SOTU open thread

Because it’s comments week, and I can.

posted by Tom Tomorrow at 8:10 PM | link

115 Responses to “SOTU open thread”

  1. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    first… because I’m pathetic and I can

  2. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    An email somebody just sent me:

    This year, both Groundhog Day and the State of the Union Address fall on the same day.

    As Air America Radio pointed out, “It is an ironic juxtaposition: one involves a meaningless ritual in which we look to a creature of little intelligence for prognostication, and the other involves a groundhog.”

  3. peter Says:

    I think if I was to describe the State of the Union speech with a one word description it would be “Bushed.” As in “tired” but, well, you get the pun too.

    I’m bushed by the poor state of our environment. The Clean Air and Clean Water Acts turned back to 1940 when industry could pollute with impunity.

    I’m bushed by the poor state of our public lands. I am forced to pay to enter the public domain so that private enterprise in our national parks and forests can be subsidized.

    I’m bushed by the poor state of health care insurance. Now we are expected to support health care accounts. But how long will it take to save up enough money in my account to pay for that $30,000 hemilaminotomy on my spine? And I need it right now.

    I’m bushed by the insistence that a connection exists between Osama bin Laden, the “war” on terrorism and the invasion of Iraq. No. It doesn’t. No matter how deeply you believe.

    I’m bushed by the deaths in Iraq of innocent civilians, not so innocent insurgents and our own soldiers. And I’m tortured by their deaths as well.

    I’m bushed by high-ranking representatives of our government who insist there is one set of laws for “We the people” and another set of laws for “Us the governors.”

    At times I’m so bushed I can barely raise my head. Listening to and watching our government has me so bushed I feel like I’ve just completed three triathlons and have another four to go. And watching and listening to George Bush this evening; seeing his smug face so confident in the righteousness of his cause? I never met Nero but being bushed is close enough. Except it is the ignorance of the populace that is fiddling while our republic burns.

  4. peter Says:

    10 reasons Alito was confirmed [as supreme court justice - and not in church]

    10. Alito has supported extremist positions overall.

    9. Alito has opposed “one person, one vote.”

    8. Alito has opposed the First Amendment separation of church and state.

    7. Alito has opposed a woman’s right to choose.

    6. Alito has opposed remedies for victims of discrimination.

    5. Alito has opposed workers, consumers, and small business hurt by big business.

    4. Alito has opposed environmental protection.

    3. Alito has opposed laws to protect society from violent crime as well as Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights of the accused.

    2. Alito has opposed Fourth Amendment restraints on abuse of power.

    1. Alito on the Supreme Court would effectively hand George W. Bush — and each of his successors as president, from either or any party — virtually unrestrained power.

    Sam Alito is my man.

  5. Dan Says:

    There is one thing I do not understand.
    42 Senators voted against Alito.
    Didn’t we only need 40 votes to filibuster?
    Who seriously traded a “principle vote” for victory
    when no trade was necessary?

  6. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    Fox News is reporting that Cindy Sheehan was arrested in the House Gallery tonight.

  7. Megan Davis Says:

    Exactly, Dan. When are our democrats gonna learn that we are on to the little game they play? You know, the one where they “take a stand” when it won’t do anything to change the republican agenda (they wouldn’t want to cause trouble for anyone!) but then sit quietly when they actually have an opportunity to do… something, anything! If we wanna gain the House and the Senate in ‘06, we’re gonna have to be able to point to a unique and distinct agenda. We can’t just say “well, we were really nice and we did what the party in power did for the most part.” If we do that, then what motivation will people have to overthrow the party in power? The democrats are *acting* like they would just do the exact same things if we gave them a chance. (the party as a whole… not the individuals who keep trying to do something meaningful and getting sabotaged by their fellow left-wingers.)

    Sigh… We need to get our party on the same page… I onto a different page than the one the republicans are on.

  8. Larry4 Says:

    So I turn on the T.V. this evening, flip to ABC and think “Hey, this is great! They moved “My Name Is Earl” back to Tuesday nights!”

    I flip the channels a bit, and the other stations are carryin’ it too!

    But just before I figger Tuesday night can’t get any better, I realize that it ain’t “My Name is Earl.”

    It’s jes’ the State of the Union address.

    I shoulda known W. wouldn’t know how to say he’s sorry or scratch anything off a ‘to do’ list.

    Man, am I disappointed.

    Oh well, there’s Thursday to look forward to.

  9. Rik Says:

    Tom/Dan:
    You’ve gotten me EVEN more addicted to your site. Stop the open thread insanity!!! Please!!! I’m too hooked.

  10. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    Okay, there’s our first 9/11 reference.

  11. gylangirl Says:

    Blame the military… uh uh.

  12. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    Groundhog Day, boy I hope this doesn’t mean that every nite (as in the movie) I have to listen to this slob’s SOTU.

    Yarrrr, I ran part of last year’s into the pirate translator…

    The pirate speaks,”As we fix Social Security, we also have t’ responsibility t’ make t’ system a better deal for younger workers. And t’ best way t’ reach that goal be through voluntary personal retirement accounts”

    … Ayy matey, an’ so jusss how many of these perrrrsonal accounts rrr me spos’ed t’ main- taaayn, with this here account ferrr me health care, morgaged me ship and paid all me plunder, and all I got was thees wooden leg transplant and a hook ferrr me troubles.

  13. Kurisu Says:

    And a steady litany of all the fear words, peppered with bald-face lies about plans for victory.

  14. gylangirl Says:

    Oh now he’s standing behind the military. Good flop.

  15. gylangirl Says:

    Chickenhawk.

  16. gylangirl Says:

    LOL! Rule of law. What chutzpah!

  17. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    “… I really screwed the pooch, but you’re stuck with the consequences so shut up and support me… “

  18. Kurisu Says:

    He should be giving this speech from Iraq, not talking about it. Or, from the deck of the [former] tanker Condoleeza Rice, or the boardroom of Halliburton, or…

    “Addicted to oil” - heh.

  19. gylangirl Says:

    Except for women.

  20. gylangirl Says:

    I N V A S I O N

  21. Kurisu Says:

    This is the part of the speech Bono wrote.

  22. gylangirl Says:

    No contraception for girls. And no condoms for AIDS victims.

  23. gylangirl Says:

    Only Repubs stood up for reauth of patriot act.

  24. gylangirl Says:

    He’s bragging about domestic surveillnace in the SOTU! They’re cheering him!

  25. dped Says:

    35 minutes into Operation Ignore 2006. Local radio show is playing Coltrane. Wish I’d done this back in 2001.

  26. mtraven Says:

    You will respect mah authoritah!

  27. Kurisu Says:

    At least he is mostly defending himself and his policies instead of aggressively disrespecting us with out of touch rhetoric. He seems at least remotely aware of the shit-storm he’s in.

  28. Eric Vinyl Says:

    Freedom on tha march like WHUUUT!…

  29. gylangirl Says:

    The one thing he said that I agree with: economy could not function without immigrants.

  30. gylangirl Says:

    Here it comes. Getting rid of the New Deal….

  31. gylangirl Says:

    Cut deficit in half by 2009? Didn’t he say something similar in previous SOTU’s — yet deficit climbs?

  32. Eric Vinyl Says:

    Yeah, they’re cheering him. Who cheers like that a suit-and-tie event?? Are these our senators? Invited rowdies to pad the crowd for the TV mics?

  33. gylangirl Says:

    LOL! Dems cheering his statement about congress failing ot pass his SOc Sec.

  34. gylangirl Says:

    Bipartisan commission to eliminate Soc sec, medicare and medicaid.

  35. gylangirl Says:

    And keeps wages low.

  36. Jeff Says:

    Uh, Groundhog day is Thursday, the groundhog’s speech is tonight.

  37. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    No one can out compete… as long as the mimimum wage stays at five bucks an hour…

  38. Eric Vinyl Says:

    Couldn’t function without immigrants? Yeah, who knows what would happen if people had to pay their gardeners first-world wages?? Maybe the unemployed rate would drop.

  39. gylangirl Says:

    Bait and switch healthcare.

  40. (angry)Pixie Says:

    Did he have brow enhancement surgery??

    And what’s with these retards cheering and clapping after every sentence? He could say “It is time to reclaim our right as Americans to subjugate our brown people!” and people would leap up and cheer like the mindless dolts they are. grrrrrrr

  41. gylangirl Says:

    Tort reform again.

  42. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    Jeff is of course right. Maybe that was an old Air America joke from last year?

  43. gylangirl Says:

    Addicted to foreign oil and breaking the addiction again. What a liar.

  44. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    The cheering and clapping is standard in SOTU addresses.

  45. (angry)Pixie Says:

    Problem: America is addicted to foreign oil

    Solution: Spend more money!

    Ummm how about increased fuel efficiency standards anyone?

  46. Kurisu Says:

    “The best way to break this addiction” is to appoint a Secretary of State that used to have an oil tanker named after her…

  47. gylangirl Says:

    DRINK!

  48. (angry)Pixie Says:

    Standard for the Justices to stand and clap too?? I don’t remember seeing that before..

  49. gylangirl Says:

    Firm grounding in science? LOL!

  50. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    What’s leaving counties with a single OB-GYN is the Republican War on Abortion.

    (Sorry, I’m a few minutes behind, on Tivo. Reading comments is like peering a few minutes into the future.)

  51. Kurisu Says:

    Tom, forget Colbert, I want to see you in the front row of the SOTU with your book on your lap. You could give him and Cheney signed copies. We have some senators here in California that would invite you, you should write Hillary a letter.

  52. gylangirl Says:

    And destoying the public schools who can’t meet the impossible requirements.

  53. metalsmith Says:

    Last comment about being a petrol based economy which is not dependant on middle-eastern oil may be a hint at a ploy to rename the middle-east to the middle-WEST. He’s rewritten history books with that account of the Iraq thing, why not the atlases?

  54. Warren Betanko Says:

    This was pretty far up the thread, but you need to save $30,000 for spine surgery? Even with our current waiting time crisis, it would probably take less time to immigrate to Canada, become a citizen, wait for your name to come to the top of the surgery list, and then emigrate back to the U.S.A.

  55. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    I remember the tax breaks for $50,000 behemouths like Hummers, NOW he says hybrids are cool? too little too late assH***

  56. Kurisu Says:

    When is he going to get to the part about resignation?

  57. gylangirl Says:

    Hate is not a family value , George.

  58. gylangirl Says:

    Save that clip for posterity. The alito clappers.

  59. (angry)Pixie Says:

    “They are concerned about unethical conduct by public officials, and
    discouraged by activist courts that try to redefine marriage. And they worry about children in our society who need direction and love … and about fellow citizens still displaced by natural disaster … and about suffering caused by treatable disease.”

    Not that I’m going to do anything about it….just lettin’ you guys know it’s out there..

  60. gylangirl Says:

    Whoa. WHat a hypocrite re value of human life.

  61. (angry)Pixie Says:

    “Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit ….… creating human-animal hybrids.”

    ROTFLMAO

    Wow.

  62. gylangirl Says:

    You don’t pledge “public responsibility”. You pledge oath to uphold THE CONSTITUTION, Mr President.

  63. metalsmith Says:

    “…cut ethical corners”
    Priceless.

  64. gylangirl Says:

    Bullshit on New Orleans.

  65. Kurisu Says:

    I’m surprised he even alluded to New Orleans. Astonishing.

  66. gylangirl Says:

    Notice no “walkouts”. Lots of clapping and standing. Supporting lies.

  67. (angry)Pixie Says:

    Trying to shore up that 2% African american base huh?

  68. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    You did nothing to invite? or you did nothing (except for your buddies of course)

  69. gylangirl Says:

    “We must decide: Will we turn back?”

    Hell yes apparently.

  70. Kurisu Says:

    They can uncuff Cindy Sheehan now.

  71. (drained)Pixie Says:

    gawd….. same old shite….can’t wait to hear about his 1% swell in the polls.

  72. M Says:

    Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research – human cloning in all its forms … creating or implanting embryos for experiments … creating human-animal hybrids”

    WHAT! ?

  73. Chris Says:

    Did the man utter a single truthful word? Russert is already wankerific: “The D’s & R’s didn’t stand up in unison!”

  74. Eric M Says:

    I liked the lip service Bush gave to math and science education so we can compete with other nations. Yes, teaching “Intelligent Design” should give tomorrow’s American scientists an advanatge over the rest of the world …

  75. (drained)Pixie Says:

    I’m glad we have a leader fearless and resolute enough to pass resolute, steadfast legislation banning Chimera. It’s about damn time too!! All those human-animal hybrids walking around, it’s ghastly!

  76. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    MANIMAL!

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085051/

  77. Chris Says:

    “…creating human-animal hybrids!” What is the law? Not to spill blood! Are we not men? Have you forgotten the House of Pain?

  78. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    We must destroy this evil Dr. Mouroe and invade his island immediatly

  79. Eric M Says:

    Given Bush’s strong stance against animal/human hybrids, I expect a Shock and Awe campaign to liberate The Island Of Dr. Moreau.

  80. Buddy Says:

    Bush just gave a double flick-off to the Dem side of the room.

  81. Chris Says:

    “Panther Man” is the Ace of Spades in the Children of Dr. Moreau Deck of Cards, “Leopard Woman”: the Queen of Hearts.

  82. gylangirl Says:

    Dem response up now on Cspan.

  83. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    O.K. guv,… I voted for you… don’t let me down…

  84. Tom Tomorrow Says:

    Pirate translation of speech here:

    http://www.thismodernworld.com/speech.html

  85. daveNYC Says:

    “Tonight I ask you to pass legislation to prohibit the most egregious abuses of medical research – human cloning in all its forms … creating or implanting embryos for experiments … creating human-animal hybrids”

    That better not stop me from getting my monkey with four asses.

  86. bit shifter Says:

    Wow, what a great way to take in the SOTU! Like listening to jazz artists riffing on a tired old standard…without being subjected to the melody.

    Anyone planning to liveblog the Super Bowl commercials?

  87. gylangirl Says:

    “There’s a better way” ?

  88. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    Yarrrr! if that not t’ insta’ pundit, them me timbers ain’t shivered!

  89. gylangirl Says:

    Correct me if I’m wrong but that’s a yankee accent.

  90. Eric M Says:

    Maybe that animal/human hybrid things is secret code to other conservatives about the dangers of Santorum “man-on-dog” action? Or maybe he wants Jesse Helms to give back his transplanted pig’s heart valve?

  91. gylangirl Says:

    Not hard hitting enough Dem response.
    As per usual.

    They should take a hint from the Repubs on how to be an opposition party.,\\

  92. jamisonx Says:

    man, tim kaine’s eyebrow is out of control

  93. gylangirl Says:

    Thanks for the open comments thread, Mr Tomorrow.
    Cathartic. And saved my voicebox from screaming at the screen tonight.

    ‘Nite.

  94. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    An interesting thing about Tim Cain (a little joke here, you may be Cain, but are you Able?) since I was subjected to the endless tirade of negative political ads here in VA. He beat the Repugs. here by being a better Christian than they. He was a missionary. I still voted for him because I believe he’s true to his missionary (read: humanitarian, relieve suffering, you know, Christian…) ideals, even if he has to play the game. Of course, I have to wait and see. Expect more of this though. If the Right has to deal this Christian deck, I think Dems. have the heart Jesus was talkin’ bout.

  95. Casedogg Says:

    What really bothers me the most is the co-opting of the environmental platform roughly 20 years later than the Dems. And he’s getting credit for it…

  96. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    Casedogg, credit will be given when credit is due… when has this guy EVER come through with anything he said he’d do. If he has some big bright new (o.k. not so new) idea to save the environment then pulleezzz, show me. Just don’t call it the Clear Skies Innitiative II

  97. Mark Says:

    Air America and your email are wrong about the groundhog day thing. Feb 2 is groundhog day. It’s 1/31 today. Let’s keep our non-holidays straight. There be plenty o’ true ways to be mockin’ th’ speech.

  98. Richard Says:

    Did anyone happen to notice if he detailed how he’s going to spend the oodles of political capital he gained in the last election?
    I’ve been waiting over a year for the damn details but all ever get is his Constitution shredding dance on the dead corpse of Democracy schtick.
    What gives Mr. B?
    And whatever happened to his mandate?
    Did he misplace it or did those thieving liberals swipe the damn thing?
    I also think that we should start testing Senators for their drug usage.
    Anyone who can stay awake through one of his long winded testimonials to generalities, rhetoric & hyperbole & still maintain enough oomph to clap is definitely on something.

  99. mrbadmood Says:

    did anyone besides me notice that when dubya approaches a contentious issue or ’spins’ a controversial topic, three things happen: 1. his speech becomes more stumbling, stilted. 2.his voice becomes slightly higher and louder. 3. he moves faster over the words.

    shit, this guy’s tells are so transparent i could kick his ass in poker, and i’m not even good at poker.

  100. lifeinhandbasket Says:

    ….Anyone who can stay awake through one of his long winded testimonials to generalities, rhetoric & hyperbole & still maintain enough oomph to clap is definitely on something.

    Never underestimate the hallucinogenic properties of coffee and alcohol in sufficient quantities.

  101. microknot Says:

    I missed the speech.

    Did our fearless leader let us know who Jesus told him to bomb next?

  102. Richard Says:

    “Never underestimate the hallucinogenic properties of coffee and alcohol in sufficient quantities.”

    So you’re saying every senator is cathetered before taking their seats?
    Because if these guys are drinking enough booze & java to make one of George’s speeches interesting, then they’d be spending a huuuuuuuuuuuuuge portion of the speech in the little boy’s room contemplating the wall tile pattern.

    But then again, maybe that is the key to surviving a SOTU address with brain cells intact………just make sure your somewhere else doing something else even if it is pissing.

  103. Notorious Apostate Says:

    Living as I do in Europe I did not stay up see the monkey. From this side of the pond the whole thing is mightily strange. I think Tom’s comparison with Groundhog Day is spot on. Basically I find it hard to understand why anyone would listen. The guy has been very clear in his politics over the last five years and we know exactly what to expect from him - the speedy destruction of much that is best in the US and the world. If he says something nice in the speech - he’s lying. If he says something nasty - well, d’oh. Listening to him strikes me like listening to a maniac with a narrow grasp on reality and an inability to speak the truth. Then again, if the maniac happens to have a loaded gun aimed at our collective heads, it does make sense to listen, just to know what’s going on in that twisted nubbin of his and whom he’s likely to shoot next.

  104. KC Says:

    That wasn’t the speech I was expecting

  105. KC Says:

    I was counting how often Bush used his favorite words and phrases, and he’s really under par.

    Freedom 17
    Liberty 4
    Strength 5
    God 2

    Only two mentions of 9/11, two refrences to bin Laden, and no mention of the War on Terra or the Ownership Society. It’s like he’s trying to flee the sinking ship of Iraq, but the only place to swim to is Domestic Policy Island. And that’s the Democrat’s home.

    Maybe Bush’s reelection wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be . . . I like watching this train crash in slow motion.

    (OK, that’s enough with the metaphors)

  106. ken wayne Says:

    One of the few nights out of the year I was actually GLAD that I had to work. At least I didn’t have to hear the Boy Blunder make the same freaking speech he’s made for the last four years! But, miracle of miracles! I actually got to here someone who voted for Bush say they wished Howard Dean had been the Democratic candidate! He said he would have voted for him! Come on, DEMS, get a freaking clue! Some people out here in America LIKE a candidate that gets a little excited! And, yeah, Cindy got booted…but so did a Senators wife from Florida. Ah, the Tao at work!

  107. Toby Says:

    The most telling part of the speech came before it began. For an American subject to be handcuffed and arrested in the presence of the legislature not for disrupting the proceedings, but only for wearing a shirt that disagreed with the president really sends a message to the rest of the world. This is the democracy we are trying to export!

  108. Rik Says:

    At least he’s admitted that we’re addicted to oil.

    That’s the first step.

  109. Chip Says:

    So, the House gallery’s clearly not a Free Speech Zone ™. Did they have one last night? Was it in Alexandria?

  110. Mikhaela Says:

    Sure he’s admitted we’re addicted to oil, but that’s like the crack addicts who broke into my house when I was a kid and stole all our stuff to sell to buy more crack admitting they’re addicted to crack. the man killed thousands of innocent civilians in a baseless war for oil, he really has no room to talk.

  111. Larry4 Says:

    Well, I am still disappointed.

    I thought at first that ABC moved My Name Is Earl back to Tuesdays and gotten all the stations to carry it.

    The tip off to my error should have been W.’s inability to deliver a line like:

    “I lied about why we invaded Iraq. I’m sorry”

    “I turned a record budget surplus into a record budget deficit. I’m sorry.”

    “I still haven’t a clue where bin Laden is taunting us from. I’m sorry.”

    “A substantial amount of our debt is held by foreign governments whom we really don’t want influencing our domestic or foreign policy. I’m sorry.”

    Oh well, at least they didn’t broadcast it tonight. I mighta thought I was watchin’ “Lost.”

    W. is kinda clueless ’bout where he’s taken the country. (Note to self — Mr. Tomorrow’s new book would be a helpful gift for our Pres.)

    And W. would fit in with the Lost cast. He’s got that buff physique and a drunk driving conviction.

  112. Rik Says:

    Wow, Mikhaela responded to me!!! Cool!!! Love your work.

    Yes, agreed. Admitting an addiction is the FIRST step. That’s all.

    When Bush gives a speech like this: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/carter/filmmore/ps_crisis.html (AKA When Pigs Fly) and follows up on it (AKA When Pigs Spontaneously Arise From The Earth and Fly to the Moon), I’ll be impressed. Right now, it’s just talk to try to get some support back.

  113. Mad Says:

    No, I didn’t listen to the Little Prick’s speech. I cannot stomach the sight or sound of that troglodyte (Abramoff term of endearment for Native American, and if they are worthy then shouldn’t the prezident be so entitled?). The rest of the household was gathered around the glowing box, so I retired to my studio and cranked up Ganga Giri to deter any stray wisps of speech (…nookyuler…terrists…uhmerka…) from reaching my ears.

    Thank you for a safe place to vent. Oh, what’s that you say? You mean they monitor this blog too?!

  114. Al Says:

    I prefer Gore Vidal’s state of the Union Address.

  115. Dr. Teeth Says:

    Saw a Jeff Tweedy concert the night of the SOTU. After the first song, he says:
    “Just saw the State of he Union speech, and I’m feeling great about it. I mean, everything is going to be fine! Really. Its all going to work out. I mean, not that there’s anything wrong, because there definitely isn’t. But if there was, well, they’ll fix it. Because George is on it…. He’s on top of it…. No problems.”

    The Canadian audience laughed and laughed.


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