The Obama Inauguration

We doubt you missed it, but the inauguration of President Obama was an incredible event and the speech hit the appropriate tones and notes. Click here if you want to watch it again.

Becoming President

Inauguration

Regardless of politics and in light of the upcoming inauguration, we should all wish our President-elect good luck and hope he does what is best for our country in these difficult times.

I have been reading a great deal about patriotism this holiday season. I hope that people in this country understand that patriotism is not just blind support for the government or a certain administration, but it is support for the philosophical and moral underpinnings of American society. Part of such American ethos is the idea that the opinions of others should be respected and have a right to voice such opinions. No matter how spirited a debate may be or how hot emotions run, Americans should understand that our society was founded on the belief that people have a right to oppose things that they do not feel are right. I have met many people who feel that those with differing political opinions are ignorant, misinformed, lack integrity, etc. If you proceed from the assumption that those who think differently from you are wrong or lack character, you are dishonoring the purpose and intent of this country's founders. While you may disagree, the ability to disagree is one of the things that makes this country so great.

Happy Holidays from the White House!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to thank United Telephone and Telegraph for their lovely Christmas gift -- a solid gold telephone!

The Board loves Christmas music. To assist those looking to create a playlist full of traditional, non-mavericky Christmas tunes, here is our definitive list, also:

The Board's Top 40 Christmas Songs

(in alphabetical order)

1. Adeste Fideles (O Come, All Ye Faithful) - Luciano Pavarotti
2. All I Want for Christmas is You - Mariah Carey
3. Baby, It's Cold Outside - Tom Jones & Cerys Matthews
4. Carol of the Bells - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
5. Caroling, Caroling - Nat King Cole
6. Christmas in Killarney - The Irish Rovers
7. Christmas is All Around - Billy Mack
8. Christmas Song - Dave Matthews & Tim Reynolds
9. The Christmas Song - Nat King Cole
10. Christmastime is Here (Charlie Brown Christmas) - Vince Guaraldi Trio
11. Deck the Halls - Treorchy, Morristonm, Orpheus & Pontarddulais Male Choirs
12. Do You Hear What I Hear? - Bing Crosby
13. Feliz Navidad - Jose Feliciano
14. The First Noel - Frank Sinatra
15. Gloria (In excelsis gloria) - Atlanta Symphony Chorus
16. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen - Ella Fitzgerald
17. Good King Wenceslas - The Irish Rovers
18. Hark! The Herald Angels Sing - Lumiere String Quartet
19. Have a Holly Jolly Christmas - Burt Ives
20. Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas - Jane McDonald
21. The Holly and the Ivy - Clare College Choir
22. I'll Be Home for Christmas - Jordin Sparks
23. It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby
24. It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year - Andy Williams
25. Jingle Bells - Rosemary Clooney
26. Joy to the World - Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra
27. Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow - Dean Martin
28. Maria Durch Ein Dornwald Ging - Vienna Choir Boys
29. Messiah: 42. Chorus: "Hallelujah" - Chicago Symphony Chorus
30. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel - Linda Ronstadt
31. O, Holy Night - Mormon Tabernacle Choir
32. O Little Town of Bethlehem -Nat King Cole
33. Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Dean Martin
34. Santa Claus is Coming to Town - The Jackson 5
35. Silent Night - Frank Sinatra
36. Silver Bells - Rosemary Clooney
37. Sleigh Ride - Mitch Miller
38. The Twelve Days of Christmas - The Spinners
39. White Christmas - Bing Crosby
40. Winter Wonderland - Peggy Lee