President the instant that Bush's term expired, which was exactly at noon, a few minutes before he took the oath.
The Constitution says that he can't execute the powers of the office until he takes the oath.
So, as I interpret it, he's unquestionably the President of the United States. But unless he retakes the oath, it can be disputed whether or not he can legally do anything that the presidency empowers him to do: sign bills, appoint justices, issue pardons, etc.
I think he should, just to be safe, retake the oath. On the other hand, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court did appear to be satisfied that Obama had been sworn in. And his judgment probably does count for something.
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Edgy DC
Jan 21 2009 12:51 PM
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There seemed to be a mutual lawyer-to-lawyer understanding going on that they had each flubbed. Did they cross at all at Harvard Law? Obama was the editor and then the president of the Harvard Law Review and Roberts was managing editor.
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metirish
Jan 21 2009 12:53 PM
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While I was watching the NBC feed Brian Williams mentioned that Obama became President four minutes ago and I thought hold on here he's not taken the oath yet but as Grim said at noon he was President.
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sharpie
Jan 21 2009 12:56 PM
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Roberts and Obama's paths did not cross at Harvard. Roberts was outta there by the time Obama got there.
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metirish
Jan 21 2009 12:59 PM
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 21 2009 07:03 PM
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Roberts and Obama did redo the oath today at the White House.
According to the Associated Press, Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur also had to retake the oath for similar reasons.
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metirish
Jan 21 2009 07:08 PM
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They redid it out of an " abundance of caution". Cover all bases I suppose.
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John Cougar Lunchbucket
Jan 22 2009 07:50 AM
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| ="metirish"] |
Anybody look at this image -- or any President-at-the-desk shot -- and wonder, "Where the F is the computer?"
How is he going to check on his fantasy NBA team, or on the White Sox hot stove rumors, not to mention, you know google maps for when a crisis arrives in some country he doesn;t know anything about. C'mon, O. What's the deal?
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Fman99
Jan 22 2009 07:52 AM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]| ="metirish"] |
Anybody look at this image -- or any President-at-the-desk shot -- and wonder, "Where the F is the computer?"
How is he going to check on his fantasy NBA team, or on the White Sox hot stove rumors, not to mention, you know google maps for when a crisis arrives in some country he doesn;t know anything about. C'mon, O. What's the deal? |
Yeah, that's where the President used the Google, isn't it? I are cornfused.
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Fman99
Jan 22 2009 07:53 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":3p6aibo7]Roberts and Obama did redo the oath today at the White House.
According to the Associated Press, Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur also had to retake the oath for similar reasons.[/quote:3p6aibo7]
One of the newspapers called Justice Roberts the "Oaf of Office." I liked that one.
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metirish
Jan 22 2009 07:57 AM
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Obama uses the computers in the Situation Room I think.
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Frayed Knot
Jan 22 2009 08:00 AM
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="Benjamin Grimm":2qkcwll7]Roberts and Obama did redo the oath today at the White House.
According to the Associated Press, Calvin Coolidge and Chester Arthur also had to retake the oath for similar reasons.[/quote:2qkcwll7]
IIR the story about Coolidge it's that he received word of Pres Harding's death while back in his Vermont home and took the oath from his father using a family bible.
Not surprising that they'd want to re-do that one in a more public/official setting.
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metirish
Jan 22 2009 08:01 AM
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A fresher updated White House website , I used to frequent the old one so i know this.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/
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MFS62
Jan 22 2009 11:15 AM
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I saw on the editorial page of today's NY Daily News that Obama will name George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East. Maybe he'll find out that all that fighting has been because of 'roid rage.
Later
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Willets Point
Jan 22 2009 11:43 AM
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| ="MFS62"]I saw on the editorial page of today's NY Daily News that Obama will name George Mitchell as special envoy to the Middle East. Maybe he'll find out that all that fighting has been because of 'roid rage.
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I believe Mitchell has experience brokering deals among warring sectarian groups as well.
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 22 2009 12:48 PM
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="John Cougar Lunchbucket"]| ="metirish"] |
Anybody look at this image -- or any President-at-the-desk shot -- and wonder, "Where the F is the computer?"
How is he going to check on his fantasy NBA team, or on the White Sox hot stove rumors, not to mention, you know google maps for when a crisis arrives in some country he doesn;t know anything about. C'mon, O. What's the deal? |
That's why he wants to keep the BlackBerry!
Actually, I bet he has a computer in the private study, which is off of the Oval.
I'd have a cool McFarlane figure of Tom Seaver on my desk if I was in the Oval. Except visiting heads of state would want to touch it.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 22 2009 12:53 PM
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I'd have two. One for my own enjoyment and one for visiting heads of state to touch.
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 22 2009 12:58 PM
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I'd be really, really impressed if one of the visiting heads said, "What, you don't have the Beltran and the Dabivrye figures, too?"
Then I'd show him the private study with the shelf with all of them. And the computer. And the little fridge so I could have bottles of Diet Coke handy and not have to keep sending the Secret Service guys to the vending machines for me.
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G-Fafif
Jan 22 2009 01:28 PM
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Washington Post [url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/01/21/AR2009012104249_pf.html]reports[/url] everything is technologically up to date at the White House, assuming Warren Harding is moving in.
| ]If the Obama campaign represented a sleek, new iPhone kind of future, the first day of the Obama administration looked more like the rotary-dial past.
Two years after launching the most technologically savvy presidential campaign in history, Obama officials ran smack into the constraints of the federal bureaucracy yesterday, encountering a jumble of disconnected phone lines, old computer software, and security regulations forbidding outside e-mail accounts.
What does that mean in 21st-century terms? No Facebook to communicate with supporters. No outside e-mail log-ins. No instant messaging. Hard adjustments for a staff that helped sweep Obama to power through, among other things, relentless online social networking.
"It is kind of like going from an Xbox to an Atari," Obama spokesman Bill Burton said of his new digs.
In many ways, the move into the White House resembled a first day at school: Advisers wandered the halls, looking for their offices. Aides spent hours in orientation, learning such things as government ethics rules as well as how their paychecks will be delivered. And everyone filled out a seemingly endless pile of paperwork.
There were plenty of first-day glitches, too, as calls to many lines in the West Wing were met with a busy signal all morning and those to the main White House switchboard were greeted by a recording, redirecting callers to the presidential Web site. A number of reporters were also shut out of the White House because of lost security clearance lists. |
| ]Senior advisers chafed at the new arrangements, which severely limit mobility -- partly by tradition but also for security reasons and to ensure that all official work is preserved under the Presidential Records Act. |
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Frayed Knot
Jan 22 2009 02:26 PM
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I remember when the incoming Clinton administration was going to modernize and streamline the White House -- before finding out that it's essentially a huge bureaucracy run by people who were there before the current administration got there and have every intention to be there long after the brash new kids on the block go home.
His campaign promise of reducing the White House budget would up consisting of firing something like 4 middle-aged women who worked in the telephone office.
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metirish
Jan 22 2009 02:28 PM
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They must have been right old bags if Bill fired them.
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Willets Point
Jan 22 2009 02:32 PM
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="metsguyinmichigan":3utm3c3o]
I'd have a cool McFarlane figure of Tom Seaver on my desk if I was in the Oval. Except visiting heads of state would want to touch it.[/quote:3utm3c3o]
You'd have to watch out for that Putin fellow. He'd try to pocket it.
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 22 2009 02:33 PM
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I don't think Putin would do that. Look at his eyes! See his soul?
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Willets Point
Jan 22 2009 02:36 PM
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And while you're looking at his soul, he's making off with your wedding ring, wristwatch, and wallet.
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G-Fafif
Jan 22 2009 02:36 PM
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="Benjamin Grimm":15fh8vc6]I don't think Putin would do that. Look at his eyes! See his soul?[/quote:15fh8vc6]
Unless you're Carrie Fisher, then you'd look at his crotch.
(Cross-pollenating with the Mets Classics/Mike Douglas thread, if anybody's wondering.)
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MFS62
Jan 22 2009 03:33 PM
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="Willets Point":9fobapc4]And while you're looking at his soul, he's making off with your wedding ring, wristwatch, and wallet.[/quote:9fobapc4]
Putin is Scott Boras?
Does Putin have his own yurt?
Later
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Benjamin Grimm
Jan 22 2009 03:39 PM
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No, I think he has a cocker spaniel.
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G-Fafif
Jan 22 2009 04:21 PM
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="Benjamin Grimm":9t3jhsoz]No, I think he has a cocker spaniel.[/quote:9t3jhsoz]
Or is he just happy to see me?
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Frayed Knot
Jan 23 2009 08:17 AM
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NYDN: The classical music played for millions of people watching President Barack Obama's inauguration was not the live performance it appeared to be.
Unless you were one of the fortunate few sitting within earshot of the celebrated performers, what you heard was a recording made two days earlier.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill made the decision a day before Tuesday's inauguration to use a previously recorded audio tape for the broadcast of the ceremonies.
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metsguyinmichigan
Jan 23 2009 09:00 AM
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| ="Frayed Knot"]NYDN: The classical music played for millions of people watching President Barack Obama's inauguration was not the live performance it appeared to be.
Unless you were one of the fortunate few sitting within earshot of the celebrated performers, what you heard was a recording made two days earlier.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill made the decision a day before Tuesday's inauguration to use a previously recorded audio tape for the broadcast of the ceremonies. |
Heck, they should have done that with the oath!
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Willets Point
Jan 23 2009 09:49 AM
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="metsguyinmichigan"]| ="Frayed Knot"]NYDN: The classical music played for millions of people watching President Barack Obama's inauguration was not the live performance it appeared to be.
Unless you were one of the fortunate few sitting within earshot of the celebrated performers, what you heard was a recording made two days earlier.
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, violinist Itzhak Perlman, pianist Gabriella Montero and clarinetist Anthony McGill made the decision a day before Tuesday's inauguration to use a previously recorded audio tape for the broadcast of the ceremonies. |
Heck, they should have done that with the oath! |
But then the Right Wing Conspiracy Theorists would have a field day and use it as evidence that Obama <i>really</i> took an oath to a militant Islam takeover of the US.
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