State of the Union Address LIVE THREAD 9:01pm EST.

White House .gov ^

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

President Bush will deliver the annual State of the Union this evening at 9:01pm (Eastern Time). The speech will be webcast live on the White House web site. The President will discuss the extraordinary challenges our country has faced and the historic achievements we have made. Yet he will also stress that there.s much more for our country to do: "America this evening is a Nation called to great responsibilities. And we are rising to meet them…" "We have not come all this way – through tragedy, and trial, and war – only to falter and leave our work unfinished. Americans are rising to the tasks of history, and they expect the same of us." He will also remind the American people that we are a Nation still at war, and our government is meeting its responsibility to protect the American people: "Our greatest responsibility is the active defense of the American people. Twenty-eight months have passed since September 11, 2001 – over two years without an attack on American soil – and it is tempting to believe that the danger is behind us. That hope is understandable, comforting – and false." "...America is on the offensive against the terrorists..." "As part of the offensive against terror, we are also confronting the regimes that harbor and support terrorists, and could supply them with nuclear, chemical, or biological weapons…" "...Because of American leadership and resolve, the world is changing for the better…" He will discuss the progress we’re making in Afghanistan and Iraq, and renew our commitment to ensuring those countries are free and peaceful: "The men and women of Afghanistan are building a nation that is free, and proud, and fighting terror…" "The work of building a new Iraq is hard, and it is right. And America has always been willing to do what it takes for what is right." On priorities here at home, the President will discuss why he’s optimistic about our growing economy, and call on Congress to take action that will help turn our economic recovery into a lasting recovery. He will call on them to help train Americans for the jobs of the 21st Century: "America’s growing economy is also a changing economy. As technology transforms the way almost every job is done, America becomes more productive, and workers need new skills… We must respond by helping more Americans gain the skills to find good jobs in our new economy." President Bush will also discuss the importance of health care and the major cause for why Americans lack health insurance: the rising costs of health care. "On the critical issue of health care, our goal is to ensure that Americans can choose and afford private health care coverage that best fits their individual needs. To make insurance more affordable, Congress must act to address rapidly rising health care costs." Finally, the President will argue that in a time of great change in our country and world, the things that make our country strong should never change: "We are living in a time of great change… Yet some things endure – courage and compassion, reverence and integrity, respect for differences of faith and race. The values we try to live by never change. And they are instilled in us by fundamental institutions, such as families, and schools, and religious congregations. These institutions – the unseen pillars of civilization – must remain strong in America…" "All of us – parents, schools, government – must work together to counter the negative influence of the culture, and to send the right messages to our children."

"The President shall from time to time give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." Article II, Sec. 3, U.S. Constitution • History • State of the Union History Quiz • State of the Union - 2003 • State of the Union - 2002 Q1. What President delivered the first State of the Union Address?  George Washington  John Adams  Thomas Jefferson  James Madison  Franco Harris

January 20, 2004
Communications Director Dan Bartlett discussed this year's State of the Union.

January 19, 2004
Author/Historian Richard Norton Smith discussed the history of the State of the Union address.

[Sabertooth]

Of course, why have reasoned discussion when it's so much easier to simply make up whatever you want. That's demonstrated day in and day our by the malcontents.

Tighten that up a little, and it would make a good tagline disclaimer.

[A Citizen Reporter]

Here is what you said Laz.

"The Dems did satisfactorily during WWII, and I believe WWI as well"

The Dems in charge then was FDR. So what did you mean?

[Lazamataz]

Miss Marple, I'm sorry to read of the difficult times you and your family have been through lately...I'm very sorry about your "pup" (which loss is harder to take than many folks realize) but also I'm very glad your daughter is doing better, and will soon be a beautiful bride!

Prayers for you, Miss Marple!

[tpaine]

You can thank a new freeper, 'writer 33', for the tag..

[It really gets the goat of some of FR's more phony PReepers]

[Torie]

But Gulf War I and Gulf War II (certainly the latter) would not have been waged at all by the available Dems. Thus, they would not have had anything to win, only to lose the longer run conflict by not doing anything. Yes, the Dems would have done and won Afghanistan. The issue is whether to go to war, not whether once at war, the Dems would not wage it honorably. LBJ was a dysfunctional exception. To never or almost never go to war, is to cede the planet to the lowest common denomiator, make no mistake about it.

[CWOJackson]

I've always thought a lot of poster on FR should tighten up on their taglines. Something such as "The Preceding Paid For By DNC" would be very appropriate.

[Lazamataz]

The Dems in charge then was FDR. So what did you mean?

I meant, "The Dems did satisfactorily during WWII, and I believe WWI as well".

[ArneFufkin]

Laz, you're an smart online gentleman. You're entitled to your opinion of Bush of course. My point has nothing to do with ideology. My thing is about a growing stench around this forum that I don't like. It's a racist, mysoginistic stench. And I'm no weak tit, I can smack talk with the best. But this place is stinking with racism right now.

I wouldn't do anything, or say anything against FR for a political purpose. But I'll stand behind the last sentence of the paragraph above. Every single thread, no matter what the subject, has a poster who will introduce the illegal immigration proposal. It will always be fashioned in an anti Mexican way, and the discourse changes. That's the way I SEE IT! This is one issue I can be stupid about and not feel embarassed if my take is wrong.

So it goes, eh?

[MJY1288]

Excellent Post, I see the mentality of wanting it all right now, as the same mentality of the guy who participates in the Billiard (Pool) game of "Nine Ball" with the strategy of trying to sink the nine ball with every shot. They seldom win and they're easy pickings for those whose sense of history allows them to see beyond this mornings breakfast and whose vision can see past the first row

[Joe Hadenuf]

Just you? No way. You and a hand full of other very vocal malcontents who have been grinding their axes for almost four years now.

Oh, now it's just Joe and a handful of malcontents?

Again Jackson, look at the polls. Even on this site the poll told the brutal story. Open your eyes, listen to the talk shows from the major population centers, read the threads on this great forum and elsewhere on the net.

No Jackson, it's not just Joe and a couple of malcontents as you say. You are wrong. It's the overall majority of the American people. Face up.

[longtermmemmory]

In other words

Democrat Party = death in the streets

Democrat Party = weakness

Democrat Party = surrender

Democrat Party = defeat

[A Citizen Reporter]

Something such as "The Preceding Paid For By DNC" would be very appropriate.

Sure! Full disclosure on the internet would be their doom!

[Fledermaus]

Then you don't understand the difference in usage of the military. Time after time, the Dems make military decisions totally based on politics while the Republicans, once the decision to use force is made, step out of the way and let the generals do their jobs.

The last Iraq war would never have even happened under a Democrat. There would have been another dozen UN resolutions on paper. And even if they did use the military, it would have been a few missiles here and there followed by more talk and then another round of useless weapons inspectors.

Reality and the facts on the ground prove you wrong. Gore, if he had won in 2000, would NEVER had allowed a ground war into Iraq. NEVER! We'd have heard about talks, containment, yadda yadda, etc.

And if he did authorize some use of ground troops, it would have been totally controlled from the political offices and not by CentComm. As every single day passed, Gore and his circle would force CentComm into new plans based on their polls and daily focus groups. If the NY Times was whining and they were getting heat, they'd have pulled out.

Especially after the first week when we got bogged down by that incredible sandstorm. I'm convinced at that point Gore would have recalled the entire mission.

And that's what I believe.

[Cboldt]

Of course, why have reasoned discussion when it's so much easier to simply make up whatever you want. That's demonstrated day in and day our by the malcontents.

Not pickin' on you, or your point of political view. But it is obvious that nobody, and no "side" has a corner on un-reasoned comments.

It's a tough chore to improve S/N (signal/noise), but I am confident that Freepers represent a population that is well equipped to stifle the urge to snipe. We all benefit from a bias toward substantive and mutually educational dialogue.

[Mo1]

*L* .. I didn't seea thing

[Salvation]

The President looks good tonight. Watching the re-run on Fox!

[CWOJackson]

The polls say that a little over half the voters disagree with the President on this one issue...it doesn't say that a little over half the voters have gone fringe-bonkers-bozo and now blame President Bush for their wives' cellulite, global warming on Mars and poor TV reception.

See that's the difference between normal people and you. They can disagree on an issue but not wig out. You on the other hand wig out from issue to issue.

Yes Joe, you are fringe.

[Sabertooth]

*Get your head out of your ass.

**Why do you insist on consitently breaking the rules?

He's on a mission, and everyone else deserves it.

[Joe Hadenuf]

Agree.

[CWOJackson]

"We all benefit from a bias toward substantive and mutually educational dialogue."

Then you may be in the wrong place. At FR a whole lot of people still believe the President is offering amnesty.