Inauguration

The Inauguration is today, I am watching it now, you should be/have. It's an exciting time for sure.

On that note, according to this AP article:

"It will take years before an infrastructure spending program proposed by President-elect Barack Obama will boost the economy, according to congressional economists."

Here's the key part: "The economy has been in recession for more than a year, but many economists believe a recovery may begin by the end of 2009. That would mean that most of the infrastructure money wouldn't hit the economy until it's already on the mend."

AP Article

Get stoked, because any stimulus plan will probably slide through Congress. Sure, some will put up a fight, Democrats will caution about unwise spending, enough for sound bites at least, Republicans may pull the "I have to set aside my free market principles," and a few may actually, wisely, vote against it. In the end, we will probably end up voting for a literal ocean of money being spent for, ultimately, a significant increase in actual government responsibility and perceived responsibility.

Circuit City bites the dust.
30,000 jobs done with as one article stated.
Why not bail them out?
Hmm...

These past days have been full of catching up with good friends, hanging out, and, oh yes, school. A social life at TU can easily become a full time job. A gift, indeed. I'm glad I came back during JTerm, so as to take advantage of the more relaxed schedule to ease back into the swing.

Tuesday night marked an historical occurrence: attending a Metallica show in Detroit. After the four hour drive, Rosie, Elena and I finally made it to the nearly full arena. As soon as Metallica started playing, it was easily a packed arena. There were flames, lasers, moving lights mounted on giant coffins. Metallica being the band that it is, I feel I have checked something off the list of "To Dos" in my life.

I have also started reading Amity Shlaes' newest book, "The Forgotten Man," which is a history of the Great Depression. It's an entertaining, enlightening read. It's also relevant with the different theories floating around about our current economic malaise being similar to the 30's, comparisons between Obama and FDR and Obama wanting to be FDR (but who wouldn't? Pretty much everyone loves him because he fixed the economy. Maybe). One of the nuggets I have found is a case regarding a minimum wage law in DC in 1923. The case was called Adkins and it was overturned in the supreme court because the majorit saw it as violating individual's rights. What happened to this kind of sense? Why not let individuals and companies (which are composed of individuals) decide what their wages are?

The Weekend

This first Weekend back at school was full of thrills.

First up, we had two movies and card game on Friday night.

Next, Saturday, I went down to Indy with Ben and Josiah to see a Battle of the Bulge re-enactment. It turned out to be more of a WWII infantry skirmish demonstration, rather than a particular skirmish of the Battle of the Bulge. But it was still cool. There were Nazis and Americans, dressed up.
Then we went to Ben's house for some stellar dinner. Thank you, Gollers!
Night was full of more connections and question Jenga: You pull a block and then answer a question, like "What should you not do when you are naked?" A good one to ponder.

Today, I visited a new church with the roommates plus Rachel. We went to Dr. Jones' house for some Bible study and then to the main service where he is the minister. It was good. And in the words of MacArthur, "I shall return." There just won't be any killing.

Ah yes, and in the latest news: Global Warming is now out, Climate Change is now in, because 2008 was freaking cold and we may be headed into a new ice age according to some.

"In capitalism of the 21st century, there is room for the state..." Sarkozy
Boo.
I don't think that's capitalism anymore then.

European leaders meet.

Back

On Friday the 3rd, I flew back to Indiana. Chilled at Ben's house with his family and a few other close friends. The next day hit up the wedding of one of our PAs from our semester in Ireland. Got to see some TU people there. On Sunday headed up to campus and ever since then it's been a barrage of reunions and 1 minute catch up sessions.

The last seven months flew by. I can hardly believe that summer happened and then DC. Now here. It's great to be back, although I'm looking forward to settling in more and genuinely catching up with friends. It'll fly, but it'll be sweet.