Happy Inauguration Day
January 20, 2009 8:45 AM Subscribe
We learned over the summer that Obama's stance on FISA legislation wasn't exactly what you'd hope for from a man who promoted change. Brighten your Inauguration Day by learning that he's now very likely to defend telecom immunity.
[Via.]
[Via.]
This post was deleted for the following reason: single link oddly-timed blog post about Obama. -- jessamyn
You're right. Bring back that McCain guy. There's still 11 minutes left, don't make the wrong choice, America!
posted by patr1ck at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by patr1ck at 8:49 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
There's always somebody ready to drop a turd on a wedding cake.
Impeach aliceinreality.
posted by troybob at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2009
Impeach aliceinreality.
posted by troybob at 8:53 AM on January 20, 2009
I was going to snark some more on this, but Aretha's hat calmed me right down.... and made me smile :)
posted by HuronBob at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2009
Only 4 minutes left to bring Bush down. Let's go America!
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 8:55 AM on January 20, 2009
Anyone notice Rick Warren dropped the Sh'ma in his invocation? Did not see that one coming.
posted by Ryvar at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by Ryvar at 8:56 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Speaking of Aretha, here's a link to the famous Blues Brothers clip...
posted by HuronBob at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 8:57 AM on January 20, 2009
Aretha's hat was nice. It didn't quite leech out the sheer outrage at Rick fracking Warren praying before her appearance, but it took a lot of the sting out. That was a fantastic hat.
posted by sotonohito at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by sotonohito at 8:58 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
That's one huge bible!
posted by HuronBob at 8:59 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by HuronBob at 8:59 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
John Williams music for the inaugural? See, Democrats get the good artists.
posted by sotonohito at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by sotonohito at 9:00 AM on January 20, 2009
Aretha Franklin doing that song.. well.. it just made me think of the time she sang the same song at Wrestlemania 3, and probably better too.. It's not that she's not a national treasure, but did they really have to go with such a cliched choice? It may as well have been Ray Charles.
posted by mediocre at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by mediocre at 9:01 AM on January 20, 2009
Williams, Perlman and Yo Yo Ma.
and, let me be the first to say, President Obama
posted by HuronBob at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2009
and, let me be the first to say, President Obama
posted by HuronBob at 9:02 AM on January 20, 2009
Obama listens to music with his eyes closed... the only way...
posted by HuronBob at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 9:03 AM on January 20, 2009
Well, if it's John Williams, it would be only fitting if he played his stuff from the next-to-last scene of Return of the Jedi.
posted by troybob at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by troybob at 9:04 AM on January 20, 2009
dresdn five minutes too late, he was out at noon.
posted by sotonohito at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by sotonohito at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2009
I'll bet a paycheck that the idiot right wing media will make a big deal of the little glitch in the oath...
posted by HuronBob at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2009
I'm betting Roberts intentionally fucked that moment.
posted by troybob at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2009 [5 favorites]
posted by troybob at 9:06 AM on January 20, 2009 [5 favorites]
Thank fucking god it's over. For everyone who didn't survive the worst presidency in the history of the United States, this one's for you.
.
posted by longdaysjourney at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2009 [3 favorites]
.
posted by longdaysjourney at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2009 [3 favorites]
I'll bet a paycheck that the idiot right wing media will make a big deal of the little glitch in the oath...
They already have. What a bunch of assholes.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2009
They already have. What a bunch of assholes.
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:07 AM on January 20, 2009
Mods... you know, if you delete the content of this FPP and leave the comments and the title, we would be good with that...
posted by HuronBob at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 9:10 AM on January 20, 2009
How about we blame Obama for the stuff he actually does, not the stuff he might do in the future. And while we are on the subject, how about we also hold Bush responsible for the stuff he already did?
Laying blame at the feet of people who have already done wrong, that seems like it would be a great step to putting this country back on track.
*watches Obama get inaugurated. smiles.*
posted by quin at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Laying blame at the feet of people who have already done wrong, that seems like it would be a great step to putting this country back on track.
*watches Obama get inaugurated. smiles.*
posted by quin at 9:11 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Did he just channel Walter Sobchak?
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by Blazecock Pileon at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2009
Our long national nightmare is over.
posted by Joe Beese at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
posted by Joe Beese at 9:13 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
Is it streamed anywhere, or am I too late already?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:14 AM on January 20, 2009
aliceinideology is more like it.
Happy day Mr. President, so happy I wrote my 18 month old daughter a letter to which I am attaching your address. Surely it will mean even more when she's old enough to understand it.
posted by mrmojoflying at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2009
Happy day Mr. President, so happy I wrote my 18 month old daughter a letter to which I am attaching your address. Surely it will mean even more when she's old enough to understand it.
posted by mrmojoflying at 9:15 AM on January 20, 2009
I'm watching on Joost. Hulu is rebroadcasting FOX. Joost is doing CBS.
posted by sotonohito at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by sotonohito at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
Pick yourself up, dust yourself off... I thought he was about to break into song....
posted by HuronBob at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
PeterMcDermott: At the official site. Now with a Linux player as well. :-)
posted by the cydonian at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by the cydonian at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
cnn is streaming it as well, a bit of a delay however
posted by HuronBob at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 9:16 AM on January 20, 2009
Holy Shit! Where did that velociraptor come from?
posted by srboisvert at 9:17 AM on January 20, 2009 [3 favorites]
posted by srboisvert at 9:17 AM on January 20, 2009 [3 favorites]
Well then I agree with him. I don't understand why any entity should be punished by its government for cooperating with the same government in the past. Members of the administration itself should take the blame, and the government itself should apologize, at least.
posted by Citizen Premier at 9:18 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by Citizen Premier at 9:18 AM on January 20, 2009
Was it just me or did Biden look a little more sombre than usual?
posted by mazola at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by mazola at 9:19 AM on January 20, 2009
if it's John Williams, it would be only fitting if he played his stuff from the next-to-last scene of Return of the Jedi.
I wouldn't mind doing a little Ewok Dance right now.
posted by Joe Beese at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2009
I wouldn't mind doing a little Ewok Dance right now.
posted by Joe Beese at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2009
OK, watching at the official site. Thanks.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:20 AM on January 20, 2009
Joe Beese writes "Our long national nightmare is over."
It's only just begun.
Let's be honest: we got the sociopath out of the driver's seat, but the bus is already over the cliff and hurtling down. We're just hoping that the new driver is skillful enough that he can keep the bus from bursting into flames.
Hey, the President of the United States of America just said that America consists of many faiths, including non-believers. This guy includes me in America.
posted by orthogonality at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
It's only just begun.
Let's be honest: we got the sociopath out of the driver's seat, but the bus is already over the cliff and hurtling down. We're just hoping that the new driver is skillful enough that he can keep the bus from bursting into flames.
Hey, the President of the United States of America just said that America consists of many faiths, including non-believers. This guy includes me in America.
posted by orthogonality at 9:21 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
Surely this will be what finally brings down the Obama administration.
posted by empath at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
posted by empath at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
I'm sorry, I just have to defend the poster here.
Yes, today is the beginning of a new era for America. We're saying goodbye to eight horrible years. But as Obama calls us to serve our country, we have to realize that part of that service is holding our officials to account for their failures and mistakes. Part of that service is ensuring that the ideals laid out in the Bill of Rights are protected.
Perhaps if more people had been a bit more critical, and a lot less patriotic during the past eight years, we wouldn't have been in the situation we're in now.
I look forward to the next eight years, but today I'm celebrating our ideals and hope, I'm not celebrating a single man. I'm grateful that man has brought new hope to our country, but we can't let that blind us.
posted by formless at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2009 [5 favorites]
Yes, today is the beginning of a new era for America. We're saying goodbye to eight horrible years. But as Obama calls us to serve our country, we have to realize that part of that service is holding our officials to account for their failures and mistakes. Part of that service is ensuring that the ideals laid out in the Bill of Rights are protected.
Perhaps if more people had been a bit more critical, and a lot less patriotic during the past eight years, we wouldn't have been in the situation we're in now.
I look forward to the next eight years, but today I'm celebrating our ideals and hope, I'm not celebrating a single man. I'm grateful that man has brought new hope to our country, but we can't let that blind us.
posted by formless at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2009 [5 favorites]
It's nice to have someone in that office that is actually articulate...
posted by HuronBob at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by HuronBob at 9:23 AM on January 20, 2009
I'm sorry, I just have to defend the poster here.
There's a time, and there's a time not. This post at this time with this title spells 'attention whore.'
I call on us to populate the new President Barak Obama thread!
posted by troybob at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2009
There's a time, and there's a time not. This post at this time with this title spells 'attention whore.'
I call on us to populate the new President Barak Obama thread!
posted by troybob at 9:26 AM on January 20, 2009
Of course, formless.
But the original poster's snarky juxtaposition of Happy Inauguration Day and the FISA callout is pure cynicism that was meant to provoke. Yawn.
Perhaps if more people had been a bit more critical, and a lot less patriotic during the past eight years, we wouldn't have been in the situation we're in now.
I'd argue that part of our patriotic duty is to be critical.
posted by defenestration at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2009
But the original poster's snarky juxtaposition of Happy Inauguration Day and the FISA callout is pure cynicism that was meant to provoke. Yawn.
Perhaps if more people had been a bit more critical, and a lot less patriotic during the past eight years, we wouldn't have been in the situation we're in now.
I'd argue that part of our patriotic duty is to be critical.
posted by defenestration at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2009
He was very good, wasn't he? Do you suppose he was using a teleprompter, or did he learn that speech off by heart?
Dubya's looking sick.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2009
Dubya's looking sick.
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:27 AM on January 20, 2009
PeterMcDermott: At the official site. Now with a Linux player as well. :-)
Silverlight? Really? I wonder how much it cost Microsoft for that product placement.
How about we blame Obama for the stuff he actually does, not the stuff he might do in the future. And while we are on the subject, how about we also hold Bush responsible for the stuff he already did?
Laying blame at the feet of people who have already done wrong, that seems like it would be a great step to putting this country back on track.
Let me blow your mind: One instance of the stuff I'm upset that Obama "might" do in the future is blow off any investigation of the Bush administration's very fundamental crimes with a feel-good smokescreen of "unity," "working together," and "reconciliation."
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
Silverlight? Really? I wonder how much it cost Microsoft for that product placement.
How about we blame Obama for the stuff he actually does, not the stuff he might do in the future. And while we are on the subject, how about we also hold Bush responsible for the stuff he already did?
Laying blame at the feet of people who have already done wrong, that seems like it would be a great step to putting this country back on track.
Let me blow your mind: One instance of the stuff I'm upset that Obama "might" do in the future is blow off any investigation of the Bush administration's very fundamental crimes with a feel-good smokescreen of "unity," "working together," and "reconciliation."
posted by TheOnlyCoolTim at 9:28 AM on January 20, 2009 [2 favorites]
Loved that look of resignation and absolute powerlessness on GWB's face. Makes all this staying up worth the wait. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how regime-change is really done.
posted by the cydonian at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by the cydonian at 9:29 AM on January 20, 2009
It's only just begun.
Clarification: The Bush nightmare is over. The decline-of-empire and police state nightmares are continuing and getting worse.
Obama's FISA betrayal matters. That's why I favorited this not-very-good post on general principle.
And just to harsh everyone's buzz a little more: Look at those hundreds of thousands of spectators, imagine every one of them is a dead Iraqi civilian, and that's the size of the war crime committed by the country that Obama just asked God to bless.
posted by Joe Beese at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Clarification: The Bush nightmare is over. The decline-of-empire and police state nightmares are continuing and getting worse.
Obama's FISA betrayal matters. That's why I favorited this not-very-good post on general principle.
And just to harsh everyone's buzz a little more: Look at those hundreds of thousands of spectators, imagine every one of them is a dead Iraqi civilian, and that's the size of the war crime committed by the country that Obama just asked God to bless.
posted by Joe Beese at 9:30 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
So will he do another set, or is it just this collection of losers until the end now?
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:33 AM on January 20, 2009
posted by PeterMcDermott at 9:33 AM on January 20, 2009
pure cynicism that was meant to provoke.
So its like, the perfect Metafilter post!
posted by Hovercraft Eel at 9:34 AM on January 20, 2009
So its like, the perfect Metafilter post!
posted by Hovercraft Eel at 9:34 AM on January 20, 2009
p.s.- I voted for him, so can we leave out the hate speech? I am just disappointed, and I am not willing to stand aside and let everything negative he does get a bye.
And no, I wasn't saving the post for today. I meant to link directly to the BB article, which was posted earlier this morning.
I had no idea MeFi would be this sensitive about Obama.
posted by aliceinreality at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2009
And no, I wasn't saving the post for today. I meant to link directly to the BB article, which was posted earlier this morning.
I had no idea MeFi would be this sensitive about Obama.
posted by aliceinreality at 9:36 AM on January 20, 2009
Silverlight? Really? I wonder how much it cost Microsoft for that product placement.
There isn't much chance for Silverlight actually being the superior platform here is there.
posted by the cydonian at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2009
There isn't much chance for Silverlight actually being the superior platform here is there.
posted by the cydonian at 9:37 AM on January 20, 2009
Citizen Premier Because the USA helped, at the Nuremberg trials, establish the legal idea that "I was just following orders" is not a defense. Not, of course, that what the telecoms did is comparable, but it was at Nuremberg that the USA explicitly rejected the idea so I must cite it.
Further, a private organization, or a private citizen, is under no obligation to obey random orders from random government officials. Especially if they seem legally and Constitutionally dodgy.
To see why I, and many others, do think we should (must) hold the telecoms accountable, let's take an exaggerated case. Fred is approached by, say, an NSA agent, who wants him to kill Bob, the NSA man has documents from the President claiming that its vital to national security that Fred kill Bob and that the killing is legal. Fred chooses to go along and subsequently kills Bob. You wrote "I don't understand why any entity should be punished by its government for cooperating with the same government in the past" Would you extend that reasoning to Fred? I doubt it. The point is that a person, or corporation, is responsible for its own actions. The government does not have the authority to order you to do diddily squat [1]. If you chose to go along with blatantly illegal, horribly unconstitutional, things its your responsibility and you should pay for it.
[1] Yes, yes, cops under certain circumstances do, but in general the government and its agents does not have the authority to tell you to do things.
posted by sotonohito at 9:40 AM on January 20, 2009
Further, a private organization, or a private citizen, is under no obligation to obey random orders from random government officials. Especially if they seem legally and Constitutionally dodgy.
To see why I, and many others, do think we should (must) hold the telecoms accountable, let's take an exaggerated case. Fred is approached by, say, an NSA agent, who wants him to kill Bob, the NSA man has documents from the President claiming that its vital to national security that Fred kill Bob and that the killing is legal. Fred chooses to go along and subsequently kills Bob. You wrote "I don't understand why any entity should be punished by its government for cooperating with the same government in the past" Would you extend that reasoning to Fred? I doubt it. The point is that a person, or corporation, is responsible for its own actions. The government does not have the authority to order you to do diddily squat [1]. If you chose to go along with blatantly illegal, horribly unconstitutional, things its your responsibility and you should pay for it.
[1] Yes, yes, cops under certain circumstances do, but in general the government and its agents does not have the authority to tell you to do things.
posted by sotonohito at 9:40 AM on January 20, 2009
I had no idea MeFi would be this sensitive about Obama.
Really, think about it. You're basically that chick at the wedding who stands up when the minister says, 'does anyone here have any reason...' and announces that the groom snorted coke off your tit and went down on you.
posted by troybob at 9:40 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Really, think about it. You're basically that chick at the wedding who stands up when the minister says, 'does anyone here have any reason...' and announces that the groom snorted coke off your tit and went down on you.
posted by troybob at 9:40 AM on January 20, 2009 [1 favorite]
Oh, and re: claims of attention whoring, provocation:
When I woke up this morning, I was stoked to watch the inauguration. When I read Xeni's BB post, that was the first thing I thought to myself, and I was pretty sad. Sorry it came off as mean-spirited, but it was mostly just a personal realization that I need to stop allowing myself blind hope until real hope can replace it (hopefully?)
posted by aliceinreality at 9:41 AM on January 20, 2009
When I woke up this morning, I was stoked to watch the inauguration. When I read Xeni's BB post, that was the first thing I thought to myself, and I was pretty sad. Sorry it came off as mean-spirited, but it was mostly just a personal realization that I need to stop allowing myself blind hope until real hope can replace it (hopefully?)
posted by aliceinreality at 9:41 AM on January 20, 2009
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posted by HuronBob at 8:48 AM on January 20, 2009