President Obama goes back on his word about "earmarks"

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Cowbama dude!!!

What do you get when you put Obama, a surfer and a cowboy together? Cowbama

Why is Barack Obama having such an expensive inaugural when we are in such dire times?

As the recession continues to wreak havoc on the U.S. economy and inauguration celebrations ramp up, a lot of people are asking: "How much will this shindig cost?"

The short answer? More than $150 million — and yep, that's the most expensive ever. (By comparison, George W. Bush's 2005 inauguration cost $42.3 million. Bill Clinton managed with $33 million in 1993.)



For the first time, President Bush has declared an emergency in Washington, D.C. to supplement the $15 million Congress has already allotted for security measures. It's no surprise that security costs are sky-high — Barack Obama received Secret Service protection very early in his presidential run and record crowds (likely anywhere from 1.5 to 3 million people) are expected for the record number of events. In fact, the Secret Service will be in charge of security not just for inauguration day, but for four days, starting Saturday with Obama's train ride from Philadelphia. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff told the AP:

"It will be the most security, as far as I'm aware, that any inauguration's had."

Obama's much-discussed (and very cool-looking) custom Cadillac limo certainly couldn't come cheap, though we'll never really know how much it cost. Cadillac spokesman David Caldwell said the car's exact specifications are a big secret, including the safety features and production cost.

But Forbes reports it's not all flak jackets and armored cars:

To manage an event of this scale, the District of Columbia will spend a mammoth $47 million. It is not enough.... Much of the $45 million will go toward creating a dynamic Inauguration experience for the everyday visitor, not just funding exclusive events. "We don't even consider these events to be extravagant," says Linda Douglas, a spokeswoman from the Presidential Inauguration Committee. "With crowds of this size, most of our attention is being devoted to opening up as many events to the public."

Read the entire story HERE

The Arts Company Presents “Obama Inauguration Art Party and Exhibit”

"Obama on Blue" by Robert Grossman

Inauguration Day, January 20, 2009
11:00 am – 2:00 pm at The Arts Company

The Arts Company is presenting a special “Obama Inauguration Art Party and Exhibit” on Inauguration Day, Tuesday, January 20, 2009, from 11-2pm in the gallery in downtown Nashville at 215 Fifth Avenue of the Arts, North.

This special event will feature big screen live coverage of inauguration activities and present an exhibit of commemorative portraits of Obama by four artists—Jorge Arrieta, Bob Grossman, Brother Mel, and Jeff Hand. The original artwork by these artists will be accompanied by limited-edition prints of each portrait, signed and numbered by each artist to commemorate this historic occasion.

The Obama bust by Robert Grossman, a NY-based illustrator, has been featured on the cover of the New York Observer. Jorge Arrieta has had one of his current political poster series selected to be included in the Manifest Hope: DC Gallery, an exhibit curated by Shepard Fairy and others, scheduled in Washington, D.C. as a special inaugural art event. Brother Mel created a painted metal portrait of Obama “after 4 years in the White House,” and Jeff Hand has created one of his signature portraits in felt.

The original pieces and the limited-edition prints will be in the gallery exhibit through January 30, available for purchase during regular gallery hours, 10-5pm, Tuesday-Saturday. To preview the portraits, please visit The Arts Company website.

The Arts Company
215 Fifth Avenue, North
http://www.theartscompany.com/
615.254.2040

Cledus T. Judd is back with some great titles

These should be funny to hear. Cledus is a wacky and goofy music man who can make us laugh with his remakes of country hits. Below are some of his newest songs. Beverly Keel reported today that he was taping the video for his song "Waitin on Obama" which is based around the sound of "Waitin on a Woman" by Brad Paisley.
~Corey



Cledus T. Judd has recorded "Waitin' On Obama," to the tune of Brad Paisley's hit, "Waiting on a Woman." The lyrics include, "Waitin' to vote down at City Hall/Watchin' gas go up and the stock/market fall, when he asked me/You waitin' on Obama/I said I guess, how 'bout you/He said son, ever since George W./I've been waitin'/Waitin' on Obama."

The album will be titled Polyrically Correct" and contain "Garth Must Be Busy," a parody of Brooks & Dunn's "God Must Be Busy," and "I Saw Garth Today," a parody of George Strait's "I Saw God Today."

Beverly Keel's column has more on Cledus as well as Dave Pomeroy, Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts.

Barack Obama Metro Cards in Washington D.C.

I think this is cool but it would be nice to do something like this for all incoming presidents.
~Corey


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There are three options. For $10, you can purchase a rechargeable SmarTrip card with Obama’s face and “January 20, 2009, Inauguration Day” printed on the front; this card has no fare preloaded. Twenty dollars will get you the same plastic SmarTrip card with $10 in Metro fare preloaded. SmarTrip cards can be used on trains and buses.



A one-day paper pass is also available for $10. Printed with a black-and-white image of the President-elect, the pass gives you unlimited subway travel starting at 9:30 AM. You can use the pass any day of the week, including Inauguration Day, but it expires at midnight Sunday through Thursday and at 3 AM Friday and Saturday.



By comparison, a regularly priced SmarTrip card costs $30 and comes with $25 in Metro fare preloaded. A one-day rail pass costs $7.80.





Read more in the Washingtonian.

Welcome to Nashville Senators McCain and Obama

The Arts Company presents "The Art of Politics" featuring Robert Grossman

The Arts Company exhibit, The Art of Politics, opening on October 4, 6-9:00 pm, during the monthly FirstArtSaturday, will coincide with the town hall presidential debate to be hosted by Belmont University. This exhibit showcases recent iconic artwork by legendary New York illustrator/sculptor Robert Grossman, whose political and satirical works appear frequently in the The New York Times, New York Observer, The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and other major mainstream publications.

The Arts Company has commissioned Robert Grossman to produce a historic limited edition signed poster commemorating the occasion of the Nashville presidential debate. The Arts Company has also commissioned Jorge Arrieta to produce four different limited edition posters and one t-shirt for the occasion. These special commissions will be part of the artist reception on October 4 at The Arts Company. Robert Grossman, Jorge Arrieta, and exhibit curator Metro Councilman Ronnie Steine will attend the reception.



The Arts Company

215 Fifth Avenue North
Nashville, TN 37215
(615) 254-2040