A Different Camelot
Economic Collapse Dims Hope
"Let the word go forth from this time and place, to friend and foe alike, that the torch has been passed to a new generation of Americans" - Kennedy, Inauguration 1961
SIGNS & WONDERS "Everyone seems to preface their observations with how many they've seen. 'This is my fourth inauguration', and 'This is my eighth time with one of these'. But everyone feels that this one is different." - Noonan
Optimism Sweeps the Nation President-elect Barack Obama is riding a powerful wave of optimism into the White House, with Americans confident he can turn the economy around but prepared to give him years to deal with the crush of problems he faces starting Tuesday, according to the latest New York Times/CBS News Poll.
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America's Racial Transformation "The messes are enormous, bigger than Washington, bigger than race, bigger than anything most of us have ever seen. Nearly three months after Election Day, it remains astonishing that the American people have entrusted the job to a young black man who seemed to come out of nowhere looking for that kind of work just as we most needed him." - Rich, Times
FFF
"And so, my fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country." John F. Kennedy
Obama's Authentic Leadership So much has been said already about the man who called his last book The Audacity of Hope. I'll focus here on one factor that stands out, and it's the thing about him that worked political magic--Obama's authenticity, as an utterly distinctive yet powerfully representative American and citizen of the world.
“The Only Thing We Have to Fear Is Fear Itself.” - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
FDR First Inaugural Address, 1933 "This great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days."
Financial Crisis Subdues Hope If the impact of an event can be measured in barricades, fences and rows of portable toilets, then Washington is about to witness either the second Siege of Stalingrad or the Second Coming itself. These last days before the inauguration of Barack Obama are an emotional riptide of fear and hope. The air here is full of news of economic collapse and civil celebration, of banks caving and movie stars arriving, of government going broke in a city suddenly (and temporarily) full of tuxes and bling. Rarely in our history has so much hope been piled on the shoulders of one man at such a schizophrenic moment.
The Change-Over Begins THE SPEECH 2 MONTHS IN THE MAKING *** OBAMA ON LINCOLN *** Poll Finds Faith in Obama, Mixed With Patience *** 2 Years After Campaign Began, a Different World *** Capital all abuzz as First Couple-to-be rolls in *** FDR's plan couldn't go as far now *** D.C. security will be higher than ever before *** This is our time, too, say proud gay paradegoers *** Video: Obama's weekly address *** The Boss: 'US Revealed True Heart Election Night' *** Inaugural TV Deals Bring Big Bucks, Controversy *** ‘How Barack Obama Won’ *** Obama Touts Recovery Plan in Ohio - Cleveland Plain Dealer *** Newspapers to Cash in on Inauguration Demand *** I Can't Quite Believe This Moment Is Here *** On Tuesday, 'Everything Stops' *** BARACK OBAMA 2.0: iPRESIDENT TO PUSH HIS AGENDA AND MORE USING ONLINE NETWORK OF MILLIONS *** SIGNS & WONDERS: EVERY FOUR YEARS, A CITY IS MAGIC AGAIN *** INAUGURATIONS GONE WILD: "THE FOUNDING FATHERS WANTED VERY MUCH TO AVOID ANY SMACK OF ROYALTY OR CORONATION." *** ALL ABOARD FOR A REAL THRILL RIDE: ABOARD THE OBAMA EXPRESS *** IT'S DC HANG TIME FOR POPULAR POSTER *** GEARING UP FOR BAM'S BASH: NYC STUDENTS AT SWEARING-IN *** An Historic Moment, From One Prominent Brooklyn Family’s Perspective *** Sully's next flight could be to the inauguration *** As a White House photographer, his eye is on the President *** Letters to Obama by NYC students about their hopes and wishes *** Book Review: A special inauguration issue focused on the presidency *** Obama Honors War Dead at Arlington, Attends Church.
City Hall Bloomy & Tom's 3rd-Party Tag-Team *** BARACK'S VOTER-PROFILER WHIZ SIGNS ON WITH MIKE *** GOP might endorse a Dem over Bloomberg: GOP leaders will make Mayor who is no longer a Republican, pay them $$$ and jobs to gain permission to run on their Republican line *** Peeved 'Pubs may deny Mike GOP line *** Mayoral Race Could Get More Interesting *** Columbia wants to demolish historic buildings *** For Catholic Schools, Crisis and Catharsis *** Would-Be Senators Describe Job Interview With the Governor *** When the Action Moves On *** ‘Obama, Pave Atlantic Avenue’ *** Architect & construction companies come to aid of Bed-Stuy ambulance corps *** City, feds can't agree on FDNY's bias case *** Community service during high school a must, says Councilman Gioia *** Morganthau piles up cash for D.A. race *** Grand Central Terminal to get retail overhaul *** City Starts Closing Four Firehouses Overnight.
Wall Street Mess BERNIE A PUNK UNCLE: WIPES OUT SISTER'S SON *** She Gave an Open House and Nobody Came *** Time for (Self) Shock Therapy: convene the 300 leading bank presidents and deliver a come-to-Jesus message - Times, Friedman *** Another Madoff? Hedge honcho vanishes with clients' cash *** Another Madoff book in the works *** Queens homeowners protest foreclosures *** Tale of 2 Citis fails to impress investors *** Beware of the Big-Gov't Tipping Point.
Albany Senate seat: How about giving $$$ to Dave? (Updated)
Washington Thrush: Schumer aide to Manhattan US Attorney? *** Top 10 Bush Gaffes on YouTube
Media Mess BROTHER, CAN YOU SPARE A TIMES - GRAY LADY SEEKS RE$CUE BY MEXICAN MOGUL *** Newspapers AND Blogs Feel the Pinch *** Times vs. Washington Post Spat Gets Cattier *** TV News vs. Web News: Not All Sites are Created Equal *** Bob Schieffer: "Nobody Knows Where Journalism Is Going" *** Audience Atomization Overcome: Why the Internet Weakens the Authority of the Press
