State of the Union speech
 

Who watched?
What'd you think?
Good points?
Bad points?

Discuss......

I watched on C-span. very neutral coverage. They don't focus in on any one person, when the camera is looking towards the chamber. They only focus in on any single person when the POTUS is introducing people/guests up in the gallery.

The one thing that I was kind of a taken aback by was, the POTUS asking that the Strategic Oil Reserve, be doubled within the next few years. That instantly made me go Hummmmmm......

Aside from that, not a bad speech. I give him a 7.5 out of 10.

The President did a good job, and I have been very critical of him lately, so I am glad to say this. I should just read the transcript afterwards in the future, long on theatrics - short on substance. In the future Presidents should not worry about TV time constraints, throw it up on the web, go for hours, get into detail on issues, talk about legislation, have charts - the whole nine-yards.

Good Points:
- Energy - That he even addressed it is good. Frankly I think it is at the commanding heights of the problems we face.
- Spending - spoke of control and restraint
- Earmarks
- Immigration - reasoned approach on the macro level, call for civility in debate
- Volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps - we'll see how this works out in practice
- AIDS relief
- Wesley Autrey - Great guy
- Sergeant Rieman - Great guy

Bad Points:
- Energy - IMHO still behind the curve
- Spending - He has the Fiscal Restraint of Imelda Marcos, pandering to his base. He said it best: You fool me once shame on you, you fool me twice...... you fool me wont get fooled again.
- Foreign Policy - I disagree on some issues
- Economy - IMHO a selective situation report
- Speech purposely painted w/ broad brush, a defensive move. American political culture continues to devolve due to tv, consultants, ect
- I've always wished he would carry Bin Ladens head in on a pike during one of these things. It didn't happen this time.


The strategic oil reserve struck me too, we'll see what unfolds.

I dont get it
 

I have one major concern. At 2143 EST the President stated that we still have the ability to achieve victory in Iraq. The Republicans jumped to their feet in applause while the Dems remained seated. I understand the practice of party politics but in time of war WTF does this say to our enemies when half of our own congress shows no desire for victory?????

SOTU
 

I'm a tad concerned my employer is going to drop my health insurance now...or at the very least make the offer less generous.

Overall: 6.5 out of 10

Broad Brush Strokes
 

It doens't say much for the democratic party. as TR mentioned yesterday in the thread regarding the mattress company, there are men and woman who are simply United States haters, and everything that the U.S. stands for.

I suspect TR is correct, these people seem to be hiding behind a tenure desk at University's across the nation. My observation is that if you hold a masters degree or doctorate, there is some kind of "Skulls" super secret, clandestine chapter to all univeristy's that brain wash these PhD's into the liberal, left, American hate club. They also believe that their higher academia provides them with an "ELITE" sense of morality and consitutional awareness that we mere mortals do not possess. Then again, I have yet to find a professor on campus that has served in the military. At least the two campuses that I have had the opportunity to attend. Northern Kentucky University and Northwestern. Seems a little education does go to the brain...........in the form of ego, not education.

If you watched FOX News networks coverage, then you have had to notice how many times they went to Hillary. Her face is alway's the same. That of a woman who is in desperate need of some good bed time :D

..and your the right guy for the job? ;)

A few State of the Unions ago my youngest son and I were watching and he noticed the Democrats' strong reactions to comments on the WOT. He asked me, without knowing who the Democrats were, if they were Americans.

Now thats funny. Sad but funny. A kid's perspective sometimes tells alot.

And a child shall lead them...


What struck me about the speech was that the POTUS seemed very poised, confident, and comfortable. In many of his past speeches, he just seemed to be a bit off. I think he did a fairly good job in his efforts to support "The Surge."

George W. Bush is the ONLY president I've seen admit we have an "addiction to oil" and seems to be pushing strongly for energy independance. I find it amazing that a president that "concocted a 'War for Oil'" would be so adament about weening our country off of it.

Jim Webb irked me. Don't "pimp" your child's service for political gain--that really burns my...

ugh
 

I think what is most upsetting is reading CNN's, BBC's, CBS's...... response to his speech. It's not a secret that the POTUS seems to be the scapegoat of EVERY "problem" with America. I enjoyed his positive comments about our great nation. It's not that healthy criticism isn't needed to make our nation greater, but this negative, anti-american campaign the liberals are feeding us is making me ill.

Another idea I would like to throw around (maybe not app for this thread) is the continual use of comparing this war with the Korean War or the Vietnam War. How can they be so analogous? There weren't any Vietnamese that came to American and killed thousands of people before the war and there weren't any trying to come to America to blow up thousands of people during the war. Can't the Dems see this is different?

Cynically I almost hope they pull us out so they can see the tragic consequences of their foreign policy of "we're the instigators." Yah, it's our fault they want to kill everyone who stands in opposition of a totalitarian Islamic state.

Lord, save us.

I missed it. TiVo'd the overnight replay and will probably watch it tonight.

The speech was among his better ones, not too much new there.

I am trying to figure out why the Dems are letting a former Reagan administration official who was recently elected as a conservative Dem provide their counter to the State of the Union message, and not a member of the CBC or the vocal wing of their party, like Pelosi or Kennedy.

Isn't there a law against "bait and switch" tactics?

TR

"My observation is that if you hold a masters degree or doctorate, there is some kind of "Skulls" super secret, clandestine chapter to all univeristy's that brain wash these PhD's into the liberal, left, American hate club. They also believe that their higher academia provides them with an "ELITE" sense of morality and consitutional awareness that we mere mortals do not possess."



82ndtrooper:


Granted, "Academia" does seem to be left leaning, and there many examples to support that argument; but there are several M.D.s on this board who would argue that premise based on their personal beliefs!

One in particular, an M.D., Ph.D., type is the Grandmother of my Grandchildren!

You picked a good one, CPTAUSRET!

Let's also not forget Prof. Mike Adams