80: Obama Annus Unus

Introduction: Obama Annus Unus

Graphic by Bad Subjects
President Barack Obama's first year, from Election and Inauguration through December, 2009.

Brooks and Gump Have a Tea Party

Ken Jolly
David Brooks writes of his accidental epiphany on race while jogging from the Lincoln Memorial to the U.S. Capitol, Saturday, September 12. It was during his run that he, like Forrest Gump, “found himself” at the center of a history-defining moment.

The Obama Administration and the Rule of 'Opposite Day!'

Zack Furness
Up is down, black is white, hate is love, war is peace, and nuclear power is 'green'.

Obama, The New Lula?

Pancho McFarland
This essay engages a recent Christian Science Monitor article that compares Brazilian President da Silva to U.S. President-elect Obama.

Where's the Peace?

Graphic by Bad Subjects
In giving Barack Obama the Nobel Prize for Peace, the world has faith again in the ideals of our nation. Now it's time for Obama, and for us, to make a serious commitment to the pursuit of peace.

Clearing the Air: Progressives and the Presidency

Charlie Bertsch
Pondering the possible implications of a Barack Obama Presidency for American progressives.

Soul Utility Vehicles: Aretha, Obama, and General Motors

On January 20, 2009, President Barack Obama was inaugurated, and a great African-American singer performed. One might allegorize the American automobile industry, especially General Motors Corporation, in the personage of one notable woman of Detroit, Aretha Franklin.

Tears of Hope: Obama and Personal Politics

I've heard people try to describe this strange euphoria since the election in a number of ways. For me the experience is a little more personal: it is the tears of hope my little brothers shed on November 4th.

The Pluggs

Mark Patrick
Electrical impatience about the new President.

As Bushnight Ends: Approaching Obamorning in America

Mike Mosher
Ten scattershot impressions from the last three months of 2008.

Bush Protested in London

On the last 'leg' of his 'Farewell Tour' of much of the industrialized western world, President George Bush's visit was greeted in London by scores of people outraged over everything from the civilian deaths in Iraq and Afghanistan to global climate change. Expecting the typical European reception of the U.S. president, security forces were beefed-up everywhere Bush stopped.

Shoe Resistance: A Pictorial

"This is a farewell kiss, you dog!"