What Exactly Will Be the State of the Union?

Last night's address almost gave the impression that President Bush was being affected by the writers' strike. The reason for this being that the address echoed that of past speeches. The president was faced with the hard task of making his final agenda one that could grasp the attention of the American people. So does that mean Bush has failed by continuing to bring up past issues? Or does it mean he just can’t get anywhere in D.C. with Democrats outnumbering Republicans?

I like what the president said when he began his address, “All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people’s business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.” The now silent majority of American voters elected Bush, not once but twice. Was that because they didn’t see a leader in Al Gore or John Kerry, or did they know Bush was the man for the job? George W. Bush is only doing what he was elected to do and he’s trying his best to hold to the promises he made.

President Bush didn’t expect back in 2001 to be pulling a country out of devastation or making the choice to strike out those responsible, and neither was America. One day we’re for the war and the next were not. Oh sure we want the terrorists taken out, but we’d rather just not have a part in it. So let’s pull out! Let’s get Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, or even Ron Paul in office and let’s get out of the Middle East. But if we do how do we know if that could be one of the greatest decisions made or one of the worst? And how do we know if pulling out of this war, this mission, won’t come back to haunt us? The sad truth, we don’t.

For Hillary Clinton last night was a time of rejoicing what with this being Bush’s final address. She obviously forgot that the same thing was said when her husband made his final address, with the same feeling most likely applying for the Dynamic Duo (Barack Obama and Ted Kennedy). Other democrats included John Kerry and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, all sitting when Republicans stood, and only standing when Bush spoke on matters that fit into their agenda- big shock.

So come 2012, when America goes though this crazy process again, will we elect (insert politician) again, or will we choose a new leader? And what exactly will be the state of the union?

God Bless America

With his wife and two daughters in the audience, his daughters attending for the first time, President George W. Bush made his way to front of the floor of the United States House of Representatives for his final State of the Union.

“All of us were sent to Washington to carry out the people’s business. That is the purpose of this body. It is the meaning of our oath. And it remains our charge to keep.”

President Bush began with the acknowledgement of how America has been tested in ways none of us could have imagined. He went on to add that much business lies unfinished and the American people can expect it to get done.

Speaking first on matters of the economy, Mr. Bush said that unless congress acts, most of the tax relief will be taken away. He stated how he plans to make the tax relief permanent. He also added that if any bills calling for the raising of taxes reach his desk, he will veto them. “American families have to manage their budgets- so should their government.”

You could almost hear Mr. Bush stressing how he was doing his best to live to the hopes that won him his first and second terms. Some of the topics in his address may have echoed those of past address but if so they were to stress how he has not forgotten them. If congress does not act on something, it is his job as the leader of America to see to it that they do.

Speaking on the No Child Left Behind program, the president stated how the program is working. However, it there are still difficulties’ in the manner that the number of high school drop outs must be reduced. If such a task it to be completed, one first spark academic interest- along with interest in surviving in the real word, and realizing what the real word holds.

The president spoke how America must lead the way to finding new ways in technology to achieving a better environment. Reverse the flows of green house gasses and developing renewable fuels. The president also proposed the banning of allowing the cloning of human life.

On the matters of immigration, Mr. Bush spoke on how America needs to prevent immigrants from entering illegally, by investing in new ways of handling such situations. However, America must also look towards establishing lawful ways for foreigners to come and support our economy.

Scattered throughout his address was the subject of the War on Terror. President Bush said how for the safety of America we are spreading the hope of freedom and the peace of the world. But fighting terrorists comes at a price. Troops are still being sent back and they can expect tough fighting ahead. The president commented on the belief that the surge is not working- saying that al-Qaida is on the run and they will be defeated. “We will deliver justice to our enemies,” said the president. General Petraeus says that pulling out now would deteriorate the success of the Iraqi people and their government- for they ARE taking control of their future. He went on to add that failure in Iraq would result in the strengthening of the terrorists.

Though the war is such a heated and controversial topic, the president stated that the soldiers have the gratitude of the entire nation. When it comes to the war America will do three things; 1. Confront those who threaten out troops; 2. Stand by our allies; and 3. Defend vital interests in the Persian Gulf. And to increase the activity of lowering the communications of terrorists and in locating them, the president stated how congress has until February 1st to provide the funds needed in tracking down terrorists. “The time to act is now!”

But while troops continue to be sent back to the Middle East, the president stated that 20,000 troops are coming home. He also added how the funding is needed to continue to support veterans of wars past and today. Any unused education benefits given to veterans should be transferred to their spouses and their children.

“And so as we continue to trust the people, our nation will prosper, our liberty will be secure and the state of our union will remain strong. So tonight, with confidence in freedom’s power, and trust in the people, let us set forth to do their business. God Bless America.”

Heads Up America!

Just when you thought you didn't stand a chance of being struck by lightning, now what are the odds of being hit by a satellite?

That's right a dead spy satellite is making it's way back into Earth's atmosphere- however, there's a catch. It isn't known where on when the satellite will make it's descent back into the great blue yonder. The satellite can no longer be controlled, and just to add a little bit of panic, it may also contain hazardous materials.

Of course there have never been reports of anyone being struck by satellite debris, unless you count a falling toilet seat from space on Dead Like Me. This also would not be the first such a fall has occurred.

Oh well, until then, heads up America!

The Woes of Hollywood

It was shocking news today when it was reported that actor Heath Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment. The actor known for films such as The Patriot, Brokebac..., was found unconscious with pills scattered all around him, leading to the question of suicide or accidental overdose.

Ledger recently finished work portraying Batman's nemesis, the Joker, in The Dark Knight, hitting theaters this summer. It's been said that Ledger wasn't a much of a party-goer or even that much of a drinker. Ledger split from actress Michelle Williams last year, who he shared a two-year old daughter with, and had also recently been turning down roles in films. So what led the 28 year old actor to such a tragic end? That answer goes unknown.

I'm not a fan of Heath Ledger's work, I have only been looking forward to his version of the Joker. But his death comes as quite the shock to me, mostly because of all the celebrities we hear about who we know are throwing away their lives, he wasn't one of the ones we were expecting to ever hear about.

Britney Spears and Lindsay Lohan were in my book, and I hate to type this, the top of candidates so close in ruining their lives for good, or more so than they have already done- ruining in the result of a tragic end. As I have written before, and I kick myself every time I try to make this point, I don't understand why the media constantly reports on those who are throwing themselves away. It is because they are celebrities? Well the definition of "celebrity" is the state of being celebrated or a famous celebrated person. Well when it comes to young idiotic stars of Hollywood, the more correct term would be "those who are sadly more famous than us".

So memo to TMZ, update us when these "unfortuantely famous figures" take a turn for the better. And maybe there should be a law against serving those who can't take care of themselves.

Club Owner: Sorry Miss Lohan, but you're a celebrity under 45, so service denied.

I know somewhere out there are those who are doing well for themselves, and fortunately for them they are spared the woes of Hollywood.

Sir Edmund Hillary

It was just last Friday when the world heard about the passing of one of it's great explorers and achievers. Sir Edmund Hillary passed away on Jan. 11, 2008 of heart failure at the age of 88.

It was on May 29, 1953 when Tenzing Hillary and Norgay made it to the top of Everest's 29,028 ft summit, the highest point on earth. This made them the first two men to reach the summit of Mount Everest. After spending only fifteen minutes at the top they made their journey down.

Hillary later became the first man to stand at both the North and South Poles and Everest. His son Peter also became a climber, conquering Everest in 1990. In April 2003 Peter and Jamling Tenzing Norgay (son of Tenzing) climbed Everest as part of a 50th anniversary celebration.

I'm kicking myself for not having dedicated a post sooner in honor of the this great human achiever. Having set the bar at the highest achievement on earth, is how the world will remember Sir Edmund Hillary.

Beating Around the Bush

With 2008 being such a big year in politics it is certainly no secret that this marks the final year for the Bush administration. With “Change” being the center of the campaigns for the candidates running for the presidential nominees, especially for Barack Obama, it seems to shed some negativity on President Bush.

In the beginning of his first term in 2001, President Bush led the country through the hardships following 9/11 (hope this doesn’t sound like a Giuliani placement). The response to the terrorist attack result led to the War on Terror- something that for many only sounded good at the time. This is probably the biggest of all the problems people have with now with the government. But here’s something many have to try and remember, the Government has a list of how many troops it needs and where they need to be stationed and it’s your sons and daughters “volunteering”.

Another problem the Bush administration faced was the immediate response or lack of to the aftermath left by Hurricane Katrina. So when the levees that believed to be supportive fail and you decide not to evacuate and you end up finding yourself on the roof of your house in a flood, who do you blame? The officials in D.C., and that’s only because you don’t want to blame yourself.

NBC News’s Chief White House Correspondent David Gregory sat down with President Bush during his trip to the Middle East. He asked the President his thoughts on the candidates running for change for the country. Bush replied saying it’s something he would do if he was running today. And indeed he’s right; any candidate following a race from any moment in history is looking to change the course of the previous administration. Gregory also asked the president if he regretted not having caught Osama bin Laden. The president responded with the note that he isn’t out of office yet.

We can’t look at President Bush’s approval rating and just assume he’s failed this country as a leader, only the history books of tomorrow can tell us whether or not he was a Lincoln, a Johnson, a Roosevelt, a Kennedy, a Ford, or even a Carter.

I may not understand everything when it comes to politics, but I’m doing my best to deepen my understanding of the world around me- plus I haven’t taken Government class yet. But I do know one thing. Just because President Bush’s approval rating is low, it doesn’t mean there’s not someone on his side. And who’s to say you know what the right choice to make is. Plus, the president has a number of advisors telling him what the best decision to make is, and maybe the negative response to those decisions is why some of Bush’s advisors are “retiring”. Whatever the future holds for Mr. Bush, and whatever future generations think of this time in history, has yet to be told. But right now in the present, maybe some of us could step back and stop beating around the Bush.

In 2008

In this new year we're once again given the chance to make changes in our lives. Changes that we failed or were unable to carry last year. For some the new year is about finally shedding those holidays pounds from 2006- and yes I know I said 2006. And who knows, maybe 2008 will be the year where some people develop a brain.

With the beginning of every new year, people develop a sense of excitement where they just can't wait for what the year has to offer. In entertainment 2008 offers the return of Batman in The Dark Knight, The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian, the Stargate: SG-1 movies, and the much-anticipated return of Indiana Jones. This summer NBC will be giving you plenty of coverage from Beijing where the 2008 Summer Olympics will be taking place. But of course perhaps the biggest event of 2008 is that it's Election Year. Yes this year Americans will choose a new Commander-in-Chief from either the Elephant or Donkey party. But whatever 2008 holds for us hopefully it's better than the troubles we faced in 2007. So here's hopin in 2008.