Obama recently made his first State of The Union Address. Here are some various notes/links concerning Comrade Obama's speech:

WASHINGTON -- President Barack Obama knows Americans are unhappy that the government could rescue people who bought mansions beyond their means.

But his assurance Tuesday night that only the deserving will get help rang hollow.

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this is a decent article., but they left out a lot more that could have been said about Obama's speech. I am now totally convinced that Obama is either a liar or just a complete moron when it comes to economic policies. He is also one hell of a history revisionist.

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Wall Street falls as Obama Speech Fails To Spur

NEW YORK (Reuters) - Stocks fell on Wednesday after President Barack Obama warned of stricter oversight for Wall Street, raising the specter of greater regulation that investors fear could sap profits.

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(was it something he said? Every time Obama opens his mouth, the market seems to get worse.)

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at least there was some humor...good 'ole MSNBC: they're always good for a few laughs (if nothing else)...

MSNBCer Says "Oh God" Before Jindal Response

As Gov. Jindal prepares to give the Republican response to Obama's address, an MSNBC host or producer was heard off camera muttering "Oh God."

The remark came after host Keith Olbermann paused the panel's discussion as Gov. Jindal was walking to the camera.

(read more and see the clip...)

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Disregarding Chris Matthew's ridiculous exasperations, Gov. Jindal gave a great response to the State Of The Union Address...

JINDAL: Who amongst us would ask our children for a loan so we could spend money we do not have on things we do -- we do not need? That is precisely what the Democrats in Congress just did. It's irresponsible. And it's no way to strengthen our economy, create jobs, or build a prosperous future for our children.

(read the entire transcript...)

now that is the kind of leadership we need in Washington right now.


 

Congratulations to the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. It is definitely an historic time for the country. We have just sworn in the first black man to the highest office in the land. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream has been fulfilled. We have come a long way from the days of segregation. We should be proud.

As I've said before, though... it's highly unfortunate that the wrong black man rose to power. It would have been much preferrable if someone more deserving of the title of President Of The United States had been elected. Someone like J.C. Watts, Thomas Sowell, Condoleeza Rice, Alan Keyes or Clarence Thomas. Alas, it was not meant to be at this time. Am I bitter? I don't think so. I'm just a realist and I am very, very concerned for the future of this great country. We have just elected the most liberal President ever whose proposed policies reek of socialism. That is hardly a cause for celebration. While I respect the Office of the President, it doesn't mean that I respect the individual's policies that holds that office. However, I will be praying for him. Specifically, I'll be praying for God's protection around he and his family. I'll also be praying that God will change his heart concerning the direction of the country. To use his own campaign slogan, I do have hope...I am hoping for something better than what we seem to be getting. I'm hoping that my concerns are unjustified and that Obama will gain my trust.

Since I was working, I wasn't able to watch the inauguration proceedings live. However, I have read the speech he made and have seen a lot of the celebration festivities online. I think it's better to read transcripts of speeches, anyway. It keeps you from getting caught up in the emotional hype surrounding the delivery and allows you to see more clearly the nuances. So, following are some thoughts about the inauguration itself...

*There are a lot of people complaining about how over-the-top the celebration has been and about how too much money was spent on it. Personally, I disagree. This is a moment in history that will never happen again. Plus, no matter who is elected, the inauguration of the President is one of the most pivitol and important moments in the nation's history and it should be celebrated as such. I do find it interesting, however, that so many people that decryed the amount of money that Bush spent on his own inauguration proceedings have apparently had a sudden "change of heart" regarding the price tag of the celebration.

*Most of the musical performances seemed rather bland. However, U2 was definitely a highlight. How more appropriate could it get than to have U2 perform "Pride (In The Name Of Love)"?

*Elizabeth Alexander's poem, "Praise Song For the Day," was laughable at best. I've never heard a worse poetry reading in my life. The poem itself was devoid of form or substance. It was definitely not inauguration worthy. However, after doing some research on Alexander, I'm not really that surprised by her inauguration poem. It's actually one of her better ones.

*In that same vein, Rev. Joseph Lowery's benediction prayer was absolutely ridiculous. It started off o.k. as a heartfelt prayer to God about this moment in history. Then it breaks down into a pattern of a recurring theme. Namely, "whitey bad, black man good." Apparently, Rev. Lowery is still living in the past when segregation was enforced. Still decrying how awful the black man has it in America, he seemed to not have realized that the President that was just sworn in is black, himself. Go figure.

*The way the crowd disrespected Bush was absolutely disgraceful and disgusting. Then again, what else did we expect? Led by the media-at-large, this has been the theme for the past eight years from the far left. They've been downright hateful towards the man who has protected this great country from another terrorist attack since 9-11. It just goes to show the kind of followers that Obama has: tolerance is promoted as long as it's their opinions that are tolerated and not anyone else's.

*I thought Obama's speech was mediocre, at best. Especially compared to some of the speeches he gave while on the campaign trail. I think the audience surrounding the podium thought so as well. They didn't seem to be that enthusiastic about what he was saying. Here are a few specific thoughts on the substance of his speech (don't worry... just highlights, not the entire thing)...


That we are in the midst of crisis is now well understood. Our nation is at war, against a far-reaching network of violence and hatred.


hmm...that's the first time I've heard a democrat admit this about the war. I hope he takes it to heart.


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. Homes have been lost; jobs shed; businesses shuttered.


not surprisingly, no mention that it was the democrats fault that the housing mortgage crisis was cause directly by them


Our health care is too costly; our schools fail too many; and each day brings further evidence that the ways we use energy strengthen our adversaries and threaten our planet.


Yes, the health care system is definitely a mess, but socialization is not the answer. It will only make it worse. That, in itself, is the reason that schools fail. He's right about the ways that we use energy strengthening our adversaries. We have let them have control over our energy supplies instead of drilling for oil on our own soil or developing more efficient energy sources like nuclear reactors that could break us free from the stranglehold they have on us. Threatening the planet, though? hardly. God created a planet that is able to sustain itself no matter what we do to it. That doesn't mean we have no responsibility in maintaining it, but to imply that there is a man-made environmental crisis at hand is totally irresponsible and just plays to gullible peoples' fears.


On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.


This will be the line that is forever quoted. It's a great campain slogan. Who would disagree? However, our ideas of hope may be drastically different.


On this day, we come to proclaim an end to the petty grievances and false promises, the recriminations and worn out dogmas, that for far too long have strangled our politics.


So, is he saying that liberalism is no longer? We could only "hope"

In reaffirming the greatness of our nation, we understand that greatness is never a given. It must be earned. Our journey has never been one of shortcuts or settling for less. It has not been the path for the faint-hearted — for those who prefer leisure over work, or seek only the pleasures of riches and fame. Rather, it has been the risk-takers, the doers, the makers of things — some celebrated but more often men and women obscure in their labor, who have carried us up the long, rugged path towards prosperity and freedom.

For us, they packed up their few worldly possessions and traveled across oceans in search of a new life.

For us, they toiled in sweatshops and settled the West; endured the lash of the whip and plowed the hard earth.

For us, they fought and died, in places like Concord and Gettysburg; Normandy and Khe Sanh.

Time and again these men and women struggled and sacrificed and worked till their hands were raw so that we might live a better life. They saw America as bigger than the sum of our individual ambitions; greater than all the differences of birth or wealth or faction.

This is good. This is the perfect example of the Conservative philosophy. I'm sure the crowd was dumbfounded if they were really listening. I hope we really believes this


The question we ask today is not whether our government is too big or too small, but whether it works


um, actually, it does matter how big the government is. The bigger the government, the less freedom for its people. The government is not the solution, but the bane of the people. Above all of that, socialism never works.


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.


that would be a first for either party. I'm not holding my breath.


As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.


that doesn't really make much sense.  How can they be separate?


Recall that earlier generations faced down fascism and communism not just with missiles and tanks, but with sturdy alliances and enduring convictions. They understood that our power alone cannot protect us, nor does it entitle us to do as we please. Instead, they knew that our power grows through its prudent use; our security emanates from the justness of our cause, the force of our example, the tempering qualities of humility and restraint.


only against enemies that share those same ideals, not against homicidal maniacs like the jihadists whose only understanding is killing until they are the only ones left alive.


We will begin to responsibly leave Iraq to its people, and forge a hard-earned peace in Afghanistan.


possible only because of President Bush


roll back the specter of a warming planet


sigh


We will not apologize for our way of life, nor will we waver in its defense, and for those who seek to advance their aims by inducing terror and slaughtering innocents, we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you.


this is probably the best thing he said in his speech. it was probably another point in which his supporters were dumbfounded. This could have just as easily been spoken by President Bush. Apparently, Obama has been briefed by the military leaders. Hopefully, he's starting to understand just what we're up against.


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.


they'll have to drop their guns first. I don't see that happening. It's the only thing they understand.


To the people of poor nations, we pledge to work alongside you to make your farms flourish and let clean waters flow; to nourish starved bodies and feed hungry minds. And to those nations like ours that enjoy relative plenty, we say we can no longer afford indifference to the suffering outside our borders


so, in other words, we will remain to be the most giving nation in the world. We have never been a nation of indifference.


As we consider the road that unfolds before us, we remember with humble gratitude those brave Americans who, at this very hour, patrol far-off deserts and distant mountains. They have something to tell us, just as the fallen heroes who lie in Arlington whisper through the ages. We honor them not only because they are guardians of our liberty, but because they embody the spirit of service; a willingness to find meaning in something greater than themselves. And yet, at this moment — a moment that will define a generation — it is precisely this spirit that must inhabit us all.


amen. another conservative viewpoint.


but also a parent's willingness to nurture a child, that finally decides our fate.


you mean, instead of aborting (killing) it?


values upon which our success depends — hard work and honesty, courage and fair play, tolerance and curiosity, loyalty and patriotism


well said, but surprising coming from a liberal


What is required of us now is a new era of responsibility — a recognition, on the part of every American, that we have duties to ourselves, our nation, and the world, duties that we do not grudgingly accept but rather seize gladly, firm in the knowledge that there is nothing so satisfying to the spirit, so defining of our character, than giving our all to a difficult task.


a Democrat touting personal responsibility? wow, wonders never cease.

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so, all in all, it wasn't too bad of a speech. He just wasn't as eloquent as he usually is.  He tried to play both sides of the fence and that may come back to haunt him once his supporters start really thinking about some of the things he said. Or, maybe not. To them, he can do no wrong. The media will blindingly lead them like the pied piper and tell them what to think. 

As I said before, I think there is a lot of cause for concern about this President, but I'm hoping that he chooses a wiser path than that of the liberal status quo and that one day I can be proud to call him "my" President.

from The Belfast Telegraph...

Environment minister Sammy Wilson: I still think man-made climate change is a con

That being said, we also cannot blindly follow politicians just because they’ve been elected. We must forever be vigilant against what we see as disastrous policy initiatives of which there are bound to be an infinite supply from Obama. His very first action of appointing Chicago thug Rahm Emmanuel as his chief of staff is proof that it's already starting. Yes, God has allowed Obama to rise to the ranks of the President Of The United States, but uniting behind his causes of far-left extremism is not justified. After all, God also allowed Hitler to come to power. Should everyone have united behind him as well?

It will be interesting to see if America will be able to sustain itself under a socialist agenda over the next four years. I'm optimistic that we can, but there is a lot of work ahead for us. The cry of the media is that the days of conservatism are over. However, they are foolish in their prediction. Conservatives always shine in the moments when they have become the loyal opposition. They don't admit defeat. They only get stronger and say their message louder. They will overcome. For conservatism is an ideology based on truth and facts, not feelings or consequences. Hopefully, the Republican party has learned a valuable lesson this election cycle. They cannot try and appeal to everyone on the political spectrum and expect to win any battles. It's time for them to stop straddling the fence and get back to their conservative roots. It's a fact that whenever a candidate professes strong conservative values and ideas, they are a force to be reckoned with.  They rarely lose.

So, with all of that being said, it's critical that we all continue praying for this country that has always been so blessed by God. We don't always do things right and we are continually making mistakes. However, we are still a beacon of light in this world and a symbol of the kind of freedom that produces prosperity and hope for those willing to work for it. If we all surrender to God and make Him the first priority, then there is nothing that stand against us. No matter who is at the helm.
 

Opportunities of an Obama Presidency
By Dave Smithee