First up - I didn't watch. I never do. Since I'm a 'journalist' I'm subscribed the the various PR accounts, so I get both the "embargoed until delivery" and "remarks as delivered" versions of speeches like this, and I frankly find all the political theater of the live event distracting and stomach-turning. And don't get me started on the talking heads doing "analysis."
Anybody have thoughts about the speech and/or the response, that rises above the level of "He's a poopy-head!"?
Anybody have thoughts about the speech and/or the response, that rises above the level of "He's a poopy-head!"?
Plenty of blame for the "obstructionist Republicans" but nary a work on the Senate's failure to pass a budget in 1000 days, or act on numerous House bills.
As always, the devil is in the details, and we should have learned to never believe a word this man says about ethics, cutting spending or the size of government. Watch what he does, and it invariably is the opposite.
I nearly lost it when he stated the the Navy will be buying the largest amount of synthetic fules in history. Great, when spending is already being slashed beyond safe levels, we will blow a bundle on green fuel. Who dreams up this crap, the Chinese, Russians, or Iran, or Soros?
On the other hand, Mitch Daniels' response was pretty darn good. And, a realistic and sobering look at our current financial crisis. If only the swindling field of R's would use his taling points to get back on track instead of flinging poo at each other.
In any case, we are truly skrewed at least until 21 Jan 2013. And, if Poo Head wins, our collapse wil be beyond redemption and the parasites will consume the hosts that support them.
In the vein of What's Black and White and Red all over, he's not a poopy-head, he's a Commy poopy-head.
And, his lips were moving.
And spending $27 per gallon for it, too (the $15-per-gallon quoted price is *after* it's been cut 50/50 with JP-8).
But that probably seems reasonable to someone who orders an $81 burgerr...
Cheers.
The GOP rebuttal was effective they need to go for the throat on his performance and try to convince people that they can get the middle class alive again. They need to emphasise the very high corporate tax rate especially when Obama starts flogging the rich not paying enough meme.
However this is all from a campaign perspective.
What I really want to outline are two major points:
The lesser is that The State of the Union has become a joke. Sure you could blame Obama who does indeed share some blame but realistically there has been no actual State of Union of any useful level for many presidents. It's just an opportunity for an 'all El Presidente all day' promotion.
IMO the SOTU is quite bleak. There is thin hope for the US because neither Obama nor the GOP prospective will lead America. Americans will not get behind either because there is too much group-think partisanism. I get an excellent view of this as I straddle the progressive and conservative worlds. In other words America is not a United States. What's worse is that it shows the classic signs of a group in the early decay phase. I'd be happy to be proven wrong but I don't play lotto expecting to win either.
Both Obama and the GOP are spot on that America needs to work together on this and ultimately anyone with a few braincells to rub together knows the President cannot save the US alone. The real cause and solution to the problems of the USA are the people of the USA. Who are too busy blaming everyone else and I haven't even mentioned Congress.
As such countries like mine really need to be proactive in preparing for a future without the US at world centre stage.
On the biofuels it's all very nice and really I like the idea but that MIT study (and I respect the MIT) points to the best case long-term scenario (when economics of scale activate) will still be double the price of regular fuel. Which is pretty crap unless of course regular fuel doubles in price which isn't all that inconceivable. In the short term we need to improve the fossil fuel situation. BP and Obama's keystone cancel aren't much help.
I didn't watch it either. From all reports, it was about what I had expected. You know, somebody who is wholly owned by the Bank Party complaining about the Evil Rich. Mittens and the Newt are also in the same pocket, but might not be quite as bad.
Oh, and guess who contributed the most to the Paul campaign? Military folks did.
I mind that pic Boq put up of Presidents in uniform. Of everybody running, only Ron Paul has worn the uniform; a blue blouse just like the one I wore once a week for ROTC.
You can't *flounce* convincingly enough.
Because they make better beer?
Expecting our GOP morons to go for the throats of the other wing of the bird of prey we endure as a government is expecting a bit much, however. Ain't gonna happen.
And Obama is a poopy head. I think that goes without saying, but needs to be emphasized quite often.
And, no I did not watch that political event. I don't care for wasting my time that way. If I'm going to waste time I prefer a good book or sex, which ever is handier at the moment.
To sum up the SOTU: "I went ... I know ... My ... My ... I took office ... I'm president ... I will work ... I intend ... I will oppose ... I want to speak ... I took office ... I refused ... told me ... My message ... Send me ... I'll sign ... I set ... I signed ... I will go ... I will not stand ... It's not fair ... I'm announcing ... I promise you ... I also hear ... I want ... Join me ... My administration ... I want to cut ... I call on ... I spoke ... let me put ... I believe ... my administration ... I took office ... I will sign ... I'm directing ... my administration ... I'm requiring ... I will not walk away ... I will not walk away ... I will not cede ... I will ... I'm directing ... I'm proud ... Send me ... I will sign ... I'm sending ... I've approved ... my presidency ... I've ordered ... I guess ... I'm confident ... I will not back down ... I will not back down ... I will not go back ... I will not go back ... I'm asking ... fair play ... So do I ... I told ... I'm prepared ... fair share ... my fair share ... I get tax breaks I don't need ... I recognize ... I bet ... I've talked ... Send me a bill ... I will sign ... I ask the Senate ... I've asked ... I'm a Democrat ... I believe ... my education reform ... I will keep taking ... I can do ... I have no doubt ... I will take ... I'm president ... I intend ... I have proposed ... I have already ... I'm proposing ... brings me ... my proudest ... I sat ... I look at ... I'm reminded." --BO
The speech also sounded a lot like last year's.
Bailouts are awesome: "On the day I took office, our auto industry was on the verge of collapse. Some even said we should let it die. With a million jobs at stake, I refused to let that happen. ... Today, General Motors is back on top as the world's number one automaker. Chrysler has grown faster in the U.S. than any major car company. ... We bet on American workers. We bet on American ingenuity. And tonight, the American auto industry is back." --Barack Obama
Bailouts are terrible: "It's time to apply the same rules from top to bottom: No bailouts, no handouts, and no copouts. An America built to last insists on responsibility from everybody." --Barack Obama, later in the same SOTU
Policy based on envy: "We can either settle for a country where a shrinking number of people do really well, while a growing number of Americans barely get by. Or we can restore an economy where everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules." --Barack Obama
Conciliatory blame throwing: "The state of our union is getting stronger. And we've come too far to turn back now. As long as I'm president, I will work with anyone in this chamber to build on this momentum. But I intend to fight obstruction with action, and I will oppose any effort to return to the very same policies that brought on this economic crisis in the first place." --Barack Obama
Deciding how much money you can make: "[W]e need to change our tax code so that people like me, and an awful lot of members of Congress, pay our fair share of taxes. Tax reform should follow the Buffett rule: If you make more than $1 million a year, you should not pay less than 30 percent in taxes. ... On the other hand, if you make under $250,000 a year, like 98 percent of American families, your taxes shouldn't go up." --Barack Obama
Our PM and opposition leader spent Australia day terrified. There's a fantastic picture of it so for once it was worth seeing.
Oh yeah the me me was on but every Obama speach is like this. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0oRX1t0Crek