I'm putting this in Casual Conversation because I want this to remain light.

What do you predict the President will say during the State of the Union address? Will it be the run of the mill political rhetoric or will he say something of signifgance?

This "president" has never said anything significant. He is simply not able to.

Glad to see you back, Joe!

Thanks, jaime. It's nice to know I was missed a little bit.

Our prez, being the low grade intellect that he is, I predict will say little or nothing that we have not heard before. I listened this evening to A Card and to the answers that he gave to a fox news interview. I can't understand just how anyone could tolerate the non-answers and the repetitious, almost cliche-like remarks that are constantly made in response to questions of significance. For instance with regards to either specific national interests or to evidence for a war. These men are utterly obvious and yet they are never called on their non-answers by this media.....hmmm..Wonder why......

Joe, I agree. I expect the speech to be geared towards those that already support him but are finally having doubts. Those are the ones that can be brought back in line with a heartfelt patriotic pep rally which is all this is going to be.

I'm hoping we get a few new catch phrases since the old ones are getting tired. I will be relieved if he get's through it without insulting anyone new that he may have left out thus far. And I am going to count how often he mentions the words God in reference to America and evil in reference to anyone else. Just for fun.

I predict that he will say something to the effect of the following...
My fellow Americans, blah blah blah, great progress in the war on terror (even though next to 0 has actually been accomplished), blah blah blah, economic growth (WHERE?). Blah blah blah, blow up Iraq, blah blah blah blah blah, axis of even eviller, blah blah blah. Please don't stop blindly following me, I like being the dictator, blah blah blah. Continued destruction of the environment through continued oil dependancy, blah blah blah. Lower funding for public programs & education so we can grow a stronger base of low level, low wage workers, blah blah blah, but if you say that, its "class-warfare", blah blah. Bipartisanship...(wait for laughter to subside), blah blah blah.

I don't think those will be the exact words, but they'll most certainly hold that meaning. Call me a pessimist if you'd like, but I expect to hear nothing more than the same rhetoric we've been hearing for the last year+.

The president will announce a new initiative to build a NASA nuclear rocket to send humans to Mars within ten years.

So, I guess y'all needn't bother to actually listen to the speech.......that saves a lot of time doesn't it?



Maybe we should do that to everyone who gives a speech.......what a great idea! Think how much better the world would be! We could spend the time saved by posting on this board! Or dancing! YES!

...or eating chocolate chip cookies!

I love it!!

Um, we were just making predictions...

I was being serious, though. Really...

Mike

SOTU has become just another "friendly" press opportunity. The president will say things that expert script-writers have crafted to sound extra presidential. He will say moving things about our domestic economy bouncing back, he will say strong dynamic things about evil and war. If the timing is done right, the soundtrack of the speech will be the landing of the largest aerial bombardment in the history of humankind. I will not be surprised if a tear comes to his eye. Oh, I long for the days when we had presidents who understood enough to craft their own speeches!

Hey Danya, maybe we can make a drinking game out of it.

I like the idea of the drinking game. I'm gonna do a shot of tequila every time he smirks. I think I'll need to be plastered to get through another mindless Republican applause-fest.

Interesting...
I'm curious now, and my imagination has been sparked. I've always had an interest in the prospect of terraforming Mars. It won't happen in my lifetime, of course, but a manned mission to Mars is a possible step towards that direction.

I don't really have any predictions that haven't already been said. My thought is that it's going to be the same words of encouragement about the economy and the war on terror...perhaps, a final decision to head off to war with Iraq, but I'm not making any bets on that one.

Numbered, but no particular order. Just reference to see how close I come.

1) Tax cuts will save us (cheers)

2a) Saddam must disarm and time is running out (applause)
2b) Mention the troops in and going to the ME (wave flags)

3) North Korea, hey, we won one! (applause)

4) Homeland security, what a swell deal (confused silence)

5) No more business crooks (embarassed silence)

6) Faith-based stuff really works, so invest in the stock market (cheers, long applause)

7) Busy diggin' up more oil and gas right here in your backyards to make America safe again (shrugs, smattering of light applause, huh?)

8) Just look how we've slashed gasoline consumption (trying not to laugh out loud)

9) 6% unemployment? Shoot, that means 94% employed! The economy is healthy, really. (limp applause)

10) Don't change horses in midstream (the 2004 campaign starts HERE--WOOOHOOOO!)

11) Something about critics and/or doubters (applause, snorts of disgust)

12) The word "evil" will not be uttered once (wipe brows), nor will osama bin laden (of course)

13) Total time: about 35 (+/- 2) minutes (relieved applause mixed with cheering and "Hail to the Chief")

I think he'll starts to say things on the PROGRESS on the war on terror. Which america has made some. Also the future war on Iraq. He will talk about his budget increase on america taxes and his plans to get america rolloing


---sorry a little tired---

Don't look now, but I think I agree with Quark

SOTU speeches are mostly just fluff, feel-good pep talks. I don't expect any real substince.

Though, I would love it if I were wrong...

--cheers

There's a thought, but I think we'd all get smashed within the first 5 minutes of the speech.

Hmmm. The State of the Union Drinking Game, huh? That will make for an interesting chat room...

The SOTUA is just a big pep rally. Maybe cheerleaders would spark more public interest. They could sell commercial time for exorbitant amounts, as long as the commercials were funny. Then, at least people would tune in for the commercials. Or, maybe the president should speak during half time at the Super Bowl. That would be cool, no doubt...

Unfortunately, presidents never make major policy changes on TV and in front of a joint session of Congress, so I'm not expecting anything mindblowing.

Maybe one of these years, we'll get a president that announces a major change during the SOTUA, if only Congress would give the president power to make major changes all on his own.

My dream line from the speech:

I will veto all legislation that crosses my desk until Congress delivers a fully recodified United States Federal Code. Duplicates must be removed and conflicting laws fixed.

I can't wait. This is going to be fun... Come on, Mars!

Mike