The fist bump waiting to happen...

Via Slate cartoons:

Obamamania: Obama The Smoker

In today's WaPo, Michael Kinsley says it's ok if Obama needs a cig:

Obama's steely calm is now one of our country's major assets. If he needs an occasional cigarette to preserve it, let's hand him an ashtray, offer him a light and look the other way.

I don't care if Obama smokes or not. It's his choice. I'm sure he's well aware of the ramifications and he probably gets railed about all the time from the people around him.

WaPo, what's next? Will you find another columnist to contribute a piece that explores the evolution of Obama's hair cuts and what it means for tomorrow's future leaders?

Obamamania: Licking the streets he walkED on

The Chicago Tribune made it easier for Obama supporters and crazies to walk the same streets and eat at the same restaurants The One has graced with an interactive map.

Obamamania: Tacky Memorabilia

I'm all for capitalizing on hip trends, but this latest one needs to stop: Obama plates. It's not just tacky, it's creepy. This is just another indication that capitalism transcends the Democratic-Republican divide. Obama's celebrity and international popularity equals money-money-money. But I'm 100% sure that those "commemorative quarter" companies had stockpiles of Obama and McCain quarters ready to be shipped on November 5th.

They just give me the heebie-jeebies. I think its because the coin and plate things are cheesey and are always associated with crazy, old, and maniacal collectors. Obama furnished a cool, Coltrane-listening, young, and hip image. The 'Obama Commemorative Plate' simply contradicts that.

B-Rock is in the (White) Hoooouse

From the WaPo (which was apparently Obama-leaning in it's '08 campaign coverage) has a nifty piece on the crossroads of hip-hop and politics. Nas--someone I first really learned about this past summer thanks to his number one fan--makes an insightful point about our president-elect:

"The next generation of kids will have something new to rap about," said Nas. But he also previously wrote lyrics expressing his hope -- and his uncertainty -- about Obama's presidency:

I'm thinking I can trust this brother

But will he keep it way real?

. . . When he wins, will he care still?

The first President-Elect Obama post

Cool news: Half of the babies born in the village near the birthplace of Barack Obama Sr. were named either Barack or Michelle on the day after the election.

Would you name your kid Barack or Michelle?

My potential offspring will probably be named after the president-elect or his wife. But I also have first dibs on Aiden, Nelson, Madeleine, and Christiane.