This is the website of Abulsme Noibatno Itramne (also known as Sam Minter). Posts here are rare these days. For current stuff, follow me on Mastodon

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January 2009
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The Key Paragraphs

From the Inaugural address:

We reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

Our Founding Fathers, faced with perils we can scarcely imagine, drafted a charter to assure the rule of law and the rights of man, a charter expanded by the blood of generations. Those ideals still light the world, and we will not give them up for expedience’s sake.

And so to all other peoples and governments who are watching today, from the grandest capitals to the small village where my father was born: know that America is a friend of each nation and every man, woman, and child who seeks a future of peace and dignity, and that we are ready to lead once more. Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions.

They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint. We are the keepers of this legacy.

(via Daily Kos and Daily Dish)

Change is Fast

(via Talking Points Memo)

President Barack Hussein Obama

Moments

I’m settled in downstairs. All the ex-presidents are now arriving. The last time you had a real transition was 8 years ago. They are always so exciting. No matter who is taking over from who. I’m all a-twitter.

I gave both Brandy and Amy a heads up that we were less than half an hour from the relevant bits of the ceremony starting to happen. I think Amy immediately went back to sleep. Brandy is up, but I’m not sure if she plans on coming down to watch.

But I wouldn’t miss this for anything. And yeah, I have a better view from here than I ever would have had in person. But it still would have been nice to go.

I’m thinking with less than 40 minutes to go it might be too late for me to change my mind and go. :-)

Two Hours

We’re just under the two hour mark now. At the moment I’m upstairs watching via Slingbox on the computer. In a little bit I’ll head downstairs and switch to the projector for a wall sized view.

I’d considered live-blogging, but decided against it. When the time comes, I’ll probably shut down the computer and just watch.

Everybody else is still asleep. Dunno if they will be up or awake before the actual inauguration. I’m the political junkie in this house, so I actually kind of doubt it. Neither seemed to have too much interest in watching.

The 44

(via The Monkey Cage)

Less Than Twelve Hours

Tick Tock… Tick Tock… Tick Tock…

Curmudgeon’s Corner: Out with the Old

Sam and Ivan talk about:

  • Game? What Game?
  • Windows vs Mac (Again)
  • Steve Jobs and Apple
  • Ditching in the Hudson
  • Goodbye to W
  • Hello to Obama

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Welcome to (what will be) Air Force One

(A clip from On Board Air Force One via ThinkProgress)

Manditory MLK Day 2009 Viewing

This morning I woke up as usual and banged on Amy’s door to let her know it was one hour until we had to leave for school. Moments later, she appeared, indignant, to let me know there was no school today and she was going back to sleep.

Having thus been reminded that it is Martin Luther King Jr day, as if the TV wasn’t mentioning it enough, I went to watch the two most memorable speeches that, I at least, seem to watch or listen to at least once a year. I’m sure everybody is seeing them everywhere today, as every single outlet is taking the time to mention the historical threads connecting MLK with tomorrow’s inauguration. Nevertheless, here they are:

I know I’m a sap, but both of these really get to me every time I listen to them.