'Madam Speaker'
phoblographer.com

Unexpectedly, those words, announcing the president's arrival in (Tuesday's) joint session of Congress, moved me. I teared up a bit.

And since it will be mentioned anyway - not necessarily wrongly - Nancy P is wearing a fetching pistachio-colored suit. The person I can't identify, however, is Legs McGee in the front row wearing a pink suit that hits above the knee. Whoever it is, she's probably too old for an above the knee skirt.

I fear I may have jumped the blog-shark with that last statement from thoughtful political analyst to fluffy, pointless commentator. But fear not. I'll get to the speech-snark soon enough.

State of the Union 2007
annika.mu.nu

Wouldn't it be funny if the Sergeant at Arms announced the president with a Sling Blade voice? I think that would be really funny.

Pelosi really looked good ... and even though I don't like her, I was touched by the recognition she received. ... I didn't expect much from President Bush ... I was pleasantly surprised. The speech was one of his most enjoyable. I sensed some genuine good feeling in the House, though I know it's only a temporary thing, but I liked it. I also thought he did as good a job of explaining his foreign policy as he's ever done. Of course, as a lame duck, there's no pressure for him to persuade anyone anymore. He either succeeds or he doesn't.

And now that's over, it's time for the biggest TV event of the night: "American Idol."

Cool timing
millers_time.typepad.com

Nancy Pelosi has decided to create a new committee in the House.

"House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sought to create a special committee Thursday in an effort to jump-start long-delayed government efforts to deal with global warming and produce a bill by Independence Day. ... "Pelosi, D-Calif., said the committee would hold hearings and recommend legislation on how to reduce greenhouse gases, primarily carbon dioxide generated by fossil fuels, that most scientists blame for a gradual warming of the earth's climate.

"'I promise to do everything in my power to achieve energy independence ... and to stop global warming,' Pelosi said."

While driving to work ... the temperature readout on my car read 18 degrees! Every night ... local news has led their broadcasts with weather updates of Freeze '07, and just yesterday Schwarzenegger went looking for federal aid for citrus farmers.

While I may not buy into the whole "man-made global warming" theory, it's all well and good if Pelosi wants to make it an issue. What gets me is that the Republicans lost to someone whose political timing is so bad that she announced this right at the tail end of a cold snap that has devastated the entire country. Good God! At least wait till early March, when it's 90 degrees.

Convenience, for a price of $0
codymckibb.blogspot.com

Normally, businesses charge a premium for value-added services.

My university just completed a third parking structure that will bring an additional 3,043 spaces to our vast expanse of parking lots and "ease our parking woes."

What I find interesting is that they will be offering a new "convenience parking" service. "If you don't have a Sac State parking permit, you may purchase a daily parking permit from the attendant for $5. Let someone else park your car and arrive at your destination sooner!" they say. What's funny is that the regular daily parking passes will see a significant jump in price from $2.75 to $5. A ticket from a machine is the same price as valet parking!

Are they just trying to con us into paying more for self-service? Maybe the price for this "convenience" reflects the "quality" of their student valet drivers.

Is dog poop protected by First Amendment?
thepoodleanddogblog.typepad.com

Is it a misdemeanor to send someone dog poop or is it an act protected by the free speech amendment? That is the decision a Colorado court will decide this coming spring. Could I make this stuff up?

The sender, a retired professor, Kathleen Ensz, was angry at receiving too many political mailings from Congresswoman Marilyn Musgrave. And so to display her disgruntlement she sent one of the mailings back to Musgrave's office wrapped around excrement from a dog.

Ensz's lawyers are arguing it was a form of political protest, although they acknowledge that it was probably "crude and boorish."

Personally I would have just written a gracious note to the professor emeritus, thanked her for sending the contents of her mind and removed her from the mailing list. Wouldn't that have saved a lot of time, trouble and court costs? The case comes up in May.

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