China is moving ahead on climate change

What are we doing? We're stuck debating healthcare, at a time when democrats have full control of the government. Just pass something and turn us into Switzerland. We'll live longer and spend less.

Now let's move onto climate change. Regardless of whether you believe that climate change is caused mostly by us or not (I do), consider this: oil will run out sooner or later, it is dirty on many levels, and there's a lot of money to be made coming up with technology to replace it. Would you rather have that tech developed in China or here? Here you say? Well, the only way to get that done is to pass massive taxes that will make energy so expensive in the US that it will be profitable to create version 1.0 of this technology.

The President discusses his budget

In hisweekly address, President Obama discusses how his budget will bring change to all of our lives

Yes he is (on youtube)

Many predicted that President Obama would have to ditch his weekly youtube addresses in order to comply with White House privacy rules.  Thankfully, he and his staff had the foresight to quickly changed their policies to allow uninterrupted youtube addresses.

His first address promises a variety of forthcoming programs designed to stimulate our economy.  

I'm particularly happy about this part of his address:

I know that some are skeptical about the size and scale of this recovery plan. I understand that skepticism, which is why this recovery plan must and will include unprecedented measures that will allow the American people to hold my Administration accountable for these results. We won’t just throw money at our problems - we’ll invest in what works. Instead of politicians doling out money behind a veil of secrecy, decisions about where we invest will be made public, and informed by independent experts whenever possible. We’ll launch an unprecedented effort to root out waste, inefficiency, and unnecessary spending in our government, and every American will be able to see how and where we spend taxpayer dollars by going to a new website called recovery.gov.

Obama doing well, says everyone

Barack Obama is doing extremely well in this transition effort, so say the polls.

I know of many who did not back him in the primaries who are happy with his presidency so far. Including the stock market, which is up considerably since he won the election.

I can't think of anyone who is pissed off with what he's been doing/saying. Some are reluctant to endorse him, but I don't see much criticism with his current choices (with the possible exception of Clinton).

GITMO one of many tasks

The NYT has an excellent editorial, on how President Obama will face many tasks, but foremost among them is the need to repair our image abroad and closing Guantanamo will be a step in the right direction.

Obama picks Sec of Treas, stocks go up

Obama picked Timothy Geithner as the new Secretary of Treasury and the market went up almost 7%.  Why?

He's much different from Paulson and some of the other former holders of the post.  He does not come from a business background, but has quietly worked his way up to become president of the New York federal reserve bank.

Clinton is in

The word in The Beltway is that Hillary Clinton will be the next Secretary of State.  

Like I've said before, it is an interesting pick.  She's definitely smart and a fresh face for the position, but it remains to be seen how well she'll work with Obama.

Barry meets Johnny

Got to hand it to Johnny Mac on this one.  Stand up guy for meeting with Obama so soon after defeat.  Unlike the other loons in the GOP, McCain has enough class to know when public opinion has turned, and that politicians, like countries, need to evolve.

Obama giving up email?

I doubt it, despite the security concerns. Bush famously gave up email when he took up the Presidency and apparently never looked back. While Obama will definitely not have unrestricted access to the internet or email, I suspect some type of private network will be setup for him, if it is not already in place. Perhaps he would have access to certain sites, like ESPN (he is a sports fan) or maybe even my blog (ha!). The man is too modern to give up electronic communication. He just won't be able to experience it in the same way.
Apparently he does plan on having a laptop in the Oval Office, a presidential first. And I'm betting my money its a Mac.

President Elect Obama's First Youtube Address

Predicted by many, Barack Obama has now given his first youtube address as president.  Hopefully, this is the beginning of a new open era of government, in which our president will come to us and speak to us like adults when discussing major issues our country faces.

Secretary of State Clinton?

Rumors are swirling now that Hillary Clinton is being seriously considered for the Secretary of State position in the new administration.

I'm not quite sure of my position on this.  I'd much rather see Bill Richardson or John Kerry, but Hillary would probably not be bad.  As long as Obama kept the leash tight enough so that she won't go against his policies, I think she could be a very strong SOS.  So right now I'll say that I'm not sold on it, but not worried either.

Palin for Court Jester

Sarah Palin is so desperate to save her good name (did she ever have one?) that she is now publicly stating her desire to help Barack Obama.

She's given more interviews after the election than she did during it.  Obviously, she's a bit concerned about some of the details that are leaking about her activities during the campaign (like meeting with staff wearing nothing but a towel).  She makes a complete mockery of our government and does even worse things in her spare time.

Then again, every organization needs some comic relief.  She'd sure make a great Press Secretary.

Undoing the damage

Barack Obama plans on reviewing all of Bush's executive orders and repealing the ones he does not agree with as quickly as possible.  

Some of the more nasty ones:

• Bush has said that climate change is not a threat to humans, which severely limits the steps agencies will take to reduce or regulate carbon emissions.  
  
• Bush has not allowed California to enact its own environmental policies relating to carbon emissions from vehicles.  Obama will definitely repeal this.  As California is the biggest state, its emissions policies will be forced on the other states.  In this case it is a good thing as their proposal would require an average of 36MPG in cars within a few years.
  
• Repealing the religion based stem cell rules.
  

Expect these and many more to be reviewed and repealed.