MY TOP TEN ALBUMS OF 2008!

10.) John Mellencamp - Life, Death, Love & Freedom
9.) Counting Crows - Saturday Nights & Sunday Mornings
8.) Beck - Modern Guilt
7.) The Fireman - Electric Arguments
6.) Nas - Untitled
5.) Coldplay - Viva La Vida
4.) Death Cab For Cutie - Narrow Stairs
3.) Kings of Leon - Only By The Night
2.) TV On the Radio - Dear Science
1.) Kanye West - 808s and Heartbreaks

Now, I obviously didn't hear everything and seeing the end of the year Top 10 lists in the big music mags turned me on to a couple of these albums (admittedly, I'd been reluctant about TVOTR, but once I heard that album.... god damn!....). I have not really listened to Fleet Foxes or Vampire Weekend (though it seems you either love them or think they are the worst fucking band ever) but wouldn't mind giving them a chance.

Yesterday, I picked up Dylan's latest bootleg series and even though I haven't really absorbed it all yet, I wouldn't add it to a best of the year list because everything is from the past -- different versions of songs we've known for some time now.

Kanye's new album is simply brilliant. I can't think of a better word to describe it. Yes, he's kind of a dick. Yes, he waaaaaay to full of himself. Yes, he is annoying. But this album is the "Blood On the Tracks" of our time. The pain is real. The loss of his mother has destroyed him. It comes through every note on the album, auto-tuned or not (an effect I happen to love, by the way). As I sit here trying to describe it I realize how overwhelmed that album makes me feel.

THE TEAM

Updated with a lot of names because I've been an asshat and completely neglected my precious blog (that literally no one is reading). Nevertheless....

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle
HOMELAND SECURITY - Janet Napolitano
TREASURY - Timothy Geithner
OMB - Peter Orszag
STATE - Hillary Clinton
DEFENSE - Robert Gates
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR - General James Jones
UN AMBASSADOR - Susan Rice
COMMERCE - Bill Richardson
VETERANS AFFAIRS - Gen. Erik Shinseki
ENERGY - Steven Chu
EPA - Lisa Jackson
CLIMATE/ENERGY "CZARINA" - Carol Browner

I love the fact that Obama is appointing people that I know are smarter than me (i.e., Chu), because when I saw pea brains like Ashcroft and Norton nominated by Bush I couldn't help but think the head Peanut wanted his own Peanut Gallery. In other words, Bush just wanted "Yes" people around him. Obama seems to truly thirst for differences in opinion from very bright people. How refreshing.

I WAS MADE FOR LOVING... WAIT... WHAT?

Laughing so hard I nearly pissed myself.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle
HOMELAND SECURITY - Janet Napolitano
TREASURY - Timothy Geithner
OMB - Peter Orszag
STATE - Hillary Clinton
DEFENSE - Robert Gates
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR - General James Jones
UN AMBASSADOR - Susan Rice
COMMERCE - Bill Richardson

Richardson brings more rock star to this team. Clearly he is a dedicated public servant with some know-how. My gut tells me Richardson will have a bigger role to play down the road in Obama's administration. Really, where does he go after this?

WORST. CHOICE. EVER.

NBC picks David Gregory to moderate "Meet the Press." Are they trying to drive viewers away? Are they purposely trying to bore everyone? What is is that this guy has that NBC sees but no one else does? I mean, it's pretty unanimous: He's dreadful.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle
HOMELAND SECURITY - Janet Napolitano
TREASURY - Timothy Geithner
OMB - Peter Orszag
STATE - Hillary Clinton
DEFENSE - Robert Gates
NATIONAL SECURITY ADVISOR - General James Jones
UN AMBASSADOR - Susan Rice

Even with my negative feelings towards Clinton and Gates, I think this is turning out to be one incredible team.

OOPS! SHE WILL ALWAYS SUCK!

Rolling Stone reminds me once again why I don't subscribe.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle
HOMELAND SECURITY - Janet Napolitano
TREASURY - Timothy Geithner
DIRECTOR OF OMB - Peter Orszag

Not bad, so far, Mr. Obama. I would like to see real solid picks at Energy and Interior, (Al Gore, anyone?) two positions I am keeping an eye on. These all seem like very serious people who will take seriously the mandate they've been given.

A NEW HOPE?

Oh please please please please please tell me this is true. Ambinder is reporting that Clinton may be constitutionally barred from holding a cabinet position because Congress voted to increase cabinet member salaries last year.

We can not allow the Clintons to get their dirty hands on the Obama administration. It's admirable that Obama wants to use her rather than let her wilt in the Senate. But I say.... let her wilt.


ADDED: I would also like to state for the record that Gates should be kicked swiftly out the door at Defense. All Bushies must go. Period. I don't care if you are a supposed "Independent", which is what they say about Gates. What? Progressives/Liberals can't run defense?

AXL ('N') ROSE(S)

Axl Rose has pulled one of the greatest con jobs in music history. Millions of people (me included) believed that Guns 'n' Roses had actually released their first album of new material in 17 years. He had everyone convinced for 17 years that "Chinese Democracy" was worth all the speculation and hype. I fell for it; I followed the progress of this album over the years. Upon its release, nothing was going to stop me from getting a listen to what 17 years and $14 million sounded like.

But "Chinese Democracy" is not a Guns 'n' Roses record. At all. This is Axl Rose's solo record that he spent 17 self-indulgent years working on. You can't really blame him for calling it Guns 'n' Roses, though. Seriously, would you have anticipated an Axl Rose record? Didn't think so. And he knows this.

Slash, Duff and Izzy are all sorely missed. "Democracy" is all over the place, skipping from genre to genre. There's not enough balls out hard rock and way too many string arrangements and programmed beats -- for a GnR record, mind you. Axl seems to have discovered a clear tone in his higher vocal register which he uses often ("If the World", "This I Love") -- and I find it completely annoying (most of the time). I do, however, thoroughly enjoy Buckethead's playing. Some of his solos alone make the album worth it.

What I can say positively is that it is a production masterpiece. Clearly this has been a labor of love and knowing as little as I do about recording, one can tell that someone (presumably Rose) considered every minor detail about this album over and over and over.... and over and over.... and over and over again.

The first listen garnered a really positive response. But then I went back and listened to the real Gnr (come on, they at least have to have Slash on the fucking guitar to be considered Gnr) from my high school days and the second listen became a plodding experience. I'm not sure where I'll end up with this record. Some of the tunes are really quite good ("Madagascar", "Chinese Democracy" and "Sorry" all stick out for me), but the majority leave a little to be desired. Rose needs to get the old band back together.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle
HOMELAND SECURITY - Janet Napolitano
TREASURY - Timothy Geithner


Personally, I am still hoping Hillary does not end up at State. I just can't stomach anymore of the never-ending Clinton melodrama.

RIP MIRIAM MAKEBA

It just occurred to me that I never wrote about Miriam Makeba's passing. Below is a performance she did with my favorite, Paul Simon, on his "Graceland" tour. She was a true gift.

HILLARY AND TIMOTHY

I have been quite reluctant to post that Hillary Clinton will be on the Obama team in the role of Secretary of State because there are still rumblings that it could/might not happen. Rumors still abound that Richardson is being vetted, too -- probably as a back-up in case they find some serious dirt on the Clintons (and don't be surprised if they do). Richardson could end up at Commerce if he doesn't get State.

When it comes to all things Clinton, I am a natural skeptic. As a first time voter in 1992, I voted for Bill, went to a rally in Cleveland, enthusiastically shook his and Hillary's hands. And as soon as he took office, I felt like he did everything he could to sell his supporters down the river. I never forgave him. I still haven't. And, as a result, I look at the positives of everything Clinton... then prepare for the worst. I don't trust either of them. So, I won't be surprised if it falls out of her lap in the last minute. In fact, I expect it.

As for this Timothy Geithner, I hear he may be announced on Monday, so I will hold off on adding him to "The Team" for now. This looks like a pick that will make Wall Street happy. But, as with all things Clinton, I am always skeptical of the assholes who work on Wall Street. And as I wrote this post, it has become more and more clear that he is the choice for this position.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle
HOMELAND SECURITY - Janet Napolitano



Politico and CNN are both reporting Napolitano for Homeland Security.

The names seem to be coming out fast. Since I have little time to blog -- or little to say that untold numbers of bloggers haven't already said -- don't be surprised if most of my posts for the next several weeks are in regards to the incoming Obama team.

CNN is also saying Penny Pritzker will head Commerce, but I'm waiting to hear something a little more definitive before adding her name.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES - Tom Daschle

CNN is reporting that Daschle has been offered and accepted the position at HHS.

It does look as though Obama is trying to assemble a world class, rock star cabinet. Note: I have not put up Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State because at this point, it is still essentially speculation and we don't know what will happen. In the cases of Holder and Daschle, even though the announcements haven't been official, they seem very likely.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig
ATTORNEY GENERAL - Eric Holder

NBC is reporting Holder has been offered the position and accepted.

Also, Obama apparently appointed several lower-staff level jobs last week, but this list I'm compiling will only deal with high-level positions.

GUTLESS!

Once again, I am reminded why I don't like to call myself a Democrat. They have let that slimiest of slimeballs, Joe Lieberman, keep his powerful Homeland Security chair.

But, get this. Their version of punishment is stripping him of the chairmanship of some insubstantial subcommittee. What a kick to the balls this is.

Way to go, Democrats. Just remember, when the snake bites you, you knew all along it was a snake.

THE TEAM

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett
WHITE HOUSE COUNSEL - Gregory Craig

THE TEAM

I will update this and re-post as new people are brought in:

CHIEF OF STAFF -- Rahm Emanuel
WHITE HOUSE SPOKESPERSON -- Robert Gibbs
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- David Axelrod
SENIOR WHITE HOUSE ADVISOR -- Valerie Jarrett

THANKS, SENATOR McCAIN

Thank you John McCain and Sarah Palin for riling up the nutjob wing of the GOP to the point where record numbers of people (read: their wacky right-wing supporters) want to inflict serious harm upon Barack Obama.

The number of threats against Obama is higher than any other president-elect. I can only imagine how poorly Michelle Obama sleeps some nights.

Well, what should we expect when we have numbnuts like this running around the country? NOT ONE of the leaders of this wing of the GOP has stood up and told these people to calm down, give Obama some breathing room, let him have his shot, and, by the way, he's not a terrorist!

Oh yeah. Don't forget jerk-offs like these people, either.

Personally, I can't ever forgive McCain or Palin for the campaign they ran. I fear for Obama's safety.