Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Chelsea Lately - Why Is The Show Funny To You?



Ok. I'm not getting the humor of the TV show Chelsea Lately. Why is it funny? What is it that makes it entertaining? I'm not getting it. Tell me. what is it?

The Internet Inauguration - RocketBoom

Rocketboom has a cool video that shows how the Internet's capacity was literally taxed on Inauguration Day: Images, tweets, and posts from the 2009 Inauguration of President Barack Obama. Distributed by Tubemogul.

Joe Scarborough: Obama's Speech Best Since JFK in 1960



I literally ran into Joe Scarborough, the host of MSNBC's Morning Joe as I was walking into the lobby of a hotel for the sole purpose of warming up from the cold weather after President Barack Obama's great Inauguration acceptance speech. Joe was good enough to share his view of that speech with me, saying that it was the best one since John F. Kennedy's speech in 1960.

President Obama To Create Office Of Urban Policy

From President Barack Obama

The Obama White House website includes the following paragraph: “Create a White House Office on Urban Policy: President Obama and Vice President Biden will create a White House Office of Urban Policy to develop a strategy for metropolitan America and to ensure that all federal dollars targeted to urban areas are effectively spent on the highest-impact programs. The Director of Urban Policy will report directly to the president and coordinate all federal urban programs.”

As of this writing just who will serve is the role of The Director of Urban Policy is anyone's guess. I think Lennar's Director of Urban Land Kofi Bonner is the best choice to be President Barack Obama's Director of Urban Policy. He could hit the ground running.

A National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation - The White House Blog

From President Barack Obama : “Moments ago, in his first official act since taking the oath of office, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation, calling on Americans to serve one another and our common purpose on this National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation. Check it out below, or read it on the WhiteHouse.gov proclamations page.

NATIONAL DAY OF RENEWAL AND RECONCILIATION, 2009

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

As I take the sacred oath of the highest office in the land, I am humbled by the responsibility placed upon my shoulders, renewed by the courage and decency of the American people, and fortified by my faith in an awesome God.

We are in the midst of a season of trial. Our Nation is being tested, and our people know great uncertainty. Yet the story of America is one of renewal in the face of adversity, reconciliation in a time of discord, and we know that there is a purpose for everything under heaven.

On this Inauguration Day, we are reminded that we are heirs to over two centuries of American democracy, and that this legacy is not simply a birthright -- it is a glorious burden. Now it falls to us to come together as a people to carry it forward once more.

So in the words of President Abraham Lincoln, let us remember that: "The mystic chords of memory, stretching from every battlefield and patriot grave to every living heart and hearthstone all over this broad land, will yet swell the chorus of the Union, when again touched, as surely they will be, by the better angels of our nature."

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim January 20, 2009, a National Day of Renewal and Reconciliation, and call upon all of our citizens to serve one another and the common purpose of remaking this Nation for our new century.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord two thousand nine, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-third.”

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

President Barack Obama 2009 Inauguration and Address

CSPAN Reports: President Barack Obama took the oath of office as the 44th president of the United States and delivered an inaugural address focusing on the themes of sacrifice and renewal on January 20, 2009.

-- I sought refuge in the warm lobby of the nearby L'Faunt Plaza Hotel as it was about 13 degrees outside and freezing in the mall. I went out there and had to seek warmth. Still, it was a historic moment I will cherish forever.

Joe Scarborough told me personally that it was the best speech he's listened to since JFK's 1960 adress and that's a high complement.

Obama Inauguration - Columbia Heights House Party

I attended this awesome house party thrown by Brad and Leah, two Obama campaign volunteers who live in the Columbia Heights section of Washington DC. There, we talked about the meaning of President-Elect Barack Obama's Inauguration, and well, just had a great time on the eve of the big day!

Monday, January 19, 2009

Obama Inauguration - Toshira on It's Meaning

As I walked along the Capital Mall the night before The Inauguration of Barack Obama as our 44th President, a young woman came up and asked -- and I kid you not -- "Are you a CNN reporter". I explained that I am an iReporter and we created this video of her message. Pretty funny but she had something to say and I wanted to help her say it.

Obama Inauguration Concert Mass Of Humanity

This was an incredible Sunday concert experience as part of Obama Inauguration festivities, even if, like me, you got their around 2 PM and thus were not able to get close to the Lincoln Memorial, let alone past the Old War Memorial. I estimate the crowd at about 2 million. I've not seen a written estimate yet, but if it's in the thousands, it's just plain wrong!

Angela Bassett, Giancarlo Esposito On Obama and "Gospel Hill"

While In Washington DC for the Inauguration, I was invited to a great
premier of a cool new movie called "Gospel Hill". Directed by Giancarlo Esposito, it stars Angela Bassett, Danny Glover, Esposito, and others including South Carolina Charles James essentially playing
himself. I talked to them about not just the movie, but the Obama Inauguration and the festivties held to that point in time.

Obama Inauguration - President Bush Look-Alike

I was walking to the Willard Hotel when I happened on a man who looked just like current President George W Bush. His name is Ed Thebility, and he says he's got a few pounds on President Bush but that he does get the "You look like" comment alot!

Obama Inauguration - Crowd Enthusiasm "Shout"



CNN Ireporter BlueTexan really got the sprit of the people singing "Shout"! during the Obama "We Are One" concert on Sunday.