I have nearly two pages of notes from tonight's magnificent speech (which I'm sure is being compared to screetching of dead souls in Hell by GOP and disaffected Left). It was, as a I said, magnificently built around the notion of a military unit. A very good one, at that, with lots of love and enjoyment for education. "They," said Obama, "don't care what kind of animal the guy next to them is humping (I'm paraphrasing) or whether they pray to God, Allah, Baal or TFSM. They probably hope it's God but being alert and a great shot is of more immediate concern. They help each other out and watch their back and shit. They've got a mission and everyone does their part to make it successful." I'm pretty sure that's what he said.
So let's get to it and see what else he may have said. I was drunk so bear with me as we go down
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Pres O, as I shall call him to save key strokes, kicked off by telling us about the last soldiers having left Iraq. He proudly tolled that "For the first time in over a decade Osama Bin Ladin is not a threat." Joe Wilson shouted "Liar" but was at home so nobody heard.
Pres O also touched on the Afghan pull-out and defined the mission of our time, healing this economy. He enlisted the Congress and told them to get their act together 'cause he's coming back next week and they better have answers. He reminded us that the economy collapsed in 2008 but I wish he'd say 2007 because it's more true. He did point out that the middle-class has been in danger for a long time, though.Apparently, he created 3 million jobs over the last 3 years. That's like, wait, um, um, like a hundred thousand jobs a day or something. So the State of our Union is "Getting stronger." Nice maneuver around the elephant in the room to find something positive.
Obama then brought up how he acted to demand jobs by betting on GM. Now they're the hottest car maker since, well, GM. Obama proposed a nifty tax break for Co's that create jobs in America and punish those who go overseas to hire. Didn't we already do this? No? Why not? Oh, The House. That's right. (CBS went to Cantor who looked confused and somewhat worried). The Chamber then exploded to Obama's bombshell about a Chinese Manufacturing Commission, or something, which will make sure they're playing by rules. Okay, it didn't exactly explode but a few did notice. Obama recovered with a line about America always winning if we've got a level playing field. Ron Paul woke up.
We'll reinvent the City Colleges (they aren't Community Colleges any longer because community has a negative association fee) to be training centers for 2 million people. I like this idea. In my book it's a winner. Obama then gave a stirring salute to the impact teacher's have on people and the importance of their role. He then made the radical proposal that we reward good ones by allowing them to be creative. In return, schools can have prayer or something. Kids will also be required to attend a school until the age of 18. Seriously, dude. We'll pick-up your tuition with tax credits, grants, aid and whatever Obama can make in street b'ball games. The States will have to caugh up some effort with the Fed's, though, and dollars will fall if tuition rises. GLWT.
Pres O then said something about "Boots on the (stumble) border" that was pretty lame. Two people started to applaud but thought better of it and caughed, instead. Obama promised that if he's sent a bill with a path to citizenship that he'll sign it. He might have meant his own so the birthers will finally shut up. Possibly he's just throwing caution to the wind in a 2nd term to do what must be done and everyone knows it must be done. Harry Reid looked giddy or high. Not sure.
Women's pay equality.
"Both Parties agree on what's good for small business so SEND ME A BILL AND I'LL SIGN IT." Our Pres is starting to sound like a car salesman, now. "Make me an offer and I'LL TAKE IT." That's from his GM days.
He promoted natural gas and pointed out that the US Govt helped discover and develop that technology. Joe Wilson had a hemorrage but was still at home. Obama schlepped out the green energy issue and told us some companies create millions of jobs but some will fail. He seemed to be speaking from some experience here because he sheepishly chuckled toward the GOP side. Apparently The Pentagon is going to get this ball rolling by making massive green energy upgrades which will require a great deal of developing, manufacturing, shipping, installation and maintenanance. Such a huge project will create millions of jobs and get the projects so under way that change can't be stopped. I call it a win-win for everyone except Oklahoma.
Pres O also brilliantly called for a Govt fee on banks that will ipso-facto recover the money we gave them to make loans they decided not to make. I'm in favor of this idea but wonder if the banks can get that fee reversed if they call an 800 number and threaten to support credit unions.
Buffet's secretary looked embarrassed but happy to be useful.
He told us in no uncertain terms how we can't seriously expect to cut debt and fund the military without collecting revenues from something...like subsidies for farms and oil...unless America can be named as a charity on Celebrity Apprentice. Obama called for fees on insider trading that would ordinarily bother WS except that trader's have been hiding under their desks, lately, and will toss us money to not attack.
Obama wants Congress to have a 90-day deadline to pass bills and expel the filibuster. I'm not sure they can pass gas in only 90 days. The filibuster's demise is probably premature but I'll dig a grave for it, anyway.
Pres O quoted Pres L, again, about not giving the people what they need or something. Whatever it meant The Chamber's North side erupted. They do that for Lincoln.
This speech should have had an intermission. Guy spoke like it might be his last one! Ha, fat chance of that (Michelle is putting together a weight plan for it, just in case).
Pres O then put the Congress on notice saying "I can do some of it alone but we can do so much more together." Congress said yes and Obama put the engagement ring on their finger (they only have one).
No SOTU speech is complete without military stuff and threats so Obama defined the Afghanistan Mission as something we need to fix so we can trade with the bastards and become friends. Same thing happened to me back in the late 70's. I fixed something for a guy who later hit me because it didn't work. Obama also sternly warned Iran that no option is off the table to keep them from making a nuke. Now THAT made the GOP half erupt! Pres O seemed momentarily surprised that they were still listening.
He then gave us the happy news that CEO's all over the world tell him that they need America. We are in demand with global business leaders and everyone's rooting for us. They just want a bit more austerity in the Fed Govt so Obama is going to consolidate government agencies. This should, in theory, make government smaller.
Then we got an idea for some kind of military jobs corp to help vets find jobs. I'm in favor because we need to keep the military busy. If they get idle, and restless for something to do, people could get hurt. This returned us to Pres O's kick-off about troop unity. In all seriousness, I think that was a brilliant metaphore and a clear order for Congress. I hope they can obey orders.