SOTU: Apogee and Perigee

The Apogee
President Bush in his fifth state of the union address declared "the state of our union is confident and strong". He gave a very powerful speech that built to a powerful and emotional crescendo. When the President recognized the parents of Marine Corps Sergeant Byron Norwood of Pflugerville, Texas, who was killed during the assault on Fallujah. The most emotional moment of the speech came when the Marines mother Janet Norwood gave a heartfelt hug to Safia Taleb al-Suhail an Iraqi woman and human rights advocate who had voted for the first time this past weekend because of Sgt Norwoods, and his families sacrifice. Safia Taleb al-Suhail also received a rousing ovation herself as she held up the blue-finger of a patriot.

Another reminder of why we are engaged in Iraq and Afghanistan is as follows:

"In the long term, the peace we seek will only be achieved by eliminating the conditions that feed radicalism and ideologies of murder.

If whole regions of the world remain in despair and grow in hatred, they will be the recruiting grounds for terror, and that terror will stalk America and other free nations for decades.

The only force powerful enough to stop the rise of tyranny and terror and replace hatred with hope is the force of human freedom."

The President was also very bold in naming names in the middle east with his gentle but firm admonitions to Saudi Arabia and Egypt to do more to lead the region in democratic reforms. Also he gave a firm reminder to Syria, and the Mullahs in Iran both of whom continue to tolerate if not encourage terrorist activity.

The President also proposed reducing or eliminating 150 programs with the admonition that ..."The principle here is clear: Taxpayer dollars must be spent wisely or not at all." Here, here.

And finally President Bush closed with these thoughts:

"As Franklin Roosevelt once reminded Americans, 'Each age is a dream that is dying or one that is coming to birth.'

And we live in the country where the biggest dreams are born.

The abolition of slavery was only a dream -- until it was fulfilled.
The liberation of Europe from fascism was only a dream -- until it was achieved.
The fall of imperial communism was only a dream -- until, one day, it was accomplished.

Our generation has dreams of its own, and we also go forward with confidence. The road of providence is uneven and unpredictable, yet we know where it leads: It leads to freedom."


The Perigee
The Presdent called again for action to make significant changes to the failed socialistic ponzi scheme we know as Social Security. Of course the democrats took this as an opportunity to show their ignorance of the opinion of most Americans on this issue. Poll after poll shows large majorities of Americans support such reforms, particularly young Americans. So when the democrats hissed and remonstrated against the Presidents suggestion, they were booing and hissing at everybody who supports these reasonable reforms. Never mind that countless democrats, including among them Clinton, Gore, Kerry, etc. at one point or another have all acknowledged the need to address Social Security shortcomings. Clearly they have failed to learn anything from the elections in November.



Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reids response seemed flat and grating in comparison to the Presidents speech. Pelosi really demonstrated how obtuse she is when she chided the President for not presenting an exit startegy for battle Iraq. Ms. Pelosi listen again, here is a direct quote of the Presidents exit strategy.

" We are in Iraq to achieve a result: a country that is democratic, representative of all its people, at peace with its neighbors and able to defend itself.

And when that result is achieved, our men and women serving in Iraq will return home with the honor they have earned."

And now Janeane Garofo-whatever is on MSNBC sounding like so many fingernails on a chalkboard, and so it continues. -SpinDaddy