News Roundup for 1/20/09

'Wait, isn't that the Boy Scout oath?'

-Or something like that-
One might assume that the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States of America would be the pre-eminent constitutional scholar in the nation. However, if one were make that assumption, one would screwed by one's assumptions.

In reciting the oath of office to Barack Obama today, Chief Justice John Roberts said, "I, Barack Hussein Obama, do solemnly swear... that I will execute the office of President to the United States faithfully... and will to the best of my ability... preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

To which Barack Obama looked bemused.

See, Roberts screwed it up. The Constitutional oath reads, "I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

There's a little transposition goin' on there. Writes Pam Spaulding, "How incredibly appropriate that the final punctuation mark on the Bush Maladministration is his chief arbiter of the Constitution verbally assaulting it, or lacking the intellectual capacity to memorize it." Or to use an index card. It is just 35 words, after all. This gives new meaning to the old phrase, "Close enough for government work."

On Twitter, MSNBC's Rachel Maddow wrote, "Maybe John Roberts will get a mulligan in four years." He's got plenty of time to practice. (Pam's House Blend, with video)


-[Reddit] headline of the day-
"BUSH IS FINALLY GONE!!!"

And did anyone remember to put a stake in Cheney's heart? Because that wheelchair's not going to slow him down for long. While we're at it, I hope someone remembered to unplug Dana Perino. Those electronic lying machines can really suck up the juice while spewing out all those greenhouse gases.

Real story from AP. (reddit)


-Not quite right either-
In his inaugural address, Barack Obama said, "Forty four Americans have now taken the presidential oath." That's not so absolutely correct. President Obama is 44, yes, but that Grover Cleveland guy screws everything up. See, Grover served two non-consecutive terms, making him both president #22 and #24.

So it's 43 Americans. Like I say, close enough for government work. It's still better than any fact-checking that went into your average Bush speech. (Planet Washington)


-On a personal note-
To all those people who told me that Barack Obama wasn't going to win, that America is still too racist a country, that the "Bradley effect" was going to put him under, kiss my ass. You know who you are.

Say it with me, "President Barack Hussein Obama!" In your face! In your face! Dance, monkey, dance!

Never let it be said that I'm gracious in victory, because I'll totally deny it. Now make with the celebrating and dancing and imbibing. (My Life)