Howard Johnsons on the Savanna! 
Wole Soyinka has called out former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, saying the Obasanjo Presidential Library is trying to scam UNESCO out of African artifacts.
Nigeria’s Nobel Laureate says Obasanjo doesn’t deserve the stuff.
“The man who named that library has no interest in culture. He takes pride in being uncultured.”
This seems harsh for a man whose Library can offer the following inspiring words:
“The Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library is found on three props: Leadership, Transparancy and Agriculture. To strengthen his belief in the last cause, Presidential Obasanjo, him as an acclaimed farmer, plans to write a book on increasing food production in Africa.
These three policy thrusts guided President Obasanjo throughout his years of public life and allowed him to lead, achieve and create a vivid, lasting legacy that continues to shape and influence, form and guide the times in which we live right now.”
For Suckers 
George W. Bush used to be full of jolly resignation about future histories of his Administration, telling visiting Israeli journalists that “I’ll be dead before the true history of the Bush administration is written”
But as the actual end draws near he seems to be moving judgement day up considerably.
“The decision to remove Saddam Hussein was the right decision early in my presidency; it is the right decision at this point in my presidency; and it will forever be the right decision”
And Ever! 
When Golf Was King 
Golf Digest takes a loving look back at Eisenhower era on the links. Even they are astonished at Ike’s days wandering the fields, and a handy chart allows you to track his obsessive play day by day. 
All part of a package of nostalgia and list making, the highlight of which is their lament for the death of Washington golf.
Thanks Guys! 
Fixer to the stars Jack Abramoff’s Scottish trip ruined it for everybody apparently. No one admits to playing anymore, and…
“As a result of a ban imposed on gifts and services, lobbyists have to pay thousands of dollars to play in elected officials’ fund-raisers to spend time with them on the golf course — hardly a bonding opportunity.”
But Cavalier of Change
Barack Obama golfs, so hope springs eternal. 
Churchillian? 
John McCain has launched a two minute mash note to Winston Churchill, Teddy Roosevelt, and himself.
With the subtlety for which the man from Arizona is known, it’s entitled “Man in the Arena,” a straight lift from Roosevelt’s salute to rule-over-the-lesser-races-and-no-fussy-backtalk. With Winnie’s greatest hits. Apparently, we’ll fight on the beaches.
Along with Churchill and Roosevelt, there’s at least a sidelong glance at another former leader. 
The ad begins with the camera floating forward through the clouds, not unlike the opening of Triumph of the Will before his plane lands.
Book Buddies 
From Palestine comes a first: a Presidential Library honoring the dead leader of a barely functional fragment of an occupied territory. The Presidential Library contagion has now spread to the Israeli occupied West Bank, where an institute devoted to the late Yasser Arafat will now join the proud line of American inspired memorialist buildings.
Perhaps they can do exchanges with the new Rabin institute.
