Inauguration Day

I never thought I'd see it happen, but it's here.

No gloating, no hashing up past issues. This is a time of celebration, and a time to prepare ourselves for the work ahead of us. On this inauguration day, focus less on the man, and more on the people for whom he works. Let's dedicate ourselves to spirited CIVIL debate and cooperation, rather than scorched-earth rhetoric and sabotage.

I scheduled my lunch early today to ensure I get to watch the ceremony, even if it's just from my desk. Get more info on what's going on here.

God Bless America.

Freedom Ain't Free...

For those of you who haven't read it, PLEASE read this editorial from the Sri Lanka Sunday Leader by its former editor Lasantha Wickrematunge. Wickrematunge was assassinated January 8. He wrote this column well before his death, and instructed that it was to be published in the event of what he correctly believed to be his inevitable murder.

Sri Lanka's war between the government and an ethnic minority called the Tamils has been going on for 25 years. Wickrematunge was a critic of the Tamils, but an even harsher critic of the government. This is what the press is supposed to do, not report on voyeuristic pop culture nonsense. That stuff has its place, but not in news media outlets of record.

I don't know what's sadder: the papers' focus on triviality, or the public's demand for style and schadenfreude over substance. People in other parts of the world are dying in a quest to bring the public truth. Why aren't we willing to die to read it?

#1 Crush (Harmless Variety)

Little Boots is blowing up the music blogosphere in the UK, and she's getting some good attention over here as well. This video cover of Hot Chip's Ready For The Floor is lo-fi, but totally cool. Anyone who's that cute, that talented, and uses a Tenori-on? Color me cooked.

Big Biz Thinking 101

Barry Ritholtz over at The Big Picture posted a highly instructional Calvin & Hobbes cartoon that sums up the issues with the current bailout.