We’re all about Barack Obama and the inauguration, the parties, the celebs, and the hoopla. However, 2009 is a big year for some other world leaders as well. Since we try to be “fair and balanced,” we want to give a little love to the shining stars in some other countries. ]]>
There's simply no question that Chesley B. "Sully" Sullenberger III, the captain who guided U.S. Airways flight 1549 to an absolutely perfect water landing in the Hudson River Thursday after it was disabled by a flock of birds, is in every way a kick-ass dude and a hero for the ages. But he also had a crew whose quick thinking and bold action helped ensure that every one of the 155 people on board made it out alive, an outcome that seemed all but impossible to me when I first heard of the accident and saw the images on TV.
We received a tip that a New York millionaire and frequent U.S. Airways passenger named Michael Savage has offered to take Captain Sullenberger to the presidential inauguration as his guest, and it got us thinking. Sullenberger shouldn't have to rely on the generosity of Mr. Savage, because if President-elect Obama is as cool as he seems to be, he'll personally invite the entire flight crew to join him as guests of honor for the big day. Think about it: this crew represents the very best of our country, selflessly working together against seemingly impossible odds to save the lives of others. They're just the kind of working-class heroes presidents love to trot out during State of the Union Addresses and such. It'll be perfect.
It's just a hunch, but I wouldn't be surprised if Captain Sullenberger was joined by First Officer Jeffrey Skiles and flight attendants Donna Dent, Doreen Welsh, and Sheila Dail at the inauguration this Tuesday. If anybody represents the hope embodied by the campaign, it's this bunch. Here's hoping Mr. Obama is thinking the same thing.
You heard it here first.
[Photo: LA Times]
Related Stories
· Two-Minute Bio: Chesley B. Sullenberger III [Time]
· U.S. Aviation Safety Streak Still Alive [Jaunted]]]>
We're still not buying the prediction that 4 million Obamaniacs will show up in DC to drink themselves stupid this January. But even if the crowd isn't that record-setting, you're still gonna be facing some serious bathroom lines. So Jennifer Lynn has written up "Where To Pee in DC: The Insider's Guide on Where to Go," a digital booklet you can print out at home that's on sale via eBay for just $2.50.
She gave the Washington Post a few tidbits from her incredibly niche guide to DC:
Among potentially less-crowded Mall locations, for example, she suggests the east wing of the National Gallery of Art, the combined National Museum of African Art, Arthur M. Sackler Gallery and Freer Gallery of Art, and the US Botanic Garden. "There are some less well-known spots," she said in an interview.
Lynn says her insider's view of downtown bathrooms comes from years of working in the Reagan Building--one of the best places to "go" on Inauguration Day, she claims.
Democrats: Their guy hasn't even been inaugurated yet and they're already dumping on Reagan.
Related Stories:
· During Inauguration, Places to "Go" [WaPo]
· Inauguration Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]>
Now that the DC City Council, two senators, police advocacy groups and hospitality associations have weighed in on DC's proposed January boozathon, it's time to ask what you think. Should bars, clubs and restaurants be allowed to stay open 24 hours a day, serving drinks until 5 am in the run up to Obama's inauguration? Or are hundreds of thousands of extra wasted people roaming the streets the last thing DC needs?
It's about more than just the "morality" of getting tanked, Bob Bennett fans: Every time a bar sells a drink, the city pulls in some scratch in taxes. And if people have a good time when they're in DC this time around, the city may well end up in future travel plans--once inauguration visitors pay off those pricey vacation rental bills that is.
Still, as one DC resident says:
I think it's insane to allow people to be drinking 24 hours a day.
Is it? Or does this guy just need a drink? Let us know in the comments!
Related Stories:
· History In The Making: DC Bars To Stay Open Late For Once [Jaunted]
· Two Senators Hope To Curtail Late Night Partying In DC [Jaunted]
· Inauguration Travel coverage [Jaunted]]]>
Senators Dianne Feinstein (of California) and Robert Bennett (of Utah, natch) want DC to roll up the sidewalks early for Obama's inauguration--even though the city council voted to let bars, clubs and restaurants serve booze until 5 am, January 17-20. Mayor Adrian Fenty hasn't actually signed the emergency legislation that would allow for extended hours yet, so he could take the senators' recommendations and preemptively cancel the late-late-night revelry.
The problem, say Feinstein and Bennett, isn't partying per se:
With projections as high as 4 million people planning to visit the city during this time period, we are deeply concerned that the plan approved by the City Council could seriously strain law enforcement resources that need to be focused on the large crowds and security requirements of the Inaugural and its impact on the City.
While Feinstein is the chairman of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Bennett just seems to be tossing in his two cents. Ironically, DC doesn't have any senators of its own to weigh in on the issue, a fact made blindingly clear by the anti-Feinstein and -Bennett comments on a Washington Post article about the senators' letter to Fenty. Would "No buzz killing without representation" fit on a license plate?
Related Stories:
· Breaking News: Sens. Feinstein, Bennett Object to Inaugural Nightlife Legislation [WaPo]
· History In The Making: DC Bars To Stay Open Late For Once [Jaunted]
[Photo: &y]]]>
Yesterday we got a few yuks out of the fact that Republican Fred Thompson plans to rent his one-bedroom pad to some Obama fanboy for $30,000. But the inherent joke there is nothing compared to this rental featured on the Best of Craigslist:
Me: Heartless, greedy right-wing oppressive type looking to make a buck.
You: Obama's election was Christmas/your first kiss/May Day all wrapped into one. You dutifully wore his button--which you have yet to remove--contributed money to his campaign from your non-profit job and chanted "yes we can" as if it were the 11th commandment. A strange void now exists in your life and--like an old hippie looking to recapture the spirit of Woodstock--you are undertaking a pilgrimage to Washington for one last gulp of the Kool-Aid.
Along with my bedroom you will have access to the house's many amenities including cable television (not that you watch much TV) for viewing Keith Olberman's latest unhinged rants and CNN in high-def. Wireless internet means that the Huffington Post and DailyKos are only a click away on your MacBook. American flags and other patriotic paraphernalia in the room can be removed upon request.
How much will all this goodness cost you?
Rather than state a price I am requesting that you bid on this fabulous opportunity to ensure profit maximization on my part so that I can better weather the Bush Recession.
Serious offers only!
Related Stories:
· Even More Rental Home Rip Offs [Jaunted]
· Inauguration Travel coverage [Jaunted]
[Photo: martinstelbrink]]]>
We should've known that we'd find more inauguration rip offs than the five we highlighted last week, but we didn't expect one of them to come from a former presidential candidate: Fred Thompson is reportedly offering up his one-bedroom condo in DC for $30,000. At least you get to stay for five days.
If you're too partisan to rent from a Republican, though, the people offering up this five-bedroom Bethesda home for $35,000 sound hip enough to be Obama fans:
The house is modern, just over one year old, lots of glass, stainless steel, stone, maple...
Most "MTV Cribs" pale in comparison to this property, it is truly one of a kind.
Not really the five-figure type? We managed to dig up an even more expensive rental if you want to mark the historic inauguration with a historic amount of vacation debt. This suburban Maryland home spans 7,000 square feet and can be yours for a week for $150,000. On the upside, it comes with a chauffeur, a chef, a masseuse and "private security." Even a guy who played a DA on TV can't promise you that!
Related Stories:
· Best Of The Craigslist Inauguration Rip Offs (So Far) [Jaunted]
· 4,500 DC Hotel Rooms Now Available for the Inauguration [HC]
[Photo: martinstelbrink]]]>