Author: matt

From Bush’s ‘Freedom Speech’, by William Safire, The New York Times, Jan. 21, 2005:

On his way out of the first Cabinet meeting after his re-election, President Bush gave his longtime chief speechwriter the theme for the second Inaugural Address: “I want this to be the freedom speech.”

In the next month, the writer, Michael Gerson, had a heart attack.

SPOILER ALERT!!

With two stents in his arteries, the recovering writer received a call from a president who was careful not to apply any deadline pressure. “I’m not calling to see if the inaugural speech is O.K.,” Bush said. “I’m calling to see if the guy writing the inaugural speech is O.K.”

A Different Fire: An Iraqi man injured in a Baghdad car bombing, Jan. 21, 2005 (via AP)
“By our efforts, we have lit a fire as well – a fire in the minds of men. It warms those who feel its power, it burns those who fight its progress, and one day this untamed fire of freedom will reach the darkest corners of our world.”
– George W. Bush, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 2005
Related: 14 Killed In Explosion Near Baghdad Mosque, ABC News, Jan. 21, 2005

Devil Spawn: Jenna Bush at the Inauguration, Jan. 20, 2005 (via, Reuters)
Update: The aptly titled, “Come to Daddy,” by Chris Cunningham and Aphex Twin.

Thanks a Million: Powell says goodbye to, well, everyone. (via AFP)

No Laughing Matter: Not every soldiers’ homecoming is a Bush/Cheney photo op. (image via The Memory Hole)
“This year, nine inaugural balls are scheduled, including the Commander-in-Chief Ball, a soiree hosting troops who are heading to—or who have returned from—Iraq or Afghanistan,” CNN, Jan. 17, 2005.

Related: “The acknowledgement of misgivings—Mr Bush hesitated to use the word ‘regret’ —was a departure for a leader who repeatedly has refused to admit to any mistakes while in office,” ‘I wish I hadn’t said that’: Bush admits self-doubt, Suzanne Goldenberg, The Guardian Unlimited, Jan. 15, 2005.

“I’m going to Disneyworld!” (via AFP)