**LIVE Thread - State of the Union Address [starting at approx. comment 400]

http://www.cspan.org/ ^ | 1-23-07

[jveritas]

Yep I noticed that :)

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"So, I guess you are saying Bush can't concentrate on anything other than the war. Isn't that a bit insulting to him?"

Actually, that very claim has been made to excuse the lack of border security over the past 6 years or Social Security privatization.... That he's too busy with the war.

Do you SUPPORT entitlement programs? If so, why?

[onja]

Unfortunately I wasn't able to be on this live thread while the SOTU speech was being made but am enjoying revisiting the commentary. I'm very proud of Bush's speech and he came across well. Contrary to what people here may think, civility does not mean weakness. I agreed with nearly everything he said and enjoyed it very much.

Also, I'm not one to criticize on stupid stuff like appearance. Still, why was Pelosi blinking so much? At least one blink a second practically the entire speech. Yes, I have contacts. But I'd only have to do that if I had a splinter in my eye or something really serious. It really was distracting.

[GeorgiaDawg]

So what the hell is he supposed to say? He's damned if he does and damned if he doesn't acknowledge Pelosi as Madame Speaker...Killing them with kindness only makes THEM look shrill. Just let the dems do their thing...they will have several "Wellstone moments" prior to the 2008 election. Hillary and Obama will be in a bloodbath and cannibalize each other, Edwards has nothing of substance to say and just attacks like the trial lawyer he is, etc...let them eat their own. We just need to nominate someone of substance and character who is a proven leader...

[RedRover]

You bet, ma. ;)

Found myself singing one of my favorite hymns this morning, "Leaning On the Everlasting Arms". (As kids, we used to love singing that "Leaning on Jesus" background part in the chorus.)

[DBrow]

The "general welfare" of the preamble describes "making things OK" or something similar.

It does not authorize FedGov to take earned income from citizens and distribute it to others, whether the goal is "ending poverty" or "providing quality health care" or "making housing affordable". Those are Marxist ideas, and the constitution describes a republic, not a Marxist government.

There is no constitutional authority or obligation such as the one Bush described.

[NittanyLion]

I would like to see encouragement of true "health care insurance", meaning catastrophic care insurance with large (thousands of dollars) deductables, coupled with a 401-k type plan to provide the tax deductions for the money spent up to the deductable (again, assuming we have to have tax deductions at all).

Agreed. There's no doubt that would eliminate the demand for many physician visits I would term unnecessary. I do think that in order to institute something like that there would need to be more transparency of physician/hospital ability. Some basic metrics around types of procedures performed, percent completed successfully, etc would be required in order to help individuals make choices for themselves.

I know the counter to that is it will result in high risk patients being refused, but I don't see any way around pulicly posting the data.

[Judith Anne]

Wrong, grasshopper. Being a "good German" meant turning the other cheek while the Jews were killed. Being a "good German" was the lame defense given by the average German when asked why they cooperated with genocide.

Your remark was waaaaaay out of line. It is exactly the remark that has been made by many liberals, to try to characterize President Bush as Hitler.

If you don't know this, you do not know your history OR your politics.

[NittanyLion]

If Congress doesn't vote earmarks into law, and if the President doesn't sign earmarks into law why do they have the force of law?

This was the first I've heard of it. I was under the impression that earmarks were inserted into appropriations bills at the last minute, thereby denying the opportunity for debate. I've never heard that they're not voted into law.

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"Wrong, grasshopper. "

I'm not wrong.

"Being a "good German" meant turning the other cheek while the Jews were killed. Being a "good German" was the lame defense given by the average German when asked why they cooperated with genocide."

IE, they unquestionably went along with the party line.

Just like people here are demanding of conservatives. Don't question. Just support the Republican.

THAT is the point I made and I believe the other poster was making.

You know, Republicans used to make fun of Democrats for the "yellow dog Democrat" effect. The "straight ticket voter". The voter who doesn't bother to understand anything about the people they vote for or particularly care what they stand for.... I guess the new "Republicans" won't be doing that anymore.

"Your remark was waaaaaay out of line."

Which one?

"It is exactly the remark that has been made by many liberals, to try to characterize President Bush as Hitler. "

When did I do that? Perhaps your jumping to the Nazi conclusion says more about you?

"If you don't know this, you do not know your history OR your politics."

Ah, but I not only know my history and politics, but I can read too.

[Judith Anne]

Parsing again, Clinton?

Don't make that "good German" remark around me again. I lost family in Germany during that freaking war.

Play your silly word games, and attempt to explain what you meant, but don't expect anyone to buy it. And sell your "good German" junk to someone with no brain.

[sono]

W should spend the remainder of his administration keeping the DisLoyal Opposition's feet to the fire. But will he? BTW, for me, Dikembe and Autrey were highlights. After I spotted Mutombo in the gallery, I related the story of how he returned to the Congo and built a hospital using his NBA money. Her remark was that "All celebs should do something like that with their wealth." After the speech, while channel surfing, we stumbled onto some VH1 snippet about Posh Beckham's $2 million bejeweled dildo. We just looked at each other and went, "Bingo!"

[EnochPowellWasRight]

"Don't make that "good German" remark around me again. I lost family in Germany during that freaking war. "

I didn't make the original statement, but you completely miss the historical context.

Perhaps "good Communist" works for you better? I, for one, am an American Citizen. I will NOT accept being told to shut up, sit down, and accept whatever a political party wants as gospel. That way lies tyranny.

"Play your silly word games, and attempt to explain what you meant, but don't expect anyone to buy it. And sell your "good German" junk to someone with no brain."

You're confused. Seriously.

[khnyny]

[Do you think she did it purely as a gag? To take attention away from Mr. President?

I admit, she was fascinating!!]


Pelosi and co. aren't that smart, so no, and besides that, Pelosi takes herself too seriously to purposely make herself the focus of jokes. SNL has got some great material to work with after this speech. You can't make this stuff up, lol.

[UKrepublican]

I thought it was a good speech.

I might not agree with the president on alot of things, but I admire and respect him greatly.

He needs friends on the Conservative side, because if Bush fails, he's taking you with him, even though he wouldn't want to.

You're not the majority anymore, playing the role of Dr. NO is a recipe for disaster for the Republicans considering the political climate.

[OldFriend]

There were actually freepers criticizing him for risking his life. Not surprising, is it?

His comments after his heroics really really touched most people.

[OldFriend]

Since the threshold is $15,000.........per insured family......I don't see how there can be any employers offering more expensive coverage.

Never mind that the states pay for sex change operations for prisoners, etc.

[jveritas]

here were actually freepers criticizing him for risking his life. Not surprising, is it?

WOW….Just unbelievable! there are always people on this forum who have a negative comment to make even in the most heroic and human moments.

[paulat]

Hey, I believe you are talking about our new state sentator Michelle Bachman who is a beautiful woman. Very conservative and I'm proud to have her there. Her hand was on the President's shoulder - he campaigned for her here in Minnesota.

It's makin' news on Drudge today....it was embarassing.

[OldFriend]

The bravery people face at moments of danger are what makes us human. Not all have that inner strength, but to criticize it in others is repugnant!