PINKO DAILY BRIEFS: Last summer when all those PUMA's ("Party Unity My Ass")  were like, fuck Barack Obama he shit on Hillary so we're voting McCain, they said that not only was there no difference but that McCain was BETTER, because he's a feminist because he picked Sarah Palin. Accordingly it's satisfying to see two critical pieces of legislation pass through Congress that Barack Obama will sign, whereas John McCain never would:  S-CHIP (Children's Health Insurance) and the Lily Ledbetter Act (equal pay for women) have already passed the new House of Representatives. Once they pass the Senate, which could come as soon as next week, Obama will sign them into law -- two concrete and important changes already because Obama, not McCain or McCain by way Nader won in November.   Obama is getting some flack over another promise, closing Guantanamo. He's going to do it, and announce it soon, but some are angry because it could take a year. Isn't that fine? We can't just let everyone out, say fuck it and go home. I think it's fine. Finally, Obama and Congressional Democrats are close to settling on the terms of the $850 billion stimulus. He still has some tax cuts but jettisoned others. Still not enough, but like I said last week with the $350 more from the first bailout and whatever he'll ask for next summer, I think we'll get what we need. 

Also in politics, breakfast with Rachel Maddow and Andrew Sullivan doesn't make up for dinner with George Will, I'm sorry. Why? last night's dinner was all dyed in the wool movement conservatives. Andrew Sullivan was a war-monger, Maureen Dowd is centrist and except for Maddow and Frank Rich that wasn't a room full of liberals. It's nice they got together today, but it's not the same thing. 

A couple of other good reads today? George Monbiot is calling the climate change movement a class war; it's a compelling piece. Josh Marshall raises some concerns about Obama's first months in office vis a vis climate change. Also, an interesting look at what's to become of Obama's massive email list. In other news, there are feces throwing monkeys in Florida while goats are starting house fires in Iowa. Does this add up to something?  Finally, since it's been a stressful week for everyone, we'll leave you with a world beat indigenous scored video of adorable puppies.OMG they're so cute!