Colbert rules, Obama cussing, and Joaquin Phoenix doing a bad Galifianakis

Wow. What a great President's Day catching up on my Daily Show and Colbert Report watching. Very patriotic. I guess I'll have to re-read the Douglas/Lincoln debates and Washington's Farewell address to make up for it.



But Stephen Colbert deserves an Emmy for this alone: demonstrating what Glenn Beck and getting a colonoscopy have in common. Seriously funny stuff, while cable "news" is seriously sad. Also, the Colbert namesakes (like a turtle and trap door spider named after him) and his clips with feminists (who love to kiss him) is freakin' fantastic:

The Colbert ReportMon - Thurs 11:30pm / 10:30c

Stephen's Sexiest Moments

Also, even though, admittedly, this is childish, you can hear Obama reading some colorful language from his book, Dreams From My Father. If you ever wanted to know what he'd sound like saying things like "This shit's getting way too complicated for me," or "ignorant motherfuckers," or "That guy ain't shit. Sorry ass motherfucker," or "You ain't my bitch, nigga" this page has the tracks from the book. Spoiler: He's reading dialogue from someone in the book.

And separately, Democrats better start to respect poll numbers like these despite the incessant reminders that this will be a "post-partisan" presidency----at least until the Republicans get back on the throne.

Obama does deserve a lot of credit so far, no doubt. However, this is a big deal: The DOJ is now complicit in the continuation of extra-constitutional executive power and one of the Bush regime's most pernicious policies. Here's Obama reversing himself on "state secrets" cases as they relate to rendition. (Basically, that the Executive can tell the courts that "state secrets" preclude them from investigation and trial in rendition cases entirely----not that any particular piece of evidence during the trial is protected under "states secrets" privileges. Normally, privileges are asserted in court for particular pieces of evidence instead of the Executive unilaterally dismissing itself from going to court altogether).

And on a lighter note, oh my god this was tense: Joaquin Phoenix doing a Zach Galifianakis impression, except he wasn't kidding, or funny.