Michelle Obama's election night red and black dress

The biggest fashion question of the morning-after has been answered: Michelle Obama, who has emerged as a style icon while stumping for her husband on the campaign trail within the past year, stepped out in a Narciso Rodriguez dress to watch Barack Obama take the stage as the president-elect of America.



Mrs. Obama’s appearance in Mr. Rodriguez’s dress will likely give a boost to the designer, who last month terminated his 18-month partnership with Liz Claiborne Inc. over a strategic disagreement. (The designer, who first rose to fame in 1996 after designing Carolyn Bessette’s wedding dress, now owns 100% of his label, which incurred a loss of about $15 million on revenue of about $4 million last year.)

Rahm Emanuel - the next president of the United States?

Image via WikipediaWho is Rahm Emanuel? As many Americans celebrate the historic victory of Barack Obama this evening most will be completely unaware of the central figures in his administration who will direct and implement major policies and legislation changing the lives of every citizen. While the average voter may not give a moments thought to who the members of an Obama administration will be the Obama team has already selected candidates to fill those positions. According to a well placed Democratic aid Barack Obama personally selected Rahm Emanuel to be his Chief of Staff. A key figure from Obama’s hometown of Chicago will be Congressman Rahm Emanuel (D-IL) fourth ranking Democrat in the House. Rahm Emanuel joined the Clinton’s in 1991 directing the campaign’s finances. Following the campaign Rahm became a senior adviser to Bill Clinton and severed in the Clinton administration holding various titles. Rahm was one of the original architects of NAFTA and aggressive anti- gun laws passed by the Clinton administration.

Mr. Emanuel began his career with the consumer rights organization Illinois Public Action. In 1989 he served as a senior adviser and chief fundraiser for Richard M. Daley.

Rahm and Barack have a deep history together is Chicago politics. Emanuel has been instrumental is the rise of Barack Obama from neophyte Senator to the next president of the United States. Getting virtually no media attention Rahm Emanual has been by Obama side during most of the last two years on the campaign trail.

Wanna be Patriots cheerleader Caitlin Davis is a naughty girl

After Facebook pictures surfaced of Caitlin Davis and a friend writing all over a passed out pal, her fate with the New England Patriots cheerleading squad was pretty much sealed. The Boston Herald reports:

“She is no longer with the squad,” Pats spokesman Stacey James told us yesterday.

In fact, we understand that Caitlin was dismissed as soon as the team brass became aware of the Facebook fiasco.

As you most certainly know, team owners Bob and Myra Kraft are huge in the Anti-Defamation League and, while Caitlin might have been given a pass on the penises, the swastikas were a no-go.”

Facebook can be your friend, but can be your downfall as well. I can only be thankful that I went through the phase of writing on passed out friends before the internet age really kicked in.

Remember Remember the Fifth of November

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

Words of "Remember Remember" refer to Guy Fawkes with origins in 17th century English history. On the 5th November 1605 Guy Fawkes was caught in the cellars of the Houses of Parliament with several dozen barrels of gunpowder. Guy Fawkes was subsequently tried as a traitor with his co-conspirators for plotting against the government. He was tried by Judge Popham who came to London specifically for the trial from his country manor Littlecote House in Hungerford, Gloucestershire. Fawkes was sentenced to death and the form of the execution was one of the most horrendous ever practised (hung ,drawn and quartered) which reflected the serious nature of the crime of treason.

How many people voted in 2008?

When 120 million Americans voted in the 2004 presidential election it set a record as the largest voter turnout in U.S. history. By early accounts, the turnout in 2008 will be ever larger, although it may take days to determine if this is the case.

There is no national election in the United States, rather each state and the District of Columbia conducts individual elections, meaning national data on voter turnout can take some time to compile.

Reports of large voter turnout are particularly significant in a country where, in recent decades, barely half of eligible voters cast ballots. The high numbers estimated for 2008 speak not only to voter engagement and concern, but also to a willingness to set aside weeks of polling data and exercise their right to vote, even for long-shot candidates.

These large numbers of voters were willing to spend hours in line to cast their votes for change, pollster John Zogby told journalists at the State Department’s Foreign Press Center. Since April of 2007, Zogby’s polls have indicated that the American people wanted a change in direction.

Minneapolis Star Tribune is the latest target of anthrax scare

The Star Tribune of Minneapolis has received a package containing a white powder labled "anthrax," making it the latest news organization to receive such mail.

Minneapolis police say they don't believe the powder is actually toxic. The package, which included a compact disc, was received Thursday. FBI agents are on the scene.

On Wednesday, the FBI warned media outlets to be vigilant about opening their mail after a California man was arrested on suspicion of sending more than 100 hoax letters labeled "anthrax" to newspapers and TV stations.

The bureau says none of the packets has so far tested positive for hazardous material. Authorities warned that more mailings would probably be received in the next few days.

Amber Lee Ettinger (Obama Girl) wants an invite to inauguration

Image by Getty Images via DaylifeAmber Lee Ettinger (born October 2, 1982) is an American actress and model best known as Obama Girl in her online video "I Got a Crush... on Obama" — referring to 2008 presidential candidate Barack Obama — which has earned her scores of media appearances, from a part in a Saturday Night Live sketch with Fred Armisen as Obama to an interview on Geraldo at Large with Geraldo Rivera.

She declared her love, took off most of her clothes, and fought in Barack Obama's corner in an Internet video sensation. Now Obama Girl wants a little loving back.

"Maybe if I could get invited to the inauguration?" giggled Amber Lee Ettinger, better known as the foxy Obama Girl whose "I got a crush on Obama" song scored more than 10 million YouTube hits.

Ettinger, speaking to AFP at a victory party for the Democratic candidate in a New York restaurant, said she'd at least like to hear whether the president-elect enjoyed the song.

"I'd like a note from him some day saying he thanks Obama Girl."