In a move that can only be called self indulgent, or to use a favorite word of mine - psychopantic, today President Obama and his wife gave the figure head of England, otherwise known as the Queen, an Ipod containing the following:

• Photos from the Queen’s 2007 White House State Visit
• Photos from the Queen’s 2007 Jamestown, Va., Visit
• Photos from the Queen’s 2007 Richmond, Va., Visit
• Video from the Queen’s 1957 Jamestown Visit
• Video from the Queen’s 2007 Jamestown Visit
• Video from the Queen’s 2007 Richmond Visit
• Photos from President Obama’s Inauguration
• Audio of then-state senator Obama’s speech at the 2004 Democratic National Convention, and
• Audio of President Obama 2009 Inauguration Address

Not to be out down the Queen returned the favor by giving the King and Queen of America the beta version of the Ipod, a framed portrait of the Royal Family.

Britain’s Press Association reports that the Royal couple gave the Obamas “a silver-framed, signed photograph of themselves.” Am I the only one that finds this funny?

“Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., said that as president he would hold regular press conferences and “not just call on my four favorite reporters.”  But the Democratic presidential nominee hasn’t held a full press conference — submitting himself to more than a handful of questions from his whole press corps — in more than a month, since Sept. 24, 2008, in Clearwater, Florida.”

Yeah, he’s running for President and he hasn’t done a press conference in a month.  Doesn’t that strike you as odd.  Why isn’t he doing a press conference a day or at least a week to address policy proposals?

Obama bitchs often about the superficiality of the media and how they don’t ask good questions. “The media isn’t focused on the important issues facing the nation, he complains. On Saturday in Nevada, Obama sat for an exclusive interview with Mario Lopez, the actor who played “A.C. Slater” on “Saved by the Bell,” to air on the TV show “EXTRA!” According to the promotional materials from “EXTRA!,” “Asked about the tragic news that (actress Jennifer) Hudson’s mother and brother were killed Friday in Chicago, Obama states, ‘Oh it was heartbreaking, in fact I’m still trying to get a phone number to call her at this tragic time. She is somebody who has campaigned for me, she also lives in my community. So, we’re really going to have to help her and pray for her and her family during this difficult time.’”

No, no Barack is right it’s very important to address AC Slaters questions and concerns.

Not wanting to be out done Senator John McCain hasn’t had a press conference in over a month either.  This makes sense. Have you seen the outtakes from McCain’s last press conference? I wouldn’t let this guy babysit my kids.

These two men are running for President, not Congress, not the Senate, the Whitehouse. It’s nice to see that the press cares enough to cover this.

Howard Stern exposes bias in Obama supporters, like we didn’t know it was there.

The far right is just a scary

The Institute which holds some very rare Nostradamus manuscripts, believes that some of the quatrains written by the 16th century soothsayer are very close to describing the fight for the White House that is happening now.

“We have the only existing fourth edition of Nostradamus’ book Les Propheties (The Prophecies). There were thought to be only three editions published in 1558, this new edition is from 1559 and includes 20 more quatrains which have never been revealed before — that is, until now,” Professor Randell said from the archive office on Tuesday. Nostradamus has been credited with predicting numerous events in world history, from the Great Fire of London,  the rise of Napoleon I of France, the French Revolution and Adolf Hitler, to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.The professor told the Daily Squib that it is well known that some of the quatrains are open to interpretation however what he has translated from the previously unreleased manuscript will certainly “ruffle a few feathers.”

243
The great empire will be torn from limb,
The all-powerful one for more than four hundred years:
Great power given to the dark one from slaves come,
The Aryana will not be satisfied thereby.

The BBC has done a great piece on how both major party candidates, McCain and Obama, have changed their stances on issues or flip flopped.  We all remember John Kerry’s classic line from the 2004 Presidential Election, “I was for it, before I was against it.”

The article breaks down 5 areas where both candidates have switched or “augmented” their already carefully crafted responses to the issues.

McCain is hammered on: Immigration, Christian Right, Interrogation rules, Guantanamo, Oil Drilling

Obama is held to the fire on: Campaign Finance, Surveillance program, Gun Control, Iraq, Free Trade. 

So the question is no longer who is actually “flip flopping” but which candidates flip flop will hurt them the most come November?

McCain’s flip on his issues isn’t as potentially acidic as Obama’s.  None of the issues outside of Immigration are very polarizing for voters.  However Obama has been campaigning since the beginning of this election cycle on the premise that he has been against the Iraq War the entire time and would immediately start bringing home troops if he became President. “Obama’s Iraq plan calls for an immediate, gradual redeployment of troops that would leave only a small number in the country to conduct counterterrorism operations and protect diplomats.”

If his stance on Iraq were to change this could be very damaging for his credibility especially when put in concert with the other “flip flops.” 

But whatever it’s all BS.

Barack Obama may find himself in hot water with his party as its been reported that Obama is considering a change in his original stance to start pulling troops out of Iraq in January 2009.  Considering Barack just caused a bit of an up roar and at the very least raised a few eye brows at his flip flop on public campaign funding this looks to be the start of a character issue for Obama.

The problem with Obama flip flopping on such a dynamic and key issue for his campaign and for the future direction of this country is that he starts sounding less and less like a fresh new face and an embodiment of “Hope” and “Change” and more like politics as usual. 

The GOP is currently in shambles with McCain not doing himself any favors but we all saw how being labeled as an elitist snob and flip flopper negatively effected John Kerry’s campaign.  This election is starting to look less like the best candidate will win and more like the last man standing.

The bottom line here is you can’t tell Americans “If I am the Democratic nominee, I will aggressively pursue an agreement with the Republican nominee to preserve a publicly financed general election,” and then do the opposite.  You can’t tell Americans that you, “would require that troops begin coming home on May 1 with the goal of removing all combat brigades by March 31, 2008,” or at the worst by the end of 2008 and then do the opposite.

Obama’s stance on Iraq is looking more like politics as usual especially when you start to examine the evolution of his stance on Iraq.  It took him almost a year to deliver a speech on Iraq once he got to Washington (this was a centerpiece of his Senatorial campaign) and “only after Mr. Obama opened a presidential exploratory committee did he introduce legislation to withdraw American combat brigades from Iraq by March 31, 2008.”  Why the wait?

I am in agreement with Obama.  He should change his stance on Iraq.  It doesn’t make sense to invest a few trillion dollars in the future of a whole region of the world and then just walk away because we shouldn’t have been there in the first place.  We’re there now and we need to figure out the best way to secure the region and then leave.  But you can’t be against the war and campaign on pulling out our troops to separate yourself from the pack and then change your stance after you have secured the nomination and think that no one will notice.

Hillary Clinton campaigned today in Unity, New Hampshire for Barack Obama.  Following the many, many months of bitter fighting and posturing between the two campaigns this was a step in the right direction for the Democrats. 

Obama and Clinton fought over anything and everything even though they shared basically the same positions on the issues.  Accusing each other of deliberately distorting records was a everyday occurrence.  Can they change? Will people buy this “Unity?” Does it matter?  To early to tell and way too early to count out the underdog McCain.

Then                                                                   Now

The question remains will the public buy Clinton’s sincerity and will Clinton’s donors come along for the ride? Barack will need both to defeat an underrated McCain in November.

It has to be hard for both sides to come together after being so bitterly opposed.  Will the public see through this transparent facade of political unity? 

Then                                                                        Now

The Gallup Poll just came out with new results for June showing a virtual tie between Obama and McCain.  It’s still early but it’s exciting!

“Hey Barack do you have any gum?

Obama comes bouncing out of the gate with a 15 point lead over presumptive Republican Nominee John McCain.  It’s still very very very early in this process and neither of these men are incumbents, which changes the way polls are evaluated, but a lead of this magnitude will grab significant media attention. 

The Obamedia for the most part is already on the Senators bandwagon.  Let’s see what he does from here.  Can he hold this lead from the comeback kid? 

Will he get a bigger bounce from the nomination convention in Denver? What will McCain do?  This should be fun!

The first political “fist bump.” 

Obama says he “loves” the jewish people but he also feels that, “no one is suffering more then the Palestinian people.”  Expect more of these tight rope walking antics.  Oh yeah and anti-Semite Jimmy Carter is endorsing Obama.

NBA Finals starts tonight.  An old rivarly renewed.

Inside The World’s First Billion Dollar Home. 

Nation of Islam active in Obama Campaign.  Not good.  The GOP will eat him for lunch on this one.

Barney says, back of the bus

US teens having less sex and drugs.  What the hell is wrong with the kids today?  I’m doing my part to keep up Generation X’s rep. 

Low on space but need some furniture?  Leave it to the Japanese.

Dark Knight Movie Trailer

First domestic oil refinery approved in over 30 years yesterday in South Dakota.

Having trouble hiding your alcohol at work?  No worries, I am here to help.

Kevin Johnson running for Mayor of Sacramento survives his first political battle.

With Fantasy football around the corner it’s never too early to start evaluating the pro’s and con’s of the leagues top Running Backs.

At the end of the month California State Law will make it illegal for you to drive and talk at the same time without a headset.  Here’s a list of 5 bluetooth headsets you might want to consider.

Major League Baseballs 2008 draft is today.  Check out who your team is slated to pick up.

Quite possibly one of the meanest titles to an article ever.

7 Innocent Gestures that can get you into trouble.

More problems with the Patriots.  Seems like Karma at this point.

Maybe the Patriots should re-align their chi like this rad dog.

10 former US based businesses that have moved aboard to avoid heavy taxes.  “We felt that American companies, based upon the tax laws that are written today, are clearly put at an economic disadvantage to foreign companies,” said Victoria Guennewig, a spokeswoman for Cooper Industries, in defense of the company’s relocation.

Into Goth? Finally a furniture store for you.

Stephen Colbert’s Commencement Speech to Princeton Graduating 2008 Class