Reading The Pictures: And Now We Want It Back

More than the photos from Grant Park or New York or Kenya or anywhere else Tuesday night, Evan Vucci's shot is what did it for me.

The scene of celebrants outside the White House made it so evident how the building was taken from us -- and now we want it back. There are so many nice, simple elements here. There is the flag, mostly obscured but just breaking through. Perceptually (and fittingly), it's hard to tell if the Obama/Biden sign is on this side of the fence, the other side, or maybe even affixed to the building. Beyond the joy, there is the interchangeable "V" for victory and peace symbol. (The "V," married to the revelry, is particularly ironic considering how Bush encouraged indulgence while he got his war on.)

In the midst of this horrible economic crisis, catalyzed by the banking crisis, the White House itself is a telling symbol. Who more than Bush cashed in on the obscene mortgage of a house with no intention to ever pay it back?

Personally, I can barely stand the thought of waiting till January to get him out. Is there no possibility of an eviction notice?

For more visual politics, visit BAGnewsNotes.com (and BAGnewsNotes @Twitter).

(image: Evan Vucci/AP. Washington. November 4th, 2008)

Follow Michael Shaw on Twitter: www.twitter.com/bagnewsnotes

Comments

[marijam]

We can wait a few more weeks. That's the greatness of America. After four or eight years we can vote them out and then there is a quiet, peaceful, transfer of power.

[JennyJay]

The world would have been a better place if we had evicted Bush/Cheney, but Pelosi said "no".
No impeachment for the two who deserved it more than anyone in history.
Reid and Pelosi have been sorry leaders, and California must be full of idiots to
have just voted Pelosi back into office.
Clearly, accountablilty is not a word Pelosi understands.

[Oregon Ivy]

I hope everyone will take a few moments now that the election is over and write or email your state senators and representatives to request that congress immediately addresses two items:

Overturning the Patriot Act and restoring our Constitutional rights

Election fraud protection in fhe form of regulations, so that we never have to sweat out another election cycle worrying that it'll all be stolen

[dessertsfirst]

The White House is the people's house, and OUR President gets to live in it. Won't it be great to have OUR President Obama and Michelle, and their precious little girls, oh yes, and the new puppy, living in OUR house?
Former President Bush has more than outlived his welcome... The first term was stolen, and then the majority of us was fooled into giving him a second term... indeed, there is no love lost.

[lucylou]

You forgot another simple element: the tenant.

[professor]

At a college gym Biden rally before the election, spent several long and tedious hours talking to a young co-ed. She wore a septum-ring and was more knowledgeable than anyone on the issues. Mostly, though, she whiled away the hours mocking her fellow Valley-speaking collegettes with an uncanny imitation of their cluelessness and their voting democrat solely because it is au courant. Might one also see this sobering note in the above photo?

[Harry Scrote]

Yo, obviously you couldn't (and frankly shouldn't) buy a clue, pro fess or.

[RumiSouth]

Never you worry, Mr. Shaw. All this talk of a "smooth transition" is cover for Bush's exit strategy from Washington DC: hand off the work to Obama, post a few regulatory rewards for his contributors, and then skedaddle for an extended Xmas vacation at Crawford. Then a quick flight back to DC for the inaugural, hand over the keys, and get back to replenishin' the old coffers...which, let's face it, was his entire purpose in running for president anyway.

Gosh, but he never saw it turning into a real job, an' all...

http://www.osborneink.com

[tenzenz]

When I saw the scene in front of the White House on Tuesday night, I could only think of the French Revolution. I was expecting to see the people crash over the lawn. I imagine, the White House Security immediately whisked Bush away & onto Air Force One. Unfortunately, he has apparently returned. This guy just won't take a hint. Resign Now, & be sure to tell Cheney to stay in Wyoming.

[doublels]

Bush is a busy beaver trying to get some enviornmental legislation (likely bad) and trying to make it so the next prez can't change it. There was an article on Huffpo about a week ago.

[longislandlol]

Good analogy-- and we know who Madame Defarge was outside those gates---the let em eat mooseburger crowd is out!

[sugarmoes]

i was there at the white house minutes after obama concluded his acceptance speech.

it was an amazing scene.

we chanted "obama" "yes we can" "no more bush" and "bush get out. pack yo' sh*t"

then we drove around the city honking horns with everyone else honking horns and the many many people walking around cheering the horn honking and the honking answering the cheering back.

what a great night and rebirth for america after bush stole SO MUCH from us.

[donndublin]

If they did with win it only proves what they would have done with a loss. No wonder more than half were afraid to vote otherwise.

[doublels]

Man! You just don't get it. NO ONE was afraid to NOT vote for Obama. Everyone was happy to vote for him. You're as bad as Rush & Bill O saying "he has no clear mandate to govern". He's got a lot more mandate & political capital than Bush ever dreamed he had. Might want to fix up that first sentence.

[Pupadup4oBama]

I'm curious - is English your first language - because if it is, you really do not have a grasp of it, and you certainly do not have a grasp of the issues.

[PatA]

Florida?? Huh? The Supreme Court put Bush into office.. and Jeb Bush and that woman who looked like a Mary Kay cosmetics employee who was on some really bad LSD. And Poppy..
Jeez, how soon you people forget the truth.