It's the end of the world as we know it. And other news...
Regardless of the incoming and outgoing officials, Inauguration Day in America is one of the most interesting and amazing events in the world. And I’m not just talking about the swearing in of a new president. It’s also moving out — and moving in — day at the White House (all in the course of a few hours). WaPo has an interesting look at what will be happening while most eyes are on the parades and the speeches: The 5 craziest hours in the White House. “The outgoing family’s moving trucks, escorted by the Secret Service and officers of the U.S. Park Police, pull into the west side of the South Portico driveway. The incoming president’s moving trucks pull into the east side of the South Portico … All boxes are emptied, and clothes are placed in closets and drawers. Unlike pretty much everyone else who has ever relocated, the president will not have three unopened moving boxes sitting in the back of a closet. The First Family’s favorite products were purchased ahead of time and will be ready for them to use — everything from mattresses and linens to shower heads and shaving cream. The first family never runs out of toilet paper.” (And I thought the White House bowling alley was the biggest perk.)
+ Who’s going, who’s not, and what happens when? Here’s a guide to the day.
+ Mr. Trump has arrived in Washington.
+ As the world awaits his speech, the Internet tries to decipher the weird photo Trump posted of himself writing it.
+ While the US transfer of power seems more contentious than usual, it’s nothing compared to what’s happening in Gambia. The new president has been sworn in, but the old president is refusing to go.
+ NYT: Who started calling this thing an inauguration in the first place? Hint: He’s just like his country, he’s young, scrappy and hungry.
Surge Protectors
According to The Hill, the Trump team is preparing for some immediate and massive budget cuts. The ones mentioned are more politically charged than they are expensive. For example: “The Corporation for Public Broadcasting would be privatized, while the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities would be eliminated entirely.”
+ I’m biased since I know some of those involved, but one of Obama’s best moves was to bring in some top tech talent to change government and bring the power of big data to decision making. Steven Levy looks at what the team accomplished, and wonders what will be undone. The Final Days of Obama’s Tech Surge.
+ “My past statements made over five years ago about abolishing the Department of Energy do not reflect my current thinking. In fact, after being briefed on so many of the vital functions of the Department of Energy, I regret recommending its elimination.” Rick Perry opened his confirmation hearing appearance by indicating that he now supports the agency he’s about to lead.
Tehran’s Towering Inferno
LA Times: “A historic high-rise in the heart of Tehran caught fire and collapsed Thursday in a giant cloud of smoke, killing dozens of firefighters who were battling the blaze.”
+ InFocus has some brutal images from the scene.
Italian Avalanche
“It appears the guests had gathered on the ground floor of the four-star spa hotel, close to the Gran Sasso mountain, to await evacuation following the earthquakes.” A hotel in central Italy was hit by an avalanche with as many as 35 people still inside. According to the BBC, Italian rescuers have found no sign of life.
Battleground State of Mind
“We have a lot of firepower. We’ve got the scientists. We’ve got the universities. We have the national labs. We have a lot of political clout and sophistication for the battle. And we will persevere.” California Sunday Magazine reports on what promises to be a key battleground over the next four years: California vs Donald Trump.
+ “The instability in the political arena has brought some people out to just get prepared, not knowing what may happen. People see it’s possible to have more than just a natural disaster.” Suddenly, left coast liberals and hardcore preppers have something in common. My personal go bag has semi-automatic weapons, a thick wad of cash, and a fully loaded vaporizer (in case I need to send smoke signals).
Same Old Wrong
One of the side-effects of the global rise of populism is the resurgence of antisemitism. From far right speeches in Germany to a series of bomb threats aimed at US JCCs (several kids I know were sent home from school yesterday), an all too familiar storyline is rearing its ugly head.
Hot Pot
It “isn’t advertised on TV or in the newspapers, and yet it’s become a viral marketing success story, with owners often describing themselves as ‘addicts’ or ‘cult members.'” And it’s a pretty big group of owners since their favorite product is Amazon’s number one selling item in the US. NPR on The Viral Word-Of-Mouth Success Of Instant Pot.
+ Golfers, like most consumers, believe that you generally get what you pay for in the equipment market. The Kirkland balls disproved that.
Social Security Blanket
“Zuckerberg has help, lots of it. Typically, a handful of Facebook employees manage communications just for him, helping write his posts and speeches, while an additional dozen or so delete harassing comments and spam on his page.” From Bloomberg: This Team Runs Mark Zuckerberg’s Facebook Page.
The Apple of My Aye Yai Yai
“The apples have been altered by shutting down the genes responsible for producing an enzyme known as polyphenol oxidase or PPO.” Some produce shoppers in the midwest will get the first taste of Arctic Apples, which are genetically modified not to brown.
Bottom of the News
“Yoga is something you do for yourself, but beer brings people together.” Beer Yoga is finally starting to catch on…
+ Obama got a going away concert from the Boss. (At a fundraiser in 2008, Obama said: “The reason I’m running for president is because I can’t be Bruce Springsteen.”)
+ LA Times: Using lasers, scientists turn mice into ferociously efficient hunters. (This is the first story in years that has grabbed the attention of my cats.)
