President-Elect Obama's Cool Ride

While there are many pitfalls in assuming the most high-pressure job in the world, there are perks as well. President-elect Obama is about to get a very cool car.

Gauging from what is known of earlier models, the car will reportedly have armor plating at least 5 inches thick, bulletproof windows, run-flat tires and a sealed interior to protect the president in case of chemical attack.

We know it's a Cadillac and contains a CD player but the Secret Service won't tell us much more.

Stuff I'd ask for in my presidential ride:

1. Popcorn popper.
2. Widescreen HD TV.
3. One-person hot tub.
4. Presidential Slinky available in glove compartment.
5. Hotline telephone that immediately connects me to Gene Simmons.
6. Beaded curtain separates me from driver.
7. Refrigerated cup holders perfectly sized to hold YooHoo bottles.
8. Interior lighting pulses to beat of music.
9. On Demand movie system allows me to watch "Wayne's World" at any time.
10. When you try to unlock doors while in motion, HAL 2000 says "I can't let you do that, Mr. President."
11. Defense system includes flame-throwers and machine-guns that emerge from headlights--while muffler can spew oil and pointy-edged jacks in order to throw off pursuers.

Blagojevich "Called Our Bluff"

Remember the scene in the "Lord Of The Rings" movie where Gandalf yells at the oncoming creature: "YOU....SHALL...NOT.....PASS!!!!"

I am thinking of that scene today as CNN's "Political Ticker" reports that Senate Democrats will seat Roland Burris and are admitting that Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich "called our bluff."

“We tried to send a political signal to Blagojevich that we would not seat someone he appointed. He called our bluff, in a reckless way,” said the Democratic source.

YOU...SHALL...NOT....oh, on second thought, WELCOME!

Some Members Of "Team Sarah" Were On The Wrong Team

Discussing the use of technology to advance conservative candidates and causes has become THE hot topic in the GOP after Team Obama's very effective utilization of "new media" in 2008.

But politics can sometimes take a turn into bloodsport--and you need to be just as savvy as your competition if you are going to get onto the playing field.

"Team Sarah" is finding this out--after liberal techies launched an effort to post racist comments on the pro-Palin site posing as Sarah supporters. The Huffington Post even printed a column utilizing the comments as proof of right-wing bigotry.

All the Presidents'...Presidents.

Today, via Mark Wilson for Getty. Nice.

We're All Conservatives Now

The Des Moines Register is outraged, I tell you, outraged--that people are smoking despite the smoking ban and local authorities are doing NOTHING about it. Probably because they are doing stupid stuff like arresting meth dealers.

And there's a light bulb panic in Britain because the European Union has banned sales of 100 watt bulbs in favor of a greener alternative. Note that I said greener, not cheaper or safer.

The low-energy fluorescent bulbs can trigger skin rashes, migraines and epilepsy.

There is also concern because the fluorescent bulbs contain mercury, which makes them dangerous to get rid of.

They can also be more expensive. Currently, an average supermarket price for a six pack of standard 60w pearl light bulbs is £1.21, but a single 60w low energy stick light bulb already costs around £2.19.

Sounds like the commercials for these bulbs should be run like ads for prescription medicines..."side effects may include....."

If Republicans Will FINALLY Be Fiscally Conservative...

...then my party's time in the wilderness will end in 2010.

In recent history, Republicans have proven they can spend taxpayer money just as well as Democrats. When there's no contrast, there's no victory. The opportunity now exists for Republicans to return to fiscal conservatism.

On the verge of a spending spree that will create a trillion-dollar deficit, Democratic leadership will approve rules to skip a required debate on the cost of Medicare. Congress is getting a pay raise. The Treasury has now spent or committed more bail-out money than was authorized by Congress.

And this blogger points out that the economic theory that seems to be driving the upcoming stimulus package no longer applies.

Keynesianism applies in the extremely rare circumstance that there should be deflation, but wages fail to fall. Arguably, this applied during the Great Depression, which is what Keynes was trying to explain. It does not apply today, nor will it ever apply with a remotely competent central bank. Obama’s stimulus package will not stimulate anything; it’s just a trillion-dollar boondoggle. But, the economy will probably recover anyway, and the stimulus will probably be given the credit.

Democrats Seek Exit From Burris Mess

Democrats are suffering from the threat of lawsuit, defections, and just plain bad publicity since refusing to seat Roland Burris.

Burris meets with Senate Democratic leadership today...and it looks like they are fashioning a strategy to put the matter behind them.

One idea being considered is to have Burris win an endorsement from the sitting lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn, one Democratic insider said.

A Democratic aide familiar with the process said that the idea of urging Quinn to endorse Burris is being seriously considered, and that strategy may emerge depending on the outcome of the meeting. Democrats are also considering urging Burris to not run in 2010 as one condition for their support, aides said.

Senate leader Harry Reid says he'd support a Quinn appointment, even if it was Burris. Or...Democrats could simply lose a lawsuit and say they've got no control over the situation.

I'm guessing the "Quinn solution" wins the day. Senate Democrats want to put the story behind them...and a lawsuit continues the drama while a loss in court REALLY makes them look bad.

Liskula Cohen Sues The Google

Model Liskula Cohen is suing Google and Blogger in order to unmask the identity of a blogger who is calling her nasty names on his/her site.

Her lawyer, Steven Wagner, admits Cohen faces an uphill battle.

However, Wagner agreed that it's quite difficult to identify bloggers who pitch insults anonymously, considering that New York courts have generally declined to unmask them.

"We think we have a case. This is libelous, it's defamatory and you shouldn't just get away with this," he said. On the site, Cohen, 36, is referred to as a desperate "40-something" who "may have been hot 10 years ago. Desperation seeps from her soul, if she even has one.”

I am not quite sure what Perez Hilton would do with himself if people starting getting pay-outs for mean statements on websites.

Drink up: Things always get worse before they get better.

Toyota's halting production for 11 days. Some poor skier ends up hanging, half-naked, from a ski lift. And your grandma's crystal stemware maker, Waterford, has filed for bankruptcy.

Go read some of PC Magazine's favorite blogs, pour yourself a glass of flat New Year's champagne in your favorite Lismore flute, and curl up in your Snuggie. The inauguration is just two weeks away.

Tony Blair: Hero Or "America's Poodle"?

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair will be awarded the Presidential Medal Of Freedom by President Bush next week. It's the highest civilian honor that a President can bestow on another person. Blair has already received the highest civilian honor awarded by Congress--the Congressional Gold Medal.

Blair, however, has yet to pick up the Congressional award due to accusations that he's acted as "America's Poodle"--and now columnists are reviving the nickname in time for next week's ceremony.

Atheist buses: There's probably no God. Now stop worrying and enjoy your life.

800 buses sporting posters promoting atheism have taken to the streets across England. Similar atheism-themed buses are on the roads in Italy, Spain, and Washington, DC. Australia's outdoor advertisers have declined the atheists' money.

Roland Burris Denied Entry To US Senate

There was no brawl...but CNN reports that the US Senate used a chamber rule to keep newly appointed Illinois Senator Roland Burris from being seated. Burris was appointed to replace President-elect Obama by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich..who is accused of trying to sell the seat.

Nancy Erickson, the secretary of the Senate, rejected Burris' appointment on Monday because Burris' certificate of appointment was missing the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, an aide to the secretary said.

Rule 2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate states that the secretary of state must sign the certificate of election along with the governor.

White has declined to sign the certificate, siding with some Senate Democrats who say Burris should not be seated because of the cloud over Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Update: Burris will go to court.

Definition Of A Fair Election: The Liberal Wins

What would cause Al Franken to be so doggedly determined to steal...er...win...Minnesota's US Senate seat after being declared the loser on election day?

Well, it starts with Minnesota Secretary Of State Mark Ritchie...who was elected with the help of a group dedicated to replacing conservative Secretary Of States with liberal SOSs.

“I want to thank the Secretary of State Project and its thousands of grassroots donors for helping to push my campaign over the top,” Ritchie said in a posting on the project’s Web site. “Your wonderful support--both directly to my campaign and through generous expenditures by the strategic fund--helped me get our election reform message to Minnesota voters.”

The group holds out Katherine Harris of Florida and Ken Blackwell of Ohio as GOP Secretaries of State that the group wants to keep out of office. So...when you've got a Secretary Of State elected by a group meant to keep conservatives out of office--why wouldn't a liberal just keep challenging ballots until being declared the winner?

Senator Lundby Observes Swearing-In Ceremony

Tara has blogged about our overwhelming affection for Iowa State Senator Mary Lundby. Another person who loves her dearly is newly-elected Linn County Supervisor Brent Oleson. Mary has known Brent since he was a lil whipper-snapper. When Mary bowed out of the supervisor's race in her district due to her battle with cancer, she supported Brent's campaign for the seat.

In recognition of her support and life-long friendship, Brent asked that the swearing-in ceremony take place in her hospital room.

Bye-bye to creepy Norm Coleman?

If the Al Franken victory holds up, as it looks likely to do, it will be excellent news for Minnesota and a sweet moment for those of us who wept to see Norm take the Senate seat that should have been Paul Wellstone's.

I met Franken and his very charming wife at a political event here in Iowa in 2004. Franken was friendly and warm. I believe he will represent my former home state well.

This race has been yet another reminder that voting matters. The recount margins in this race have been far too close for comfort for either side.

Richardson Withdraws

More "Pay-To-Play" allegations as New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdraws as President-elect Obama's nominee to be Secretary of Commerce. There's a federal grand jury investigation back home.

The grand jury has been investigating “pay-to-play” allegations concerning a New Mexico state contract awarded to a California firm that has contributed to three political committees formed by Richardson, The Associated Press reported last month.

A source close to Richardson told Politico, "There are too many unanswered questions and while he thinks the results of the grand jury will turn out in his favor, he doesn't want to distract attention from the administration."

"Stand To The Right, Walk To The Left"

Heading to Washington DC for the inaugural? The people of DC have a message for you: "stand to the right, walk to the left" on the downtown escalators. Natives even can purchase t-shirts which show hapless tourists being shoved aside on the moving stairways.

Oh--the other message: you are going to be miserable.

Muppet backstory: Miss Piggy is from Iowa, had to enter beauty pageants to make money

Mental Floss tells us about Miss Piggy's sad Iowa upbringing, along with the life stories of many of your other favorite Muppets.

I Predict: US Senate To Open In Prayer, Then Brawl

Senate Democrats are preparing to deploy Capitol Police next week if Barack Obama's appointed successor, Roland Burris, shows up to take his seat.

Meanwhile, Texas Senator John Cornyn says Republicans will block the seating of Al Franken if HE shows up before being officially declared a winner.

No details on how minority Republicans plan to block Franken's seating. I say it's time to pump up the opening day C-Span ratings by brawling it out.

Rather than just a wide shot, we'll need individual cameras to follow Kay Bailey Hutchison as she seeks out Charles Rangel and pounds him mercilessly.

Top Conservatives Endorse Ken Blackwell For RNC Chair

Two dozen prominent conservatives are announcing their support for Ken Blackwell for chair of the Republican National Committee.

While I tend to be cynical about the impact of endorsements (though Colin Powell's DID impact the presidential race), the impact of today's announcement can't be discounted. These type of races involve the ardent activists within the party--and they DO pay attention to the opinions of folks who aren't aren't always well-known within the general voting populace.

Mary in her own words

Renee at Essential Estrogen has compiled a series of great quotes from our friend, State Senator Mary Lundby, whose long and valiant struggle with cancer is winding down. I haven't yet commented about Mary here during her recent recurrence. She's a dear friend, a champion of my husband through both good and difficult times (for which she has earned my eternal gratitude and love), and an inspiring woman with a sharp wit and a great sense of humor. I wish her peace and ease and the comfort of knowing that her presence in our state and, as importantly, in our individual lives, has truly enriched us all.

What happens in war...

Israeli troops are moving into Gaza.

A 50-year-old war veteran is being called back to Iraq for active duty.

And Abu Ghraib's notorious Lynndie England hasn't moved on.

Tariq and Tarrance Griffin Are Twins Born In Different Years

Tarrance Griffin entered the world in a New York hospital just before midnight on Wednesday. Twin brother Tariq was born 26 minutes later. That means they are twin brothers born in different years.

Tara says that will make the older one "insufferable."