media lizzy & friends

As most folks know, I am not exactly former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin’s biggest, most ardent fan.  She’s a capable, and welcome, addition to the ‘Culture-warrior’ class (thanks Bill O’Reilly for that catch phrase) and a best selling author.  In that role, I am happy to watch her develop, grow and make some electoral magic where she can.  On policy, I haven’t seen the detailed plans that make this former senior consultant happy.  To dispel my concerns, a one hour televised – and in-depth – discussion with Liz Cheney on foreign policy, a Middle East assessment, and a working knowledge of PM Netanyahu’s record and the hardening of Israel’s settlement stance as revealed at the Saban Center would be great. Wonderful even.  I’d love for Sarah Palin to discuss energy policy, not just oil – but a comprehensive plan.

To be clear, I want exactly the same things from anyone else contemplating a national role.  The folks I admire or like most already have their plans on the table.  It works for me. Makes me feel more confident as a voter.  Also, I thought she acquitted herself well on Oprah, and subsequent interviews. She’s telegenic to be sure – and over some GOP contenders, that’s a pretty big advantage.

Sexism has been a hot topic.  But I’m not going to discuss that tonight.  That’s coming in a column soon… it will be published elsewhere first – but I’ll make sure to post a link.

Liberals, many Democrats and oceans of progressives are obsessed with fact-checking Governor Palin’s book and criticizing her faith.  And I find it pretty weird, since they all still take Naomi Wolf’s phone calls. And she claims to have had a vision of herself, as a 13 year old boy in deep conversation with Jesus Christ.

Pardon me, folks. But having faith ain’t in the same league as claiming that Jesus Christ made a personal visit.

—Media Lizzy

Yes, I remember I have a blog.  Oodles of stuff happening in Lizzy-land. Good stuff. Great stuff, actually.  And in the coming weeks, I will make a couple of reader-friendly announcements. On the writing front. Nothing personal – because that’s well, personal – but, for those who can’t handle ambiguity and are wont to gossip – I’ve got some 360-degree happiness going on.  That’s all.

In the meantime, pardon the dust around here as some content is loaded in and announcements are made. In the meantime, be sure to follow me on Twitter. That is officially my happy place online for work and such.  @MediaLizzy!

—Media Lizzy

Yeah, I like it.  I like it just. like. THIS:

—Media Lizzy

New Administration.  New Congressional Leadership (Go GOP Whip Eric Cantor!) and a NEW time-slot for The Media Lizzy Show, beginning today – January 26th, weekdays @ 11AM Eastern / 8AM Pacific.

Woohoo!

—Media Lizzy

From The Huffington Post:

The inaugural parties are over and our collective hangovers are exacerbated by the reality that America has a lot of work to do. Over the coming 100 days, the MSM will hang on our new president’s every action, while politicos and activists will watch to see if the bipartisan promise of hope can come to fruition. It will be easy to fall victim to histrionics and unrealistic expectations. That’s why we have decided to blog The Real 100 Days on both of our sites, www.maegancarberry.com and www.medializzy.com, which we’ll also be posting here at HuffPo. We’ll be deconstructing the media’s coverage of Obama’s new administration and holding our commander-in-chief accountable to his promise to find ways to work across party lines.

His first day was a bit of a freebie, although he does get stellar marks for his dance moves and we both cried when Beyonce sang ‘At Last.’ For many Americans, with thanks to the MSM, we shared an almost private moment between husband and wife as the Etta James classic rang out first at the Neighborhood Ball, where they were introduced by Denzel Washington. Our President and First Lady made their debut in a uniquely poignant way – bridging the distance between generations, allowing symbolism to stand on its own historic weight.

Across the MSM coverage, there were moments of brilliance and moments unfit for broadcast. No one bats 1000 every season. Unfortunately, some commentators drew inferences from Obama’s Inaugural address that simply were not there. In some instances they seemed eager to find an ungracious statement. Having listened to the speech live, and re-read the text, watched the speech again and again – not once in the 18 minute address could President Obama be defined as lacking humility. In fact, he went out of his way to thank former President Bush for his service to our nation.

Sadly, many of President Obama’s most ardent followers remain incapable of mirroring his grace. As former President Bush took the stage, “Arrest Bush” signs went up and dozens of folks began chanting “nah, nah, nah, nah, hey hey hey, good-bye.” Such behavior was rewarded by few in the MSM, just as it was being exploited by some in conservative-leaning media as proof of Mr. Obama’s perceived liberalism. Both are wrong. While unnecessary, the behavior reflects only on those displaying it.

President Obama laid out clear objectives, a sober agenda, and has reached out across the aisle. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel is reportedly in near-daily contact with Republican Whip Eric Cantor in the US House. With the economic stimulus package, Obama needs a broad bi-partisan coalition. He may get there with the assistance of the next generation in the GOP Ranks, like Cantor, who ultimately want what is best for the nation, not what pleases an artificial or temporary political need.

Throughout his first 100 days, President Obama will likely deploy a charm offensive. Already, he is winning over Republicans impressed by his public statements on Israel. On the White House website, a sturdy support for Israel is enumerated. Keeping General David Petraeus and Defense Secretary Gates, along with his very crisp salute to the troops has eased concerns and opened a communications channel between the President and the loyal opposition that may evolve into a bond where national security is no longer a political football but, instead an issue of common concern. Now that is presidential leadership.

We’ll be back tomorrow with thoughts on Guantanamo, alleged wire-tapping, the debut of the State Dept, Robert Gibb’s first press conference and more. We welcome your comments and observations here and on our blogs.

— Maegan Carberry & Elizabeth Blackney

I have two favorite moments this week.  The first, was President Barack Obama taking the Oath of Office – because it was a brief glimpse of the man.  Yes, just a man.  Chief Justice Roberts misplaced the word “faithfully” and Obama jumped the gun a bit… so it was flawed and human and if ever Obama was going to demonstrate he’s not the “The One” – despite Oprah’s plaintive cry last year in South Carolina asking if he was… Obama proved he is just a man.  (And, for you folks who think that leaves the door open to saying he isn’t President under the Constitution – he took the Oath a second time. Listen HERE. Now go back to bitching about his birth certificate. Which, in case you missed it, the US Supreme Court decided was authentic & real)

Which leads to my other favorite moment this week….

At the Neighborhood Ball, Beyonce belted out the Etta James classic “At Last.”   President & First Lady Michelle Obama danced together and it was a beautiful moment.  For all the world to see.  They are clearly in love, clearly comfortbale with their new roles and responsibilities, and for all the world to witness the moment was beyond meaning, historic, and significant.  It was about damn time.   Talk about a romantic date night.

Of course…. governance beckons.  There is the Middle East peace process, a fragile cease fire between Israel & Hamas, wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to manage, the collapse of our domestic economy, Social Security is on the verge of crisis, healthcare and Medicaid are increasingly cumbersome – and necessary for some Americans, plus the Intelligence community needs strengthening and reform, and…and…and… it is all on Preisdent Obama’s shoulders now. 

As the stages are broken down in hotel ballrooms, at the National Building Museum, at the DC Armory and elsewhere across our fair City, shining brightly as ever… it is time to look at the successes and struggles for the 44th President.   We shall see if all that talk of bipartisanship and post-partisanship are realized.  We’ll look at Obama’s unlikely Republican partners and his break with some members of his own party.  Who is the “we” ???? 

Maegan Carberry, of course!  Check here and at her site for all the latest on the Obama Administration.  Woohoo!

—Media Lizzy

Right ON!  Order up that Caramel Macchiatto!

—Media Lizzy

A million thanks to my favorite progressive Maegan Carberry for asking me to join her in penning a piece for The Huffington Post.  We took a tough look at the election results, and one thing is clear: The GOP must join in the Blogosphere.

Here is a taste:

Criticisms that the left-wing online media machine was leading a disheveled, revenue-challenged MSM in a pro-Obama agenda have some validity, but one could also attribute the (arguable) slant to the fact that conservatives just completely missed this opportunity. Despite promising efforts to harness the energy issue by the “Don’t Go” movement early in the Fall, when House Republicans led by Eric Cantor and John Shaddegg embraced their first Twitter hashtag. #dontgo, the Republican presence during the heart of this election season was meager at best — save the successful (if unconstitutional) “Yes on 8″ campaign against Gay marriage in California. The conservative movement was determined to punish John McCain personally, and the McCain campaign message did not match the promise of his highly interactive website.

Please leave your comments on the Elephant in the Room.  Pretty please, with sugar on top???

—Media Lizzy

HT to TechCrunch

—Media Lizzy

During the primary election season, I penned a piece called The Bono – Obama Generation. With President-elect Obama’s historic win earlier this week, it seems appropriate to take those ideas and look at next steps for Gen X, Gen Y, and how we can ease political establishment Baby Boomers into their retirement without too much of a fuss.

A commenter once pointed out that Barack Obama actually falls into “Generation Jones” – which is something I am familiar with – but we aren’t about to rewrite the popular culture script for a nation of 300 million people overnight. Barack Obama may have associated with the 60s radical like William Ayers – but his campaign was tech-savvy, appealing to Gen X, Gen Y, and the Millennials. How did this identity get created? And who are these thirtysomethings and fortysomethings coming to town? What makes us tick?

Generation X. Born from approximately 1961 – 1980. The children of Baby Boomers and Beatniks. We saw the Berlin wall come down, the Marine barracks in Beirut blown up, glasnost and perestroika crest and fall, the first shuttle launch – the Challenger disaster – and now, we are watching the end of the Shuttle program. Our men were young, fresh from high school and college when they went to liberate Kuwait in late 1990 and early 1991. Now – they are commanding forces in Iraq and Afghanistan. We remember the hostage release in Iran and we were children when Black September was the violent islamist group everyone feared. We remember the Achille Lauro and when hijacked airplanes landed on the tarmac instead of crashing into buildings. We remember the famine in Ethiopia. The genocide in Rwanda. We remember the Mog because it was our men who died there, and at Khobar Towers.

The soundtrack for our generation features Bob Geldof, Bono and U2. Sure, a lot of other artists are socially conscious. But ask a Gen Xer whose voice they hear when they see the news in Darfur, you’ll get U2 as an answer. More than a few of us skipped school the day the Joshua Tree record was released. Whether you bought it on tape or vinyl, it was a big deal.

We were deprived of knowing Martin Luther King, Jr. and Bobby Kennedy and JFK. Because these great men were assassinated. We remember when Sadat died. We have watched as Baby Boomers ran in fear from every major challenge, shirked every responsibility, talked the talk about social justice but refused to let go of their youth. They fought in a botched war (Vietnam) and are determined to make Iraq just as awful – they don’t care how many die in my generation — they just want us to feel their pain.

Here’s my thought – and it’s shared by many, if not expressed outright – Screw Off. Take your obsession with your wasted youth and get the hell out of leadership. Baby Boomers in the federal bureaucracy – whether in Congress, the White House, or on K Street – are trapped in a nightmare of their own making. GROW UP.

Gen Xers are ready to lead. We gave the world YouTube, Google, and ONE – with the help of modern visionaries like Bono. Our people, like Pierre-Richard Prosper, are the War Crimes Prosecutors – for the genocide Baby Boomers did nothing to stop. Our people, like Barack Obama, are motivating people in amazing ways — look at the Iowa Caucus results. And he isn’t just scaring Hillary Clinton – according to The Washington Post, GOP Doubts, Fears ‘Post-Partisan’ Obama.

Do you know why the “conventional wisdom” prior to the election said that Obama can’t possibly turn out the youth (under 30) vote? Because the people providing the CW, are Baby Boomers. And yes-men. The 2008 presidential election is the election where Generation X assumes control of the Republic. Despite my policy differences with Obama, and they are legion, this may be a chance to finally cut ties to the past – and move towards a future without the personal dramas of the past.

American voters don’t care how the Baby Boomers feel ANY MORE. That’s why elder statesman McCain was our nominee. At least McCain gives the impression he still believes in the American ideal. There is no place for petulance in presidential politics. Generation X is leading younger brothers and sisters of Generation Y, to the polls for the first time. Voters want authenticity and change.

And they proved willing to take a chance on a guy, like Obama, who is one of their own generation- rather than give one more ounce of credit to the generation that presided over the obstacles and social engineering that our tax dollars are paying for.

Republicans must do some soul searching. Stop playing the blame game. Be realistic. Get in the here and now. Identify new leaders – like US Rep. Eric Cantor, who is running for the #2 spot in the House. Look in our local communities – identify more folks like Cantor, and get them on the ballot next time for state and local races. We live in the most exceptional country in history. We need to embrace that. Live up to that legacy. And remember, ideas matter. Words matter. Perspective matters.

Gen X matters. Look at Tuesday’s results, Obama knew it. Time for us to get back into the game.

—Media Lizzy