Free Republic

Oliver Willis notices Scott Brown defending the Massachusetts health care plan -- which he supported -- and trying to make the case that it's really quite different from the federal plan with which it shares key features. "They're two different programs. What we have here is a free-market enterprise where we're providing insurance in various levels to people in Massachusetts. The plans in Washington are a one-size-fits-all plan," he said.

Ryan Bowen was a commuter cyclist like any other but Barack Obama's election inspired him to trek across the country on two wheels for the historic inauguration on Tuesday. Bowen, 22, arrived here at midday Sunday having accomplished his goal after pedaling over 3,000 miles (4,800 kilometers) over the past six weeks from his home in Los Angeles, California to the nation's capital. "I was inspired by the Obama campaign's message of change," Bowen told AFP.