SOTU thoughts

my preliminary commentary...

First, we must balance the federal budget.

Whats this 'we' shit, kimosabe? I believe the budget was in great shape when it was handed over to you.

Five years ago, we rose above partisan differences to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, preserving local control, raising standards, and holding those schools accountable for results. And because we acted, students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap... The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children -- and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law.

Sometimes, I get worried. Does he really think No Child Left Behind was good legislation? The completely backlash from people that, uh, work in schools doesn't mean anything?

We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools, and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose someplace better.

Pelosi didnt clap... good for her. While vouchers and magnets aren't the worse idea in the world, they don't make schools any better, and if you rely on them, you fail your schools.

And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future and our country is more competitive by strengthening math and science skills.

Maybe we should become competitive by having flexible work weeks that keep employees in their jobs for longer times, with less turn over, and since they'd be happier, they'd be harder workers.

When it comes to health care, government has an obligation to care for the elderly, the disabled, and poor children. And we will meet those responsibilities. For all other Americans, private health insurance is the best way to meet their needs... States that make basic private health insurance available to all their citizens should receive federal funds to help them provide this coverage to the poor and the sick... In all we do, we must remember that the best health care decisions are made not by government and insurance companies, but by patients and their doctors.

First of all, if you provide health care for everyone, and/or especially all children, regardless of their health, then you reduce health costs in the future by stopping easily solved health problems from escalating into bigger problems. It's that simple. It's not brain surgery, it makes sense that if you let someone go to the doctor when they have a cold and that prevents them from getting pneumonia and having to go to the hospital... probably a good idea to just give everyone healthcare. There is a ton of evidence proving this.

Yes, health care decisions should be made between doctors and patients and not governments or insurance companies, but I don't see him preventing the government or insurance companies from getting involved. First, if you have crappy insurance, that will dictate what decisions you make. Secondly, did Dubya just say that the government should not be involved in patients & doctors decisions? Is he being sarcastic? Shiavo? Abortion? Stem cells? Plan B? Guardasil?

We need to resolve the status of the illegal immigrants who are already in our country without animosity and without amnesty. Convictions run deep in this Capitol when it comes to immigration. Let us have a serious, civil, and conclusive debate, so that you can pass, and I can sign, comprehensive immigration reform into law.

Wow! Could we, could we pleeeease have actual discussion on something as complex as immigration instead of just writing competing legislation!? Yay! I'm interested as to what "without animosity and without amnesty" will look like.

As President, I have a duty to nominate qualified men and women to vacancies on the federal bench. And the United States Senate has a duty, as well, to give those nominees a fair hearing, and a prompt up-or-down vote on the Senate floor.

I don't think that's going be a problem, since it was the Democrats that were pissy with you, and now I'm pretty sure they'd be able to pass or fail whomever they want.

Take almost any principle of civilization, and their goal is the opposite. They preach with threats, instruct with bullets and bombs, and promise paradise for the murder of the innocent.

Because we obviously don't instruct with bullets and bombs, but with multilateralism, peace talks, openness to Study Group suggestions, etc.

Listen to this warning from the late terrorist Zarqawi: "We will sacrifice our blood and bodies to put an end to your dreams, and what is coming is even worse."

Don't we say the exact same things, same phrasing, about our soldiers?

Thanks, George. For basically taking 50 minutes to say nothing. At least it was better written than usual.