the buzz log

In the last of our series, "A Searching Portrait: Barack Obama's 100 Days," here are the grumbles, economic obsessions, and stimulating controversies that dominated April 2009 searches. (Check for January, February and March posts on those past searches.)

Eruptions on the homefront
As people tried to understand the bloodshed from shoot-outs at home, attention would later shift to another national self-examination: the release of 2002 and 2005 CIA "torture memos," which outlined the legal argument for interrogations. Waterboarding remains the most scrutinized of these techniques. The turbulence of 100 days gets one more bump: Senator Arlen Specter squeezes in a high-profile defection from Republican Party to Democrat by day 100.

Overseas handshakes, domestic headaches
The Obama tour of Europe and the Mideast shows that diplomacy will be conducted very differently than the previous administration. At home, though, worries play out over the line between etiquette and subservience: Is "obamas gift to the queen" (also "obama ipod queen") consequential or silly? Could that 60-degree bend in presidential posture be interpreted as "obama bows to saudi king"? Even a basic greeting triggers a "chavez handshake debate" at the Americas Summit.

Taxing issues and a dogged solution
A famous colonial protest comes back in fashion with Tax Day Tea Protests, although a poll shows more Americans believe in paying their dues to Uncle Sam. So do Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, who release their 1040s to a curious public.

But there is no protest when the First Dog position is finally filled with Bo, the Portuguese water dog...well, no protests except from disappointed Labradoodle boosters and rescue dog lovers. But 10-year-old Malia Obama delivers a resounding verdict about the long-awaited national treasure: "I love him, he's perfect." And so let us end with the wisdom of children.