Dying on the Inside: John Kerry with Max Baucus, Jan. 20, 2005 (via, AP).
Always a bridesmaid…
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Cliffhanger in Op-Ed Land
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 40-year-old woman faces charges of sexual assault and contributing to the delinquency of a minor for allegedly supplying drugs and alcohol to high school boys and having sex with some of them.
“Sylvia Johnson, 40, told police she wanted to be a ‘cool mom,’ according to an arrest affidavit…”
– ‘Cool Mom’ Threw Sex Parties for Boys, AP, Jan. 21, 2005.
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Can’t We Just Agree on an Approach?
Highlights from “Americans View Bush Speech Differently”, by Angie Wagner for the Associated Press, in which a wide swath of senior citizens’ opinions are made available.
First up is Jim Swafford, 62, of Nashville, Tennessee, who sounds a bit, well, focused on the issues. Or at least one issue. One very closely guarded, paranoid issue.
“He’s trying to take my Social Security away from me, and he’s lying about it,” said Swafford, a semiretired owner of a hair salon. “I don’t like to listen to him anymore than I have to to find out what he’s trying to take away from me.”
How about an overarching sense of relativism?
In Rio Rancho, N.M., Bush’s speech was on in the cozy recreation room of the Harmony House Residential Senior Living Home. Phyllis Cline sat smiling in her wheelchair, excited she made it back from a doctor’s appointment just in time.
Or denial? Nihilism? The sense you’re going to die soon?
Joan Keck, 72, wasn’t having any of it.
“I’d rather sit and read this book about cats than listen to this,” said Keck, gesturing to her book. “I could truly care less.”
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Super-Fun Friday Photo Caption Contest*
How to Enter: Using the ‘comments’ area, enter your best caption to the above photo (via AP).
Prize: The best caption, as chosen by the editors of this site, will be posted on the main page.
Rules: Enter as often as you like. No libel, etc.
* low culture cannot guarantee that you have “super-fun”.
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A Series of Unfortunate Metaphors
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
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Aiiiiiiieeeeeeeee!!!!
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)