Back on Inauguration Day, the Washington Post ran a Bush administration-spun piece on how a reflective President Bush was looking to change the tone of Washington based on some of the lessons he had learned during his first term:

President Bush is a politician with large ambitions and few doubts, someone not easily given to mea culpas. But in the run-up to today’s inauguration, he has at least hinted at some of the lessons learned in office. From his relations with Democrats in Congress to his approach to the rest of the world, Bush has suggested he will try to strike a different tone — without abandoning principles or policies.

So, how’s that transformation been going so far? It’s been a very subtle one, if Representative Charles Rangle (D-NY) is correct concerning the president’s lobbying efforts for Social Security “reform”:

But there is no Democrat in the House of Representatives, or on my committee, that this president has reached out for. I’m telling you now, Social Security reform by the president is dead, and he killed it.

Huh? This is supposed to be one of Bush’s top priorities, right? Even under the best of circumstances, it would be very hard for a president to change Social Security. Are you telling me this president is trying to do this without making a serious effort to reach out to any Democrats? Yet another example of incompetence in action.
But there’s more. Less than a month into his second term, Bush has applied his “lessons learned” by resubmitting a list of 12 judicial appointments which the Democrats blocked the first term. Apparently the lesson learned was to not waste any time in sticking something back in your opponents’ faces when you have the votes.
A month ago, we heard an awful lot of hot air from the chattering classes about the “changed” Mr. Bush. It was just that–hot air. Nothing has changed; it’s the same old “W.”

I only flipped channels a few minutes on TV last night and saw two segments on how “bloggers” are taking on big media and turning the world upside down.
From what I’ve seen, it’s generally not individual “bloggers” who are making ripples. After all, most of them are not full-time investigative journalists. Instead, it’s the community of web log readers working in a collaborative, open-source manner who are unearthing stories. That distinction often doesn’t come across in the TV discussions.

. . . to those of you celebrating that kind of thing.
UPDATE: Nothing like a heartwarming story to add to the day. Who says romance is dead? I might . . . but I’d be wrong. Because at long last Mary Kay LeTourneau and her student will be married. Chalk one up for prison rehabilitation.
If find their romance as moving as . . . well, someone might, you can send a wedding gift. Looks like they need cookware and linens.
UPDATE: Wow, some florist was busy delivering to Senator Boxer’s office.

Thanks to a growing right-wing audience, Fox News Channel is seeking to expand its news operations to include facts! Help wanted:

Fact Writer
New York
Responsibilities include writing on-air facts and press conference quotes for daytime programming. Individuals must have strong writing skills, be able to handle multiple assignments and deadlines, and work well in a team atmosphere. Excellent communication and writing skills are also required.
A successful candidate will:
– Possess a strong interest in news and be well-informed about current events
– Be detail-oriented and pay close attention to spelling, grammar, syntax
– Have ability to write in a concise, conversational and colorful style at an extremely fast pace
Must be willing to work on a flexible schedule including weekend shifts. This is a high-pressure position where your work product gets national exposure on a daily basis. A bachelor’s degree is required.

Experience at Talon News helpful, but not required.

[If I’m ever married] my wife having a sexual affair with a 13-year-old boy.
Seems like it’s been going around lately.