My assessment of the State of the Union Address

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My assessment of the State of the Union Address 01.21.04 (12:23 am)   [edit] Because I'm sure you're dying to know what I have to say in response. I very rarely have much to say that is positive about Bush, but I will say that, in terms of presentation, Bush's speech was commendable. There were only a few words that he stumbled over, a few tongue-tied incidents, but nothing out of the realm of expectation for anyone making a speech. As far as I can recall, his biggest slip-up was saying the young girl who sent him a letter was age 2, then correcting himself to say she was 10. As for the speech itself, there were parts that I agreed with and parts that induced the same reaction in myself as in Senator Kennedy (I really wished they had just shown him the entire time). My personal favorite portion of the speech was the reaction from the Democrats when Bush was on the subject of the Patriot Act. When Bush first praised the act, there was a notable lack of applause from the Dems, and when Bush went on to encourage the reinstatement of the Patriot Act, the Dems burst into applause at the mention of the Patriot Act's expiration. Did anyone else think Cheney looked a little sick? I was a bit worried he would have another heart attack. Anway, back to the speech... I'm not really sure what Bush's point was with encouraging athletes to set an example by ceasing use of steroids and other drugs, other than to have them show that Tom Brady was there. I mean, what does that really have to do with the state of the union? All in all, the speech was well-delivered and will likely result in an increase in Bush's approval rating. He, as suspected, emphasized the efforts in the war on terrorism that are positive and stayed away from anything that could draw much criticism, with the most notable exception being his anti-gay marriage stance- which appeals to more conservative voters. It is clear that this was a speech motivated by re-election efforts (and yes, contrary to the desire of many Bush supporters, everything Bush does in the months to come will have some sort of political motive behind it, including the timing of this speech). Next topic: Gay marriage and the President's insistence on banning gay marriage. Please let me know your thoughts on this issue.   posted by: SpyMaster (reply) post date: 01.20.04 (9:33 pm) Dubya didn't dribble down his chin or blow his nose (neither did Adolf Hitler). His speech was a disastrous lack of vision for a better nation for all. If you really assess his arrogant foreign policy that promotes lying to invade other nations (and pretending that he protects us)-- his rape of America's workers (tax cuts for health insurance? what if you can't afford the health insurance anyway even with the tax cuts?) ... and other bizarre policies (like letting the rich off from any legal redress if they fuck you over) ... Just another Dubya give-away to his corporate and special interests. But, I appreciate your analysis! posted by: newbie (reply) post date: 01.20.04 (9:37 pm) I thought Shrub's rhetoric was very deceptive in both the foreign and domestic issues. He speaks out of both sides of his mouth: He says America will not seek a permission slip to protect our homeland-- yet that is not what his administration did in Iraq (Iraq posed no threat. In attacking Iraq and his insane neocon pre-emptive doctrine, he is not protecting us, but in fact, endangering us). There are many examples. Some cliches and pretty words to mask ugly actions and ugly policies. posted by: DragonBait22 (reply) post date: 01.20.04 (9:41 pm) Reply to: SpyMaster Reply to: newbie Oh, I agree that much of what was said was deceptive, but, as far as presentation, the speech was good. Content is another issue, and while there were a few things I did agree with, there were many policies outlined by Bush that I thought were wrong. posted by: question (reply) post date: 01.20.04 (10:12 pm) I know it is cowardly, but I just can't watch Bush on tv. I get sick just at the sight of his face. Plus, I don't drink (not that I havent) and I think I would have to be snookered to watch the state of the disunion. Then I might kill the tv! posted by: jimmytherighteous (reply) post date: 01.20.04 (10:32 pm) I got all tingly when the Shrub said that we're going to cut the deficit in half in five years. Lemme see here, we went from +$120 billion to -$400 billion and we're gonna bring that up to -$200 billion by 2009? Jesus christ, you would think the idiots are running the government. Wait, they are. posted by: therealspartacus007 (reply) post date: 01.20.04 (10:39 pm) Reply to: jimmytherighteous Hmmm.... cutting taxes and spending a few billion to go to Mars can't be his plan.... maybe I don't want to know what W is hiding up his sleeve- oh wait, maybe THAT'S what the oil is for! posted by: DragonBait22 (reply) post date: 01.21.04 (8:15 am) Reply to: question I know, it isn't easy to watch him- you just have to have a good sense of humor. posted by: DragonBait22 (reply) post date: 01.21.04 (8:18 am) Reply to: jimmytherighteous Yeah, I just laughed at the utter ludicrousness of that... by the way: http://www.plyrics.com/lyrics/nofx/idiotsaretakingover.html Your Name: Your Comment:

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