October 10, 2009
On Friday, October 8, 2009, the Nobel Peace Prize committee stunned the world when it named Barack Obama as this year’s recipient. Along with the prestige, Obama will be awarded with a medal and $1.4 million, which he has said will go to charity. The unanimous decision was based on a desire to encourage Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples.” What is interesting is nominations for the Nobel Peace Prize needed to be postmarked as of February 1, 2009, just twelve days after Obama’s Presidential Inauguration. In his acceptance speech at the White House, Obama commented he was “surprised and deeply humbled” and views the award as “a call to action.”
click here for limerick
September 25, 2009
Carly Fiorina, once named the “most powerful woman in business” by Fortune magazine, unveiled a new website on Monday, September 21, 2009. Visitors to http://www.carlyforcalifornia.com/ were treated to a red screen with “It’s day & night,” “It’s dogs & cats,” “It’s good & bad,” “It’s Carly vs. Boxer” and “Coming soon?” flashing across until ending at “carlifornia dreamin’!!!” The Republican’s new website has not been well-received in the political arena with the Huffington Post calling it “really the most insufferable thing she’s ever done in her life” and John Hawkins, a conservative blogger, wrote “It’s the most singularly awful political website I have ever seen . . .” But, is this website as horrible as it seems? Since it appeared, it has received national coverage and a parody video on YouTube has more than 16,000 views. As of this writing, Fiorina has yet to officially announce her entry into the California Senatorial race against Democrat Barbara Boxer, who was first elected in 1992. “California Dreamin’” is a hit from the 1960s by The Mamas & the Papas.
click here for limerick
September 21, 2009
Former Alaska Governor, Sarah Palin, has found a way to sidestep traditional media yet still get her political messages to her fan base. Using social media like Twitter and Facebook, she is able to state her opinions on various topics while not having to face questions that require immediate responses. According to an article on Politico.com her 850,000+ Facebook fans ranks second for a politician, President Obama is first. When Palin left the governor’s office her Twitter account had 140,000 followers, again, second only to Obama. Ari Fleischer, former White House press secretary and current media strategist, believes the online medium is perfectly suited for someone as polarizing as Palin. When Palin left her post earlier this year, she hinted that she would be back in politics in a capacity to reach the nation. While that plan has not yet been revealed, she does appear to be trying to gain supporters with these online efforts.
click here for limerick
August 28, 2009
In a very rare event, the country of Switzerland has grown larger. In 1942 Switzerland and Italy used the watershed in the high alps to determine borders. However, in this climate of global warming, the glaciers melted, causing the watershed to move, and revealing additional land belonging to the Swiss. The discovery was made by the Swiss Federal Office of Topography and the decision to adjust the boarder was approved by Italian officials. The total amount of land gain was 164 yards so there is no plan to change the atlas!
click here for limerick
August 23, 2009
Since its inception, Dancing with the Stars has featured the gamut of celebrities from Olympic and pro athletes, to actors and actresses, personalities and entertainers and even a few known from the political realm. When the ninth season cast was announced on August 17, 2009, the list included former House Majority Leader Tom DeLay. First elected in 1984, DeLay rose to prominence as the House Majority Whip in 1995 and was elected House Majority Leader in 2002. A few years later DeLay was indicted on violations to campaign finance laws. Although he pled not guilty and charges were never brought against him, DeLay was forced to resign as House Majority Leader. Around that time two of DeLay’s former aides were convicted in a separate scandal. DeLay will be partnered with two-time Dancing with the Stars champion Cheryl Burke.
click here for limerick
August 22, 2009
The first lady of the United States is often looked at for her fashion sense and Michelle Obama is no different. Since her husband took office in January, Michelle has shown a very different style than those who came before her. There are many that admire her for her casual and accessible style with clothing from stores like J. Crew. However, there seems to be an equal number of detractors. On Februrary 24, 2009 her arms caused a stir with a sleeveless dress, and now her legs are in the spotlight. The Obamas were visiting the Grand Canyon (currently one of the hottest parts of the country) when she exited Air Force One wearing shorts that many say were unflattering. Anya Strzemien, style editor at The Huffington Post, states that this is the first time a first lady has worn shorts on Air Force One.
click here for limerick
August 17, 2009
Richard “Dick” Cheney, 46th vice president of the United States, is writing his memoirs of his 8-year run in the White House. From 2001 to 2009 he served under President George W. Bush and now states that the statute of limitations has expired and he can tell the world his view of the presidency. It has been reported that the two grew apart in the second term as Bush bowed to public opinion and strayed from Cheney’s guidance. It was in that second term that Cheney faced some very real troubles of his own. In October 2005, the vice president’s office was suspected in revealing the identity of CIA agent Valerie Plame. In February 2006, while on a quail hunting trip, Cheney shot his friend Harry Whittington in the face with birdshot. The memoirs, due out in 2011 are said to be a harsh criticism of Bush.
click here for limerick
August 10, 2009
Does it feel to you like President Obama is always on television? That is certainly how Deloris Nissen of Carroll, Iowa feels. She recently placed a classified ad stating that she is selling 2 television sets because Obama is on every channel and station. As she put it, “I just got tired of watching him on every channel. I thought, my gosh, does he ever stay at the White House?” She does appear to be in the minority in her area because Obama did win her county and state in the 2008 election.
click here for limerick
August 8, 2009
Over the past several days Democratic legislators have hosted town hall meetings to discuss President Obama’s health care proposal. Several of these meetings have been interrupted by angry protestors that have shouted over the speaker. In response, the Democratic National Committee (DNC) created a video alleging Republicans organized the angry mobs. At the video’s conclusion, the DNC encourages viewers to call the Republican National Committee (RNC) to voice their displeasure. However, when people called the primary number, they were greeted by a recording asking them to press 1 if the call is regarding the town hall meetings . . . and then the call was promptly transferred to the Democrat National Committee’s main number.
click here for limerick
August 7, 2009
On Thursday, August 6, 2009, Judge Sonia Sotomayor made history as the first Hispanic person to be appointed to the Supreme Court. She was confirmed 68 – 31 with nine Republicans joining the unanimous Democratic vote. After her selection by President Obama in late May, Sotomayor’s earlier statement of being a “wise Latina woman, with the richness of her experiences” caused critics to portray her as an activist judge. In contrast, through the confirmation process Sotomayor provided “purposely bland testimony, her determination to . . . say practically nothing” and when presented with hot topic issues, consistently stated she could not voice her opinion without the facts of the case. The 55-year-old Bronx-born Sotomayor will be sworn in as the eleventh Justice by Chief Justice John Roberts on Saturday.
click here for limerick
Older Entries
Newer Entries
Enter your email address below to