AT THE UN TODAY - AT 4:13 P.M. ET:  We here in New York are keenly aware of the United Nations, primarily because it's responsible for so many traffic jams.  Other than that, I can't think of anything else.

General Assembly week is the really bad week each year.  Streets are blocked off, motorcades float around town with all these "world leaders" who come to make their speech and have dinner, not at McDonald's.  Sirens scream.  The NYPD does its usual great job in keeping order. 

The biggest story this week was where some of the thugs would stay.  Most hotels don't want them.  Fear of bad publicity, bombs, and items like that.

President Obama spoke to the General Assemby today.  I'm happy to report that his speech was bland, containing nothing new.  There were no new apologies or surrenders, or ideas.  Basically, using many words, he announced that he wasn't Bush.  He got lots of applause.  If Obama said, "The roof is falling in and we're all about to die," the UN would applaud.  The president's best/worst moment of the day came when the speaker following him, Libya's Moammar Khadafy, said that he wished Obama could serve for life.  Moammar has not read the U.S. Constitution.

I was switching channels to get a feel for the coverage.  I remain amazed at the in-the-tank-for-Obama coverage on CNN, especially from one Rick Sanchez.  CNN is practically a branch of the White House.  Obama, in CNN's eyes, is wonderful.  He has restored our standing in the world.  He is popular.  He is loved.  But he still must clean up what BUSH (!!) left.  And journalists wonder why their credibility is so low.

We now await Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who will do his famous magic act, and will also receive applause.  We'll report on his appearance.

September 23, 2009