A look at current events from the point of a view of a Conservative Evangelical Christian who stands firmly on the Word of God (that's the Bible for those of you at Berkley) and stands behind the Constitution of the United States of America. So grab yourself a big cup of java, kick back in your chair and enjoy another member of the "vast right wing conspiracy" making his voice heard.

Tuesday, January 23, 2007

State of the Union


It is that time of the year where all network TV broadcasts come to a screeching halt and the President gives his annual State of the Union Address. It may very well be the most interesting of his 6 speeches up to this point due to the fact that this is the first time he has faced a congress controlled by the dems.

Of course we can expect the usual pomp and circumstance as the President enters followed by San Fran Nan Pelosi looking "holier than thou" from her perch. This will also be followed by the typical angry scowls upon the faces of those hoping to make a run for the White House in 2008 for the dems.

My hopes is to do a little play by play...just for the fun of it.

Right now President Bush is entering the House chamber, some what ironically it was Dennis Kucinich (D-OH), the guy who looks like a Keebler elf on crack getting the first hand shake. He is now greeting Sen. Elizabeth Dole, who is a woman who can and probably should be elected President of this great United States.
He is now greeting the Joint Chiefs of Staff...which i think was Bill Clinton's favorite group since they had the name "Joint".

And finally hands a copy of his speech to VP Dick Cheney and San Fran Nan as the ovation continues. And now San Fran Nan makes the official introduction.

And the W is off.
Begins by referencing the "Madame Speaker" and his honor for being the first President to say that, a classy move on his part. He also made reference to her father...very nice touch Mr. President.
He now mentions Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Rep. Charlie Norwood (R-GA) who are out due to illness.

He begins by calling for unity for the good of the people...something that the left really has no clue about since they believe that "bi-partisanship" means waffling to them.

First order of business, the growing economy and the need to not grow the government.
3 economic reforms he is calling for:
1. Balance federal budget (gets standing ovation), as well as cutting the deficit and it already being cut ahead of schedule (which Pelosi didn't care for)
Point to notice...so far, all of the clapping is coming from the Republican side of the aisle...go figure.
Interesting scene there...Hillary with her usual scowl with Osama Obama sitting next to the person who have him that name, Ted Kennedy (D-Margaritaville).

2. Exposing earmarks...or PORK! Special interests getting their take of MY TAX MONEY, over $18 Billion in 2005, 90% not making it to the floor of the Congress.
He made a comment about C-Span not seeing these added, i think that may have been a jab at San Fran Nan's decision to not always allow C-Span in.
His call is for a 50% cut in Pork, gets another standing O.

3. Entitlements...keeping Social Security, MediCare and MediCaid sound.
Looks like Ted Kennedy is hung over...go figure.
Did he mention using "good sense" to a democratic controlled congress?

Now on to public schools and No Child Left Behind...Ted Kennedy's baby that he no longer takes credit for.
Better performance in schools with minorities improving mentioned.
Giving local leaders more control and the right to choose for families of kids in failing schools...and I WHOLE HEARTEDLY AGREE!
* My kids are out of a failing school and in a private school.

Now on to healthcare, and San Fran Nan and the dems stand up. Wow, she really does have control over them!
2 new initiatives to help with private insurance:
1. Standard tax deduction for health insurance like that for dependents for up to $15,000 per family, $7500 for single adults.
* I pay for insurance privately for my family, and this will help me out considerably.

2. Help states that are using innovation to cover the uninsured. Using federal funds to insure the poor.
* I'm not so sure about this one.

Why don't the libs like health savings accounts? Oh yeah...because it means be independent from the government!
Helping small business, yet another topic the left hates.

Oh oh...medical liability reform...the trial lawyers on the left hate that. San Fran Nan is NOT allowing her bunch to stand for that one, and neither does Patrick Leahy (D-VT).
Oh great...there is Lurch, oops, i meant John Kerry.

Immigration control now...and a temporary worker's program. Seems to be mostly unanimous on that one.
Yes, it is a melting pot and there must be assimilation!
No amnesty for illegals? How can the democrats win elections if illegals aren't voting?
I'm sorry, i don't see any comprehensive immigration reform coming out of a congress controlled by the democrats.

Moving on to oil dependence and our need to get out from under it.
Diversifying energy supplies through technology.
How about drilling in the Gulf of Mexico and ANWAR?????
20/10---20% reduction of gas usage over the next 10 years. But how will the leftist elites get around if they can't fly on their private jets?
Yes...domestic oil production!
* I'm sorry, i'm from an oil producing state, and this helps our economy!

Ah yes, global climate change....where is Algore when you need him?

Oh oh, now we move on to the justice system and the need to put judges on the bench. He mentions that his job is to nominate them and the Senate's job is to give them a swift up and down vote on the Senate floor.
Dirty Harry Reid (D-NV) and his bunch do not like that one bit.

9/11 reminder, a much needed reminder i think...and we need to take the fight to the enemy in the war on terror.

Kudos Mr President, kudos!

ACHIEVEMENTS: Al Qaida plot foiled on West Coast, SE Asian terror cell in US broken up, Al Qaida cell developing anthrax discovered, British authorities helped stop possible airline attack on US.
The enemy is still out there: Sunni extremists in Al Qaida with an ideology of hate, and Shia extremists who want to dominate the Middle East under the leadership of Iran.
Their goal is to kill Americans and destroy democracy.
Terrorists fear human freedom...well said Mr. President.
In 2005 Syria was run out of Lebanon, Afghanistan elected a democratic legislation, and Iraq held 3 democratic elections...in spite of the threats of terrorists; who did strike back.
Yes, and we don't cut and run!
We can shape the outcome of the battle and win.
And only half of the democrats agree...that speaks volumes!
And here is the President's new plan for Iraq, which includes more Iraqi control and more US emphasis on security in Baghdad.
20000 additional soldiers and Marines being requested, and 4000 additional Marines being sent to the Anhbar province (Hoo Ha! Semper Fi!) to find terrorists and clear them out.
Yep. looks like the left side disagrees.
Wow, look at that sour look on San Fran Nan's face!
The President's plan is to win and not fail...which is what the terrorists as well as the American left want, failure in Iraq.
The terrorists want to destroy America, the democrats want to control it...and they have the same goal, failure in Iraq. Scary, huh?
Well, it looks like they are willing to "support" the troops...how ever the left defines that in their twisted minds.
Another plea for unity and bipartisanship that includes a special advisory council on the war on terror.
Of course, this working depends on who is actually on this committee.
A request is made for an increase of 92,000 in the US Army and Marine Corps over the next 5 years. Why this would be disagreed with, i have no idea.
Now he is suggesting a Volunteer Civilian Reserve Corps that would allow civilians with specific skills to serve abroad...interesting.
Did he just mentioned the UN? And again? Oh, the UN "stopping" Iran from developing nuclear weapons. WHATEVER!
And the nukes in North Korea.
Darfur gets some attention, and the US is still the only nation calling that a genocide while the UN does NOTHING!
Social issues on Africa, specifically AIDS.
Did he just ask for $1.2 billion to fight malaria in Africa?!?!?!
Can we really help nations "where corruption is in retreat" when we are being held hostage by a democrat Congress? Wouldn't that corruption have to retreat?
Now on to the gallery.
1st guest: Dikembe Mutombo, basketball star at Georgetown University and in the NBA. He is the guest of honor next to the 1st Lady, and he is a US citizen.
2nd guest: Julie Aigner-Clark, founder of the Baby Einstein Company, and now working with John Walsh to make child safety videos for the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.
3rd guest: Wesley Autrey, rescued a man who fell onto the tracks at a Harlem subway station; he says the men and woman fighting for our freedom overseas are the real heroes.
4th guest: Sgt. Tommy Reiman from Independence, KY; recipient of Silver Star after being shot while protecting his gunman during an attack in Iraq. He is sitting to the right of Mrs. Cheney.
Closing comments: This is a "decent and honorable country, and resilient too."
The state of our union is strong and our cause in the world is right.
Amen, Mr. President, amen.
***My evaluation: A simple speech from the President, but very much to the point. He hit the needed topics and gave some real ideas that can work; which is not anything we would ever hear from the left.
I honestly think this may be one of the better State of the Union speeches in terms of content that i have heard from President Bush.
He did stumble and stutter a few times over his words, but still made his point.
I think he put the dems backs against the wall and said, "If you don't like it, you do something about it."

No comments: