Birth of a Nation

Celebrate!

The Declaration of Independence.

Also: Edwin Starr - War

Nonn' Erubescite, Reges

Tom Daschle in Washington.

Barack Obama in the middle.

Jessye Norman in Thebes.

Everything's Alright, Yes

The New York Times says layoffs.

Try not to get worried. (Youtube)

Superstar:

Reflection

This early film was shot in 1896:






This film was shot in 1963:

Would You Be Mine?

Ideas For Obama
By PAUL KRUGMAN
Published: January 12, 2009
President-elect Barack Obama’s economic plan falls well short of what’s needed. To fix it, he needs to stop talking about “jump-starts” and focus on long-term
investment.

Obama Again Raises Estimate of Jobs His Stimulus Plan Will Create or Save
By JEFF ZELENY and DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
Published: January 11, 2009
Barack Obama said that his economic recovery plan would create or save three million to four million jobs.

Mr. Rogers sings, not the intro, but a B Side called "I like you..."

America, the Beautiful

"America": Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,

All, all alike endear'd , grown, un grown, young or old,

Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,

Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love.

At the Walt Whitman Archives there is a 36-second wax cylinder recording of what might be Walt Whitman reading four lines from his poem "America." 

For more information about this recording read this New  York Times article. 

Listen: "America" (in MP3 format)