Fresh Loaf

From the New Haven Advocate:

On the eve of his inauguration, painting walls at a Habitat for Humanity dwelling, Obama joshed that this was good practice as he was moving into a new house the next day.

But that MLK Day event also emphasized the critics’ worst fears: Sure, he can make fun of himself, but how easy is it for anyone else to mock a guy who’s out helping the homeless the day before one of the most jam-packed weeks of his life? Where’s the opening for humor there?

A president who takes too many vacations, or mangles speeches, or starts international conflicts when he’s barely traveled out of the country — that’s a guy ripe for the plucking. But Obama’s “no drama” persona translates to “no huma” as well.

The cartoon-Teflon concern is hardly a new one: jokesters have had two years (and Illinois newsies even longer) to come up with Barack characteristics they can exaggerate and crack wise about. All they’ve located so far is his ears.

What are Jon Stewart and Stephen Colbert to do now?

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1. Trackside Tavern destroyed by fire (In a sad day for horny drinkers on the prowl, Decatur’s beloved dive bar and hook-up spot was gutted.)

2. Dr. Lowery’s inaugural benediction riffs on the blues (Weird how few media outlets picked up on Lowery’s inaugural nod to Big Bill Broonzy’s “Black, Brown and White.”)

3. Killing what’s left of the press (A legislative proposal that would decimate small-town newspapers. As if the print industry needs any more bad news.)

4. 2009 Georgia General Assembly struggles with budget, gridlock (You think YOU’RE broke? The state is $2 billion in the hole!)

5. Readers can’t keep up with Spidey and Barack (Comic book featuring America’s favorite superhero flies off the shelves. Spider-man is pissed.)

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How can you show your appreciation for our new president and exercise your green thumb at the same time — as well as supporting a craptastically cheesy icon of ’80s-era TV marketing?

Why, that would be buying your very own Chi-O-bama. Enjoy, kiddies.

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WEB SITE: Oxford Comics' Zack Overton flips through the special-edition comic.

Inaugural Obama-mania extends to our nation’s comic book stores as the retailers can’t keep enough copies of The Amazing Spider-man #583, which features Barack Obama on the cover and a six-page story in which the 44th president plays a supporting role. Oxford Comics proprietor Mike Van Houten said that retailers didn’t pre-order enough copies and demand “went nuts,” until first editions were selling for $75 a piece when they went on sale on Jan. 14. Van Houten says that more than 500 customers reserved copies of the second printing, which went on sale today, and that more than 2,000 copies of the third printing will be due in the store next week.

The story, incidentally, finds photographer and Spider-man alter ego Peter Parker attending the inauguration where he sees two Barack Obamas — one of which is longtime Spider-foe the Chameleon, a master of disguise. According to the AP:

Parker decides “the future president’s gonna need Spider-Man,” and springs into action, using basketball to determine the real Obama and punching out the impostor.

I know Barack loves the game, but basketball? Really? The first African-American president has to use basketball to prove his real identity? Oh well, I guess there are worse stereotypes they could have.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Yesterday, the nation’s first African-American president was sworn into office. Today, a chance to reflect on the moment.

Here’s a glimpse:

For older blacks, inauguration a dream fulfilled (Associated Press)

Across Atlanta, a sense of pride and deep reflection (Wall Street Journal Blogs)

Metro Atlantas celebrate Obama inauguration (AJC)

Watching change (Gawker)

News sites see massive demand for online news (The Boston Globe)

Today’s front pages from around the country and world (Newseum)

A tale of two prayers: Rick Warren’s and the Rev. Joseph Lowery’s (Crooks and Liars)

The first blog entry at the White House’s official website (WhiteHouse.gov)

Bush to Obama: A private letter (Los Angeles Times)

Bush daughters offer advice, in the form of a letter, to Obama daughters (Associated Press)

After a day of crowds and celebrations, Obama turns to a sober list of challenges (New York Times)

And finally, a view of yesterday’s ceremony, from way up high, in breathtaking detail (Popular Science)

(Photo from Popular Science)

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One of the lines that stuck with me from Barack Obama’s Inaugural address, one that I’ve heard repeated several times today, came when he said, “Starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off, and begin again the work of remaking America.” Something about the words rang a bell, and after a little Googling, I realized they echo the song “Pick Yourself Up,” a show tune/jazz standard sung by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Diane Krall. Apparently lyricist Dorothy Fields and composer Jerome Kern wrote it for the Fred Astaire/Ginger Rogers musical Swing Time (which, appropriately enough, dates back to 1936, when the United States was still struggling to get out of the Great Depression). Here’s the clip from Swing Time: listen out for the line “Pick yourself up, Dust yourself off, Start all over again:”

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Not a bad look for the White House’s home page:

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Gov. Sonny Perdue on President Barack Obama’s swearing-in ceremony:

“Today’s inauguration of President Obama marks yet another peaceful transition of power in our nation’s great history. Mary and I were honored to attend today’s ceremony and our prayers are with President and Mrs. Obama as they take on this awesome responsibility. Georgia looks forward to continuing to work closely with the incoming administration as we address our softening economy and the impact it is having on our citizens. I also want to thank President Bush for his service to our country and for his support and friendship during his time in the White House.”

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As Paul noted in the comments of CL’s inauguration live blog, President Barack Obama’s speech is now online.

The words have been spoken during rising tides of prosperity and the still waters of peace. Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because We the People have remained faithful to the ideals of our forbearers, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

Read the entire speech over at CQPolitics.

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President-elect Barack Obama is scheduled to be sworn in at noon, a little less than two hours from now. If the Supreme Court is going to declare that he’s not actually a U.S. citizen, it’d better get a move on.

But seriously, I was just thinking this morning about how weird this all must be for one of those people unable to appreciate what’s happening today. You’d think the mere fact that we’ll soon be rid of George Bush and Dick Cheney would be exciting to anyone.

And yet, “PersecutedPatriot76″ is planning to protest the Obama inauguration today in Atlanta. Here’s his Craig’s List notice:

attention ron paul supporters, libertarians, market anarchists, agorists, minimists, porcs, free staters, bob barr lovers, and PEOPLE WHO CELEBRATE THE VALUE OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL SOVEREIGNTY OVER GOVERNMENT:
there will be a PEACEFUL anti-obama demonstration in downtown atlanta on the date of the inauguration.
native georgians, and other descendants of the colonials (white and black), have allowed the federal government to pervert many of the basic ideas our not-too-distant forefathers died to ensure for us. it is time we say “NO MORE”.
banners and protesters needed! come one come all!!!

Although I haven’t contacted PP76, I gather from his wording that he doesn’t oppose Obama himself, but rather the federal government and the presidency in general. From the fact that PP76 doesn’t announce the time and place of his protest — and from his web handle — I’m also guessing he’s aware that he’s advocating a fairly unpopular cause.

I just have one question: What’s an “agorist?”

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NOT FUNNY Aides recently told Obama about our unicorn cover

Tomorrow, CL staffers will hunker down in front of TVs and laptops to witness and participate in a historic moment in our nation’s history — Rick Warren leading a large crowd of people in  prayer. No wait, I mean, we’ll be liveblogging the inauguration of Barack Obama, the nation’s first African-American president!

If you’re stuck at work or sitting at home and looking for a place to comment, make snide remarks, celebrate, or even commiserate, this is it. We go live at 10:45 a.m. and plan to type until we’re so full of hope and change we’re inspired to become decent, law-abiding citizens.  We’ll have polls, funny photos of large men on mopeds, and maybe even some special guests. (Vernon Jones, call us back!)

It’s been a long eight years. And the next four — hopefully eight? — will be tough. But regardless of your politics, it’ll be a ceremony you won’t want to say you missed.

(Photo by Joeff Davis)

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Just out of curiousity, am I the only Rick Warren-loathing, gay-marriage-supporting atheist who is uncomfortable with the idea of protesting Warren’s appearance at Ebenezer Baptist Church today?

To put it politely, I vehemently disagree with Warren’s statements denigrating gay people. But I don’t think it’s a good idea to protest outside a church. How is protesting Warren at Ebenezer any more appropriate than Christians protesting outside a synagogue because the Rabbi won’t acknowledge Jesus?

Warren’s sickening statements prior to the passage of California’s recent anti-gay marriage initiative make him a powerful symbol of anti-gay discrimination. I get that. I just don’t think a Baptist church, or any church, is the appropriate venue for me to protest him.

Warren is scheduled to speak outside the U.S. Capitol tomorrow as part of Obama’s inauguration. When he does, I’ll mute the TV, mutter something nasty, and go check my e-mail.

If I were in the audience at the Capitol, I’d probably protest by turning my back to him. The Capitol is a public space. It’s my space. I’m more than comfortable protesting there. I feel obligated to protest his presence there.

But churches are private space. If he wants to be an ignoramus inside a church, I think that’s his business.

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GLUE GUN: "Evereman Wheatpaste" by Evereman

On Tues., Jan. 20, the nation will swear in the president with the catchiest catch phrase since Eisenhower’s “I like Ike.” If ever there was a time for art to explore political language, it’s now.

Beep Beep Gallery’s Popaganda attempts to tackle the visual language of politics without all the messiness of actual politics. Organizers Mark Basehore and James McConnell have brought together work designed to promote itself, promote nothing, or promote promotion with no ties to real campaigns or parties. Unfortunately, this group show is long on promise and short on delivery.

Popaganda squeezes 15 artists’ works into Beep Beep’s intimate, studiously lo-fi space off Ponce. The exhibit consists mostly of small paintings, drawings and mixed-media works by a young stable of gallery regulars including Ben Goldman and Sat Kirpal Khalsa. Themes depicted range from Goldman’s hyperpatriotic portrait of the gallery’s founders to Evereman’s early Soviet-style print of a worker mounting a poster by, who else?, Evereman. The spirit of Shepard Fairey hangs low over all.

What should have been a provocative look at how art shades into marketing shades into manipulation, instead too often degenerates into a series of easy jokes. But irony eats its young. And the down-at-the-heels, hipster aesthetic of snarky irony evinced by most of the show’s works is already starting to feel dated.

A missed opportunity is forgivable, but Popaganda takes a step down from there. (more…)

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Jacob: It might inspire me a little bit. A lot more people will respect him if he quits. No one respects somebody killing himself, and that’s all cigarettes are — cancer sticks. It would be good if we all quit, and I hope Obama makes it. It would make me respect him more and it might help me. Just seeing your friends quit helps. My idea of being president is that you’re still a human being — but you have a voice and your voice represents everybody. So if he quit smoking, it would be a big thing.

Erica: No. Everyone knows smoking is bad for you and in the end you quit for yourself. I actually kind of like that he’s a smoker. It’s very human to have some sort of flaw. I mean, I don’t want to see a picture of him holding a bottle of Jack Daniels with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth, but you should quit for yourself and not for anyone else. I don’t care whether he quits but he should be careful about his PR. Actually, if I saw him smoking at a bar I’d probably think he’s hot stuff.

Tre: I won’t stop. If my mother couldn’t get me to stop, Obama can’t make me stop. In fact, Obama should get up, after his inauguration speech, and fire up a cigarette. Have a glass of ‘nac [Cognac] and a cigarette and keep it real for ‘09. That should be his motto. He shouldn’t quit, but he should legalize marijuana. As long as he doesn’t get a tan like George Hamilton, it’s cool with me. The cigarettes kind of do your skin in. But if he continues to smoke, he should try to lower the cigarette tax.

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President-elect Barack Obama today is traveling by train from Philadelphia to Washington, D.C. for Tuesday’s inauguration. And “Georgia 300,” the train car carrying Obama and his family, has Georgia roots.

From the Associated Press:

The car was first built by Pullman Standard for the Southern Railway, when the car was known as the General Polk and used by railroad officials.

Georgia Railroad later acquired it in 1954, and [John Heard, the car's current owner], who is president of First Coach Rail Inc., bought it in 1986. It was a prized purchase for a man who recalls seeing the car as a boy in Atlanta.

Heard has made a series of electrical and plumbing upgrades to the car over the years.

“It had deteriorated and I completely rebuilt it,” said Heard, of Fernandina Beach, Fla.

Here are some interior shots of the train car.

(Photo by Tony Bucca used with permission)

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Following in the footsteps of our most awesome cover image ever, artist Dan Lacey (who, according to Gawker, “embodies a weary nation’s hope for the future”) has produced this masterpiece:

Whoa.

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Jeez, guys, didn’t you read that he was taking a train to Washington, D.C.?

The Georgia Public Interest Research Group has just released its analysis of the state Department of Transportation’s wishlist for President-elect Barack Obama’s proposed stimulus funds. And the group says the state agency’s list favors asphalt over rails.

The Georgia Department of Transportation’s wish list requests:

• Georgia would spend only 34.3 percent of funds on public transit/intercity rail projects.

• The state DOT has allocated 69 percent of the two billion dollar highway project funds to the maintenance needs of the state’s infrastructure. This is a higher portion than most other states but would still leave many bridges and roads in a state of disrepair while building new highways.

• GDOT also lists three bike/pedestrian projects in Fulton County: West End Rail Multi-use Trail ($2.2 million), Fourteenth Street ($7.6 million), and Downtown Atlanta Pedestrian ($6.7 million).

There are some worrisome aspects to these high-dollar and ambitious wishlists, too.

(more…)

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The Washington Post reports President-elect Barack Obama has asked CNN’s Sanjay Gupta to become the next surgeon general. Gupta, who does a commendable job performing heart surgeries neurosurgery (thanks, mom!) when he’s not practicing journalism, lives in Atlanta with his family.

From the Post:

Gupta has told administration officials that he wants the job, and the final vetting process is under way. He has asked for a few days to figure out the financial and logistical details of moving his family from Atlanta to Washington but is expected to accept the offer.

UPDATE: Rick Sanchez has been asked to accept the role of New Media Czar. Wolf Blitzer to become deputy undersecretary of beards! We just might get some Atlanta folk in this administration!

(Thanks to Andisheh for bringing this to my attention.)

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A side effect of the popularity of viral videos is a renaissance in the novelty song. The increased professionalism of Youtube-able film clips has meant that musical parodies and other comedy songs have increased in both quality and variety while finding bigger audiences thanks to blogs and social networking sites. Here are five of 2008’s definitive musical videos that didn’t involve a cat flushing a toilet.

1. “I’m F***ing Matt Damon”

The “Digital Shorts” of “Saturday Night Live” specialize in NSFW music video parodies like the recent “J*** in my Pants.” (I use asterisks because the clips are probably funnier when the swears are bleeped out.) None has bettered shock comic Sarah Silverman and her musical prank on her boyfriend, talk show host Jimmy Kimmel. “I’m F***ing Matt Damon” has catchy hooks that make it fun listening, despite being the most inappropriate break-up song imaginable. Kimmel’s response, “I’m F***ing Ben Affleck” built to a “We Are The World”-style chorus and proved nearly as funny, but the joke was officially exhausted when Elizabeth Banks sang yet another version, “I’m F***ing Seth Rogen,” to promote Kevin Smith’s Zack and Miri Make a Porno. (more…)

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According to Stateline, cash-hungry zombie politicians are already tossing ‘bows to compete for “Obamabucks” — the huge pile of at least $500 billion the president-elect hopes to dole out for infrastructure investments that he says will spur the economy. And cities and counties want the bulk of the loot.

The disagreement over the stimulus money partly reflects the increased tension between state and local governments during a worsening recession.

Many city and county leaders already are upset at state officials who are slashing aid to local governments to cover budget gaps. Their anxieties over being shortchanged were heightened Dec. 2 when 48 current and incoming governors met with President-elect Barack Obama to ask Obama to direct much of the stimulus money to states.

….

“We must make sure that the funding is spent quickly, and not stuck in federal or state bureaucracies,” said Miami Mayor Manny Diaz, president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. The mayors have submitted a $90 billion infrastructure plan to the transition team.

State officials doubt that channeling the money to cities and counties would save time. More to the point, they believe that state governments should oversee the money, because they can determine transportation priorities for the entire state, not just one area.

According to some reports, the Georgia Department of Transportation is asking for $3.4 billion from the incoming Obama administration. In Atlanta, Mayor Shirley Franklin has requested assistance for sewer repairs and the Beltline, among other projects.

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No one loves “free” money more than state and local governments. And Georgia’s are no exception.

Anticipation surrounding  President-elect Barack Obama’s $500-billion proposal to re-invest in the nation’s infrastructure continues to build, and cities, counties and states are already starting to drool.

In Georgia, the state DOT has already outlined $3.4 billion worth of road, bridge and rail projects — including more than $1 billion for cash-strapped MARTA.

After the jump, read about some of the projects Peach State lawmakers hope the incoming president will deem worthy of the taxpayer coin. We’ll have more on Atlanta’s potential projects later, as well as some interesting thoughts from one Democratic insider who says we — or more like some of our elected officials — may have already shot ourselves in the foot when it comes to trying to kiss Obama’s ring. (If you’d like to know what’s on the wish lists of 427 U.S. mayors, including six in Georgia, visit this PDF.)

(more…)

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After the AP’s recent revelation that Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin was on the short list for a cabinet post she didn’t get, the Politico adds insult to injury by pointing out that Pres.-elect Obama hasn’t chosen any Southerners for prominent administration appointments. Unless, that is, you count the most thankless of White House gigs.

To be fair, the official voice of the White House will come with a Southern drawl: Robert Gibbs, Obama’s soon-to-be press secretary, is an Alabama native.

Why have no Southerners been selected? UGA’s Charles Bullock hazards a guess:

“Who comes to mind immediately?” asked Bullock. “No one, really.”

“The leading politicians in the South at least for the last generation have been active as Republicans,” Bullock added. “You just don’t have Democrats that come to mind as the go-to person or the expert. It highlights the thinness of the Democratic bench in the South… The skill set is so depleted.”

Sad, yet true. Who are his choices: former U.S. Rep. Ben “Cooter” Jones? Zell Miller?

(more…)

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Latest rumor coming over the transom is that Pres.-elect Barack Obama may name a former Georgia governor U.S. Attorney for the state’s Northern District.

While that in itself is pretty eye-opening, it’s surely not music to the ears of some state politicos. Word is one in particular has been lawyer-shopping. Even we are not crazy enough to name names on that one.

Anyone have some good-ole fashioned speculation they can add?

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The Associated Press reports:

CHICAGO — President-elect Barack Obama on Saturday named New York City housing commissioner Shaun Donovan to lead the Department of Housing and Urban Development, turning to a former Clinton administration aide with a national reputation for developing affordable housing.

Donovan’s appointment was something of a surprise. Most speculation has centered around Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin, Miami Mayor Manny Diaz or Bronx borough President Adolfo Carrion Jr.

Atlanta Housing Authority CEO Renee Glover was rumored to be on a shortlist for the cabinet position.

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Polling organization Rasmussen Reports says:

The majority of voters in Georgia (53%) say Republican Governor Sonny Perdue is not doing enough to help them through the economic recession, though he still earns fairly positive reviews.

The latest Rasmussen Reports telephone survey in the state found that one in four voters (25%) say the governor is doing enough for Georgians, while another 22% remain undecided.

…

Still, more than half of voters (57%) approve of the way Perdue is handling his job as governor, while 39% disapprove.

The menz like duh govnuh. The ladies say “meh.” Also:

The early frontrunners among Republicans for the 2010 governor race in Georgia are Casey Cagle and John Oxendine. Cagle is currently serving as lieutenant governor, and Oxendine is the state insurance commissioner. Both men are favored by 14% of Republicans.

Among Democrats, former Governor Roy Barnes leads the pack of 2010 contenders with 28% support. Twenty-two percent (22%) of Democrats would consider voting for Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin for governor.

Check out the full rundown of responses. Among them: Barack Obama will do a better job as president than George W. Bush and native son Jimmy Carter.

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