Tidbits from the Daily Beast

The Daily Beast takes news articles and publishes condensed versions so that you can pretend to know what is going on in the world each day, or happen to get into intense conversations around the water cooler. Since its one of the links I like, featured on the left hand side of the blog, I am being lazy and copying from their daily cheat sheet.

First up, is the fact that Barack Obama and his wife Michelle went out to dinner last night instead of staying home and listening to Bush's farewell speech. I don't know if that is a plus or minus for them, as his speech was pretty tepid and boring.
From CBS News: "So much for listening to both sides of the aisle. President-elect Barack Obama didn't tune into President Bush's farewell address to the nation last night. He and his wife Michelle were dining out at the Equinox restaurant in D.C. as Bush wished him luck, noting his inauguration on Tuesday as "a moment of hope and pride." The Obamas left their temporary residence at the Blair House just across from the White House mere minutes before Bush's speech began. A host at Equinox said Obama watched a TV at the bar for "a minute or two" but it's not known what he was watching and Obama's team hasn't responded to inquiries. Maybe he DVR'd it..."

Second, is the fact that North Korea's most glorious leader has chosen his successor. Good, he can die now knowing that the country may be in the hands of another insane meglomaniac. After all, it seems to run in the family...
From the Times of London: "North Korea, meet your next dictator: According to intelligence sources in Seoul, the ailing Kim Jong Il has chosen his youngest son, Jong Un, to rule the country when he is gone. Jong Un, thought to be no older than 24, is the son of Kim’s third and favorite wife and was educated in Switzerland. Thought to be an unlikely pick because of his youth, Jong Un will inherit a moribund economy, difficult foreign policy situation, and an agricultural crisis. At least now the frail Kim will have a vigorous son to stand by him at “Dear Leader” photo ops."

Last up, is a tidbit on one of our favorite world wackos. I haven't figured out yet if he is playing the fool on purpose so it will reflect badly upon the real leaders of Iran, or if he is just another clueless politician thinking that he is not in over his head...

From the Washington Post: "Firebrand Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is trying a new tack: Speak softly and carry a big nuclear program. In a press conference yesterday, Ahmadinejad said he'd give Barack Obama the benefit of the doubt before branding him as the next Great Satan. "We will wait and see what his administration will do," he said. One potential snag in this outbreak of good feelings, however, are reports today that Iran may be sneaking in supplies for building advanced ballistic missiles from China and evading sanctions designed to prevent it from acquiring nuclear weapons."

Have a nice day...