wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

i wonder what bush was thinking, sitting there, forced to listen to a thoughtful statement and critique of the last 8 years. i wonder if bush will try to compare himself to BHO over the next 4 years.
bush the lesser worst president ever!
long live obama!

You can please some of the people some of the time but you can't please all of the people all of the time..jeez complainers!

Where the speech stand will stand historically I don't want to guess on just the first day of Obama's administration.

The speech subtly point to where the want to take the country rather than any soaring rhetoric.

As to the Jon Stewart point, take a look at Bush's 1st state of the union speech. Some of the language looks similar.

An obvious point, even if the language is similar, things all depends upon what you think the person is going to do.

It's only day 1 of his administration, so where the speech ranks in the pantheon of Presidential
speeches I would hesitate to guess.

For the most part for me, the speech is filled with subtle leanings of where Obama wants to take the nation rather than soaring rhetoric.

As to the "Jon Stewart" idea, just take a look at Bush's 1st State of the Union. Some of the lines and wording are similar.

It's an obvious point but, after a leader says something eveything depends on what you believe the person making the speech is actually going to do.

"Our economy is badly weakened, a consequence of greed and irresponsibility on the part of some but also OUR COLLECTIVE FAILURE TO MAKE HARD CHOICES and prepare the nation for a new age."

Fellow Americans?? Fellow citizens??, not too all inclusive; how about fellow residents, legal and illegal?

The only words that were equivalent to the famous ones of FDR and JFK were the last thirteen in: "To those who cling to power through corruption and deceit and the silencing of dissent, know that you are on the wrong side of history; but that we will extend a hand if you are willing to unclench your fist."

I was disappointed that he did not include in his speech words to the effect of "although this is a day for much rejoicing, let us keep in mind that there are many who have little or no cause for rejoicing in these troubled times".

I loved the reference to the U.S. as a "patchwork." Patchwork quilts are a uniquely American art, and this word also encapsulates the diversity of our country, what makes it unique and valuable. It was so wonderful to see so many people of color on TV, the faces of this country, not just an elite celebrating the continuation of an elite system.

I loved the speech, it was sober but uplifting. I would have liked more emphasis on sacrifice. The WWII generation truly understood sacrifice, both personal and national. We need that now. Turn the heat down and put on a sweater...don't waste water...carpool more...give to the local soup kitchen if you can...less "me" more "us"...

The only people who are really sacrificing for this "war" are the military families. If we're in it this together, then let's sacrifice together!

"...and nonbelievers"

"Citizens"

At first, I liked this -- a departure from the norm. But it is really somewhat exclusive, especially in a time when we have so much debate over undocumented workers and even a handful of cases of undocumented aliens scrambling to get citizenship so they can join the military.

My father worked on the US space program in the 50s and early 60s. He also worked for the CIA. All before he was a citizen. He paid taxes, contributed. Was he or will anyone like him be unaffected by the President's policies by virtue of not being a citizen?

Interesting for me:

From his address yesterday:

"Those of us who manage the public's dollars will be held to account — to spend wisely, reform bad habits, and do our business in the light of day — because only then can we restore the vital trust between a people and their government. "

From his Denver DNC speech:

"But I will also go through the federal budget, line by line, eliminating programs that no longer work and making the ones we do need work better and cost less - because we cannot meet twenty-first century challenges with a twentieth century bureaucracy."

That "non-believers" were included along with christians, jews and muslims was a huge leap forward.

Thanks.

phrase i liked --- "and non-believers".

Best phrase in the speech:

“Those values upon which our success depends - hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity…”

"Curiosity"! A beautiful sentiment -- and a smackdown, after eight years of Bush administration anti-intellectualism.

http://www.blogoftheuncool.com/
my breakdown of the speech