State of the Union: What do You think?

Ned · February 3, 2005, 14:19

Originally posted by Agathon

Great speech. Brought tears to my eyes several times. Bush will go down in history as one of our all time great presidents.

?

Well, in the case of all dedicated commies, Bush will go down in "infamy" as the most dangerous man who ever supported "capitalism."

Ned · February 3, 2005, 14:21

Originally posted by Ted Striker
2) If I hear the damn word "freedom" one more time I'm gonna throw my tv out the window.

Ted, being a card carrying member (you know what I mean), I fully understand your retching at the word "freedom."

Ned · February 3, 2005, 14:22

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse

Similar reaction at US embassy - some Americans choking back tears.

Meanwhile a journalist reported the Australians present were politely trying to choke back groans and laughter, and trying not to look at each other otherwise every Aussie would have been ROTFLTAO.

I understand.

It is a shame, though, about the Aussies.

Ned · February 3, 2005, 14:25

Originally posted by Admiral
So, by my count, he used freedom 22 times. This is not including free, or other variants, which just add to the total. Also, I couldn't be arsed to add up Democracy and Liberty, but they were used rather a lot as well.

To Bush's credit, he said some very good, and accurate things, about foreign policy. The following passage I found particularly accurate:
"In the long term, the peace we seek will only be achieved by eliminating the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of murder. If whole regions of the world remain in despair and grow in hatred, they will be the recruiting grounds for terror, and that terror will stalk America and other free nations for decades."
However, it's Bush. His idea of addressing this problem is invasion, and heavy handedness. However, the fact that he mentions this at all means that at least his speechwriter has some idea of the problems of the world (if not their solution). I find this heartening. Maybe there is some hope for the Bush administration yet.
But I'm probably just feeling optimistic due to the effects of the SotU drinking game. Who knows.

I think you will see a lot of "fence mending" from Bush in his second term. He realizes that having Europe "solidly" on our side can only redound to everyone's advantage.

Ned · February 3, 2005, 14:27

Originally posted by Agathon
Bush is a moron, and so are the people who voted for him.

Good. So long as you think this way, you will always underestimate Bush.

Kidicious · February 3, 2005, 14:29

Originally posted by Ned

Kid, see my response to Dis.

SS will be reformed and it will include private accounts. You guys on the left have always underestimated Bush.

I can't argue about underestimating Bush, but the public is firmly against borrowing money to change social security. The AARP has also taken a stand. I really can't see it happening. Bush is still using scare tactics and I really think that more people are going to see through them as time goes by.

alva · February 3, 2005, 14:31

Originally posted by Ned

Good. So long as you think this way, you will always underestimate Bush.

Not really, he's is however, overestimating voters.

Ned · February 3, 2005, 14:34

Originally posted by Ming
From what I read (the BBall game was good), it was a typical boring and useless speech. The repubs are saying he was great, and the Dems are picking holes in it. What else is there really to say since there was really nothing new in the speech. Heck, the biggest discussion on news radio this morning was how annoying all the applause were

Ming, I have been watch SOTU speeches since the 60s. I can affirm that most of them are boring, insipid and uninspired. Reagan had a few that were good, especially the one where he talked about the hero who rescued the people from the frozen Patomac after the airplane crash at the Jefferson bridge. But Bush's speeches have been uniformly good, if not great. The reason I believe is that he is speaking at a time of great events, where the strong emotions of the people are involved. People who support what Bush is doing will be driven to tears. People who oppose Bush will be driven to anger or dismay.

The central point here is that these are strong speeches with great ideas. They are meant to galvanize not only the American people, but the people of the world. I can only imagine how anyone living under tryanny must have felt after hearing Bush's words that American stands with them, and that they will be free.

Alexander's Horse · February 3, 2005, 15:32

those oppressed multitudes were probably worried Bush would start bombing

Ming · February 3, 2005, 16:17

Originally posted by Ned
The central point here is that these are strong speeches with great ideas.

Hmmm.. I'll have to remember to go back and reread the speech... because after reading it this morning, I don't remember any real great or new ideas

Ned · February 3, 2005, 17:49

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
those oppressed multitudes were probably worried Bush would start bombing

Horse, as usual, you got it backwards. The oppressed multitudes, as you say, are probably "hopeful." It is the oppressors who are worried.

Ned · February 3, 2005, 17:50

Ming, he directly called for the Saudis and Egyptians to grant democracy to their peoples. THAT is new.

Alexander's Horse · February 3, 2005, 17:52

Hey Ming - is Ned allowed to use one of our national heroes/villains for his avatar? No need to answer I suppose...

Hey Ned, do you know anything about Ned Kelly? You like cop killers?

I mean the fact that I'm probably related to Ned Kelly through his mother has not a thing to do with it

Ming · February 3, 2005, 17:59

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Hey Ming - is Ned allowed to use one of our national heroes/villains for his avatar? No need to answer I suppose...

Hmmm... no worse than most of your trolls

Ned · February 3, 2005, 18:18

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse
Hey Ming - is Ned allowed to use one of our national heroes/villains for his avatar? No need to answer I suppose...

Hey Ned, do you know anything about Ned Kelly? You like cop killers?

I mean the fact that I'm probably related to Ned Kelly through his mother has not a thing to do with it

All I can say, Horse, is that you have a great ancestor. I am surprised that you did not appropriate that moniker Ned first in honor of your heroic patron.

Ned · February 3, 2005, 18:23

BTW, when can we expect a Mel Gibson movie about Ned Kelly?

MRT144 · February 3, 2005, 18:24

Originally posted by Ned
Great speech. Brought tears to my eyes several times. Bush will go down in history as one of our all time great presidents.

you are so full of **** sometimes it makes me blush.

Ned · February 3, 2005, 18:37

Originally posted by MRT144

you are so full of **** sometimes it makes me blush.

MRT, it is also amazing to me that you cannot even begin to understand the other side's point of view.

Alexander's Horse · February 3, 2005, 19:54

the trouble with Bush talking about freedom and liberty is the next news item about gitmo and torture

Kidicious · February 3, 2005, 20:25

Bush really is an Orwellian nightmare it there ever was one.

Wycoff · February 3, 2005, 21:20

Originally posted by Dissident
don't try to convince me, I'm an isolationist.

Same here, but I wouldn't use the label "isolationist." That's an insult used to trivialize our viewpoint. I just don't believe that the US has or should have any messianic world mission. W is 100% Wilsonian. Everyone can see how well Wilson's plans worked out...

Commy · February 3, 2005, 22:20

Ah, but come on now people, if it weren't for America butting into everyone else's affairs, then CNN would go out of business, and then there wouldn't be any updates on Bush, and then there wouldn't be anybody to laugh at...

Kidicious · February 3, 2005, 22:30

Commy reminds me of someone else that posted here for about a month, and then didn't come back. I think the name started with an 'f', but I can't remember it.