What Caught My Eye Today - Inauguration Day Edition
Fred's Note: I suppose if you are not much of a fan of history making -- some might even say transformational -- events, it was a rather slow news day, unless of course, you are into the sports scene down under.
Inauguration - Unless you have been tooling about in some third world country without access to the Internet or any other form of communication, the United States has elected itself a new President. And oh by the way, he happens to be African American. Before a jubilant crowd of more than a million, Barack Obama claimed his place in history as America's first black president. It was a scene watched in fascination by many millions — perhaps billions — around the world. Sadly, I was not one of them; I had to listen to it on the radio. Of course, on the bright side, I found myself in this predicament because, thankful, I still have a job. In one of the new administration's first acts, Obama ordered federal agencies to halt all pending regulations until further review. And this surprises, who? Obama thanked George Bush for his service as president and never directly criticized him. He's one of the few who hasn't. Lest you think that everything is rosy; it ain't. In the Oval Office awaits the workaday, hard-nosed business of the daily governance of a nation of 304 million. And while Washington celebrated, events kept moving: Wall Street slid, news surfaced that U.S. carmaker Chrysler could be purchased in part by Italian auto giant Fiat This is a joke right? The "Fix It Again, Tony" guys are going to buy Chrysler? Who in their right mind would want to do that?), and prosecutors at the U.S. detention center at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, sought to suspend all war-crimes trials pending Obama's guidance. Good luck with that, Mr. President. For what it's worth, we're all pulling for you...for now.
President Bush - Say what you will about the guy--Lord knows, I have--but George Bush managed to run this country for 8 years. I'd say the guy deserves a little R&R. Leaving the White House for the last time, President George W. Bush blew a kiss out the window of his presidential limousine, a gesture that capped an eight-year administration marked by two wars, recession and the biggest terrorist attack on U.S. soil. Bush's exit was bittersweet. He left office with low approval ratings, but he remained upbeat, smiling and joining in the celebration of President Barack Obama's ascent to rock-star status. After the inauguration ceremony, many in the crowd at the Capitol cheered loudly and waved goodbye at Bush's helicopter as it flew over throngs of people gathered on the Mall to witness history. But not everyone was respectful. Weary of Bush, some people in the crowd chanted "Na-na-na-nah, hey, hey, hey, goodbye" when they heard a television broadcaster announce, "George Bush is no longer president of the United States." I'm far from being a Bush fan, but that just ain't right. Show a little class, people. Your guy won for crying out loud. Citizen Bush lingered only two hours in Washington. From the Capitol, Bush and his family flew to Andrews Air Force Base where he made private remarks to supporters inside a hangar. The Bush family, including former President George H.W. Bush and former first lady Barbara Bush, then took a flight to Midland, Texas, riding one last time on the familiar blue-and-white presidential aircraft. It was called Special Air Mission 28000 instead of Air Force One since Bush no longer was president. A crowd of nearly 20,000 people welcomed the Bushes at Centennial Plaza in Bush's childhood home of Midland — the same place he stopped on his way to the nation's capital for his own inauguration in 2001. The president's plane flew low over the plaza, prompting the crowd to wave red-white-and-blue W's. I cannot say that I will miss you, Mr. Bush. My mother didn't raise me to lie. But I will say this. Despite the fact that I disagree with pretty much all of your policy decisions, I have never for one moment questioned your love of country and what I assume to be your best effort to keep the United States free from harm. So for that, I thank you. Good luck to you and the missus.
Cycling - Riding in 103-degree heat and in wind that felt like a blast furnace, Lance Armstrong returned to professional cycling finishing 120th of 133 riders in the first stage of the six-day Tour Down Under, his first road stage in three years. The stage was nothing more than two short hill climbs and a pedal through undulating hill country on the fringe of the wine-growing Barossa Valley outside Adelaide. But the searing heat tested even the fittest riders, almost all of them younger than the 37-year-old Armstrong. Not that 120th place is anything to write home about, but this last bit might reveal a lot more about just how ready Armstrong is in his return to professional racing. Armstrong coasted to the finish near the back of the pack. Unfazed by the heat and the day’s exertion, the Texan spent 20 minutes talking with Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd. Nice, huh?
Tennis - Tennis' first Grand Slam, the Australian Open is under way. Here are some of the headlines that I'll be following.
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