Blog #2: State of the Union Address

Okay, I was going to start with a completely different topic and I was going to wait until Saturday, but sorry, can't. I just watched President Obama's State of the Union Address. I'm going to start by saying that I am a sucker for these. I even liked the ones that President Clinton gave and I was a rabid GOP BYU student at the time--I actually felt guilty for liking his speeches. So, I'm not going to be hard hitting on this, but I do wanna know about how you all feel.

I have to set up my favorite part. When I was a child, I loved all musicals and especially Disney ones. Live action ones--even better. (Please, be gentle with that...) Anyways one of my all time favorites was one of Disney's first: "The One and Only Genuine Original Family Band." (see http://www.classicmoviemusicals.com/filmso.htm#genuine). It was one of Goldie Hawn's first movies. (She has a bit part in the last scene as a dancer--it is pretty funny.) Anyways, in the movie the family band is a politically divided household who goes to sing at the 1888 Democratic Convention and they sing this hilarious song, called, "Oh Benjamin" which has a line that has one side of the family singing, "...ah, that's politics." To which the other side of the family says, "No, that's statesmanship." It is a must see, really. So, MY favorite part of the State of the Union is always the part where the President asks Congress to play nice. Since they are playing with our toys (ok, money) wouldn't it be nice if they did so?

I loved President Obama's request of the GOP. (Keep in mind I am a somewhat troubled card-carrying Republican--yeah, we're gonna have to talk about that in the future...): "...it may be good short-term politics, but it is bad leadership." (Speaking of requiring a supermajority for any legislation to pass just because they can now.) Sorry, ladies and gentlemen: I think everyone needs to relearn the meaning of "statesmanship." Government is supposed to be about public service and frankly, I ain't seeing that as a priority...especially in an election year.

So I loved it. I'm going to remain quiet on the Republican rebuttal--okay, I can't. (Quit laughing, you knew I wouldn't) I'll just say this: having some poor guy out in the sticks speak after the President of the US is a stupid practice. No one looks good after the President of the United States and does anyone besides me notice that they always pick some newbie/sacrificial cow to look bad? I almost lost my ice cream while watching his posturing. And really, did he watch the President's speech at all? Yeah, I know, the poor guy had a script but aargh...maybe I'll quit watching that part. I probably better if I'm going to be able to say with a straight face that I support the GOP.

So, there is my short two bits. I could go on for a long time, but I'm not going to...I ran out of milkshake. So your turn. (Be gentle--remember the rules.)