Inauguration of President Obama

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I don't like crowds. And I don't like waiting in line. But if Our Source comes through with tickets, Barb and I plan to attend the inauguration of President Obama on January 20. Barb has a friend who has graciously invited us to stay with her (no hotel rooms for miles and miles).

I really don't expect to see much. Or even as much as we could see on TV. But it's one of those historic events that even I can't pass up, given the opportunity. Should be a blog-rich environment. And the experience might make all future airport check-in's seem like a walk in the park.

"People attending the ceremony and parade can expect to be searched by machines, security personnel or both. Precautions will range from the routine — magnetometers like those used at airports — to counter-snipers trained to hit a target the size of a teacup saucer from 1,000 yards away. Plus undercover officers, bomb sniffing dogs and air patrols.

The Secret Service — the agency coordinating the security — also has assigned trained officials to identify and prevent cyber security risks. And, as it does at every inauguration, the service has mapped out escape routes for the 44th president.

In addition Washington's 5,265 surveillance cameras, spread around the city, are expected to be fed into a multi-agency command center." [Article at RawStory.com]

This could still fall through. Our Source is a Republican big wig and they aren't swinging as much weight as they once did. Stay tuned.

Another Bourne movie

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The three Jason Bourne films, starring Matt Damon, are near the top of my list. Sort of hoped they wouldn’t push their luck and try for a fourth. But since the first three grossed more than $1 billion, Universal Pictures has signed Damon and director Paul Greengrass for another one, scheduled for summer 2010 release.

MGM got the rights to The Matarese Circle, another Ludlum Cold War thriller with Denzel Washington, due to begin production next year. And Paramount has the rights to The Chancellor Mansuscript, with Leonardo DiCaprio.

Alison

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I’m not a good photographer. I take a lot of photographs but I don’t think or worry much about the quality of the images. Good enough is good enough. That’s not to say I can’t recognize and appreciate the photographic artistry of my friends Henry and Nick.

Not to take anything away from their art, but I think some people have “a good eye,” when it comes to taking pictures. A natural talent for getting that good shot.

For example, the photo above… taken by my brother’s wife, Tonya. I’m not qualified to speak to the technical aspects of the photograph, but this image feels powerful to me.

Allison is 12 and the sweetest kid you’d ever want to meet. Her open, innocent, steady gaze is captivating. You could take a thousand shots and not get one this perfect.

You ain’t seen the last of the GOP!

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It’s pretty easy for me to avoid and ignore most of the die-hard McPalin/Bushie neocons who are non-stop whining about losing the election. They’re like the Japanese soldiers holed up in caves for years, unaware the war was over.

But I have a few friends who fall into this category and I can’t/don’t want to avoid them. I’ve been careful not bring up the subject of politics but they delight in baiting me. They’re Ernest T. Bass to my Barney Fife.

“Ernest T. was an ignorant and obstreperous mountain man with a penchant for rock throwing, who was known to wreak havoc on the otherwise quiet town of Mayberry. A wild, belligerent hillbilly, he had a scruffy appearance, a maniacal laugh, and often spoke in rhyme. When threatened with the law, Ernest T. would generally run off yelling his famous catchphrase, “You ain’t seen the last of Ernest T. Bass!” — Wikipedia

I understand that my friends want/need to complain and vent. But I don’t want to listen. So I’m printing up some little pocket cards to hand out.

This man feels your pain. He agrees with you. He doesn’t want you to be hopeful or happy. He needs your anger.

Please, call/email/write him. Get it off your chest and then we can talk about the weather or hockey or that girl with the cute butt.

Seth: What do do about Detroit

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“What we don’t need are giant companies with limited choice, confused priorities, private jets and a bully’s attitude.

I’d spend a billion dollars to make the creation of a car company turnkey. Make it easy to get all the safety and regulatory approvals… as easy to start a car company as it is to start a web company. Use the bankruptcy to wipe out the hated, legacy marketing portion of the industry: the dealers.

We’d end up with a rational number of “car stores” in every city that sold lots of brands. We’d have super cheap cars and super efficient cars and super weird cars. There’d be an orgy of innovation, and from that, a whole new energy and approach would evolve. Betcha.” Full post

This makes sense to me. So many of our institutions are broken or outdated or corrupt. But the people running them are too invested to ever change. So –painful as it will be– maybe it’s good a lot of stuff is crashing. We won’t get better government or financial markets or car companies until the old ones are gone.