With inauguration a few weeks away, Barack Obama has nearly completed his choices for key cabinet and advisory positions. Here is my report card for several key ones:

Hillary Clinton (Secretary of State)– While this pick should squelch any notion of a Clinton mutiny in 2012, it’s hard to stomach the fact that she was selected over more qualified candidates like Bill Richardson or even John Kerry. Grade: C

Robert Gates (Secretary of Defense) – This holdover from the Bush Administration makes sense to the extent that he provides stability and know-how, both of which necessary to continue prosecuting the current senseless wars. As long as Gates can change political gears from Bush’s war hawishness to Obama’s semi-hawikshness, he’ll be a solid pick for the president-elect. Grade: A-

James Jones (National Security Advisor) – General Jones brings strong experience and a healthy relationship with Hillary Clinton, a factor that cannot be underestimated. Unfortunately, his failure to speak out against Bush’s mishandling of Iraq and Afghanistan has drawn appropriately intense criticism from both sides of the aisle. Grade:

Timothy Geithner (Secretary of Treasury) – For decades, the president of the Federal Reserve of New York has developed an extensive record of resolving economic crises. In fact, there doesn’t appear to be anyone better qualified to repair our biggest disaster in nearly 100 years. Besides, the most likely alternative was the misanthropic Larry Summers. Grade: A

Arne Duncan (Secretary of Education) – Instead of selecting change-oriented experts like Linda Darling-Hammond, President-Elect Obama went with the CEO of Chicago Public Schools.  While some depict Duncan as a passionate reformer, others view him as a pro-privatization union buster who has only intensified the city’s educational apartheid. At a moment where the very notion of “public” is coming under attack, Duncan represents a disturbing move toward the educational Right. Grade: D.

Rick Warren – Although he is not joining the cabinet, the evangelical leader has been selected to give the invocation at the inauguration. Perhaps this is an olive branch to whites who are still angry about Jeremiah Wright. Maybe Obama doesn’t care that Warren is disturbingly anti-gay and anti-choice. Either way, this choice might be the scariest of all. Grade F-

Overall, Obama has assembled a cabinet that is rich on experience but short on progressive (not to mention female) voices. The fact that multiple members of the Bush cabinet have applauded his choices is proof that the President-elect has done little to prepare us for the change he promised. Final Grade C-

The Onion’s 2008 In Review: Entertainment

This year, tabloid mainstays like Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton were largely out of the limelight. What do you think?

Arvid Bell,
Insurance Salesman
“That is because the world had bigger things to deal with, like Miley Cyrus, and another Angelina Jolie baby.”

Gene Edmonds,
Unemployed
“I’m glad the media finally heeded those poor girls’ repeated pleas for privacy.”

Kate Billey,
Visiting Nurse
“I was hugely surprised by this, especially because we found out this year that Lindsay is a giant lesbian. Who doesn’t like a cover story about a giant lesbian?”

Today’s photo of the day shows the Cowboys, who got their butts whupped by the Philadelphia Eagles yesterday. While I’m not the surprised that the Eagles won, I’m shocked that the Raiders and Texans were able to win and push us into the playoffs.

Today’s video of the day come Minister Louis Farrakhan. The first video is an old school track from Minister Farrakhan, when he was a calypso singer known as the “The Charmer.” The second video shows Farrakhan in concert playing Violin Concerto in E Minor by Felix Mendelssohn. The final video shows the NOI leader wrecking shop during a speech in Atlanta. While I sometimes disagree with his conservative politics, there’s no doubt that Minister Farrakhan is one of the most gifted and significant leaders in American history.

Today’s photo of the day shows the incomparable Eartha Kitt, who passed away yesterday after a battle with colon cancer. From her classic rendition of “Santa Baby” to her award-winning roles on film, stage, and television, Ms. Kitt represents the best of our tradition. She will be sorely missed. R.I.P.