State of the Union...... LIVE THREAD

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Following the tradition begun by George Washington on Jan. 8, 1790, President George W. Bush prepares for his State of the Union Address at his desk in the Oval Office, Thursday, Jan. 24.

Working at his desk in the Oval Office, President Bush reviews the State of the Union address line-by-line and word-by-word.

[Fury]

Actually, I will give Leon credit for saying Clinton should have fessed up on the Monica situation. He was steadfast in that from the start... I get the impression that he is not close to Clinton at all anymore...

[JohnHuang2]

This was his finest speech yet, IMHO. =^) It was awsome.

[cidrasm]

camera focused on an Air Force Lt. Col (female) in the gallery, she appeared somewhat uncomfortable (figeted) as the camera focused in on her, my thought was... "who is this ?" never found out, perhaps this was the subject person in question ?

I believe that was LTC McSally (sp?), the female AF officer that took exception to the policy towards females who had to cover up while off base in Saudi. Her complaint resulted in the covering up part being removed from policy (although having to travel with males and in what can construed as a subordinate position in the vehicle remains). I could be wrong though.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

That's the first thing my mom and I talked about when the speech was over. Please let me know if he ever did say "I". If so, it had to be only once or twice. I'm thinking maybe not at all.

He did say "I" - in one place - and he used it VERY well. He said he would not stand by and watch an encroaching threat to this country's security, or words to that effect. And that's the only time, I think.

[The Old Hoosier]

He did say 'I' a couple times, as in "I will not rest, I will not...." and probably at least once in something like "I had something good to say about Ted Kennedy."

[Fury]

Understood. Everything will work out OK...

[Southflanknorthpawsis]

Thanks, HLL. Bill Kristol (gag) just spoke on FNC and mentioned that Bush did not often speak in first person and then went on to cite one topic where he did.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

Some nations have been timid in the face of terror..." or something to that effect.

"and make no mistake about it, if they do not act, America will." (^:

[NYCVirago]

Brian and Howard Fineman both summed it up when they talked about the dilemma the Dim-o-crats face after this speech. (Not good for the Dims)

I hadn't seen Howard Fineman in a while -- it looks like he's been hitting the Grecian Formula!

[The_Reader_David]

We won't get a good teacher in every classroom until we abolish the government granted monoplies on teacher training which almost all of the serveral states have given to specialized "Colleges of Education", "Teachers Colleges" or whatever they are called.

As long as a "teaching certificate" rather than a degree in a real subject with academically rigorous content is the state-mandated qualification for teachers, we will never have enough good teachers. While some idealistic students who really want to teach school do go into the profession (I had one in my office today--she is double majoring in education and mathematics, not taking the easy way out with a "math ed" concentration in her education major), education majors tend to be the last refuge of poor performing students. I say this from experience--I teach mathematics at a large state university, and see what various majors are like in the classroom.

The only areas where specialized teacher training is a more valuable preparation for the classroom than a rigorous major in some intellectually demanding subject are the mass-teaching of reading in grades K-3 and in special education. Even in these areas, which are reasonably the pervue of specialized departments of education, there is need for reform to make the training and coursework in the relevant major sufficiently rigorous to maintain quality.

[RoseofTexas]

He suffered greatly just to crack a smile after the vote...I LOVE IT!!!!!

[Hillary's Lovely Legs]

Transcript of tonight's State of the Union

[habs4ever]

This a is a great thread,one of the better in recent memory..

[harpo11]

Ballsy!

Loved it when he looked straight forward into the camera's unblinking eye and pierced it with his glare and talked about the September 11 attackes against our country and our character as a nation how it has changed and yet remains constant:

"...Many have discovered again that even in tragedy; especially in tragedy; God is near."

President Bush took names and he listed the countries that harbor terrorists and particularly mentioned put on notice "an unelected few..." that "repress...people's hope for freedom...".

Best term used: Economic Security

[BJClinton]

Has he mentioned Enron yet?

He didn't have to, his accomplices at ABC did it for him.

[mywifecallsmerobi]

Did you expect anything but that

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

This is what I was talking about - that HLL just posted:

"I will not wait on events, while dangers gather. I will not stand by, as peril draws closer and closer. The United States of America will not permit the world's most dangerous regimes to threaten us with the world's most destructive weapons."

I like this use of "I". Not Clintonian "I did this" and "I did that" and "I'm so great" - this is a show of strength and responsibility. I loved this.

[anniegetyourgun]

Excellent delivery - but I'm still thinking his speech after 9/11 was incredible and exactly what we needed at that moment. I guess that one stands out because of its place in time and history.

[Utah Girl]

I watched all of President Bush's speech with a big smile on my face. How nice it is that we have an honest, God-fearing man as President, who can share the credit, and truly loves all Americans. And I am so glad I was able to get rid of the little Limbaugh sign that said "This man is a liar". I'd use that sign when x42 spoke. What a refreshing difference.

[Fury]

camera focused on an Air Force Lt. Col (female) in the gallery, she appeared somewhat uncomfortable (figeted) as the camera focused in on her, my thought was... "who is this ?" never found out, perhaps this was the subject person in question ?

Know why? She went there after probably being told by a Dem that her "cause" would benefit from such an apperance. She was not even mentioned. I love it.