SOTU

George K · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 03:04

"To secure the border."

Cruz smirks.

Horace · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 03:08

Talked about Tyre Nichols. Reinforced the narrative that black people need to worry about getting murdered by cops. As if a white person in Tyre’s situation would have been treated better. Also says we need higher standards for cops. Actually Memphis lowered its standards after Floyd, because they wanted to broaden the diversity of their force, and it’s not easy to find people who want to be cops these days. Two of the cops involved with the Nichols beating were hired after those standards were reduced.

It was nice that he said most cops were decent people. I don’t think that message was coming from the emotionally derelict left in the wake of Floyd.

George K · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 03:08

Vodkapundit:

"It's just so much nonsense. Biden wants Congress to pass an abortion protect act but says he'll veto any bill banning abortion.

Same Congress?"

"I can't come up with a better assessment of the Biden administration than this: You can get fentanyl anywhere and adderall nowhere."

"Whatever medication McCarthy is on, I want some. "

Mik · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 03:08

@George-K said in SOTU:

"Any nation that out-educates us will beat us."

Absolutely agree.

And then, it's about public school teachers needing a raise.

D1, a Chicago Public School teacher makes good coin, and she's said, on many occasions that the problem is not the school but...the family, or lack thereof.

Public school teacher pay is not by any stretch of the imagination a federal issue.

George K · 2 Aug 2023, 03:09

More Vodkapundit:

"Airlines can't treat your child like a piece of luggage."

If we could actually put kids in steerage, air travel would be improved.

Jolly · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 03:16

@George-K said in SOTU:

Steve Scalise just gave Amy Comey Barrett a kiss.

Was that wrong?

They're both from New Orleans. Bet they've known each other for years.

Horace · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 03:25

Not a terribly divisive speech. Credit where it is due. His handlers are going easy on the hate for the out group.

Jolly · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 06:02

Well, other than that doing away with Medicare and Social Security bullshit statement...

Mik · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 12:31

He alternated between I love you all and I’ll veto you greedy bastards all night.

George K · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 13:03

Spot the "Independent."

George K · wrote on 8 Feb 2023, 13:06

As I was watching (parts of) the speech, it reminded me of a high school pep rally.

NRO has a similar opinion.

The origin of the practice stems from the executive’s duty under Article II, Section 3 of the Constitution, which obligates him to “give to Congress information of the State of the Union and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient.”

The language of this clause is not specific, which is why the “Annual Message,” as it was known from 1790 to 1946, was delivered as a written statement by every president from Thomas Jefferson to William Howard Taft. Say what you will about the Sage of Monticello; he knew that the second branch of government should stay in its lane. In 1913, arguable proto-fascist Woodrow Wilson decided to break from this republican tradition, delivering an in-person address, and the speech has never been the same.

Today’s SOTU has lost all pretense of humility and, much like the presidency itself, has completely eclipsed what the framers of the Constitution envisioned. Rather than a detailed report on the problems facing the nation and how Congress can ameliorate them, the speech has become another opportunity for presidents to exercise their bully pulpit. It’s nothing more than a glorified campaign rally.

This desecration of the People’s House should incense everyone who thinks the emergence of an imperial presidency is a negative development and an affront to the Founders’ vision. Perhaps a more civic-minded commander-in-chief can ditch the practice and go back to delivering a written report, but consider me skeptical. Why would any rational political actor cede such a golden opportunity to make a case for his agenda to the American people? But as long as we’re stuck with this ostentatious spectacle, it’s important to remember that this is not who we are.