State of The Union

**msg_v2** · 01-21-2015, 02:53 AM

I'm really exceeding the post levels I try to maintain today, but is/has anybody else watched this?

I admit, I liked most of it, despite my usual cynicism about such things. I'm aware that most of this stuff probably won't pass, but I'm interested to see how this plays out within the next two years. I guess I just liked hearing something kind of optimistic.

I do wonder about some of the stuff about responding to ISIS/cyberattacks, and what that means.

I like the part about Cuba... when you've tried something for 50 years, and it doesn't work, it's time to try something new. I also noticed he proposed an equal pay law.

Did anyone else that he mentioned transgender rights? I think that's been a first.

**NedLudd** · 01-21-2015, 02:58 AM

State of the Union Drinking Game

**Hermione** · 01-21-2015, 03:02 AM

I like having a Prez that speaks for the people for a change, and not for the gov'ment that doesn't even govern. It is their JOB to speak for the people and about time we had someone do that. Also, he nailed it. Nailed all the nails that need nailed. bam! Hit all of them. Thanks. I needed that. (never ever ever gives up hope on any of the issues that matter). Never. We will not quit. Thanks, Prez.

**NedLudd** · 01-21-2015, 03:18 AM

Originally Posted by Hermione

I like having a Prez that speaks for the people for a change, and not for the gov'ment that doesn't even govern. It is their JOB to speak for the people and about time we had someone do that. Also, he nailed it. Nailed all the nails that need nailed. bam! Hit all of them. Thanks. I needed that. (never ever ever gives up hope on any of the issues that matter). Never. We will not quit. Thanks, Prez.

Well, he speaks. And it's for some group of people. But that's about all you have right. Someone like Obama needs to exist in a society where people are increasingly feeling disenfranchised, although at this point, you'd be a fool to believe anything he promises after the past 6 years. Obama exists to make people feel confident in the lie that they are buying into, that being that democracy and meritocracy exists in their country. People believe that politicians like Obama will "change" the way things work, but the reality is that they never will, and even if they wanted to, they couldn't. There's a side out there willing to wage all out war in order to keep the system going on its current path, and they are very conscious of political realities.

**msg_v2** · 01-21-2015, 03:19 AM

Originally Posted by Lud

Well, he speaks. And it's for some group of people. But that's about all you have right. Someone like Obama needs to exist in a society where people are increasingly feeling disenfranchised, although at this point, you'd be a fool to believe anything he promises after the past 6 years. Obama exists to make people feel confident in the lie that they are buying into, that being that democracy and meritocracy exists in their country. People believe that politicians like Obama will "change" the way things work, but the reality is that they never will, and even if they wanted to, they couldn't. There's a side out there willing to wage all out war in order to keep the system going on its current path, and they are very conscious of political realities.

Perhaps it's a lie, but so are all the alternatives I've seen people come up with. Anarchism, socialism, communism? I gave them a decent amount of time (more than a year, for sure) to show me that they could come up with something better. I decided last week that the gig is up. Y'all should have had a better response to the Charlie Hebdo thing rather than shrugging and saying "you know what, fundamentalism still isn't as big of a deal as capitalism" and constant usage of the term "free speech" in air quotes. Here's the thing about fundamentalism: It's a hell of a lot more popular in today's world than anarchism and socialism. If you have the fundamentalists and the anarchists/socialists fight each other, the fundamentalists will win. Not only is there numerical superiority, but they believe in their own ideals much more, and they usually have guns, too. I haven't seen anarchists/communists do much more than stand around navel-gazing about colonialism.

**Hermione** · 01-21-2015, 03:27 AM

Originally Posted by Lud

Well, he speaks. And it's for some group of people. But that's about all you have right. Someone like Obama needs to exist in a society where people are increasingly feeling disenfranchised, although at this point, you'd be a fool to believe anything he promises after the past 6 years. Obama exists to make people feel confident in the lie that they are buying into, that being that democracy and meritocracy exists in their country. People believe that politicians like Obama will "change" the way things work, but the reality is that they never will, and even if they wanted to, they couldn't. There's a side out there willing to wage all out war in order to keep the system going on its current path, and they are very conscious of political realities.

I think you missed the rest of my point. We will change it. We got women's and minority's rights to citizenry, and voting rights, and women's right to health care and jobs. Schools got integrated in my time. pfft on the other fools. We have progressed and the rest of 'em are going to have to accept that we are not going to stop progressing, so they need to get a clue. Man up. We are not a bunch of quitters. We occupy a huge space in this country, those of us who need to move forward. We do. Anything said against us won't hurt us one bit, just as it didn't against Martin Luther King, Jr. either. They killed him and the dream still moved on. Because the majority does believe. We will not quit. Get used to it or move over.

Oh, and I forgot. In case all you people who are upset over the SOTU address missed it while you were wringing your hands and sweating out all the alcohol (J. Boehner), the Prez just nailed it, he did.

**NedLudd** · 01-21-2015, 03:45 AM

Originally Posted by Hermione

I think you missed the rest of my point. We will change it. We got women's and minority's rights to citizenry, and voting rights, and women's right to health care and jobs. Schools got integrated in my time. pfft on the other fools. We have progressed and the rest of 'em are going to have to accept that we are not going to stop progressing, so they need to get a clue. Man up. We are not a bunch of quitters. We occupy a huge space in this country, those of us who need to move forward. We do. Anything said against us won't hurt us one bit, just as it didn't against Martin Luther King, Jr. either. They killed him and the dream still moved on. Because the majority does believe. We will not quit. Get used to it or move over.

Oh, and I forgot. In case all you people who are upset over the SOTU address missed it while you were wringing your hands and sweating out all the alcohol (J. Boehner), the Prez just nailed it, he did.

Women can vote and work(?) now, people get fined if they don't buy private insurance, and people with different skin tones get to go to school together. That's your argument? That's the kind of thing that people like Obama exist for: Pretending like women voting or someone that isn't 100% white can become a politician serves as evidence that society is progressing. Meanwhile, people get murdered by the police and die due to lack of healthcare (still). And now women are facing increasing attacks on abortion rights. How is that an advance?

**Roger Mexico** · 01-21-2015, 03:47 AM

Originally Posted by msg_v2

I'm aware that most of this stuff probably won't pass, but I'm interested to see how this plays out within the next two years.

As Obama proposing things that never pass, with perhaps also some Republicans trying to repeal existing Obama-associated legislation?

It's interesting to hear what's on his "things I decided to wait to propose until now, when they're virtually guaranteed not to pass" list.

**Makers** · 01-21-2015, 03:48 AM

I ditched Obama for the Pope. The message of the one is no more grounded in reality than the other.

Also, I vote Democrat...you're fucking welcome.

**msg_v2** · 01-21-2015, 03:50 AM

Originally Posted by Lud

And now women are facing increasing attacks on abortion rights. How is that an advance?

Gosh, I wonder why that is. That couldn't be related to low voter turnout among millennials during non-Presidential election years could it? I suppose there are just misogynist demons bubbling up from beneath the earth's surface according to the Chinese zodiac. That's the only explanation I can think of.

Originally Posted by Roger Mexico

It's interesting to hear what's on his "things I decided to wait to propose until now, when they're virtually guaranteed not to pass" list.

Well, yeah, that's basically what it was. Still, it'll be interesting to watch the things not pass. The thing is, the left-wing radicals have accomplished even less than the Obama administration has.

+1 for informed criticism.