Wednesday, February 01, 2006
GW - Far from a Lame Duck President!
GW - Far from a Lame Duck President, originally uploaded by mightymerk.
I got to watch GW's speech in full last night. I purposely did not read any of the advance clippings of the speech, and given that there was some drama right before the speech, I though the President might have been in for a rough time.
To my pleasant surprise the President was at his best.
While many Americans will only focus on the failures of the administration (real or otherwise) I sat and listened to the speech as if I was a visitor from another country. As an active listener, I found the speech full of hope, vision, passion and surprisingly very well articulated.
Appropriately so, he started the speech with a recollection and tribute to Coretta Scott King. I thought this line was particularly moving:
Tonight we are comforted by the hope of a glad reunion with the husband who was taken so long ago, and we are grateful for the good life of Coretta Scott King.
With regards to Iraq and the War on Terror and to answer his most damaging critics he quipped:
"hindsight alone is not wisdom and second-guessing is not a strategy"
Discussing the fact thatDemocracy is spreading throughout the Middle East, further in difficult to swallow doses such as the Hamas vitory in Palestine:
"Elections are vital, but they are only the beginning. Raising up a democracy requires the rule of law, and protections of minorities, and strong, accountable institutions that last longer than a single vote."
The Palestinian people have voted in elections. And now the leaders of Hamas must recognize Israel, disarm, reject terrorism, and work for lasting peace.
Some surprising agenda items that while however limited they have been, are certainly relevant and more importantly part of a vision of things to come:
"So tonight, I announce the Advanced Energy Initiative -- a 22-percent increase in clean-energy research at the Department of Energy, to push for breakthroughs in two vital areas,"
"To change how we power our homes and offices, we will invest more in zero-emission coal-fired plants; revolutionary solar and wind technologies; and clean, safe nuclear energy,"
Bush also announced what he called the "American Competitivness Initiative":
"to encourage innovation throughout our economy, and to give our nation's children a firm grounding in math and science."
"This funding will support the work of America's most creative minds as they explore promising areas such as nanotechnology, supercomputing and alternative energy sources,"
This was very much welcomed by yours truly. With two children of my own I do know that Americans have become far too comfortable with just being 'good' at math and scinence. Just 'average' engineers. We need to lead the way and our children need to be encouraged to do so at an early age. This was also welcomed warmly by the semi-conductor industry.
Of course a little humor that made everyone, sans Hillgary Clinton, laugh:
This year, the first of about 78 million baby boomers turn 60, including two of my Dad's favorite people -- me and President Clinton.
Other than the speech he gave post 9-11, I thought this was his best offering. He was mostly firm, relaxed and most importantly positive and upbeat. As opposed to being in a purely defensive posture, he explained the rational behind his thinking and actions. This was especially true when addressing the thinking behind his authorization to conduct warrantless 'wire-taps' and with the administrations evolving strategy in Iraq.
The most comforting sign was the fact that the President is still very much thinking about the future of Americans, especially young Americans and the world in general. While 'thoughts' of how he will be funding the building of his post-Presidential library may be in the back of his mind, at least he is still cutting a path for ALL Americans to follow.
Posted by mightymerk,
7:32 AM
6 Comments:
The speech was about nothing. So he talked about energy conservation.. he was told it was important at the begining of his first term, and instead he let energy company executives write our nations energy policy. He is raping social programs to put more money into a military budget that is bigger than all the other countries combined! Our elderly go without medication so that the wealthy can enjoy tax breaks. Studies show that no, they are not reinvesting it in this country. We owe over 200 billion to China! What the hell would Reagan think of that? Your President is hurting America.. hurting my America. Wake up.
@ 6:18 PM
By 
mightymerk
I get it
Bush=Bad
Democrat=Good
I would love to have a rational discussion with you about all of the points you mention but can that really happen from someone who's url is hatestheright.blogspot.com?
just let me know
Bush=Bad
Democrat=Good
I would love to have a rational discussion with you about all of the points you mention but can that really happen from someone who's url is hatestheright.blogspot.com?
just let me know
@ 9:03 PM
I never said a word about the Dems. I think most of them are worthless too. It's just that the GOP is in charge of everything, and walks in lockstep with the Whitehouse. A Whitehouse that is controlled by people who do not represent the best interests of the people in this country, or the world for that matter.
@ 4:40 AM
By mightymerk
Who are those 'people' that control the White House? How many administrations have they controlled?
Can you name individuals?
Can you name individuals?
@ 1:15 PM
I mean really, if you think Bush is coming up with all the ideas and calling the shots, then your beyond help. Have you read The Project for the New American Century?
http://www.newamericancentury.org/
Things are getting worse everyday for average Americans. Jobs pay less, health care cost more. We have the highest bankruptcy rate ever, and we save less than any industrial nation. Tell me how you think Bush is good for America.
http://www.newamericancentury.org/
Things are getting worse everyday for average Americans. Jobs pay less, health care cost more. We have the highest bankruptcy rate ever, and we save less than any industrial nation. Tell me how you think Bush is good for America.
@ 6:14 PM
By mightymerk
Do I think Bush is coming up with every idea and calling all the shots? Well no. Is his signature on everyone of them? Well yes.
Keep in mind that I would argue the fact that the President (any President) receives far too much credit when things go right and far too much blame when they go wrong. It's kind of the way things have to be, because that person is the place where the proverbial 'buck' stops, but most rational folks American policy (Domestic and otherwise) is a collaborative effort. This applies equally no matter whether there is an (R) or (D) in front of their name.
No somehow it appears you have mistaken me for political blog. I checked out your site and your call to action against the mighty blogs was as peculiar as it was ineffective. Let me tell you now there is no need for such action against my blog.
Let me explain:
Like most, I wear my politics on my sleeve for the most part. The fact that my views are mostly conservative is not an indication that I am a staunch Republican though as I have voted out of party both in local and national elections. If anything I define myself as a true pragmatist. But you would have to read through the history of my blog to appreciate this. I hope you give it a chance. I can recommend some specific blog entries if you like as well.
Now I liked the Presidents speech. The message of which is very positive and true, at least in my opinion. While some folks will detract from it because he didn't list China as a nation run by a dictatorship and others (like you) will say his environmental concern is too little too late to me the overall message was spot on (though lacking the typical detail of SOTU addresses).
Much in the same way folks are able to still blieve in the World of God, despite the fact it has sometimes been delivered by child molesting criminals, I can see the good in the message Bush delivered. AND NO, I am not comparing Bush to child molestors or even priest. I am certainly not comparing his words to that of God either. The bottom line is though you seem pretty engrossed, angry if you will, and it does not surprise me you were not capable of finding anything redeeming in his speech.
I assume that you are not a really bad person, you just have found your cause. Fair enough. (i base all of this on your own blog)
In closing, no I don't think things are getting worse every day. Unemployment is down, and as a percentage of our GDP, our debt, while disturbing and something that needs to be watched, has in fact been worse in the past. We came out of it before, we will come out of it again. Bottom line is that I don't buy into the health care numbers (at least as they are presented) or the bankruptcy rate. I certainly do not blame Bush for this either. Again it goes deeper as to what has been American Policy.
But let's talk about something that we can agree on. Ameirican politics are at its worse. While you may believe this is especially true because GW is in office, I believe this is true because we lack a true opposition party. Thanks to short sighted, mostly liberal voters, we not only lost a viable 3rde party candidate in Ralph Nader, but the Democratic Party itself has now split in at least 3 distinct bodies. Center, Traditional Liberal and Extreme Left.
Most of these are points I have addressed from time to time in my blog. Again I encourage you to take a peek.
I know newamericancentury.org well. In general I don't believe everything I read. Again, I tend to live from practical experience. When it comes to matters that this site amongst others writes about, it goes far beyond simple right and wrong. In time we can rationally discuss this and all the points brought up, as long as we can keep it rational and civil.
Bottom line is though I am just one American. I have my opinions. I tend to think I am well read and have some unique experiences others do not. If some, perhaps you, think I am a total waste that is ok. I write about a lot of stuff on my blog, but sure politics is part of it. Again I wear my politics on my sleave for the most part, but I have my beefs with the President too. I just express them a little differently than you do.
In any case. I hope you stick around and we can have some future discussions in the future. Your choice.
Keep in mind that I would argue the fact that the President (any President) receives far too much credit when things go right and far too much blame when they go wrong. It's kind of the way things have to be, because that person is the place where the proverbial 'buck' stops, but most rational folks American policy (Domestic and otherwise) is a collaborative effort. This applies equally no matter whether there is an (R) or (D) in front of their name.
No somehow it appears you have mistaken me for political blog. I checked out your site and your call to action against the mighty blogs was as peculiar as it was ineffective. Let me tell you now there is no need for such action against my blog.
Let me explain:
Like most, I wear my politics on my sleeve for the most part. The fact that my views are mostly conservative is not an indication that I am a staunch Republican though as I have voted out of party both in local and national elections. If anything I define myself as a true pragmatist. But you would have to read through the history of my blog to appreciate this. I hope you give it a chance. I can recommend some specific blog entries if you like as well.
Now I liked the Presidents speech. The message of which is very positive and true, at least in my opinion. While some folks will detract from it because he didn't list China as a nation run by a dictatorship and others (like you) will say his environmental concern is too little too late to me the overall message was spot on (though lacking the typical detail of SOTU addresses).
Much in the same way folks are able to still blieve in the World of God, despite the fact it has sometimes been delivered by child molesting criminals, I can see the good in the message Bush delivered. AND NO, I am not comparing Bush to child molestors or even priest. I am certainly not comparing his words to that of God either. The bottom line is though you seem pretty engrossed, angry if you will, and it does not surprise me you were not capable of finding anything redeeming in his speech.
I assume that you are not a really bad person, you just have found your cause. Fair enough. (i base all of this on your own blog)
In closing, no I don't think things are getting worse every day. Unemployment is down, and as a percentage of our GDP, our debt, while disturbing and something that needs to be watched, has in fact been worse in the past. We came out of it before, we will come out of it again. Bottom line is that I don't buy into the health care numbers (at least as they are presented) or the bankruptcy rate. I certainly do not blame Bush for this either. Again it goes deeper as to what has been American Policy.
But let's talk about something that we can agree on. Ameirican politics are at its worse. While you may believe this is especially true because GW is in office, I believe this is true because we lack a true opposition party. Thanks to short sighted, mostly liberal voters, we not only lost a viable 3rde party candidate in Ralph Nader, but the Democratic Party itself has now split in at least 3 distinct bodies. Center, Traditional Liberal and Extreme Left.
Most of these are points I have addressed from time to time in my blog. Again I encourage you to take a peek.
I know newamericancentury.org well. In general I don't believe everything I read. Again, I tend to live from practical experience. When it comes to matters that this site amongst others writes about, it goes far beyond simple right and wrong. In time we can rationally discuss this and all the points brought up, as long as we can keep it rational and civil.
Bottom line is though I am just one American. I have my opinions. I tend to think I am well read and have some unique experiences others do not. If some, perhaps you, think I am a total waste that is ok. I write about a lot of stuff on my blog, but sure politics is part of it. Again I wear my politics on my sleave for the most part, but I have my beefs with the President too. I just express them a little differently than you do.
In any case. I hope you stick around and we can have some future discussions in the future. Your choice.
@ 6:38 PM
