The State of the Union speech

[GambleFish]

As you all know, or should know, the President is going to give his State of the Union address tonight. I would advise you all watch it, as it seems that Mr. Bush might address some important issues that were left out of his previous State of the Union. Poverty was one of these issues - the word wasn't even spoken last time.

Anyways, be sure to watch the speech - after it's finished, give your opinion on how it was, and whether or not the issues you wanted to see addressed were. Plus give your opinion on his views as of January 31, 2006.

Be sure to see it!

[RZZZA]

Thanks for the reminder, I gotta psych myself up for sitting through one of his speeches....its like torture, hearing that man speak. And especially seeing him speak....ugh...makes me want to cringe. He really doesn't understand how effective words and attitude can be...he butchers words and only has one demeanor, its constantly set to 'pompous *******' and I dont think he can even define the word "sincere"...


But enough ranting. To the book depository!

[Francisco Montana]

I disagree. He's fine with a tele-promter in front of him. In fact, some of his speeches have been down right great! (IMO).

It's when you get him to talk off the cuff where he tends to fall apart.

Looking foward to it... he may not be the best orator we've in the recent past, but he's definitely one of the most sincere.

(I'm stating an opinion here. If you are looking for an argument about the President, ...well, look elsewhere. I ain't gonna bite and turn this into Bush Sucks Thread # 1,987,345.)

[RZZZA]

Wow alameda, I've never disagreed with you more than I do now...

[Boudicca]

I disagree. He's fine with a tele-promter in front of him. In fact, some of his speeches have been down right great! (IMO).

It's when you get him to talk off the cuff where he tends to fall apart.

Looking foward to it... he may not be the best orator we've in the recent past, but he's definitely one of the most sincere.

The best orators are long gone...ask the good guy called "Themistios" who's speeches I read today...He had some very interesting views about the death penalty though (Speech 1, section 19), for those who are interested! (sorry..just recieved my Ennodius of Pavia after 3 weeks journey from NY) Going to read it ASAP!

[imb39]

The best orators are long gone...ask the good guy called "Themistios" who's speeches I read today...He had some very interesting views about the death penalty though (Speech 1, section 19), for those who are interested! (sorry..just recieved my Ennodius of Pavia after 3 weeks journey from NY) Going to read it ASAP!

Hmmm....

Churchill, Martin Luther King, Hitler... All great orators. I'm NOT saying I like Hitler, but no one can deny the power he had over audiences when was speaking - pure theatre.

Churchill - One of the greatest orators period. His speeches in WW2 have gone down in history and still evoke power/emotion.

Martin Luther King - I have a dream... Great speech.

Lincoln - Gettysburg Address, anyone? Even if you don't agree with his methods etc, you cannot deny the majesty of some of his phrases.

I've picked 4 off the top of my head who perform magic with language. 3 have lived within the past 60 odd years (well 61 for Hitler).

It must be said that Bush is amiable when he speaks... but... I'll stop there.

[Last Roman]

If I wanted to be tortured, then I would watch it

[Boudicca]

Oh thanks for the info. If I am still awake, I'll be watching it.

[Erik]

As you all know, or should know, the President is going to give his State of the Union address tonight. I would advise you all watch it, as it seems that Mr. Bush might address some important issues that were left out of his previous State of the Union. Poverty was one of these issues - the word wasn't even spoken last time.

Not to bash down your tradition (we have something very simular, but here it's our Queen who does the talking).
But does it realy matter what is in the State of the Union speech?

I mean: does it reflect on actual policies?
Wil you hear something "new" and "informative"?
Or is it just (nicely arranged) hollow words?

[Big War Bird]

Not to bash down your tradition (we have something very simular, but here it's our Queen who does the talking).
But does it realy matter what is in the State of the Union speech?

I mean: does it reflect on actual policies?
Wil you hear something "new" and "informative"?
Or is it just (nicely arranged) hollow words?

Typically the President will use the speech to kick off his agenda for the year. so the answer to your first question is yes.

Yes and no to the second question. Anyone how pays good attention to politcs will not hear anything really new. To the less informed there will be "new info."

This Speech is a Presdent's best chance to get his message out. All the networks will be covering it live, so no one can change the TV channel to Scrubs.

[RZZZA]

Yes, presidents tend to outline their agenda (or give hints towards their agenda) in their speeches. Past presidents used the written word, and public speaking to their favor but Bush does not know how to do this, I remember last year in one of his speeched he pledged we'd get to Mars or something weird like that...of course it was a shallow, idealistic goal that he had no intention of backing or supporting. Throughout the entire State of the Union speech there may be 3 or 4 key words and 1 or 2 interesting, key phrases that will cause controversy. The rest is usually hollow political pandering and rambling to waste time.

[bigfootedfred]

Yes, presidents tend to outline their agenda (or give hints towards their agenda) in their speeches. Past presidents used the written word, and public speaking to their favor but Bush does not know how to do this, I remember last year in one of his speeched he pledged we'd get to Mars or something weird like that...of course it was a shallow, idealistic goal that he had no intention of backing or supporting. Throughout the entire State of the Union speech there may be 3 or 4 key words and 1 or 2 interesting, key phrases that will cause controversy. The rest is usually hollow political pandering and rambling to waste time.

i notice that too.

Its almost like he's trying to buy time.
The pauses are what i cant stand though....long....drawn....out pauses, all......the time.

His speeches are comparable to "stevie" from malcom in the bloody middle.

Assuming i dont fall asleep...ill watch it.

[GambleFish]

His drawn out pauses don't add emphasis... they take it away...

He just doesn't get that yet. I detest it, but it's still important to watch the speech.

You never when he'll slip in something important under all that blah.

[Erik]

Yes, presidents tend to outline their agenda (or give hints towards their agenda) in their speeches. Past presidents used the written word, and public speaking to their favor but Bush does not know how to do this, I remember last year in one of his speeched he pledged we'd get to Mars or something weird like that...of course it was a shallow, idealistic goal that he had no intention of backing or supporting. Throughout the entire State of the Union speech there may be 3 or 4 key words and 1 or 2 interesting, key phrases that will cause controversy. The rest is usually hollow political pandering and rambling to waste time.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I remembered from the last time I watched it (I think it was two years ago).

I'll just wait for the cut-down version (I'm going to bed soon, anyways)

I hate how he rocks from side to side, how he squints, his stupid laugh...I just hate pretty much everything about him. All his stupid little quirks and idiosyncrasies...I notice them and they make me mad.

I hate that too.
Especially when he's talking about a serious issue, like when innocent people died.
He always grins right after bringing terrible news.

[bigfootedfred]

Bush to warn of "oil addiction"

President George W Bush is to warn in his State of the Union address that the US has become addicted to oil often imported from unstable nations.
He will tell the nation it must break the addiction "through technology".
The president, whose address begins at 2100 (0200GMT), will also warn against isolationism and protectionism leading to "danger and decline".
This is Mr Bush's fifth such address and comes at the start of a critical election year for his Republican party.

'Decisive year'

Extracts of the speech have been released ahead of the address.
Mr Bush will say: "The American economy is pre-eminent - but we cannot afford to be complacent. In a dynamic world economy, we are seeing new competitors like China and India."

The only way to control our destiny is by our leadership
President George W Bush

He will add: "America is addicted to oil, which is often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way to break this addiction is through technology."
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says Mr Bush is expected to come up with a range of policies to achieve that aim.
A key part of the president's message will be to push the US as a world leader in what he calls a "decisive year".

State of the Union speech in Congress
The State of the Union speech is required by the US constitution

"The road of isolationism and protectionism may seem broad and inviting - yet it ends in danger and decline.
"The only way to protect our people... the only way to secure the peace... the only way to control our destiny is by our leadership."

Mr Bush is enduring a prolonged slump in public support amid ongoing conflict in Iraq and political strife at home.
Correspondents say his domestic plans are shaped by a sullen response to a series of embarrassments during the past 12 months.
The president was criticised amid administration mishandling of the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, which hit the Gulf Coast in August.
A series of scandals have increased domestic pressure on the Republicans, who are defending a majority of seats in both houses of Congress in mid-term elections this November.
With Mr Bush's approval ratings hovering around 41%, aides suggested that he would not announce any radical reform packages.
Instead he will unveil plans to reform the US health care system, as well as focusing on political lobbying, immigration and technology.

[Kscott]

I will prolly do what I do ever state of the union adress.

Laugh at Bush, then cry later when I remember he is my president..

[hsimoorb]

Yeah, this is bush flame #1,987,345. No-one expects anything good out of this speech. Unless he goes out and tells everyone that he's got Osama Bin Laden tied up in the Oval Offace awaiting a trial by jury, I doubt anything meaningful will come of it.

[Kscott]

Yeah, this is bush flame #1,987,345. No-one expects anything good out of this speech. Unless he goes out and tells everyone that he's got Osama Bin Laden tied up in the Oval Offace awaiting a trial by jury, I doubt anything meaningful will come of it.

I flammed Bush?

I am being completly honest with the remark i said. I could go in more detail, but it is pointless.

[GambleFish]

Actually I hear that Bush is gonna try the moderate approach with this speech... He's probably going to address issues that both parties agree on, such as reducing the dependence on foreign oil (ethanol), dealing with Iran (as in halting the nuclear weapons program) and other matters that a majority of the people agree on.

I hear he might also address some really big healthcare issues... That could be huge.

Anyways I don't think he's going to try anything radical in this speech... His approval ratings are too low for him to risk upsetting people.

[RZZZA]

Addressing healthcare IS quite radical for him, if he actually talks about national healthcare like I anticipate. Its one thing I agreec with the deomcrats about...national healthcare, we need it, we can do it, and we should do it.