[Guest post by DRJ]

Tom Daschle, Obama’s Secretary-designate of Health and Human Services, addressed the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions in Washington today in what the New York Times describes as the first of two steps in his confirmation hearing process. Daschle is scheduled to appear next week before the Finance Committee for hearings and a vote. (Did George W. Bush’s appointees get pre-Inauguration hearings on confirmation? I don’t recall but I doubt it.)

New York Times reporter Robert Pear apparently liked what he heard:

“Having represented South Dakota in the House for 8 years and in the Senate for 18, Mr. Daschle understands the ways of Washington. He graciously answered questions from senators, echoed their concerns and fluently discussed fine points of health policy without consulting notes or briefing books.”

This sounds more like a movie review than a report on a Senate committee hearing. At this rate, the New York Times will describe Daschle as walking on water at the Finance Committee hearing.

— DRJ

It happened about 12 minutes ago. It was a 5.0.

I didn’t feel it. My wife told me about it. She heard about it on the radio.

UPDATE: Looks like it’s been changed to a 4.5.

Meanwhile, a more severe quake in Costa Rica has killed three.

[Guest post by DRJ]

Florida vs Oklahoma. The BCS title game is under way.

Some people think football is more than a game while others think it’s almost a religion.

I’ll leave it at this: Who do you think will win?

UPDATE: Florida wins, 24-14.

— DRJ

[Guest post by DRJ]

Not-yet-President Obama, acting like he is President, gave a speech today on the nation’s dire economic forecast. His solution is money and government.

That dog won’t hunt. At least, I hope it won’t.

— DRJ

Reading the news, I felt this thrill going up my leg.

The Onion reports:

Another major American industry is asking for assistance as the global financial crisis continues: Hustler publisher Larry Flynt and Girls Gone Wild CEO Joe Francis said Wednesday they will request that Congress allocate $5 billion for a bailout of the adult entertainment industry.

Read it all. Brilliant.

UPDATE: Holy crap! That’s not the Onion! That’s CNN!