This is not your practice blog

Oath flub

One of the minor subplots of yesterday's U. S. Presidential Inauguration was the the goofed-up oath of office. Here's an in-depth article explaining what happened. Most important, as the article points out: although the wording of the oath is indeed specified in the U. S. Constitution, it's really just for decoration. According to the Constitution, Obama became president at 12:00 Noon, oath or no oath. 

UPDATE: Some say no, you really really need to say exactly that oath, and Obama should retake the oath. 

Giant alien attacks U.S. presidential inauguration!

Actually, it's Legoland. Picture stolen from Daily Mail Online.

Incredibly amazing picture

Stolen from the front page of the New York Times.

Pittsburgh mayor changes his name

This Sunday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play the Baltimore Ravens in a National Football League game. The game is very important, because the winner gets to play in the Super Bowl on February 1. Unfortunately for him, the mayor of Pittsburgh apparently noticed that his name is Ravenstahl, the first part of which matches the nickname of the local team's rival ("Ravens"). So of course, he's temporarily changing his name to Steelerstahl until the game is over. 

Obama elected president last Thursday

Most Americans are reminded every four years that the president is not elected directly by the people. Instead, an indirect process called the Electoral College is used as a compromise between direct election, which some of the founders wanted, and presidential election by members of Congress, favored by other founders. 

The rules for the Electoral College were written in the 18th century to accommodate that era's technology and customs. Although the election was on October 4th, members of the Electoral College didn't meet until December 15th to cast their votes for president and vice president. Finally, last Thursday, January 8th, Congress met in a joint session to formally count the electoral votes. If you have half an hour, you can watch the whole fascinating and tedious ritual on this YouTube video.

Recombobulation area

The next time you pass through security at General Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee, you'll have to take off your shoes, take out your laptop, and show your baggie of approved liquids. But when you're done, you can relax and pull yourself together in the Recombobulation Area.

(Image stolen from 12th St David)