02-28-2009, 10:37 PM
Ok, I've always done a criticism of the State of the Union Address for years now, but with Bush out of office, I wasn't sure if it would be worth it. Anyway, as usual I will give my analysis of it because I know you guys like it but to be honest, the quality of my commentary might be lower considering that Obama doesn't seem like a retard unlike W. Let's roll the tape.
I will have to forego the traditional fashion commentary about his tie since youtube shows it as being a maroonish color. I also notice the American flag pin. Sigh. Must we really do this for another four years. I can be a lot more patriotic through my actions than someone can be waving a flag. I won't even speak of the people with tattered and faded flags on their cars and homes. While I realize the disappointment you may feel, it was beyond my control.
Ok, he is in the chamber and I didn't get to see the March of the Skeksies (the Supreme Court geezers shambling in) which saddens me, but I will do some fashion commentary. He looks very well attired in a suit. Michelle Obama is the one to watch though. She always looks good and I have the feeling she will be a very fashionable First Lady although she could definitely use my advice on accessorizing. Still, I suspect the fashionistas will be watching her. Their two daughters are adorable and for me to say this is quite a commentary.
The democratic leadership seems very happy, especially Pelosi.
Hmm, he is wearing a maroon tie with what appear to be white diagonal accents. Interesting. Bush always wore solid colored ties. It's sad that I know this. While I'm on the subject of ties, did you know that the reason ties have a slant in only one direction is because hundreds of years ago when men wore swords, it allowed them to pull out their sword without having marks be visible. With a sword it was common to put oil on it to protect it from rusting. If you drew your sword it was almost always with your right hand with the scabbard on your left side. The sword would come across your chest wiping the oil on the tie. The diagonal stripes made it less noticeable. There's your history lesson for the day. I will point out his tie is actaully incorrect in this detail which surprises me unless he is left handed and a stickler for tradtion.
Oh and I think I'll do an ovation count.
ONE! He took the stand. Hmm, he asked people to keep it down. Honestly, that impressed me. Bush revelled in an ovation, instead he asks them to stop so he can get down to business.
That was fun. Obama started to speak and Pelosi was damn fast to jump in and introduce him as the US President. Glory seeking witch.
TWO!
The First Lady got an ovation. I don't recall Bush ever doing that however I don't have definitive proof on this.
THREE!
He just mentioned the economy and how it concerns us all. Well, eight years of Bush will do that to a country. "if you haven't been personally affected by the economy, you probably know someone who has." Good god, what a difference from Bush who once said something along the lines of "if you think the deficit is bad, the IRS always takes checks". I hate to say it people but I have the feeling this will be a long post.
"the impact of this recession is real and it is everywhere" It's been eight long years since a president has acknowledge this.
"We will rebuild, we will recover..."
FOUR!
A note on the ovation counts: I notice the republicans are seated. I don't care I'm counting them fully because the feed I have isn't doing full sweeps of the Chamber. Yes it is biased but after eight years it's about time I got to push my views for once instead of the mainstream media.
Now he's going on about how our situation isn't something that happened overnight but one that's been in place for decades. Not exactly a (deserved) slam at Bush but definitely a little reproach. He's discussing oil, healthcare, and education and he just blasted people looking at short term gain over long term thinking. He made a point of mentioning the next election as a short term gain. Wonder whom he might be speaking of.
GOOD! He just criticized people who bought homes that they couldn't afford. As much as I criticize government, there is a thing called living within your means. There was a time when I could have gotten a loan to buy a home worth a hundred grand. I make fifteen a year. Is this really a wise thing? No. That's why I rent even though all the financial "experts" claim I'm wrong.
His first item on the agenda was jobs. Most people clapped. The republicans looked cranky. Awww, poor babies.
FIVE!
"The American Investment and Recovery Act is law."
The republicans sure look butthurt about that one.
He said this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. So basically we'll be back up to Clinton levels. It's a start I guess. He mentioned infrastructure, alternative energy, and mass transit. I'd love to see Bush try to explain what each of those things are. Now he just said tax cuts for 95% of Americans. Poor little millionaires won't get one. I feel so sad for them. Extended tax breaks for families with kids in college, and best of all, unemployment comp is being extended. Finally, REAL people are getting something.
"Nobody messes with Joe." I laughed.
Pelosi was sure quick to stand up.
SIX!
He just said they created the largest effort ever to give credit to keep the economy running.
SEVEN! I must point out though that the ovation was slow.
EIGHT! He just said that banks will be held accountable for their spending. I strongly agree with this. When you get money from the taxpayers, you do not go on an excutive junket to Aruba. Again, the republicans were grumpy.
NINE! CEOs won't be able to pull their crap. (paraphrased)
TEN! He spoke of the next generation.
ELEVEN! "It's not about helping banks, it's about helping people."
"Slowly but surely confidence will return." To be honest I'm skeptical but the guy has only been in office for a month.
TWELVE! "It is time to reform our outdated regulatory system." Agreed!
THIRTEEN! He mentioned the GI Bill. All the old geezers practically lept out of their seats.
He just used the word "catalyzed". I'd love to see W try to pronounce that yet alone explain it.
FOURTEEN! "energy, healthcare, and education" were the three issues he feels are the most important. Pelosi lept up.
FIFTEEN! "it is time for America to lead again". Even the republicans jumped up this time.
"We will double the nation's supply of renewable energy in the next three years."
Nice claim but considering that over 80% of our energy isn't renewable I'm a little hesitant on this, especially since hydroelectic power is tapped out.
SIXTEEN!
He wants carbon taxes! Oh you better believe the republicans butts were firmly in their chairs.
SEVENTEEN! "I believe that the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it." A minor quibble I have is that technically Benz in Europe was first to do this. My political commentary is that I agree with him. The auto industry in the US is a huge employer and we can't let a hell of a lot of blue collar workers go out of work. This country needs more people working with their hands to build instead of pushing paper.
EIGHTEEN! Healthcare reform. Pelosi was not the first to jump up.
"We've already done more to advance healthcare in the last thirty days than in the last decade."
Screw you Bush!
NINETEEN! "During our first few days We've protected over 11 million children whose parents work full time." If Pelosi were a rocket, the Apollo astronauts would have been on the moon within seconds with how fast she launched out of her seat. What about the parents who don't have full time jobs? Oh and what about people without children?
TWENTY! He mentioned curing cancer which affected him.
He advocates preventive care. I approve.
TWENTY ONE! "Healthcare reform cannot wait and must not wait." The camera focused on a republican group of Congressman and one man looked around looking nervous and clapped after realizing everyone else was. Priceless. It shows their values.
TWENTY TWO! We must ensure that every child has education from the day they are born to the day they start of their career. (Paraphrased)
"We will expand our commitment to charter schools".
I approve of this. I was in the gifted program in school and it was a total joke. We need to encourage our best and brightest.
He just said he wants every American to commit to one year of higher education or career training. Yeah, considering I'm unemployed I'll be happy to shell out more money. You're barking up the wrong tree buddy. Oh christ, it's Bush all over again. It could be a community college!
TWENTY THREE! "Dropping out of high school is not quitting on yourself but on your country!"
I've known dropouts. Trust me, we're better off without them.
Fact about me you may not have known. I was in the top 10% of my high school and I was counting down the days until I could drop out, not because of academics but because of the anti-intellectuals who bullied me. If I were to have kids (HA!) I'd homeschool.
TWENTY FOUR! "By 2020 we will have the highest proportion of college graduates in our country" (slightly paraphrased). I admire the idea, but how will we pay for this. I'm also wonder what nations are above us in this regard.
TWENTY FIVE! He just mentioned national service. I have a serious gripe with this. My opinion is that any country that needs to force military service or "volunteering" is a country that has lost. My biggest beef though is as soon as he said Senator Edward Kennedy the place went nuts. Isn't he the one with Mary Jo Kopecnhe? How the hell does this asshole get re-elected?
TWENTY FIVE! We CF types would approve. He just said it's up to the parents to raise their kids. A very telling commentary was made. None of the Supreme Court Justices stood up for the ovation while even the republican Congresspeople did. Interesting. Maybe they all are up past their bedtime and fell asleep.
TWENTY SIX! He just spoke of not passing our debt onto the children. Everyone stood and he even joked about getting a consensus. He made a remark about the deficit we inherited and you could see the democrats clapping and republicans booing. Dicks. He mentioned passing an economic plan free of earmarks and the boos got louder and the democrats were clapping half-heartedly at best other than Pelosi.
He just said he identified over two trillion dollars in savings over the next ten years. Hell, I can do that. It's called UNILATERAL WITHDRAWL OF ALL US MILITARY FORCES WITHIN THREE MONTHS! Sorry for the all caps, but seriously we can dump Iraq and let them collapse, pull out of Afghanistan which is pretty much stone age anyway, and let the rest of the world defend itself. BAM! Two trillion dollars and a hell of a lot fewer US GIs dying for pointless wars.
TWENTY SEVEN! "We will eliminate the no bid contracts in Iraq"
TWENTY EIGHT! "We will stop the tax breaks for corporations who ship jobs overseas" I have got to applaud him. Instead of tax breaks they should be tried for treason.
TWENTY NINE! He just mentioned that families (why not singles or couples?) earning less than 250k a year will not see a single dime of more tax. The taxes will only increase on 2% of Americans. Guess which party did not give an ovation.
THIRTY! 95% of families will get a tax cut.
He's speaking of Social Security and how we need tax free savings accounts for all Americans. Hey Obama, I make 15k a year. How much should I be saving for retirement out of that?
Oh yes! He just slammed W for not accounting for the cost of Iraq and Afghanistan. My grandmother was whining about how expensive Obama was because she heard it on FOX NEWS but they never mention the trillion we've flushed down the toilet on this senseless war.
THIRTY ONE! He wants to responsibly end this war. Pelosi lept out of her seat. Poor Biden. His age factor makes him second place.
THIRTY TWO! He mentioned about our allies in Pakistan. Pelosi actually shifted in her chair just to make sure she was first up.
THIRTY THREE! He gave his praise to the troops. You better believe everyone stood up for that! He has kind of a smirk on his face as he looks around at everyone to make sure nobody is sitting but it's still not nearly as arrogant as Bush's smirk by an order of magnitude.
THIRTY FOUR! He wants to expand pay and benefits for the troops. Are we trying to get more cannon fodder perhaps?
THIRTY FIVE! We are closing Guantanamo Bay. About damn time. When we violate our own Bill of Rights we are no better than the terrorists. We should be the leader.
THIRTY SIX! "The United States of America does not torture!"
"We cannot shun the negotiation table."
What a change from W who basically told the world to go to hell. I mean after 9-11 even Cuba and Libya expressed sympathy towards us and that jackass pissed it away.
THIRTY SEVEN!
He just spoke about a banker from Florida who retired and gave his 60 million dollars to over 400 employees. Pretty cool.
THIRTY EIGHT!
He just spoke of a young girl who wrote to them to get funds for an impoverished school district.
He just said that they haven't agreed on every issue so far and got a laugh. Isn't bipartesanship wonderful? People wonder why I'm non-partisan.
THIRTY NINE!
"Every American wants this country to succeed."
Nobody sat for that one of course. Pure propaganda.
FORTY!
The typical God bless the United States of America.
General thoughts.
It was damn nice to hear someone speaking English as our president. He stuttered a few times but god it was nice to hear eloquence for once. It also impressed me to see his body language. He stood tall and spoke clearly, unlike Bush in the Kerry debates.
I hope he does half of what he promises.
I will have to forego the traditional fashion commentary about his tie since youtube shows it as being a maroonish color. I also notice the American flag pin. Sigh. Must we really do this for another four years. I can be a lot more patriotic through my actions than someone can be waving a flag. I won't even speak of the people with tattered and faded flags on their cars and homes. While I realize the disappointment you may feel, it was beyond my control.
Ok, he is in the chamber and I didn't get to see the March of the Skeksies (the Supreme Court geezers shambling in) which saddens me, but I will do some fashion commentary. He looks very well attired in a suit. Michelle Obama is the one to watch though. She always looks good and I have the feeling she will be a very fashionable First Lady although she could definitely use my advice on accessorizing. Still, I suspect the fashionistas will be watching her. Their two daughters are adorable and for me to say this is quite a commentary.
The democratic leadership seems very happy, especially Pelosi.
Hmm, he is wearing a maroon tie with what appear to be white diagonal accents. Interesting. Bush always wore solid colored ties. It's sad that I know this. While I'm on the subject of ties, did you know that the reason ties have a slant in only one direction is because hundreds of years ago when men wore swords, it allowed them to pull out their sword without having marks be visible. With a sword it was common to put oil on it to protect it from rusting. If you drew your sword it was almost always with your right hand with the scabbard on your left side. The sword would come across your chest wiping the oil on the tie. The diagonal stripes made it less noticeable. There's your history lesson for the day. I will point out his tie is actaully incorrect in this detail which surprises me unless he is left handed and a stickler for tradtion.
Oh and I think I'll do an ovation count.
ONE! He took the stand. Hmm, he asked people to keep it down. Honestly, that impressed me. Bush revelled in an ovation, instead he asks them to stop so he can get down to business.
That was fun. Obama started to speak and Pelosi was damn fast to jump in and introduce him as the US President. Glory seeking witch.
TWO!
The First Lady got an ovation. I don't recall Bush ever doing that however I don't have definitive proof on this.
THREE!
He just mentioned the economy and how it concerns us all. Well, eight years of Bush will do that to a country. "if you haven't been personally affected by the economy, you probably know someone who has." Good god, what a difference from Bush who once said something along the lines of "if you think the deficit is bad, the IRS always takes checks". I hate to say it people but I have the feeling this will be a long post.
"the impact of this recession is real and it is everywhere" It's been eight long years since a president has acknowledge this.
"We will rebuild, we will recover..."
FOUR!
A note on the ovation counts: I notice the republicans are seated. I don't care I'm counting them fully because the feed I have isn't doing full sweeps of the Chamber. Yes it is biased but after eight years it's about time I got to push my views for once instead of the mainstream media.
Now he's going on about how our situation isn't something that happened overnight but one that's been in place for decades. Not exactly a (deserved) slam at Bush but definitely a little reproach. He's discussing oil, healthcare, and education and he just blasted people looking at short term gain over long term thinking. He made a point of mentioning the next election as a short term gain. Wonder whom he might be speaking of.
GOOD! He just criticized people who bought homes that they couldn't afford. As much as I criticize government, there is a thing called living within your means. There was a time when I could have gotten a loan to buy a home worth a hundred grand. I make fifteen a year. Is this really a wise thing? No. That's why I rent even though all the financial "experts" claim I'm wrong.
His first item on the agenda was jobs. Most people clapped. The republicans looked cranky. Awww, poor babies.
FIVE!
"The American Investment and Recovery Act is law."
The republicans sure look butthurt about that one.
He said this plan will save or create 3.5 million jobs. So basically we'll be back up to Clinton levels. It's a start I guess. He mentioned infrastructure, alternative energy, and mass transit. I'd love to see Bush try to explain what each of those things are. Now he just said tax cuts for 95% of Americans. Poor little millionaires won't get one. I feel so sad for them. Extended tax breaks for families with kids in college, and best of all, unemployment comp is being extended. Finally, REAL people are getting something.
"Nobody messes with Joe." I laughed.
Pelosi was sure quick to stand up.
SIX!
He just said they created the largest effort ever to give credit to keep the economy running.
SEVEN! I must point out though that the ovation was slow.
EIGHT! He just said that banks will be held accountable for their spending. I strongly agree with this. When you get money from the taxpayers, you do not go on an excutive junket to Aruba. Again, the republicans were grumpy.
NINE! CEOs won't be able to pull their crap. (paraphrased)
TEN! He spoke of the next generation.
ELEVEN! "It's not about helping banks, it's about helping people."
"Slowly but surely confidence will return." To be honest I'm skeptical but the guy has only been in office for a month.
TWELVE! "It is time to reform our outdated regulatory system." Agreed!
THIRTEEN! He mentioned the GI Bill. All the old geezers practically lept out of their seats.
He just used the word "catalyzed". I'd love to see W try to pronounce that yet alone explain it.
FOURTEEN! "energy, healthcare, and education" were the three issues he feels are the most important. Pelosi lept up.
FIFTEEN! "it is time for America to lead again". Even the republicans jumped up this time.
"We will double the nation's supply of renewable energy in the next three years."
Nice claim but considering that over 80% of our energy isn't renewable I'm a little hesitant on this, especially since hydroelectic power is tapped out.
SIXTEEN!
He wants carbon taxes! Oh you better believe the republicans butts were firmly in their chairs.
SEVENTEEN! "I believe that the nation that invented the automobile cannot walk away from it." A minor quibble I have is that technically Benz in Europe was first to do this. My political commentary is that I agree with him. The auto industry in the US is a huge employer and we can't let a hell of a lot of blue collar workers go out of work. This country needs more people working with their hands to build instead of pushing paper.
EIGHTEEN! Healthcare reform. Pelosi was not the first to jump up.
"We've already done more to advance healthcare in the last thirty days than in the last decade."
Screw you Bush!
NINETEEN! "During our first few days We've protected over 11 million children whose parents work full time." If Pelosi were a rocket, the Apollo astronauts would have been on the moon within seconds with how fast she launched out of her seat. What about the parents who don't have full time jobs? Oh and what about people without children?
TWENTY! He mentioned curing cancer which affected him.
He advocates preventive care. I approve.
TWENTY ONE! "Healthcare reform cannot wait and must not wait." The camera focused on a republican group of Congressman and one man looked around looking nervous and clapped after realizing everyone else was. Priceless. It shows their values.
TWENTY TWO! We must ensure that every child has education from the day they are born to the day they start of their career. (Paraphrased)
"We will expand our commitment to charter schools".
I approve of this. I was in the gifted program in school and it was a total joke. We need to encourage our best and brightest.
He just said he wants every American to commit to one year of higher education or career training. Yeah, considering I'm unemployed I'll be happy to shell out more money. You're barking up the wrong tree buddy. Oh christ, it's Bush all over again. It could be a community college!
TWENTY THREE! "Dropping out of high school is not quitting on yourself but on your country!"
I've known dropouts. Trust me, we're better off without them.
Fact about me you may not have known. I was in the top 10% of my high school and I was counting down the days until I could drop out, not because of academics but because of the anti-intellectuals who bullied me. If I were to have kids (HA!) I'd homeschool.
TWENTY FOUR! "By 2020 we will have the highest proportion of college graduates in our country" (slightly paraphrased). I admire the idea, but how will we pay for this. I'm also wonder what nations are above us in this regard.
TWENTY FIVE! He just mentioned national service. I have a serious gripe with this. My opinion is that any country that needs to force military service or "volunteering" is a country that has lost. My biggest beef though is as soon as he said Senator Edward Kennedy the place went nuts. Isn't he the one with Mary Jo Kopecnhe? How the hell does this asshole get re-elected?
TWENTY FIVE! We CF types would approve. He just said it's up to the parents to raise their kids. A very telling commentary was made. None of the Supreme Court Justices stood up for the ovation while even the republican Congresspeople did. Interesting. Maybe they all are up past their bedtime and fell asleep.
TWENTY SIX! He just spoke of not passing our debt onto the children. Everyone stood and he even joked about getting a consensus. He made a remark about the deficit we inherited and you could see the democrats clapping and republicans booing. Dicks. He mentioned passing an economic plan free of earmarks and the boos got louder and the democrats were clapping half-heartedly at best other than Pelosi.
He just said he identified over two trillion dollars in savings over the next ten years. Hell, I can do that. It's called UNILATERAL WITHDRAWL OF ALL US MILITARY FORCES WITHIN THREE MONTHS! Sorry for the all caps, but seriously we can dump Iraq and let them collapse, pull out of Afghanistan which is pretty much stone age anyway, and let the rest of the world defend itself. BAM! Two trillion dollars and a hell of a lot fewer US GIs dying for pointless wars.
TWENTY SEVEN! "We will eliminate the no bid contracts in Iraq"
TWENTY EIGHT! "We will stop the tax breaks for corporations who ship jobs overseas" I have got to applaud him. Instead of tax breaks they should be tried for treason.
TWENTY NINE! He just mentioned that families (why not singles or couples?) earning less than 250k a year will not see a single dime of more tax. The taxes will only increase on 2% of Americans. Guess which party did not give an ovation.
THIRTY! 95% of families will get a tax cut.
He's speaking of Social Security and how we need tax free savings accounts for all Americans. Hey Obama, I make 15k a year. How much should I be saving for retirement out of that?
Oh yes! He just slammed W for not accounting for the cost of Iraq and Afghanistan. My grandmother was whining about how expensive Obama was because she heard it on FOX NEWS but they never mention the trillion we've flushed down the toilet on this senseless war.
THIRTY ONE! He wants to responsibly end this war. Pelosi lept out of her seat. Poor Biden. His age factor makes him second place.
THIRTY TWO! He mentioned about our allies in Pakistan. Pelosi actually shifted in her chair just to make sure she was first up.
THIRTY THREE! He gave his praise to the troops. You better believe everyone stood up for that! He has kind of a smirk on his face as he looks around at everyone to make sure nobody is sitting but it's still not nearly as arrogant as Bush's smirk by an order of magnitude.
THIRTY FOUR! He wants to expand pay and benefits for the troops. Are we trying to get more cannon fodder perhaps?
THIRTY FIVE! We are closing Guantanamo Bay. About damn time. When we violate our own Bill of Rights we are no better than the terrorists. We should be the leader.
THIRTY SIX! "The United States of America does not torture!"
"We cannot shun the negotiation table."
What a change from W who basically told the world to go to hell. I mean after 9-11 even Cuba and Libya expressed sympathy towards us and that jackass pissed it away.
THIRTY SEVEN!
He just spoke about a banker from Florida who retired and gave his 60 million dollars to over 400 employees. Pretty cool.
THIRTY EIGHT!
He just spoke of a young girl who wrote to them to get funds for an impoverished school district.
He just said that they haven't agreed on every issue so far and got a laugh. Isn't bipartesanship wonderful? People wonder why I'm non-partisan.
THIRTY NINE!
"Every American wants this country to succeed."
Nobody sat for that one of course. Pure propaganda.
FORTY!
The typical God bless the United States of America.
General thoughts.
It was damn nice to hear someone speaking English as our president. He stuttered a few times but god it was nice to hear eloquence for once. It also impressed me to see his body language. He stood tall and spoke clearly, unlike Bush in the Kerry debates.
I hope he does half of what he promises.