I Saw Big Papi In a Side Car

I snuck down to the White House this afternoon to catch a glimpse of the Red Sox as they visited President Bush on the South Lawn in honor of their World Series championship (which now seems so long ago - or does it?). I didn't have a ticket. I didn't know tickets were available, but unless you were a VIP, ie "White House staffer," "Boston Brahmin," or "related to Ted Kennedy," it was impossible to get in. In all seriousness, though, who were those people in line with tickets? "I just got lucky" some guy told me. Yeah, right.

Anyhow, I figured the best chance to see anything was to go around the White House and look in through the fence around the South Lawn. I couldn't see much except the crowd filtering in and the elevated media stand. I stood around for a while and talked baseball with an older guy who had also come around to see the ceremony in 2004. Around 2:45, the White House police told us that the area was closed and that we would have to move on. Walking towards the other side of the White House we saw a caravan of 4 buses. I sprinted towards them as they pulled into the back driveway. People waved, snapped photos, and held up jerseys as the buses arrived.

After they parked, we waited for the players to get off. And waited. And waited. It then dawned on me the team was probably already in the building and these buses had just arrived to pick them up for their trip to Walter Reed hospital afterwards. So I stood around for a while with some students from George Washington and Catholic. Talked a little baseball and small talk until we saw some feet under the bushes in front of the White House exit – they were coming out.

And then the highlight of the day – David Ortiz plops down in the side car of a police motorcycle. (Coco Crisp was hanging around it, too). We thought it was just a photo-op, but then Big Papi put a helmet on and was ready to go. A crowd of about two dozen of us were eagerly waiting at the gate as Ortiz and the buses rolled out. (I snapped the photo on my camera that's posted above). I could also spot Kevin Youkilis and Terry Francona on the buses (the bald heads are easier to see through the tint, I guess) and waved to waving faceless figures on board.

And then they were gone.

But overall, what a great surprise going from not seeing a thing from the street to having Big Papi riding shotgun 5 feet in front of me rolling out of the White House. A fine start to the season for sure.

Diplo-musical

What a great sight to see the New York Philharmonic playing a concert in North Korea yesterday. Add music to the growing list of things that can bring people together across countries and cultures - even ones that don't recognize each other diplomatically. I'm thinking music, food, and sports. So perhaps the best chance for world peace is to have people eat kebabs while playing soccer and listening to the New York Philharmonic in the background. Take that, Condi.

Dictators Blog, Too

I'm sure a few of you have come across Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's blog during moments of procrastination or masochism. Anyhow, "Mammers" (as the Onion has so affectionately called him), has written posts on a variety of issues such as governance, international relations, and religion. Not surprisingy, most of them are long-winded, circuitous, and so Mahmoud-y.

My favorite part of the blog are the reader responses which are posted on the right side of the page. The responses range from "You are a great leader" (that's from a Viktor Jančo) to "You say some pretty stupid things sometimes" (that from Kevin). However, perhaps the best comment I have come across is from D. Dubois from the US. Mr. (or Mrs.?) Dubois decided this was the best comment to leave for Ahmadinejad:

"Cool... are these all real comments from real people? Or planted? Anyway, your blogs are somewhat formal sounding. Why not loosen up the language a little for the American readers? And could you tell us a little about your home life and your family and what your daily routine is like. Also what kind of music do you like? What is your favorite color and what is your favorite sport?"

No wonder he hates us.

Happy 100th Posting

And what better way to celebrate than with this great spoof from the Onion News Network? Here's to the next 100.


Nation Of Andorra Not In Africa, Shocked U.S. State Dept. Reports

And now back in the real world, here's that clip of President Bush dancing during his recent trip to the real Africa.

Murphy Won't Back Down

Yet another great story out of the Philadelphia area. Representative Patrick Murphy (who represents the district I grew up in) was the lone congressman who refused to vote in favor of a House resolution congratulating the New York Giants Super Bowl victory.

Murphy, a life-long Eagles fan who once worked at the Vet said he "couldn't in good conscience vote for the New York Giants. The only thing worse would have been a resolution honoring the Dallas Cowboys."

Yes. A politician who votes his true convictions and sticks by his word. No flip-flopping for Murphy.

Traded for a Hot Dog

The Phillies organization and Philadelphia media pulled off a stunt in Clearwater convincing pitcher Kyle Kendrick that he had been traded to a Japanese club.

This is what spring training is all about. And preparing for the season ahead. Comcast Sports Net was there to cover the whole thing:

The New Face of JP Morgan

Samir has come a long way from those days of running around town in a Spiderman costume.

Or has he?

Less Than a Feeling

Mike Huckabee can rock. But not everyone is so happy about it. Tom Scholz, the leader of the band Boston, has asked the presidential contender to stop playing his hit "More Than a Feeling" at his campaign rallies. "Boston has never endorsed a political candidate, and with all due respect, would not start by endorsing a candidate who is the polar opposite of most everything Boston stands for," said Scholz. He continued, "Although I'm impressed you learned my bass guitar part on 'More Than a Feeling,' I am a Barack Obama supporter."

So maybe the preacher man should stick to some Gregorian chants. Those are sure to rile up the base.

Spring Training is On

Unpack the gear, it's spring training time. Red Sox pitchers and catchers officially reported to Ft. Myers today, though some players arrived a few days ago to get in some extra workouts. Even first baseman Kevin Youkilis showed up early to get back in the game.

It has begun.

(Nice shorts, Youk. Good to see the goatee is back, too)

Who Needs Superdelegates When You Have Celebrities?

In today's Politico, Jeffrey Ressner argues that many of the big celebrities that have supported the presidential contenders will be less visible in the next few months. He states that since Super Tuesday has passed - which included the primaries in the actors' havens of California and New York - celebrities will take some time off from the campaign trail. He also claims that the Oscar campaign (read: "shameless promotion") season is also underway, taking up much of their time.

Still, let's take stock of who's supporting who in Tinseltown. According to Ressner, here are the lineups:

Senator Clinton: Danny DeVito, Jon Bon Jovi, Quincy Jones, Barbara Streisand, and Ted Danson.

Senator Obama: George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson, Will Smith, Jennifer Aniston, Halle Berry, and Larry David

Senator McCain: Sly Stallone and Arnie Schwarzenegger

Governor Mike Huckabee: Chuck Norris

So what to make of all this? In terms of pure hotness, Obama's team wins hands down (minus maybe Larry David). In terms of being big in the 80s, Clinton's gang gets the nod. For pure muscle and hawkishness, McCain's posse has it wrapped up. And for kung-fu fighting (fast as lightning), Huckabee's on it.

So again, what to make of this? I have no idea.

Gates Fell, Too

Turns out I wasn't the only one who took a nasty spill yesterday. Apparently, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates slipped on his front steps Tuesday night and broke his right arm. Fear not, he was back on the job Wednesday and his spokesman said that "it does not appear as though his injury will require surgery."

Good news. But it seems like we've finally found a great equalizer in a city of people trying to get to the top - freezing rain.

I Did It.

After thinking about it, talking about it, and writing about it for months, I finally did it. This afternoon, I pushed the touch screen and cast my primary vote for Senator Barack Obama.

I felt good about it. And you will, too.

However, after walking out of the polling station and feeling proud of the democratic process and our strong institutions, what happens? I slip - both feet out in front of me - and land flat on my ass. This afternoon brought icy weather and freezing rain to the DC area covering the streets and sidewalks in a dangerous glaze. Apparently other people were feeling the effects too, since walking home I saw many in the same position.

Still, I'm glad to have finally voted for Obama in this primary season. Now bring on November...

New Jersey Brings It

An article in yesterday's New York Times describes New Jersey's entrance into the Most Liberal State in the Union contest (and I mean that in the best way). So step aside Massachusetts and California, as New Jersey has added these points to her resume:

• Abolished the death penalty
• The first northern state to apologize for slavery
• Recognizes gay civil unions
• Will pledge its electoral votes to whoever wins the popular vote in a presidential election
• Home to Bruce Springsteen

In the near future, New Jersey expects to:

• Raise minimum wage to $8.25 an hour (the highest in the US)
• Borrow $200 million to preserve open space

So maybe Jersey will no longer be the laughing stock of the Northeast. Professor Joel Rogers at the University of Wisconsin Law School remarks, "The much maligned New Jersey, that malarial swamp south of New York, is rising from the ashes as a leader of progressive government." Well done.

And Now A Random ZZ Top Video

Well not so random. It was so cold today this morning in DC all I could think of on the way to work was, "I wish I had a ZZ Top beard to keep my face warm." Maybe in another lifetime.

A Day in the Life

I don't think I would ever want to trade places with General Petraeus in Iraq. Except maybe for today. He met with Angelina Jolie, who is a UN Goodwill Ambassador, this morning in Baghdad. Following their meeting, Petraeus flew to Balad Air Force Base to officially open a new USO facility there. During his tour he got a chance to meet some of the troops and test out his golf swing on a Nintendo Wii.

Not a bad gig, though I'm sure it's back to the grind tomorrow.

No! (Times 3)

A major rift in transatlantic relations occured today when Amy "No, No, No" Winehouse was denied a visa to visit the US to perform at the Grammys held in Los Angeles this weekend. Her wild behavior, public drug addiction, and stints in rehab no doubt factored in the decision to reject her application.

However, that resume would make her fit in nicely in L.A. don't you think?

So if Amy Winehouse isn't allowed into the United States, what do we do with our own homegrown talent like Britney Spears? Put her on that slow boat to China with Romney? That's a reality show if I've ever seen one...

Who's Got the Better Vid?

Senator Obama




Senator Clinton

Adios, Mitt.

So Mitt's done. See ya later. But of course he couldn't bow out with class. He had to stoop to the level of equating the Democratic Party to appeasers of terrorism. Speaking at the Conservative Political Action Conference today in DC (that must have been a real hoot), Romney said if he stayed in the race it would "forestall the launch of a national campaign and be making it easier for Senator Clinton or Obama to win." He continued (and this pains me to even type it):

"In this time of war, I simply cannot let my campaign be a part of aiding a surrender to terror. This is not an easy decision."

Wait a minute. Did Romney even have a foreign policy plan? Can he point out Iraq on the map?

Either way, good riddance. I think we should ship him off on a slow boat to China to help them run the Olympics...

One More Talking Point

So today we are nursing Super Tuesday hangovers (both literally and figuratively). Pundits and talking heads are discussing strategy, percentages, and delegates. I would like to offer one more factor I like to call the "How quickly does the crowd shut up and listen to the victory speech?" effect. One thing I noticed last night during Senator Obama's remarks was that the crowd (almost on cue) quieted down as soon as Obama wanted to continue with his speech after applause. As loud and rowdy as the crowd in Chicago was, as soon as Obama was ready, you could hear a pin drop in that room.

I didn't notice that same effect with the other candidates and their audiences. It took Hillary a few minutes of waving her hands and pointing until they were ready to listen. Maybe I'm reading into this too much (after all, it was an observation I made when I was halfway into a bottle of wine), but it seems to me that people are a lot more excited and eager to hear what Obama has to say than any other candidate.

Hanging on every word.

After all, people shut up when their heroes speak.

Come On, New York

Apparently New Yorkers were still hung over from last night's Super Bowl victory this afternoon. Senator Obama held a rally at the Izod Center in the Meadowlands but only 3,000 seats were filled, leaving 17,000 empty. I got shut out of an event in DC last week and there are 17,000 open seats in New York?

Local officals are blaming logistics - bad weather, time of day, and difficulty in reaching the venue - for the low turnout. Though in all honesty, 3,000 people for a political event is pretty impressive. However, compared to the 20,000 people that came out in Minnesota and Delaware and 12,000 in Idaho, this feels like an intimate unplugged session.

On another note, did anyone notice Eli Manning said he was "fired up" during an interview after the big win? A subtle presidential endorsement perhaps?

Super Bowl Sundae

Finally - Super Bowl Sunday has arrived. Am I excited about the game? No. Do I really care about who wins? No. Do I like football? Not really. For me, the arrival of the Super Bowl every year means the end of football season, which in turn means baseball season is right around the corner. Which is all that really matters, right?

According to redsox.com, pitchers and catchers report in 12 days, 21 hours, 35 minutes, and 12 seconds (11 seconds, 10 seconds...)

Still - I'll be tuning in tonight to share in that American communal bond and of course to see Tom Petty rock the halftime show. Hope there aren't any wardrobe malfunctions, though. TP is no Janet Jackson in the looks department...

Send in the French!

Here's a clip from today's Early Bird website. Every morning, these guys compile news and analysis related to defense issues from a variety of sources. Apparently, Inspector Clouseau is on the scene in Aruba. Or maybe someone just screwed up with the cut-and-paste. Anyone's guess really.

Washington Times

February 1, 2008

Pg. 14

France Rejects U.S. Intelligence

French Defense Minister Herve Morin cast doubt on reports that Iran had halted its suspected nuclear-weapons drive.

“Coordinated information from a number of intelligence services leads us to believe that Iran has not given up its wish to pursue its [nuclear] program,” and is “continuing to develop” it, Mr. Morin told reporters yesterday on a visit to Washington.

The U.S. National Intelligence Estimate, a consensus finding of all 16 U.S. spy agencies, released last month, said Tehran shelved its nuclear weapons program in 2003.

The statement did not specify the new material but said it “may shed a new light on the mode” in which Miss Holloway died and the “method by which her body disappeared.”