Wednesday, January 30, 2008

Repainting the Other: Bush's First State of the Union Address, 2001


Excerpts, G.W. Bush, State of the Union address, 2/27/001 (first of eight):

The last time I visited the Capitol, I came to take an oath on the steps of this building. I pledged to honor our Constitution and laws. And I asked you to join me in setting a tone of civility and respect in Washington. . .

America today is a nation [sic] with great challenges, but greater resources. An artist using statistics as a brush could paint two very different pictures of our country. One would have warning signs: increasing layoffs, rising energy prices, too many failing schools, persistent poverty, the stubborn vestiges of racism. Another picture would be full of blessings: a balanced budget, big surpluses, a military that is second to none, a country at peace with its neighbors, technology that is revolutionizing the world, and our greatest strength -- concerned citizens who care for our country and care for each other.

Neither picture is complete in and of itself. And tonight I challenge and invite Congress to work with me to use the resources of one picture to repaint the other; to direct the advantages of our time to solve the problems of our people. Some of these resources will come from government. Some, but not all. . .



As we meet tonight, many citizens are struggling with the high cost of energy. We have a serious energy problem that demands a national energy policy. The West is confronting a major energy shortage that has resulted in high prices and uncertainty. I've asked federal agencies to work with California officials to help speed construction of new energy sources, and I have directed Vice President Cheney, Commerce Secretary Evans, Energy Secretary Abraham and other senior members in my administration to develop a national energy policy . . . [2/27/2001]

1/30/2008: Is there a national energy policy?

6 comments:

Lana Gramlich said...

*Puts on her best Bush accent, even though it makes her wanna puke.* "Yes, there's a nat'l energy policy. My buds & I get to ass rape y'all, since you were stupid enough to elect me president. Heh heh heh."
There's a lot to the rising oil prices, though. Including China's increased use. Demand goes up, so does price. Not to mention the ever falling value of the US dollar. I thought war was supposed to be GOOD for the economy...What happened there?

ZZZZZZZ said...

war is never good.

Joe said...

Great post. I couldn't watch the SOTU, so I'm glad to just read your analysis later on.

Charles Gramlich said...

Seems like we've kept the negatives and lost all the positives he mentioned from his talk. Not at peace anymore, for example.

Lana Gramlich said...

I agree, Sheila, I was merely parroting what I'd been taught in school.

Sidney said...

I agree with Lana. Sprinkle liberally (heh heh) with "Heh, heh, heh" the way Jon Stewart does it.