Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

He seems like a smart guy, but JFC, what a dick!

The republican caucus is covering themselves with something, and it is not glory.

Bark louder, little dog.

People really shouldn’t expect the government to help after they watched the GOP drown it in a bathtub.

This country desperately needs a functioning fourth estate.

Proof that we need a blogger ethics panel.

I am pretty sure these ‘journalists’ were not always such a bootlicking sycophants.

The republican speaker is a slippery little devil.

Republicans are the party of chaos and catastrophe.

The fight for our country is always worth it. ~Kamala Harris

The Giant Orange Man Baby is having a bad day.

Jack Smith: “Why did you start campaigning in the middle of my investigation?!”

With all due respect and assumptions of good faith, please fuck off into the sun.

This has so much WTF written all over it that it is hard to comprehend.

You cannot love your country only when you win.

Republicans: “Abortion is murder but you can take a bus to get one.” Easy peasy.

It’s always darkest before the other shoe drops.

Dear Washington Post, you are the darkness now.

There is no compromise when it comes to body autonomy. You either have it or you do not.

We are aware of all internet traditions.

You know it’s bad when the Project 2025 people have to create training videos on “How To Be Normal”.

Putin must be throwing ketchup at the walls.

I have other things to bitch about but those will have to wait.

How any woman could possibly vote for this smug smarmy piece of misogynistic crap is beyond understanding.

You are here: Home / Politics / The Party Continues

The Party Continues

by | 187 Comments

This post is in: 

I couldn’t come up with a new and funny variation of AC/DC lyrics regarding the inaugural ball, so this post will have to do. You go to war with the blog post titles you have, not the ones you want.

Here is another thread.

*** Update ***

Oh, it is on:

The Pittsburg Post Gazette said in today’s edition that Obama has a game ball from their victory in the AFC championship game Sunday over the Ravens. Dan Rooney and his son Jim personally delivered the football to Obama Monday night in Washington, D.C.

Obama also met with Dan and Jim Rooney in a separate room at the Hilton, where the pair gave him the game ball. “He’s a Bears fan first, he admits that,” Dan Rooney said yesterday at the Steelers UPMC training center. “But he’s a Steelers’ fan. He’s said it, and all his staff, they’re rooting for us [in the Super Bowl].”

Seems fair, since the Rooney family came out for Obama. And it is PittsburgH.

*** Update #2 ***

You can’t see it in the normal feed on CNN, but on the HD feed of Obama speaking at the Commander-In-Chief Ball, right over Obama’s right shoulder in the lower left hand corner of the screen, the gentleman standing there in the shot is Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston, who just so happened to be my First Sergeant when I was in A Trp, 1/11th ACR in Fulda, Germany. It has been close to 20 years and I swear he doesn’t look like he has aged a day. Even has the same expression. I spent so much time in the field with him I still could pick him out walking in the dark just from his stride.

Small world.

Reader Interactions

187Comments

  11. 11.

    Rosali

    I’m not sure if this was talked about earlier, but I find it strange that no one is talking about the absence of Sarah Palin. Every two-bit mayor in the country made it to the inauguration but the Gov. of Alaska, and the 2nd half of the GOP ticket, is nowhere to be found.

    Laura W: I’m ready to join your celebration.

  13. 13.

    Laura W

    @Rosali: O/T, but not by much…did you see the 17-yr-old kitty posted yesterday at top of thread? Our two have company.
    whoooooooo….Stevie. Everybody up!

  14. 14.

    sgwhiteinfla

    “But he’s a Steelers’ fan. He’s said it, and all his staff, they’re rooting for us

    Now you know this might lead to a big pissing match with John McCain and he luvsssssssssss to gamble.

  15. 15.

    The Grand Panjandrum

    I’ve been scouting out the wingnut blogs for the crazy shit and I think this one wins the day.

    Are you LISTENING President Obama? We know you’d rather have seen such babies murdered in the womb, but odes THIS message get through? Aren’t you glad YOU weren’t aborted?

    Follow the link and see the wonderful video that accompanies it. And this was only a half day. Wait until the have a full 24 hours.

  16. 16.

    Comrade Mary, Would-Be Minion Of Bad Horse

    I think Michelle looks great. There’s a bit of dorkiness to the cut of the dress, and Barack looks like an awestruck, gawky teenager dancing with her, so it’s all good.

    And I do love seeing dark skin and a white dress juxtaposed on the First Lady.

  17. 17.

    JL

    @The Grand Panjandrum: Why don’t you go post on their site and say how disappointed you were with Bush because Clinton actually lowered abortion rates more than he did. Say it nicely so you can avoid the mod people.

  18. 18.

    Laura W

    @JL: Michelle looks fabulous. I was just hoping for a deeply-saturated, super-striking color in her gown. She wears color like no one else. The one shoulder, off-white thing just didn’t do it for me, but that’s me.

    Beyonce is beyond-stunning.
    I have to suffer thru Ray Romano on my way to Sting?
    bleh.

  19. 19.

    Mazacote Yorquest

    Who did George W. have for his first dance in 2001, a recorded Conway Twitty song?

    Love the "neighborhood" schtick. As in, damn right we organized neighborhood by neighborhood– you could even say we community organized. Eat of bag of moose, Palin.

  20. 20.

    Jon H

    Apparently Bush gave a speech when he got to Texas. Only Fox covered it, and even they cut away before the end.

    Bush went to Midland. WTF? None of his two homes are there, it’s way out west, what’s the point?

  21. 21.

    Krista

    Michelle does look lovely — that dress is soft, and pretty and romantic. Very fairytale-ish, which I suppose is rather appropriate, no?

    And Barack looks goooooood.

  23. 23.

    Rosali

    @Laura W: Yes, I saw the Banshee. I love to hear about old cats.

    Has anyone heard about Sarah Palin today? Seems to me that the gracious thing to do would be to attend the inauguration of the winning candidate.

  29. 29.

    Octavian

    I tried, but I can’t bring myself to watch the Ball(s). There’s something about the atmosphere of it all that I find unnerving. Does anyone else feel this way?

  31. 31.

    Incertus

    @Laura W:

    I have to suffer thru Ray Romano on my way to Sting?

    In what universe is that guy funny? I can’t believe he had the number one show in the country for years.

  32. 32.

    Jon H

    "Has anyone heard about Sarah Palin today? "

    I believe her teenage daughter Spronker is having a child today.

  33. 33.

    Laura W

    @South of I-10: She pulls Jacquelyn Smith for K-Mart black leggings and an Isaac Mizrahi for Target hoodie off, for god’s sake.

    When I think of her on primary nights I think of one eye-popping chartreuse green suit she wore very early on, and then the gorgeous, curve-hugging, sleeveless, purpleish thing, of the fist bump fame.

    No more fashion chat. I’m done.
    Go Steelers!?

  37. 37.

    Joel

    I was rooting for the Cardinals, on account of their underdog status and the fact that Ryan Clark has now decked/nearly killed two players with his spearing this season. But now, I’m neutral. Anyhow, I expect Clark’s career to go the way of the last notorious spear-tackler I can think of: Eugene Wilson.

  42. 42.

    TheFountainHead

    You know what I would give to see them play DMX- Party Up at the ball just to watch the Fox news folks heads explode.

    Brush ya shouldas off.

  43. 43.

    dr. bloor

    @Krista:

    Michelle does look lovely—that dress is soft, and pretty and romantic. Very fairytale-ish, which I suppose is rather appropriate, no?

    She looks lovely, but don’t you think she also looks a little…ANGRY?

  45. 45.

    Laura W

    @Krista: Damn. I thought they were gonna break into Age of Aquarius there for a moment.
    Mary, Krista…we have bdays coming up this week, do we not?
    Declare now so we can embarrass you both in public, please.

  46. 46.

    Genine

    I love this whole "Neighborhood Party" thing. I mean the fact that the Inaugural Ball is open to the public. The whole Inaugural Wall thing is kind of annoying, but its great they’re trying to be inclusive. Its not just one person’s night; it’s everyone’s

    Its definitely different, an appreciative sort of different.

  47. 47.

    The Dangerman

    Not a Steelers fan, per se, but if it angers Niners fans when they get one for the other thumb, I’m cool with it. Also, in the 7 or 8 hour pregame show (or whatever it is this year), maybe we will get a story on Dr. Randy Pausch (if you don’t know the name, do yourself a favor and google him; videos are better than the book) and his interaction with the team.

  48. 48.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    Never mind I found it on CSpan. Gotta agree I am not too enamoured about the dress, but I have to say if anyone has any doubt whatsoever that these two people truly and deeply love each other then those dances will put that to rest. They are so obviously in love and enjoy being in each other’s company and enjoy closeness and being intimate with each other that it almost felt like we were intruding on a private moment. Excuse me if I get crude for a moment, but I am guessing the first wild hot sex in the Whitehouse is about 6 hours away.

  50. 50.

    Conservatively Liberal

    I hang left—does that count?

    No, that just emphasizes your right-handedness.

    SATSQ: Vol. CMXLV, Chapter VII, Section VXIX, Subsection XII(f)

  51. 51.

    Krista

    Mary, Krista…we have bdays coming up this week, do we not? Declare now so we can embarrass you both in public, please.

    Yep. This Saturday.

    And Litlebritdifrnt, I’m watching it on ABC, especially as I get it in high-def. (Which DH enjoyed, as he’s got a lust-on for Alicia Keyes.)

  53. 53.

    Krista

    Excuse me if I get crude for a moment, but I am guessing the first wild hot sex in the Whitehouse is about 6 hours away.

    I’m guessing not. In all the tiring days, I’m guessing that this would have been one SERIOUSLY tiring day. If any nookie takes place tonight in the White House, it’ll be the sleep-for-two-hours-then-wake-up-and-reach-for-each-other-while-barely-awake kind of things.

  54. 54.

    Dave C

    I want to see Barack and Michelle dance to TV on the Radio’s "Golden Age" at one of these balls!

  56. 56.

    Laura W

    @Iowa housewife:

    What are the puffy bumps on her dress, is it like those old bedspreads?

    And that is why you and I were such fast friends in college, My Dear!
    I was thinking it was like all bumpy chenille bedspreads torn up and sewn on at random, but you know, everyone else here seemed to like it, and I am always loathe to express dissenting viewpoints and appear to be some sort of anti-social non-conformist.
    Are you drinking?
    What are you drinking?

  57. 57.

    gwangung

    yeah, the hot/rumple the sheets/bumping is gonna have to wait for…oh…tomorrow, at least.

  59. 59.

    JL

    Rachel mentioned that Supreme Court Justice Roberts apologized to President Obama for the flub. To me that is not enough. Roberts should now call Chris Wallace and a few of the whackos on the right because he made them look like fucking idiots for spouting off.

  60. 60.

    Iowa housewife

    @Laura W: Actually she looks nice in it, but I found myself looking as close as I could to not see a bedspread. Ha. I have been very busy today and could not partake of the festivities as much as I would like. On my second glass of Chard at the moment. Yee-Haa, Bush is gone. Ya-hoo. Are you off the wagon?

  61. 61.

    Krista

    Yeah! I knew your birthday was soon, but I didn’t know it was this week. Do you and DH have any plans?

    Nothing too wild and crazy. We do live in the sticks, after all, and don’t dare drive too far this time of year in case the weather turns bad. But I think we’ll head down to our local with some friends, anyway. They’ve got excellent clams and chips.

  62. 62.

    JL

    They’ve got excellent clams and chips.

    Wow, that brings me back to Friday nights in my New England home.

  68. 68.

    Krista

    Wow, that brings me back to Friday nights in my New England home.

    Mm-hm! With a squeeze of lemon on the clams, and a shitload of salt, pepper and vinegar on the fries. Num-a-num!

  69. 69.

    Martin

    Has anyone heard about Sarah Palin today?

    She’d attend, but she’s afraid the GOP will repo her dress. It ain’t easy livin on the lam.

  70. 70.

    Iowa housewife

    @Laura W: Me thinks ye may be sorry on the morrow…..but what the heck. I am telling you Obama is prez and we are no longer in subzero temps, things are looking up.

  71. 71.

    Genine

    @Krista:

    That’s cool. I’d be the last one to make fun of you, that sounds like about my speed. lol For my birthday, I just had dinner with friends at my favorite restaurant!

    Btw, I like Michelle’s dress. I wish it had some color. But overall, really nice.

  72. 72.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    Actually I have to say that I disagree. Think about it, this night is the culmination of two years of being apart, for the most part. Of putting their lives on hold for the sake of the campaign, of him in a motel room and her back in Chicago. If it were me and my DH we would be going at it like bunny rabbits, no matter what the hour. JMHO. And of course Barack is going to say something silly like "so do you want to make love to the President of the United States" and you know its obvious what is going to happen.

    MSNBC News Anchor clutching ear piece "yes and we have confirmed that the microphones we placed on the bedsprings in the presidential bedroom have recorded squeaking, it is official first sex of the presidency"

  74. 74.

    Martin

    I’m guessing not. In all the tiring days, I’m guessing that this would have been one SERIOUSLY tiring day. If any nookie takes place tonight in the White House, it’ll be the sleep-for-two-hours-then-wake-up-and-reach-for-each-other-while-barely-awake kind of things.

    What do you want to bet the two of them are on dextroamphetamine for the day? If so, they should know that the carpets in the Oval Office were cleaned this morning.

  75. 75.

    Genine

    MSNBC News Anchor clutching ear piece "yes and we have confirmed that the microphones we placed on the bedsprings in the presidential bedroom have recorded squeaking, it is official first sex of the presidency"

    That’s a bit sleazy for MSNBC… Fox News, maybe? To break out the first scandal of the Obama adminstration? "President Obama has hot sex with wife Michelle on Inaugural Night!"

  76. 76.

    Laura W

    @Iowa housewife: I’m exaggerating. I’m sticking with champ. But yes, I will hurt.
    But I’ve blocked the whole day off in my Week-At-A-Glance as Misery?/Joy? Day – TBD.

    Who would’ve thunk back in the white bread UCSB college days we’d somehow hook up again, decades later, and be yakkin’ on some political blog on Inaugural Night. First Black Prez Ever.
    Life’s a trip.
    STING! Brand New Day. OK, I’m gonna lose it now big.

  78. 78.

    Krista

    And of course Barack is going to say something silly like "so do you want to make love to the President of the United States"

    From what I’ve gathered of Michelle, a statement like that would cause her to keel over from laughter, not from lust. Then again, laughter IS a good aphrodisiac.

    And it is nice to have a couple in the White House who aren’t like a bad soap opera (Bill and Hill) or like a 1950’s, sanitized sitcom (Dubya and Laura — can you picture her with her hair mussed, let alone giggling under the covers?) The Obamas just seem so much like couples I know, and their relationship is one that I can relate to and find inspiring.

  80. 80.

    Iowa housewife

    @Laura W: Yes it is a trip and it makes me happy. Also,too, that is proof positive that I used to have a waist and one chin.

  81. 81.

    JL

    The LATimes has an article on Obama’s speech which was quite complimentary.

    "He is our first (in the best sense of the word) aristocratic president," said author and journalist Malcolm Gladwell. "Bush was a buddy. Clinton was the kindly uncle. Obama is a prince."

    IMO Michelle looked like a princess to his prince tonight.
    It’s amazing that the first black President is considered aristocratic.

  83. 83.

    Dave C

    Holy hell! How many terrorists did those two Sergeants have to personally kill in order to get a dance with Barack and Michelle?

  84. 84.

    srv

    I am so drunk. Blind Pig. Bling Pig. Damnation. Damnation, Trippel, and it’s not even 7 yet.

    I have so much to say, but I’ll let Al say it (and this is the shortest Al quote I could find):

    This leads me to believe that Bynum is distinguishable from Mother Sheehan’s case. In Bynum, the District court held that then-extant Capitol regulations were vague for overbreadth, wrongly prohibiting even non-disruptive activities like Bynum’s, which involved leading private, prayer tours of the corridors of the Capitol. Bynum’s small group would periodically stop unobtrusively in the hallways of the Capitol – these are outside the houses and the attached galleries – to pray quietly, in a “conversational tone.” Bynum was not attempting to stage an impromptu prayer meeting in the gallery of the House during the conduct of congressional business. Sheehan’s and Young’s situation is distinguishable, since both sought to publicize a political viewpoint in the gallery, during an official congressional function. Seems to me that is different from walking around in the halls privately praying or talking amongst friends, and attempting to co-opt a legislative function to put your own viewpoint out there. Notably, the Bynum and Lederman courts do not question Congress’ ability to regulate free speech activities within the legislative chambers, and the Lederman court clearly supports that proposition.

    FWIW, the Capitol Police stated that the reason Sheehan was arrested, is that when CP asked her to cover the shirt, she refused to do so, and in response was arrested. This is different from first leaving, then moving into the hallway to argue about the policy; the hallway being a location where Bynum – insofar as a district court holding has precedential value – might recognize one’s right to wear a statement T-shirt.

    Regarding the sometimes inane commentary of congresspersons, they are allowed to do a lot of things under legislative immunity, which protects their political speech, and presumably, their speech acts (like purple fingers or eye rolling) while congress is in session.

    As an aside, before Slide calls me a lying liar of lying lies, both cases cited above have mildly complex appellate histories that makes their reliability as precedent somewhat muddy, not to mention their status as district court cases that appear upon cursory glance to be based initially on brief preliminary injunction hearings.

  86. 86.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    I remember from early in the campaign and she said that Barack was "stinky and snory" in the morning. I do not remember anyone ever describing a politician in such a way, that is what I like about them, they are real people who do not pretend that they don’t have bodily functions and stuff. It was like at that one debate, the question was what are your faults Barack said "my desk is messy" Hil and Edwards said something about world peace or some such mess, he then said "well if I knew what the game was I would have given a better answer". Personally I find it really refreshing to discover that the President farts in bed. Cause you know everyone does.

  89. 89.

    Krista

    Ooh! I’m just watching ABC’s recap, and they’re showing the first dance between the Prez and the First Lady, and well…I’m sorry, but that was seriously teh hawt.

  90. 90.

    Comrade Mary, Would-Be Minion Of Bad Horse

    Yeah, but does he push her under the covers after he’s done so?

    No. He’s still in one piece, so — no.

  91. 91.

    Jon H

    "And of course Barack is going to say something silly like "so do you want to make love to the President of the United States""

    Actually, it’d probably be more like "Make it so, Number One."

  94. 94.

    demimondian

    @Krista: Yeah, that’s about what I think, too. That’s one of those "did you know that this bed is large and will be cold and lonely without me" things wise husbands learn not to say.

  96. 96.

    Tymannosourus

    Seems fair, since the Rooney family came out for Obama. And it is PittsburgH.

    Yeah, and since Pittsburgh never has any fake bandwagon fans in cities all across America, you know the Steeler love is genuine!

  98. 98.

    Comrade Mary, Would-Be Minion Of Bad Horse

    srv, you think they were holding a farting contest in the limo? That seems more like something Bush would do.

  100. 100.

    Laura W

    @John Cole:

    It has been close to 20 years and I swear he doesn’t look like he has aged a day.

    Not sure when you posted that since I’ve been drinking and dancing around the house and time is now elastic and plastic… but it’s been close to 30 years for me and Iowa Housewife and neither one of us looks like we’ve aged a day, either.
    Snort.

    Small world.
    Life’s a trip.
    It’s all happening.

    Thanks for a Great Party, John.
    And Tunch.

  104. 104.

    South of I-10

    I see the Youth ball is at the Hilton, one of the few places in Washington I have been. I went one year for the Washington Mardi Gras ball and it was a blast.

  107. 107.

    Martin

    I spent so much time in the field with him I still could pick him out walking in the dark just from his stride.

    Uh, John, we didn’t ask – you didn’t need to tell…

  108. 108.

    Litlebritdifrnt

    Well I am off to beddy byes seeing as I have to work in the morning (unless the snow gets worse) Nighty night everyone, it has been a wonderful day, of all days, now the work begins. May whatever god you believe in bless and protect the Obamas, may the Secret Service stay vigilant, and may Barack stay true to his message and his word. I can sleep knowing that the world is in safer hands tonight.

  109. 109.

    Krista

    Yeah, but does he push her under the covers after he’s done so? No. He’s still in one piece, so—no.

    I honestly wish I knew why men find that funny.

  111. 111.

    Incertus

    @Jon H: I might have to try that one. My g/f is almost as nerdy as I am–she might go for it. Of course, she prefers being Janeway and wants me to be Chakotay, so the line might not work, but it’s worth a shot.

  113. 113.

    ChrisB

    @Krista:

    The Obamas just seem so much like couples I know, and their relationship is one that I can relate to and find inspiring.

    That’s exactly how I feel. They seem to be people you’d want to have as your friends, people you could instantly relate to.

    What a pleasure to have them in the White House.

    Meanwhile, Obama is getting exceptionally positive coverage at the military ball by, believe it or not, Fox News.

  114. 114.

    Laura W

    Small world.

    I finally clicked thru the link there.
    Your First Sergeant is exactly 364 days older than I.
    Wow. Freaky.
    (I’ll need to recalculate that in the late morning, tomorrow, because math is not my strong suit, even when sober and fully caffinated.)
    But I DO know he is an Aquarian and you do seem to do well with the Water Bearers, John.
    Astro Chat over.
    Go Steelers!

  115. 115.

    srv

    @demimondian: Hey, I’m that old. But well, I’m not the one sitting around all night and waiting for a job to finish while watching Cindy Laupers detritus play.

    We had rubber bands and Apollo people to bitch slap us when we were waiting for the MOC to boot.

  116. 116.

    JL

    I spent so much time in the field with him I still could pick him out walking in the dark just from his stride.
    Small world.

    Small world indeed. It is so much fun reading Laura and Iowa H reconnect and you watching TV and seeing your former sergeant. Karma!

  117. 117.

    Brian J

    And of course Barack is going to say something silly like "so do you want to make love to the President of the United States" and you know its obvious what is going to happen.

    This is kind of childish, but I’ve always wondered if anybody has ever heard a presidential couple having sex? If I am remembering "The West Wing" correctly, the both ends of the White House are saturated with security, so there would probably be a Secret Service guard or something outside the president’s bedroom.

  118. 118.

    Krista

    Some of us got past the age of 10, you know.

    True. But even the best men sometimes have moments of gleeful regression. :)

  120. 120.

    Laura W

    @Litlebritdifrnt: I’m way behind on the thread here but I love your verve, Sister! Aren’t you the one who is still HOT for her DH, for like over a decade now? Serving him breakfast in bed, letting him watch cowboy and sci-fi shit on teevee, lying to him about prodigal orange cats living and shitting under the bed, proudly posting videos of his marching high school band?
    You go, Girl.
    Keep representing for the perpetually-in-hot-love women of the world.
    Lord knows I can’t relate personally, but I do love your spunk and your stories!

  121. 121.

    demimondian

    @srv: Yeah, well, let’s not talk about old. I work surrounded by people who weren’t *born* when I started — not a pleasant experience.

  122. 122.

    srv

    @Brian J: There was a story that Dan Quayle’s hot button (that which told the SS he was in danger) was in the form of some physical monument (not his), and they knocked it over in coitus.

    SS burst into the room of an evangelical coupling. Must have been horrid.

  124. 124.

    srv

    @John Cole: Well, as General Hoar said in my presence, "We need to find a voice for Andrew in the Obama administration."

    Get your storied people working on that.

  125. 125.

    South of I-10

    I’m going to bed y’all, gotta be up early. It was a pleasure spending such a special day with you. Tomorrow is a new day.

  126. 126.

    Conservatively Liberal

    To celebrate our new President, tonight my wife made a meal from the terrorist cookbook in his honor. Yes, Rachel Ray instructed my wife on how to build the perfect terrorist meal.

    Someone call Homeland Security! Oh, right… the loonies are no longer in control of the asylum. Oh noes!!

    We would go to Krispy Kreme for some Freedom of Choice donuts afterward but we don’t have one near us. Bummer!

  127. 127.

    srv

    @demimondian: I worked on The Space Program with people who didn’t know if WWII was before or after Vietnam. Dates aren’t that important anymore.

    Did I mention that I have a 6-pack of la fin du Monde in the frig? OMG…

    And the chick who maintained the downlink Data Acq code from the mainframe had a dad who thought the moon landings were faked.

    Smartest non-BA/BS I ever met. God, I’ve never wanted an older woman so much.

  128. 128.

    gbear

    Bush went to Midland. WTF? None of his two homes are there, it’s way out west, what’s the point?

    They’d rather have him in a hotel when he gets drunk and smashes everything tonight.

  130. 130.

    John Cole

    Uh, John, we didn’t ask – you didn’t need to tell…

    If you think that is gay (and really, everyone who has ever spent any time in the military can tell you they can pick out their unit mates from their stride), I am not sure how you all would react to the stories about cold nights in January in Baumholder when the drip heaters in the M1A1 were broken and we slept two to a sleeping bag on the top of the turret in a make shift tent. Coldest I have ever been in my entire life.

    BTW- Tunch Update. It appears he has a new perch. For the previous few months, when he was not sleeping on top of the printer, he would sleep on the spine of the couch. Now, however, in the past few weeks, he as decided that the foot stool that is next to the couch and serves as the holder for remotes is his new designated seat. When I sit or lie on the couch, the first thing I have to do is grab the remotes because fatass is going to jump up there and fall asleep.

  131. 131.

    demimondian

    @Brian J: If the President and the First Spouse have children, then they’ve been overheard. It’s one of the things that having kids guarantees.

    After your own children have overheard you making love, it’s kind of hard to be embarrassed by coitus, doncha know.

  133. 133.

    srv

    @John Cole: My cousin worked in the Desert Corps of SCA in the Mojave. In February. Santa Anna time. No tents. Half the team was college chicks. Even then, they didn’t get two-in-a-bag. This explains everything.

    And my apologies, it wasn’t Gen. Hoar. It was MG Myatt. Y’all were probably making fun of him at the time for having to pretend an offshore assault.

  134. 134.

    srv

    @John Cole:

    because fatass is going to jump up there and fall asleep.

    Uh, why is it that we get yelled at when we use those out-sized terms?

    OK, 2nd la-fin-du-monde. Me happy.

  135. 135.

    Brian J

    @demimondian:

    I meant specifically by White House security, but I would agree with what you’re saying regardless.

  137. 137.

    Comrade Jake

    So apparently this morning Brian Williams spotted Reggie Love in the crowd and went on for about five minutes about how he’s Obama’s body man, graduated from Duke, yadda yadda yadda.

    Problem was, it wasn’t Reggie Love; it was Michelle’s brother. He would be, you know, the other shaved-head black man close to Obama.

    Oopsie.

  138. 138.

    gwangung

    Problem was, it wasn’t Reggie Love; it was Michelle’s brother. He would be, you know, the other shaved-head black man close to Obama.

    Rigbt sport, though….head coach at Oregon State if I’m not mistaken…

  139. 139.

    Conservatively Liberal

    Problem was, it wasn’t Reggie Love; it was Michelle’s brother. He would be, you know, the other shaved-head black man close to Obama.

    IOW, shorter Williams: "They all look the same."

    Oops!

  140. 140.

    Warren Terra

    In regards to the Presidential Nookie Speculation, at least tangentially, there was a somewhat funny story last year after Blair stepped down as the British PM: Cherie Blair published her memoirs or diaries or some such, and one thing she left for some reason didn’t redact was about how one summer early in Blair’s stint as PM the Blairs were invited up to stay with the Queen at her summer retreat in Scotland. Knowing the Queen’s domestic staff were going to unpack her bags for her, Cherie was too embarrassed to pack contraception. And that’s how their youngest child happened.

  142. 142.

    Jim

    @John Cole:

    I don’t think the stride comment was gay at all. Now, if you had mentioned something about his wide stance…

  144. 144.

    Conservatively Liberal

    I made the mistake of going over to RedNeckState to see how the wingnuts are handling it. Ouch. Not well at all. They are in an alternative universe over there and in dire need of buckets to carry the rivers of (alligator) tears they are crying over our nation losing its way their losses. Reverend Lowery is a hating racist for hating racists, Erick the RedNeck boasting about his chance to tongue-bathe Cheney’s scrotum one last time, their welcoming the ‘rest of America’ back to political and civic involvement now that Bush is gone and they can have their librul ponies, Obama, his family and his people are greeted with "Tasteless, Pompous Asses Move In" as a headline at RedState, Leon Wolf wants Obama to be a failure, and finally, Erick the RedNeck sez that Charlie Cook is wrong, the party is not going more extremist in chasing out moderate conservatives but rather they need MORE CONSERVATIVE COWBELL!!

    When you are in a hole… awww fuck it.

    Maybe they should consider a name change. Might I suggest "BlackHate"? How about "RedNeckStates-R-Us"?

  149. 149.

    AnneLaurie

    Michelle looks fabulous. I was just hoping for a deeply-saturated, super-striking color in her gown. She wears color like no one else. The one shoulder, off-white thing just didn’t do it for me, but that’s me.

    According to some offhand comment by Robin Roberts, or whatevertheheck the name of the MC at the Neighborhood Ball was, the First Lady wearing white to the inaugural ball is "a tradition". Probably one of those traditions invented because two FLs in a row picked the color & now every succeeding FL is stuck with it, but that’s your American! Inaugural! Experience! reduced to its essentials…

    I’m looking for a still picture of Chief Just-Us Roberts "fluffing" the oath. All three news networks have been careful to mention (thank the Higher Power of choice) that it was Roberts who fvcked up, not Our New President, but none of them seem to want to show us Chief John’s face. Possibly because the few brief shots I *did* see suggested the thought balloon "I should’ve used Preparation H!" This is the first time Mr. Opus-Dei-in-the-Oval-Office has been seen in public without his trademark shite-eating grin, I believe, and apart from all the historisoricity of the event, knowing that Big John (and Little Nino, Clarence, and Scalito) are not happy makes me feel all warm & fuzzy.

  150. 150.

    Conservatively Liberal

    That’s nothing. Check out Riverdaughter.

     

    The Klan’s female auxiliary.

    Now that is fvcking funny!

    I note they are somewhat attached to reality by their naming the election thread there "PUMA BAWL – RED CARPET".

    It reads like the sounds of old, sick and dying cougars, incessantly yowling at each other to the bitter end. Must suck to be a racist today, eh?

    Good. I hope they choke on it.

  151. 151.

    Comrade Jake

    @Conservatively Liberal:

    Did you read some of the comments in the top thread over at Riverdaughter? They’re talking about how Obama should have won the election by a much larger margin given how much he outspent McCain.

    The wingnut is strong with some.

  152. 152.

    theturtlemoves

    @Comrade Jake: He’s really, really well known in my neck of the woods, what with Corvallis being being 45 miles away and their in-state rivals right here. And yes, Brian Williams did fuck it up. My wife and I were wondering how stupid he could possibly be as we watched it. I used to watch Brokaw out of a sense of South Dakota native kinship, but NBC news really does suck.

  154. 154.

    TheAssInTheHatOnMyCat(Formerly Comrade Tax Analyst)

    demimondian
    @srv: Yeah, well, let’s not talk about old. I work surrounded by people who weren’t born when I started—not a pleasant experience

    I have the same situation – almost everyone in this company is mid-30’s or under. With the seasonal temps here now I’d say perhaps there might be about 6 or 7 people over 35…out of about 65 or 70. At 58 and counting I’m the oldest by about 5 years and the next person after that is a couple years shy of 50. But I’ve actually found it very enjoyable and exhilarating to work with these really bright and hard-working young people.

    Not that there is anything wrong with old fogies, mind you…

  156. 156.

    TheAssInTheHatOnMyCat(Formerly Comrade Tax Analyst)

    Laura W
    @John Cole:
    In a cat’s eye, all things belong to cats.

    Yes. Truth.

  157. 157.

    Conservatively Liberal

    @Comrade Jake:

    Yeah, I am reading that crap now. For some reason, reading crazy shit like that goes good with getting stoned. I have been laughing my ass off at their expense and I am enjoying it immensely.

  158. 158.

    slightly_peeved

    BTW- Tunch Update. It appears he has a new perch.

    From the pictures of that cat, "perch" is a pretty inaccurate way to describe anything it sleeps on.

    More appropriate terms would probably be "foundation", "scaffold" or "The forest moon of Endor".

  159. 159.

    Conservatively Liberal

    John, you are avoiding my question. What affiliation does Tunch have, if any, with the Trinity Unity Church of Christ and why have you been hiding this from us?

  160. 160.

    pattonbt

    @John Cole:

    Ah the pleasures of an Abrams tank in winter. The first thing to go is the heater. But you could always fire up the engine and bask in the jet fuel exhaust of the turbine (assuming you didnt have to worry about noise discipline). Or if someone else was already back there you could throttle it up and make them a bit extra crispy with the added benefit of jet fuel cologne.

    I spent my time on the Abrams in the Rockies at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs (sounds like same time frame as when you were in the Army). Winter field exercises were dreaded. Living in a cold metal can for 30 days. At least it was better than the grunts had.

    Agreed on spotting mates by their stride. I was amazed how quickly that becomes the first way you spot someone. I would imagine its because the clothes and hair are basically the same the same so you focus on something else first.

  161. 161.

    Laura W

    From the pictures of that cat, "perch" is a pretty inaccurate way to describe anything it sleeps on.
    More appropriate terms would probably be "foundation", "scaffold" or "The forest moon of Endor".

    I can not believe I am still up this late, but this is too freakin’ funny to pass on.
    Reserving a place for this entry in the Top xxxx (TBD) Funniest Fat Cat Jokes at Tunch’s Expense, 2009 Edition.

  162. 162.

    Ninerdave

    @Brick Oven Bill:

    Enjoy your evening, my friends. Enjoy your evening, just as I did 4 years ago.

    Ouch, you too voted for Bush on his second term?

    Tomorrow is another day.

    Actually he started today:

    White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel stops Bush’s last-minute regs. Emanuel signs a memorandum ordering all agencies and departments to stop all pending regulations until a legal and policy review can be conducted by the Obama administration.

    This also seems apropos

    How Conservatives Should Celebrate the Inauguration
    By David Horowitz:

    That’s right. Don’t enjoy the moment as an American, here’s how you should respond:

    1) Holy F’n Sh*t, a ni**er was elected president. Don’t panic.
    2) Ronald Reagan said it was ok to think MLK was ok, so Don’t panic
    3) He’s a socialist n**ger so, don’t panic yet, we can still call him a socialist and not be labeled racist.

    Final graph…the summary as it were:

    It seems unfair that a n**ger should be the source of a new patriotism. We are the party of Lincoln! Oh yeah and Bush boned the conservative movement for many years to come so we might as well deal with it.

  163. 163.

    Screamin' Demon

    In an earlier thread, John wondered what Archie Bunker would have said today.

    I can tell you exactly what Archie Bunker would have said. Watching the inauguration on TV with Edith, Meathead and Gloria, and listening to the three of them talk approvingly about the Obamas, Arch would eventually lose his cool:

    “The world has gone berserk! I’m all alone here! I’m all alone in this house! Isn’t anyone interested in upholdin’ standards? Our world is comin’ crumblin’ down! THE COONS ARE COMIN’!”

    Gloria would say: “I think it’s just wonderful that a black family is moving into the White House.” Arch would retort: “Wonderful, huh? Well, just wait ‘till the watermelon rinds come flyin’ out da windas!”

    (because these are the things he said in a first-season episode of All in the Familywhen he learned the Jeffersons were moving in next door)

  164. 164.

    passerby

    Michelle looks fabulous. I was just hoping for a deeply-saturated, super-striking color in her gown. She wears color like no one else. The one shoulder, off-white thing just didn’t do it for me, but that’s me.

    and

    According to some offhand comment by Robin Roberts, or whatevertheheck the name of the MC at the Neighborhood Ball was, the First Lady wearing white to the inaugural ball is "a tradition". Probably one of those traditions invented because two FLs in a row picked the color & now every succeeding FL is stuck with it, but that’s your American! Inaugural! Experience! reduced to its essentials

    I think she looks terrific in colors too though I didn’t know about the white dress tradition. That being said,…um…I think the dress looks like a…um..cheap prom dress… um…or …um…well, the image of "Toilet Paper Bride" keeps coming to mind.

    I know, I know. It was a glorious day for USA, and I was overjoyed to bear witness to what happened today. It’s probably too early for any kind of negativity, especially superficial stuff, but I don’t think history will laud her choice of gown this evening.

    There. I said it. And now I’ll crawl under a rock where I belong.

    I suck.

  165. 165.

    Ninerdave

    There. I said it. And now I’ll crawl under a rock where I belong.

    I suck.

    No you’re not alone. I thought the whole "Red Carpet Oscar Award" feel to the night, while not unexpected, was stupid. Then again I think most of the "celebrity gossip, what is she wearing" type crap is well…crap. It’s why I haven’t been able to watch the Oscars or Grammies in years (well that and they always award crap to the crapiest crap makers)

    Having said that, and god forbid I comment on this, I thought the dress was ugly.

    There. I made a fashion comment, Shoot me.

  166. 166.

    Conservatively Liberal

    If she wanted to wear a Hefty bag with cutouts that would be just fine as far as I am concerned. If it were me, I would dress in whatever I like and is comfortable. I am reading some are saying that they were too extravagant, others who say she wore a cheap dress and still others who said that they spent so much on the show and yet she wore a cheap dress! Oh my! Not.

    After the last eight years of governmental excesses it is refreshing to see some restraint, especially in the times we are facing. To those who wish to critique her dress, would you please post a pic of yourself so we can see if you are all talk and no action or…

    Didn’t think so. ;)

    One great point about Obama winning and being president is that I am looking forward to the next eight years of wingnut and PUMA inter/in-breeding. Those results are going to be something to see. With the wingnuts eating their moderates and sucking up to the PUMAs, the Republican party is a hollowed out shell of its former self.

    If there is anything we can thank W for it is destroying the Republican party. He fucked that party over like a cheap drunken slut. They were all united at the outset of the Cheney administration but the whole thing ended in a total disaster with each man trying to save their own ass. The lack of last minute pardons tells me that Dick and W are not getting along too well right now. Poor Scooter is a criminal forever and everyone else has to worry if Obama is going to send the dogs after them and lock their asses up.

    I bet that will make for some sleepless nights for some guilty consciences out there. If so, good.

  167. 167.

    Tattoosydney

    Jesus fuck. I just listened to Rick Warren’s alleged prayer (after refusing to be in the room for it last night)… What a rambling, nonsensical, third grade level mess…

    This was what we were worried about?

    I wonder whether he actually wrote that crap, or was just making it up as he went along?

    "We know that Dr King and a great cloud of witnesses are shouting in heaven".

    Perhaps, but they are shouting for you to shut the hell up, Rick.

  168. 168.

    Mwangangi

    @pattonbt: Son, 11M FTX was for 60 days. In the desert, in Texas. Then we got the opportunity to ‘winter train’ at Fort Drum in N.Y. North of Syracuse, also known as Watertown… you know the place that gets more snow than Buffalo…
     
    It was awesome…and I’m from N.Y. (although I’m attending school in Cali).

  171. 171.

    Tattoosydney

    Yuval Levin has this at the Corner…

    Tomorrow, no doubt, Obama will sign some papers putting the United States firmly behind international abortion efforts again, and will begin the work of enacting a massively wasteful spending bill, and our politics will begin again to take up the great arguments that have long given it shape: about the proper relationship of the state and the citizen, about America’s place in the world, about the regard and protection owed to every human life, about how we might best reconcile economic prosperity and cultural vitality, national security and moral authority, freedom and virtue. These are divisive questions of enormous consequence, and they are neither petty nor childish.

    No, what’s petty and childish is that Republicans appear to think that these issues were somehow settled during the Bush years, that they were perfectly entitled to stifle debate about them while Republicans were in power, but also to suddenly re-discover their love of full and open debate as soon as a Democrat obtains some power.

  173. 173.

    Tattoosydney

    @robertdsc:

    Don’t mess with the President’s BlackBerry, bitch.

    Secret Service officials are among those urging Obama to give up his Blackberry habit, because it causes security worries.

    Dear Secret Service
    Re: Blackberry

    Get better security.

    Yours,

    President-Elected Obama.

  174. 174.

    Conservatively Liberal

    Jesus fuck. I just listened to Rick Warren’s alleged prayer (after refusing to be in the room for it last night)… What a rambling, nonsensical, third grade level mess…

    I just watched the ‘show’ for a second time with our daughter and I missed Rev. Ricky the first time around. He’s got something like 30,000 people who come to listen to him ‘preach’? It was like he loaded a machinegun with words and phrases that sound good to his parishioners, tossed in some other stuff that sounded interesting (to him), aimed it at the paper and started blasting away. After a barrage of blasts, silence. The smoke clears…

    "Yup, looks good to me!"

    His parishioners might thrive on that swill but for the rest of us that was some pretty thin gruel. If he is supposed to have a voice that the wingnuts want people to listen to, he better learn how to write and speak.

    Absolutely lame.

    Josh: "Grey State?" Heh. : )

  176. 176.

    harlana pepper

    I was walking back upstairs this morning, cup of coffee in hand, and said to myself out loud, for the first time, "President Obama." Then I sat down and watched some of his speech. And the little tears of hope and wonder finally came out.

  177. 177.

    R-Jud

    @Tattoosydney:

    Jesus fuck. I just listened to Rick Warren’s alleged prayer…What a rambling, nonsensical, third grade level mess…

    When RW ambled up to the podium my husband (who wasn’t aware who RW is) made a face. "Will they flash his 1-800 number on the screen for donations?" he asked.

    We turned off the sound about 30 seconds in and did other things until it was clear he had gone away. Utterly forgettable.

  178. 178.

    Tattoosydney

    @Conservatively Liberal:

    Absolutely lame.

    To be fair, I thought Obama’s speech was a little lacklustre – although it was still stirring and touching and hit all the right notes.

    Then again, it’s probably that it was the serious, slightly down to earth, slightly less oratorical speech that we needed to hear, rather than the barn storming one I wanted.

    Lowery kicked arse.

    (The wingnuts are presumably outraged about the "white will embrace what is right" bit. I can’t really be bothered to go and look.)

  180. 180.

    CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMIX

    Re: Rick Warren:

    I did happen to think that his almost shedding a tear when he mentioned that a black man could become president was a nice touch.

    I was just glad his invocation wasn’t divisive, so while I agree that it can be considered lame (what was that crap where he led everyone in prayer to pray to "the one who saved me"?? – did he have to be so self-aware?) but, I was just happy it wasn’t a flame source.

  181. 181.

    Conservatively Liberal

    The wingnuts are presumably outraged about the "white will embrace what is right" bit. I can’t really be bothered to go and look.

    Oh they is angry but too f’ing bad. Oh well. The truth hurts for some people, but it usually only hurts the ones that need to hear it.

  182. 182.

    Tattoosydney

    @CIRCVS MAXIMVS MMIX:

    I was just glad his invocation wasn’t divisive, so while I agree that it can be considered lame (what was that crap where he led everyone in prayer to pray to "the one who saved me"?? – did he have to be so self-aware?) but, I was just happy it wasn’t a flame source.

    True. He said a lot of good (if platitudinous) things:

    And as we face these difficult days ahead, may we have a new birth of clarity in our aims, responsibility in our actions, humility in our approaches, and civility in our attitudes, even when we differ.

    but they’re just lost in pounds of tripe:

    It all comes from you, it all belongs to you. It all exists for your glory. History is your story.
    …

    I humbly ask this in the name of the one who changed my life, Yeshua, Isa, Jesus, Jesus (hay-SOOS), who taught us to pray…

    Ah, I’m an agnostic lapsed-Catholic… what do I know?

  183. 183.

    Tattoosydney

    @Conservatively Liberal:

    … and the whole bit was funny and poetic and very "black".

    and in the joy of a new beginning, we ask you to help us work for that day when black will not be asked to get in back, when brown can stick around … when yellow will be mellow … when the red man can get ahead, man; and when white will embrace what is right.

    When was the last time someone was actually intentionally funny at a Presidential inauguration?

  185. 185.

    harlana pepper

    Re: Rick Warren, here’s an example of a "service" at a local mega-church. I imagine Warren’s church is no different. These people creep me out. Sounds horribly un-Christian to say, but I want nothing to do with them and there is no way I could sit through this shit every Sunday.

  186. 186.

    harlana pepper

    The focus of the mega-church is really "self" – having a "personal relationship" with God – not helping your fellow man – this includes missions – it’s all about proselytizing and converting people. I have been around these folks and they totally creep me out. You never know whether they want to be around you because they like you, or because they want to "bring you to Jesus." I’m going with the latter. Some of them are former hard-core drug addicts and alkies – I think they just switch their addictions to people like Warren

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