A Decade of News (You Decide)

As soon as the ball dropped on New Years Eve 2000 there was almost a constant stream of images, and stories compiling one of the most newsworthy decades in modern times. Both domestic and foreign stories dominated our television all the way up until the countdown on New Years Eve 2010.

The Question I ask you today is, What were the 10 most important news stories of the decade?

Death of Michael Jackson
Hurricane Katrina
Supreme Court Decision Bush v. Gore
War on Terror, Afghanistan/Iraq
9/11
Election of Barack Obama
Papal Transfer and Death of Pope John Paul
Financial Crisis
DC Sniper Scare
Indian Ocean Tsunami

Please take a second to take the poll to the right thanks and Happy New Year!

Gnome Goes Postal!

He's hidden... can you find him?

This morning we got up early and went to the National Archives. Not only did we get get to see the Declaration of Independence, the Bill of Rights, the Constitution, and the Magna Carta, but we also got to see the Taft Bath Tub, alternative designs for the lincoln memorial, and Shaq's Shoe. Next we had lunch at HardRock Cafe. I wandered the hill a little while and found some things that happen to be around that I never noticed. Most notably was the Taft Memorial Bell Tower and the Spring well. Lastly we went to the Postal Museum, one of the less known museums and one of the coolest too. Enjoy!

The President Taft Memorial Bell Tower.

The President Taft Memorial Bell Tower.

The President Taft Memorial Bell Tower.

The Spring Well on the Hill.

War Records in the National Archives

The US Constitution (I think congress should come visit this, I think they forgot about it)

Interesting that this sat on the floor in front of the constitution (the ten comandmants)

The Magna Carta the root of modern law

We went postal!!! Next to Union Station

Barack Loves MJ!!!!!

Tomb of the UnGnome Soldier, and July 4th in DC

Saturday morning we started off with a visit to the White House (casa de Obama) then headed to Arlington National Cemetery for a very moving experience. We watched the Changing of the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldiers and we went into Robert E. Lee's house. We also went to Kennedy's grave site with the eternal flame. Afterward we took a short nap before meeting some friends from WKU on the National Mall for the 4th of July Fireworks! This was really cool and I am sure that I took way to many pictures, but hey... who's counting.

Arlington National Cemetery


Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the changing of the guard ceremony

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during the changing of the guard ceremony

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

View from Robert E. Lee's front porch

View from the Lee Front Porch

The Robert E. Lee House and Robert Kennedy's Grave

Casa de Obama

The White House

Arlington National Cemetery


Fireworks on the Mall
Fireworks on the mall

Gnome misses Skyline and Goldstar...

Today here are some photos from Senator McConnell at a Press Conference in the Capitol. After work I went to a WKU DC alumni event with a few people from the city. I never realized there were so many toppers on the hill. Tonight's Gnome is brought to you by Bens Chili Bowl off of U street in DC. Ben's chili is a cultural hub for DC, many famous politicians, actors, civil rights leaders and musicians have come from all over the world to visit the resturant. The place has been there since the late 1800's and is still there. The walls are donned with pictures with patrons from Obama to Jesse Jackson to Hillary to Bono. In memory of Michael Jackson, tonight they played non stop MJ songs. I did something different with the Gnome, I played with photoshop, I don't think I like it but it is kind of artsy... kinda.


Ben's Chili Bowl

Mitch McConnell during a Senate GOP Press Conference

Senate GOP Leadership during a Press Conference

Newly appointed Senate Republican Policy Vice Chairwomen Lisa Murkowski

Senator John Thune (Potential 2012 Candidate) replaces Sen. Ensign as the Chairman of the Senate Republican Policy Committee

Mitch McConnell standing strong at a press conference

Casa De Obama

Went to the White House today had our own tour guide with Charles Badger. He did an excellent job explaining every portrait and detail about the East Wing. The other is a picture of the capitol building out of the Russel Senate Office Building Lobby. I am going to have to go back and take that one again not on a cell phone.

Presidential Tour!!!!

This morning Dr. Turner and I got up early and headed to the White House. Brett Guthrie met us there for a tour of the East wing and mid level of the House. This was awesome!!! however, there were no pictures allowed, so this is a boring post.... The presidential portraits were hanging all over the area. We went on the tour with 2 WKU officials and a KFC store owner from KY. Thank you Brett.

Rush Limbaugh Intimidates

Apparently the looming economy and multiple foreign adversaries are no comparison to the threat posed to Senators and Congressman than Rush Limbaugh himself. Today House Republican Leader, John Boehner asked Rush to lighten up on the newly sworn in President Barack Obama. Last week Rush was quoted as saying that he hoped Obama would fail. His reasoning was that if he succeeded then this country would be Socialist. My "favorite" group, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee DCCC, has created a website dedicated to petitioning Rush and his radio show. The democrats are already proposing the revival of the Fairness Doctrine to silence Rush and his influence. Rush Limbaugh, Glen Beck, Sean Hannity, and Michael Savage are the last of truly vocal conservatives. They do more for the conservative movement than Congressman and Senators, their influence reaches much farther than the halls of Congress. 

Biden it is... The old and the young

After all the games and distractions this week involving the VP selection for presumtive democratic nominee, Senator Barack Obama, the fiasco is over. A Democratic official close to Obama is reporting that Joe Biden is the VP candidate, says CNN's John Roberts as of this evening. In my opinion, the 64 year old Biden was the best choice for Obama. He has experience and credibility in foreign relations. 

Next to come is the announcement of Senator McCain as to his VP choice. Romney? Pawlenty? Jindal? Soon to come!!!