Free Republic

Now I'm all in favor of free enterprise, but this is a little much.

As Inauguration Day looms, Obama fans appear to have few boundaries when it comes to showing their affection for-the-soon to be president of the United States. For the merely supportive, there are a lot of kitschy items for sale. There are shoes. There are t-shirts in a wide variety of styles. Hats. Even underwear. And, yes, there is a thong version for ladies who want nothing to come between them and their President. For those who have moved beyond clothing and desire a more tangible way to express their idolatry there are bobble heads in both “regular” and “superhero” style....

With Barack Obama's approval ratings in the 70s and his visage plastered on every shop window and Metro card in Washington, it's hard to remember that 58 million Americans voted for the other guy. Even President Bush — who presumably counts himself among that group — said last week that Obama's inauguration is "a moment of hope and pride." That's not exactly how Michelle Malkin describes it. "Jan. 20 has turned into a schlock inauguration, (where) every last moocher has come to cash in on Obama," says the conservative blogger and pundit. "There are some of us who want to...

Presidential autographs may go for $6K By: Carol E. Lee January 18, 2009 06:15 PM EST When Barack Obama stepped into the Oval Office with his presidential brethren recently, he had already agreed to take part in one of this exclusive fraternity’s secret traditions: autographing a limited number of copies of the photograph that captured the moment. The former, current and future presidents’ pact — to create only 250 copies of the photograph with all of their signatures — upped the ante on an image that was a keepsake before it was even taken. Early estimates value the signed pictures...

From a puppy shirt to a patriotic thong, products with inaugural spirit SEE PICS 1/36 In the frenzy of emotion and anticipation leading up to Jan. 20, small entrepreneurs and retail giants alike are cashing in on all things Obama. You won't believe what's for sale. Party with Obama Why not invite a life-sized cardboard cutout of Obama to your inauguration party? $30.95, Amazon.com

Defacing the flag in honor of the inauguration of Barack Obama? Well, don’t you dare question their patriotism. That would be…unpatriotic. (Hat tip: Inside Charm City)

EVANSTON, Ill. --- For every Obama T-shirt, Obama handbag and pair of Obama pajamas created in this country, there are Obama collectibles created in Africa. And the Herskovits Library of African Studies at Northwestern University -- the largest library of Africana anywhere in the world -- is intently collecting them. Northwestern’s Herskovits Library has assembled what is undoubtedly the largest collection of Obama T-shirts, CDs, buttons, bumper stickers, artwork, posters and other materials created in Africa. And, just in time for the inauguration, it has expanded an exhibition of items from its Africa’s Response to Obama collection and extended it...

The TV ads tout a "genuine" U.S. Inaugural Presidential Dollar showing President-elect Barack Obama depicted in "glorious full color" for just $9.95, plus shipping and handling. A coin-collecting expert says the gold-dipped, painted coins are nothing more than a trinket, and the U.S. Mint -- the only official purveyor of U.S. currency -- says buyer beware. "They are worth the face value of the coin. If the coin says 25 cents, it's worth a quarter," says Scott Travers, author of the Coin Collector's Survival Manual and a New York City coin dealer. The U.S. Mint last month issued a warning...