Next Stop Pottersville

Thanks to Frank Rich, I now know what I found so creepy about seeing Dick Cheney in that wheelchair. He's Mr. Potter from "It's a Wonderful Life." I can't believe I never noticed it before.

No More False Choices

In one of the most telling lines in his inaugural address, Barack Obama implicitly denounced restricting civil liberties in the name of national security, saying he would “reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.”

This both exposes and marks a big departure from the Bush-Cheney approach, which consistently presented Americans with false choices in order to further their flawed and dangerous political agenda.

Security or freedom, stay in Iraq forever or "cut and run" like cowards, free markets or crippling regulation, privatised social security or a bankrupt government, economic prosperity or responsible environmental policies. We could have one or the other, never both or never an alternative.

It's hard to believe after eight years of living with a lying, misleading and untrustworthy government, but it looks like the people in charge now respect us enough to tell the truth. Plus, they actually seem to have an interest in governing effectively, rather then simply pursuing policy to achieve political gain!

Good Riddance to Bad Rubbish

Barry couldn't get him out of town fast enough.

I wonder what they'll do with Dick Cheney?

A New Dawn

The world wakes up to a renewed America today.

(Picture Via NY Times)

Now the hard work in Washington really begins, as everyone now realises how much damage the Bush years did to both America and the world.

I listened to the inaugural address, and while the new President gave a generally strong performance said all the right things, I wouldn't call it a stirring speech. It really did not hit me emotionally - he's no Bill Clinton in that respect. Nonetheless, the country does not need a great orator, it needs a strong leader, and by all indications, that's what we've got.

I'm still having a hard time with the whole spirit of cooperation thing that Obama's pushing. Intellectually I realise that consensus and non-partisanship provides the surest path to success for the Obama agenda, and therefore support it wholeheartedly. Emotionally, however, I want sweet revenge on all Republicans and anyone who had anything to do with the Bush years and their destructive policies, divisiveness and fear-mongering.

Fortunately, we've got this guy!

Resolutions (Belated)

I gave up making New Year's resolutions many years ago, mainly because I found them impossible to keep. Nonetheless, I periodically try to make changes in my life that I hope will improve it, and the beginning of the new year seems as good a time as any.

Not resolutions exactly, but here's my top ten list for 2009:

1. Procrastinate only when appropriate
   
2. Spend more time in sunny places (with appropriate sunblock of course)
3. Write
   
4. Talk less and take more action (thanks Elvis)
   
5. Listen to new music
6. Watch more films
7. Stop complaining
   
8. No drama (like Obama)
9. Lose thirty pounds (two stone and a bit)
10. Make more money (need to work a little on the details of this)

Any other suggestions?

Too Cold

This week is shaping up to be an especially cold one in London. Fortunately, at least we've had some sunshine to go with the frigid temperatures instead of the usual dreary cloud and rain (although we've had some of that too!).

The older I get, the less I appreciate cold, wet and grey days, and I now detest snow of any sort (no matter what Jeffrey says). Maybe the eight London winters have started to take their toll. Or perhaps my recent visits to California, however infrequent and brief, have made me realise how nice it could be to live with beautiful weather.

Whatever the reason, I've been daydreaming of warm sunshine a lot this week.

Perhaps it's time for another trip?