The State of the Union Address

As another State of the Union address is consumed by the masses and regurgitated by the media spin corps, shouldn’t we ask ourselves…”what was that baboon talking about?!”
I heard numerous promises that will take place anytime between 2010 & 2017. excellent!! and maybe I’ll get you your x-mas presents by march!

The more I hear that talking head tell us what we want to hear (or what he & his buddies want to hear), the more I appreciate Queen Niza. We all know she’s in charge, yet I have never felt like an obligated citizen who should be thanking her for allowing me the privilage of looting the rest of the free world. Hail Queen Niza!!! Hail Queen Niza!!! Hail Queen Niza!!!

oops, sorry I didn’t read the rules before I wrote.

my apologies to anyone offended by my blatent disrespect of my highest ranking government official and also to all baboons….everywhere!

long live the queen.

i wasn’t offended… lol

not offended, but one quick question… are you remembering to pray for the baboon? check out 1 Timothy 2:2

I was bored. I thought it all was just so…so…blah. Just so little emotion in it. It seemed to me like he was reading someone else’s speech.

It made me think…The State of Our Union is BORING…APATHETIC…SAME OL’ SAME OL’…blah blah blah…cut taxes…blah blah blah…Iran…blah blah blah…meet some heros…blah blah blah God Bless America…the end.

I have to say, I have grown very bored with Bush. Every time I hear him on the news it just feels like groundhog day. I get the feeling he’s bored too.

I think that both the UK and the US seem a bit directionless at the moment. They both have leaders who know their time is up. They both are in need of fresh leadership, new ideas.

Btw Deana, that’s a great summary!

I find him almost impossible to listen to perhaps I don’t trust him. -and he is not my Preident.
I gather he made a rare mention of Global Warming but no action that will be effective in tackling it. Recognition of Health issues for those uninsured but no plan for action to deal with this and alarmingly a further attempt to ‘win that war’. A report from the World Economic Conference in Switzerland shows how unpopular American policies are these days ‘calling U.S. policy that pits “triumphalism” against “realism” nothing short of “delusional.”‘ and any idea of using force against Iran would be madness and arouse even more hostility.

Jean,

First let me say I am in no way being snotty here…you can’t hear that over comments, so I wanted to put it out there first….

The question I have is, you say he is not your president. I”ve seen bumper stickers that say that…and have heard people say it. And I just don’t get it. Who is your president if he is not?

Lostelements3
Jon Stewart is clever.
He has a show.
He’s a pro.
You are not Jon Stewart.

Did you think it was insightful or brave of you to display “blatent (sic) disrespect� for the President of the United States?

It wasn’t.

When you refer to anyone with pejorative nouns and adjectives, you reveal your lack own lack of character. I’m pretty sure the “baboon� remark gets laughs from your friends, but honestly, you’re not going to win anyone to your view.

An attitude of gentleness, (I firmly believe the President is making a grave mistake… completely wrong… fails to take into consideration…), would smooth the path for others on the way to understanding your opinion. There is a measure of respect everyone deserves; it just makes life more tolerable, but if you take the Tao of Jesus seriously, then calling another immortal being created by God a baboon conflicts with the teachings found in Matthew 5:21—23.

This was interesting; “I have never felt like an obligated citizen who should be thanking her for allowing me the privilage (sic) of looting the rest of the free world.� What point are you trying to make? (i.e. – who are these “obligated citizens� doing the looting? exactly how are they doing it and please tell us how you, lostelements3, do not do it and what you’re doing to correct the alleged injustice.)

If you wish to make a point with facts versus simply insult the President, then remember your ideas will gain wider acceptance without the sniping remarks.

I recommend the following books: How to Win Friends and Influence People; As a Gentleman Would Say; Say Please, Say Thank You; and Choosing Civility. If you wish, I’d be happy to send you a copy of Say Please, Say Thank You, free.

One final note, I didn’t listen to the President’s speech. His policies and positions do not reflect my own views and even if they did, he’s a lame duck with a hostile congress that has a majority of its members gunning for his job.

Jessi,
Good point, but only applies to folks who take the Ancient Book seriously.

Mad Max
You made a fine reference to a cute film, but “great� summary? That’s the word you would use? Concise or pithy would have been more accurate.

great |grÄ?t| |greɪt| |greɪt|
adjective
1 of an extent, amount, or intensity considerably above the normal or average: the article was of great interest | she showed great potential as an actor.

I can’t say with your certainty that President Bush or the UK’s PM are bored, but the clock is ticking on their terms.

About the new ideas, you’re wrong.

We don’t need new ideas. We need leaders who inspire like Churchill, Roosevelt, Kennedy and Reagan did. We need leaders who won’t change their policies to remain popular and get re-elected. We need leaders who govern from a fixed set of principles.

Deanna
Hello.
I hope this finds Max, you and Steve doing well.
I thought your summary was to the point.
You raise a good question to Jean
I was wondering the same thing.
I hope she considers responding because I’d like t know too.

Jean
Hello.
As far as the Swiss’s opinion, honestly who cares what the Swiss think? Our foreign policies don’t need the blessing of a country obsessed with time keeping, knives, safety, chocolate and cheese.

The point is if you are right, it does not matter who thinks you are wrong and if you are wrong, it does not matter who thinks you are right. The rightness or morality of a policy, position or principle is not determined by how many folks agree with it.

So, it’s irrelevant if the Swiss—or the whole world—believe President Bush’s prosecution of the war in Iraq is “delusional.�

The question should be, “is it the right thing to do� and not “how many agree�.

By the way, what country do you live in?

Wow, stepping in here.

First, let me qualify. I voted for President Bush both times, and if I were asked to choose between him and Al Gore or John Kerry again, I’d still choose George Bush. I at least know where he stands, and he doesn’t waver often from his beliefs.

Since 1984, I’ve made it a habit to always watch the State of the Union address, regardless of who is President. I have to admit that George W. Bush is a less than inspiring communicator. I much preferred President Clinton’s State of the Union speeches. He spoke with heart and passion. I almost believed him when he said, “I feel your pain.”

There were two things that struck me in this year’s speech.

1. While making one of his points about balancing the budget, the President then talked about increasing program offerings to the country (increased spending on health care, education, research for alternative fuels, etc.) AND keeping lower tax rates. I’d like to know how to balance a budget by increasing spending and lowering income. The ideas sounded good - good enough for the Speaker of the House to applaud. But not sure that they are achievable.

2. I was disappointed to hear him stand firm on his belief that the key to conquering terrorism is by standing firm in Iraq. While I did appreciate his tone, which seemed more conciliatory, I’m not convinced that Iraq was a well-planned venture or even justifiable. I’m not quite prepared to jump to the flag-burning anti-war group, but I do believe we should be cautious regarding continued investment in troops and energies there.

Regarding the SOTU speech - this is never intended to be a “this is how we’re going to get things done” speech. It rarely contains detailed plans. It’s more of an assessment of the previous year and a setting of the next year’s vision and agenda. Anyone looking for specific plans was probably disappointed.

The Sojourner - I think my use of “great” was perhaps lost in translation (to mention another good film) on route from England to the US. You going to be in Orlando for IMN/Humana 2.0? Perhaps I can explain then more if you are.

I appreciate your frankness about my being wrong regarding the need for new ideas. I would disagree though, certainly from the way things are here in the UK. Yes, we need leaders who inspire and govern from a fixed set of principles, but there is a real need for some fresh ideas too this side of the pond. It feels like the Labour government has become stale and there’s a need for fresh, creative thinking in a whole range of areas. But again, you’re right, that needs to emerge out of strong principles.

Octavio…good to see you again. How are YOU doing? I only “see” you around when there is something political going on…I miss your humor in your posts!
We’re doing well, thanks for asking.

I thought after I wrote the comment to Jean, maybe she doesn’t live in America…then I thought…well, then Bush ISN’T her president.

So Jean, if you aren’t a citizen of the USA, forgive the question, like I said, I have seen it around and heard it here in the States, and it makes me wonder.

I do believe I’ve been insulted!
….is the Sojourner for real? and how can he get away with insulting the ducks and I get ripped for insulting baboons?
his royal pompousness ( I made that up!) has got to relax before he splits his spleen.
My mother thinks I’m very funny you shrew and as soon as I move out of her basement I’m going on the road as a stand up!
plus…I can spell a word anyway I want to..I’m American! I can plunder & pilage & curse & plunder some more..and all before noon! as a matter of fact, you can tell your whiney intellectual blabity blah to my buddy joe! joe who? JOE MAMA!!!HAHAHAHAHA! now that’s funny!
much christian love my brother
Micah (lost elements3)
p.s. quit answering each person line for line…it’s creepy.

sojourner-”he’s a lame duck with a hostile congress”
if you take the tao of jesus seriously, then calling another immortal being created by G-d a DUCK conflicts with the teacings found in Matthew 5:21-23. oh yea…doesn’t count for you though…pharasie (oops, wrong spelling).

everybody else’s blogs- good job and excellent points. and awesome ideas and great spelling and super everything.

ok, i have to step in here…

what exactly is wrong with baboons and ducks?
i understand that “lame duck” is a descriptive term
and that “baboon” as used here is either an unflattering
derogatory statement or an error of category. BUT, just to be clear,
anti wildlife advocates are frowned upon here. i must insist
that out of respect for both baboons and ducks
that you immediately stop comparing them to people.

Niza - that was great.