Presidential Humor

I think all presidents make attempts at humor. For anybody that watched them, John McCain on late night comedy shows was great. Even entering into a hostile environment after snubbing David Letterman, McCain was cracking jokes and seemed to be having a great time. So much so that I remarked he may make a better late night television show host then president.

Bush loves to make jokes. He makes jokes all the time.

http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2009/01/10/bush-says-refused-bail-republicans-iraq-withdrawal/

Unlike his son, the elder President Bush served only one term, leaving him to wonder about "things I'd like to have done" on his "unfulfilled agenda." But he has remained active since leaving the White House, even skydiving well into his golden years. He plans another jump in June, when he will be 85."I think he's a nut to jump out of airplane at age 70, 75, 80 and 85," remarked his son, who added: "Actually, I think it's cool." His dad, who now walks with a cane, agreed. "You don't want to sit around just because you're an old guy, drooling in the corner," the elder Bush said. "Old guys can still do stuff." To which his son quipped: "You can drool and jump at the same time."


One can argue if this is funny or not (it's certainly gross) but Bush really tries to use humor frequently in interviews.

I think Obama really sets a different tone with the press and on TV. Instead of using humor (as in actual jokes) he instead talks about parts of his family's life that make us think "oh, they are just like us!". The new dog for the white house would be the best example. Saying "we want to get a mutt, just like me" isn't really humor, but it is endearing anyway.

I'm not sure what I prefer in a president. It was inspiring to see Bush so angry and moved after 9/11. I think the country as a whole, for a moment, wanted to go kick some ass. But Bush's stubborn and reactionary leadership proved to be a determent in the long term. His humor came off in a bad way after a while. The infamous clip of him giving the middle finger to a cameraman has been viewed millions of times on youtube.

Which is preferable, a likeable and relatable president or a president who try to be "professional" and keep his calm at all times? I don't mean to try and compare Bush and Obama, I mean in general. I am certainly more like Bush in my responses to everyday life (I yell on the phone half of the day) and try to use humor frequently throughout my days. I sort of envy Obama's permanent sense of calm. My dad remarked this morning that it was that sense of calm that made him not trust Obama. He wanted to be able to see through body language how the president was feeling. I thought this was strange, as my dad has this aura of intellectual calm about him as well.

Maybe there is a clip out there of Obama being a dumbass in front of a camera too, and it just takes time for these things to get out there. I'm not really sure. Was Clinton funny? Is this a democratic thing? I'm not sure, I didn't really watch Clinton on TV.

I can understand the need to be liked (I really enjoyed McCain on Letterman) but in my opinion just because your job is so public doesn't mean you can be unprofessional. I think it is funny to hear presidents joke, but I would overall prefer a more serious person in the role. I don't think not smiling is a qualification for president, or that is somehow makes Obama more qualified to be an effective leader. It just reassures me that we have a president who has an overall plan, and it not as reactionary as past leaders have been.

Just some thoughts on a Sunday afternoon.

Burris in the Senate?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090106/ap_on_go_co/senate_burris

(I wrote this monday morning, no time to post till now)

Believe it or not, some kid in finance knows next to nothing about Constitutional Law. I’ve most certainly read the constitution and the federalist/anit-federalist papers, but unlike many of my former classmates I don’t believe that somehow makes me an expert on the topic. I wrote a paper about the provisions in the constitution protecting us from having a standing army in our homes and its applications to the modern world are staggering. Beware servicemen who crash on my couch, for you will get an intense lecture.

In all seriousness though, this has to be the most interesting legal issue I know of since Bush vs. Gore. I can only imagine the heated debated occurring in the ivory tower of legal thought around the United States. Unlike some poorly written Jerry Failhemier production, this entire saga has incredible implications for our legal and political future as a country. Assuming there is at least one other corrupt politician out there (and I know it’s a stretch), can political positions be given as favors by corrupt politicians?

Let’s say the Governor of Iowa is found guilty of corruption. During his term, he appointed a judge to a vacant seat. Is this appointment legal? I have no idea. Pretty interesting stuff though.

Leon Panetta

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leon_Panetta

Head of the CIA isn’t quite a give-away position. I’m not saying any secretary position is, or that any of the appointments so far aren’t very serious jobs. I do see a trend here to appoint old Clinton-era advisors. In fact, every player from Clinton’s white house already has position with Obama (most notable of course being Rahm). Non-partisan question here: Why is this man qualified to be the head of the CIA?

Seriously, it's like watching the wire.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/baltimore_city/bal-dixon0109,0,3147190.story

Shit is real.

New Look

I didn't like the old look. Very loud.

This Week

Big week for me, moving around between companies (to the parent company, same place really) or at least hearing about my assignment. Should be exciting.

More updates later.

Happy New Year.

I can't let the new year pass without some kind of reflection. I've learned a lot in 2008. To say that 2008 was the year when I finally grew up would be...a lie. Still very much a kid. Still love video games.

I approached reflection as I do with most things in my life; black and white. Was this year good or bad? Win or fail? You can't do that though. I have to take the good with the bad. I guess I will go into finance-mode and track my performance.

In the year where my entire industry got laid off, I kept my job. For now. That is an accomplishment. If anything, 2008 was the year that I did well at work. So plus +1.

I love music, but I have pushed the making of it out of my life as I have got busy. My guitar case hasn't been opened for almost a year. That's -1.

I went to amazing parties. I bought bottle service at the most exclusive club in Iowa (which is kind of like saying I bought one beer in NYC on the coolness scale). I have had so many amazing nights, at least I believe so. In my do or don't do at all attitude, I have periods of no drinking at all and nights that go to 6 in the morning. I don't like that. It's not really a resolution per se, but 2009 will be the year where drinking takes a back seat to everything else. It's dumb to say I am going to quit drinking altogether, but I no longer see the connection between good times and drinking. I have much more fun sober. (no real + or - there)

2008 was the year I quit smoking! I have a smoke every now in then with old friends, but amounts to two cigs over the last 3 months. A co-worker asked me, "wow! How did you do it?". I responded "I just stopped". +1

2008 was the year i did not care about my body. Ate whatever, didn't work out, always with the excuse I didn't have time. 2009 will be better. -1

2008 was the year the absolute love of my life spent with me. Then she left. I don't know how it is going to work, but by the end of 2009, we are not going to be in different cities ever again. It may take me giving up my job to move to DC. Oh well. Kicking ass and taking names is just not worth it if there is nobody to come home too. +1 wonderful times, -1 her leaving

So that nets to zero. Sounds about right. Didn't need any excel marcos to calcuate the IRR on those numbers.

Happy new year all. Let's make 2009 just +1 better.