President Obama's speech

[Penn]

I've flip flop with his positions a number of times; that aside, his speech was impressive... raising the pay scale for the military along with other benefits, his statement on the prosecution of the war!!! WOW....

[civilian]

Originally Posted by Penn

I've flip flop with his positions a number of times; that aside, his speech was impressive... raising the pay scale for the military along with other benefits, his statement on the prosecution of the war!!! WOW....

Those were in deed the highlights or the flip parts. However, plans for the carbon caps in regard to moving us toward green energy, universal healthcare and free college were the flops.

[Richard]

I watched Girls Gone Wild-Spring Break. It was a toss up--I figured both Barry's speech and the video would show just about the same amount of a**es...I just thought the video would be easier on my hypertension and eyesight. I'll see how the MSM analyzes the speech tomorrow--but I'll bet my instincts were correct.

Richard's $.02

[ZonieDiver]

I let my government-teaching, left-wing, female, Pittsburgh Steeler-fan, Marine family-related colleague watch it with her class - hearing it through our common wall from time to time as my World History class dealt with the Early Greek civilization. I'm sure she will fill me in tomorrow as to how the world is better after the speech.

We'll see...

[HQ6]

To relieve the strain on our forces, my budget increases the number of our soldiers and Marines. And to keep our sacred trust with those who serve, we will raise their pay, and give our veterans the expanded health care and benefits that they have earned.

Not to sound cynical, but I'll believe it when I see it.

For those who missed it and are interested, here is the transcript.

[RichL025]

Actually, I was fairly impressed overall.

A+ for delivery.

B for content - the american public needs to understand that not every Johnnie is going to go to college - this is something the democrats seem to refuse to acknowledge. There's NOTHING wrong with that - we need good plumbers, electricians, etc....

Even though I don't see eye to eye with our C-in-C with several policies, I have to admit, he's got a great stage presence. If the name "The Great Communicator" wasn't already taken, he would probably qualify for it...

(hmm, I should have read the PS ground rules - "blasphemy" is probably a banning offense )

I thought Bobby Jindal's response was excellent also. Did a great job of pointing out some points of political differences.

Rich L

(caveat - I'm more middle of the road than most QPs)

[RichL025]

Originally Posted by ZonieDiver

... as my World History class dealt with the Early Greek civilization...

We'll see...

Shame you weren't discussing the later Romans... would have been a great time to discuss "Bread and Circuses"....

[Richard]

(caveat - I'm more middle of the road than most QPs)

That's an assumption, son.

Richard's $.02

[Blitzzz (RIP)]

The Lemmings got what they wanted. Just another placation of the mental midgets who call him the second coming. I need more antidepressants, just when I thought I was getting better. May the real God bless us all. Blitzzz

[ZonieDiver]

Originally Posted by RichL025

Shame you weren't discussing the later Romans... would have been a great time to discuss "Bread and Circuses"....

That's tomorrow night! I think the Stimulus Package would be a good lead-in.

I consider myself pretty "middle of the road" as well - but am branded a "right-wing" radical by most colleagues!

My HS is the district's "Vocational Magnet" school, which also houses the Evening School in which I teach. I recommend plumbing, electrician, mechanic, etc. to lots of kids. So far, there is no way to digitalize a Mercedes, send it to India or China to be repaired, and then sent back.

So far...

[RichL025]

Originally Posted by Richard

That's an assumption, son.

No, unfortunately it's sad experience

[azmg]

Originally Posted by RichL025

Actually, I was fairly impressed overall.

A+ for delivery.

B for content - the american public needs to understand that not every Johnnie is going to go to college - this is something the democrats seem to refuse to acknowledge. There's NOTHING wrong with that - we need good plumbers, electricians, etc....

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment and as I've listened to all the statements made over the last month on how everyone has the "right" to higher education, the "right" to own a home and the "right" to this, that and the other I wondered where exactly it was that folks forgot that certain things are not guaranteed by the Constitution and that they must in fact be earned by the individual.

And while I don't subscribe to every notion brought about by the right, I am a staunch supporter of fiscal conservatism and personal accountability and that it is the only way to work toward minimizing government and bringing about true "change".

[Sigaba]

Reading the president's speech, I appreciated how he set forth an understandable narrative of the ongoing crisis in a way that lets Americans see the connection between their everyday lives and the economy as a whole. Not only does this represent good presidential leadership, it provides a great extended quote for future historians wanting to capsulize how the president inspired so much confidence in so many Americans. (Disclosure: I am not yet one of those Americans.)

I don't particularly care for the way he presents America as being at the crossroads of history (a theme he rode to the White House). The president presents himself as the solution while insisting that he is in no way a part of the problems of the past nor the consequences of ineffective solutions that failed to solve those issues. Instead, he insists that he has 'inherited' these problems. Yet, he was a senator--albiet an absentee one. He did play a part in that body's inability to address America's current economic crisis.

To me, the president comes across as a guy standing off to the side, laying in the cut, as his teammates try to move a piano. Only after they've failed several times to move the piano (to his whispers of "You're doing it wrong") does he role up his sleeves, walk over, offer a suggestion to his now exhausted colleagues, and help with the heavy lifting. If the piano rises, he'll get the credit for being there in the nick of time. Lost in the thundering applause, the laughs, and the expressions of gratitude is the fact that we'll never know what difference he might have made had he made his best effort sooner.

[civilian]

Originally Posted by azmg

I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment and as I've listened to all the statements made over the last month on how everyone has the "right" to higher education, the "right" to own a home and the "right" to this, that and the other I wondered where exactly it was that folks forgot that certain things are not guaranteed by the Constitution and that they must in fact be earned by the individual.

And while I don't subscribe to every notion brought about by the right, I am a staunch supporter of fiscal conservatism and personal accountability and that it is the only way to work toward minimizing government and bringing about true "change".

True! I'll let them keep the change and I'll be content with character gained from paying every dime of my college, healthcare and starting my own business. It started with the fee school lunch program and has progressed to universal healthcare and free college. Somebody has to cook the french fries.

[civilian]

Originally Posted by Sigaba

Reading the president's speech, I appreciated how he set forth an understandable narrative of the ongoing crisis in a way that lets Americans see the connection between their everyday lives and the economy as a whole. Not only does this represent good presidential leadership, it provides a great extended quote for future historians wanting to capsulize how the president inspired so much confidence in so many Americans. (Disclosure: I am not yet one of those Americans.)

I don't particularly care for the way he presents America as being at the crossroads of history (a theme he rode to the White House). The president presents himself as the solution while insisting that he is in no way a part of the problems of the past nor the consequences of ineffective solutions that failed to solve those issues. Instead, he insists that he has 'inherited' these problems. Yet, he was a senator--albiet an absentee one. He did play a part in that body's inability to address America's current economic crisis.

To me, the president comes across as a guy standing off to the side, laying in the cut, as his teammates try to move a piano. Only after they've failed several times to move the piano (to his whispers of "You're doing it wrong") does he role up his sleeves, walk over, offer a suggestion to his now exhausted colleagues, and help with the heavy lifting. If the piano rises, he'll get the credit for being there in the nick of time. Lost in the thundering applause, the laughs, and the expressions of gratitude is the fact that we'll never know what difference he might have made had he made his best effort sooner.

He cites predatory lending causing the hosuing market crash. As a Realtor and builder this doesn't wash. ACORN and others forced lenders, Freddie and Fannie to give loans to people who wouldn't qualify otherwise. I never saw any preditory lending. Just people buying out of emotion and lenders without common sense.

He says schools need reform and more money. You can spend all the money in the world like Fulton County Georgia does and it will make no difference if the child is not set up for success at home. Otherwise, it is just throwing good money after bad.

He said China is making the greatest effort for renewable energy. I would argue it is simply the billion or so Chinese who live in poverty.

He asks for a bipartisan bill for free college tutition sponsered by Orin Hatch and " a man who has never stopped asking what he can do for his country, Edward Kennedy!" Saving a young lady drowning in a car in 4 feet of water wasn't one I guess. He saw fit to protest while our finest were fighting in SouthEast Asia.

He failed to mention how the UAW brought down the American car industry.