At what is being reported as the most attended Presidential Inauguration ever, (he beat out LBJ who previously held the title, and beat out Clinton by 1 million), D.C. Mayor is saying that 1.8 million people were on the Mall attending the event, "The National Parks Service estimates Tuesday’s crowd to be the largest ever at the Mall", according to Politico.
There was of course the now famous slip up by Roberts about the placement of the word "faithfully" within the oath. In case you somehow missed it, here's a video:
Later that night Politico is reporting that President Obama retook the oath in the Map Room of the White House. This has spurned what I believe is a spurious debate over the authenticity of the orders Obama signed before retaking the oath. If you want to to read the article go here, but I think they're just looking for hairs to split and SOMETHING to talk about.
One of his first executive orders as President was to put a pay freeze on all White House staff who make more than $100,000/yr, which is roughly 100 people. He is quoted by MSNBC as saying "Families are tightening their belts, and so should Washington...". And in an effort to create transparency within the government,
Obama said he would change the way the federal government interprets the Freedom of Information Act. He said he was directing agencies that vet requests for information to err on the side of making information public — not to look for reasons to legally withhold it — an alteration to the traditional standard of evaluation. - once again according to MSNBCNewsweek is also reporting what I find to be fantastic news:
In the first sign of friction within his new administration, President Obama overruled the pleas of senior U.S. intelligence officials and signed a new executive order that bars the CIA from using harsh interrogation methods beyond those permitted by the U.S. military.Yay!! The US will no longer be breaking international law, at least on the torture front. This same directive also includes an order to close Guantanamo, something many people have been looking forward to. Though it's a bit up in the air over where all these detainees will go until their cases can be sorted out, it has even been suggested Camp Pendleton here in our own Southern California. In other news the Guardian is reporting that a town in Vermont has indicted Bush and Cheney for "crimes against our Constitution", though it is unlikely this will get much done.
Balance of power trying to find balance:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/Is a divided majority good or bad? How much should we roll back and change from the previous administration? Would spending time repairing damage be a waste?
George Mitchell named special envoy for the Middle East:
http://www.cnn.com/2009/
Former Senate Majority Leader, is he qualified? What role does US foreign policy have in the conflict? How involved in peace talks must we get? Authored Peace Accords in northern Ireland and served in similar capacity with Bush Administration, calling for "a halt to Israeli settlements and greater Palestinian efforts to crack down on terror."
Henry: Obama's first full day takes turn for the weird
http://www.cnn.com/2009/Does this violate Obama's promise of openness?
Obama pushes for Gaza truce to hold
http://english.aljazeera.net/
"I think this is an unfortunate start for President Obama in the region and the Middle East issue. And it looks like the next four years, if it continues with the same tone, will be a total failure."- Osama Hamdan, Hamas Leader
Obama orders Guantanamo closure
http://english.aljazeera.net/
Obama orders closure of controversial prison within a year. review of the military tribunals set up by the Bush administration to try them. Torture to be defined by the army regulations handbook. A "Step in the right direction".
What do we expect, and want, out of the first 100 days?
http://www.cnn.com/2009/
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