Anybody else not watching the SOTU tonight?

[NightWatcher]

I'll be putting the munchkin to bed and catching up on a dvr'ed show (if there are any to watch).

I realize that Obama's gonna say some stuff (that will be covered here in depth tomorrow), so I won't really miss anything.

And after Obama speaks, there's going to be what, 37 responses from tea baggers, repukes, dick heads, assholes, and fascists. I definitely wont miss that.

I'm not a big fan of politics after 6 in the evening.












Here's a cat wearing shades with a cabbage leaf on its head

[monmouth3]

1. "Justified" is on at ten. I definitely won't miss that. Best show on TV..IMO..n/t

[rhett o rick]

8. I like Justified also. nm

[monmouth3]

11. Also, my main man Jason Statham is on CLOO in Crank, Chaos and War. Whadda night!..n/t

[Nightjock]

60. IMO too

love that show with a passion!
I will DVR the Prez and will listen tomorrow to speech in the background as I get kids ready for school.

[VanillaRhapsody]

2. lets not forget all the posts on DU about how much they really really really hate Pres. Obama...

and how everything he said is a "damned lie" because he is a "stealth Republican" or some other such rot!

[el_bryanto]

10. I assume that by this you mean some people might disagree with President Obama?

Particularly if he defends policies they disagree with - like the TPP treaty.

Bryant

[VanillaRhapsody]

13. "disagree" ....I like how you talk Karl....

[el_bryanto]

16. My names Bryant. Not Karl. Not sure where that is coming from. nt

[Armstead]

46. Karl Marx?

[lostincalifornia]

3. I won't be either. Nothing new, and I have no doubt the msm will be touting the view from the tea

baggers

I will of course catch up on it here at DU

[Shrike47]

5. Ditto. I have heard enough speeches in my life. Even the good ones bore me.

[lostincalifornia]

39. I hear you

[quinnox]

4. *raises hand*

I might watch clips if I hear the speech was really good, but sitting there and watching it from beginning to end? Oh hell no. I hate all that frilly stupid pomp and circumstance. I hate how it takes forever to have the president enter the chamber and speak. I hate how they all have to stand up and applaud like monkeys if the president says something especially patriotic, like about the troops. Etc etc.

[Warpy]

6. I'm not sure what I'll be doing

I'm not big on political speechifying. I might have it on with the sound off just to watch the sourpusses on the GOP side all sitting on their hands while I listen to rude music.

[Oscarmonster13]

7. Can't bring myself to watch anymore

It's just more of the same empty words I hear from any politician. While in theory I agree with all the ideals and progressive objectives...I fail to see improvement in my life on the ground and that's why I can't listen anymore, it just makes me mad.

That, and I don't have TV

And, like you, OP, I know it will all be covered extensively here and elsewhere if something really does make history. But until I see things really CHANGE and things implemented rather than just talked about...I ain't buyin it.

[frazzled]

9. I expect, then, that ...

you (or others who decide not to watch) will also not be commenting on the State of the Union speech here.

Because unless you watch it (either live, or afterward on video), your comments can only be useless second-hand drivel based on what you read or hear from others. That's an abdication of responsibility, and nothing that you say about can really carry any weight.

I'm fine with people not watching it. But I'm not fine with people not watching and then claiming to have an opinion.

[NightWatcher]

17. I cant have an opinion unless I watch it live?

What about after I read the highlights?

Will you be patrolling the boards and enforcing this?

[frazzled]

18. I didn't say "live"

In fact, I specifically said afterward on video.

See, you didn't even read my post correctly, so how could I trust your opinion about the speech based on what you read?

And no, I won't be policing. I rarely read nor remember any user names here.

[enlightenment]

29. May I read the transcript or

is "watching" (live or replay) a necessity before I can claim to have an opinion?

Actually, whether or not you are "fine" with it means nothing to me . . . but you might want to clarify your instructions for those who believe that you are the arbiter of all things SOTU.

[frazzled]

37. Look, my point is this

There are lots of reasons one might not watch the State of the Union speech: you have something else to do (e.g., my husband teaches a class tonight), you don't have TV, or you don't care. That's fine (and transcripts are fine, by the way). It's FINE not to watch it or even read about it. It's not everyone's cup of tea.

But if you're going to come here and make a big deal about how you're not going to watch it because it's blah blah, always the same thing, or because if anything big happens someone will tell you about it, or it's just too boring, or because it's all just talk ... then you kind of cede your right to comment about it. If it's too boring or irrelevant to watch, it's too boring or irrelevant to talk about.

And, as a side matter, it's always amusing to hear how it's just actionless talk ... often from the very same folks who are the first to post actionless talk from anyone other than the president. I like to listen to what everyone has to say.

[enlightenment]

42. Frazzled, I get it.

Your post came across as the worst sort of finger-wagging; that is what precipitated my response. In this one you are clear - in the last one it was "you can do this - or this. But if you don't do either, you have no room to speak. So sayth . . . me."

You didn't mean it that way, but that's how it reads.

BTW - I never watch the SOTU because I have the attention span of a gnat and all the pause for applause stuff drags it out far past my point of interest (same goes for awards shows).

I always read the transcript, though - and will tonight (especially since I have tasked my students to watch/read the SOTU after asking them today "how many of you will watch, listen to, or read the SOTU tonight? *crickets* "Okay, then. ALL of you will watch, listen to or read it tonight." College students. Makes me want to bang my head against the wall).

[Throd]

44. It's SOTU, not STFU.

[LWolf]

58. I won't be listening.

Or, if it already happened, I didn't listen.

My positions on policies and politicians are pretty solid, and I don't expect the speech to inspire me or to unveil some sort of 180 degree turn on the policies that drive my attention and support, and I don't give a shit what any media talking head or political "spokesperson" has to say about it.

So no, don't worry, I won't be commenting on the speech, here or anywhere else. I just dropped by to look something up on the 'puter, and checked the front page. I'd forgotten there was going to be a speech until I saw this thread title, which says quite a bit on where that speech fits in my priorities.

I hope it was, or will be, good for you.

Let me know if he announces the resignation of Arne Duncan, the abolishing of RTTT and high-stakes testing, and the rest of the neoliberal education and economic policies he supports. If so, it will be worth my time, and I'll find a transcript to read.

[ChangeUp106]

12. I will BUT

I'm worn out. It doesn't matter what Obama or any other POTUS says. The other side will block any initiatives assuming he even fights for them after tonight. It's sad.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

14. I have to be out, but I'll try to catch a video later.

[Xyzse]

15. Can't...

After work, I have a side job to do.

[AlinPA]

19. I'll watch it, but will avoid the media pigs and pundits and other trash by using CSPAN only for the

speech. I'll use the mute button until he comes on.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

20. Nope. I will pass.

I am that point where a speech is worth crap all to me. I'll wait to catch the recaps online.

[jwirr]

21. I will be taping it. I will not bother to watch the rethug response.

[TheCowsCameHome]

22. Nope. Downton Abbey is on,

plus I wouldn't have watched it anyway.

[liberal_at_heart]

23. There is only so much I can handle as well. I don't enjoy watching things I know will make me mad.

I probably won't watch it either.

[Boomerproud]

24. It's become nothing more than a verbal pissing match and I've had enough of that to last a lifetime.

I'll probably be on the 'puter. Thanks for letting me say that since my mom is in the room.

[Arkansas Granny]

25. I'll read it online later. I can read in 10 minutes what

takes an hour to say, what with all the interruptions for applause, etc.

[yourout]

26. I won't watch. Mention of TPP might have me sending my remote....

through the tv.

[boomer55]

27. actions speak louder than words... so no. n/t

[dipsydoodle]

28. Me

I'll be sleepy byes in the UK.

[ChisolmTrailDem]

30. I can haz kitteh? nt

[Riftaxe]

31. I will not be watching

Last edited Wed Jan 29, 2014, 12:46 AM - Edit history (1)

I'll grab a transcript tomorrow and read it, why waste an hour when it can be read in 5-10 mins?

CNN Transcripts: President Obama's 2014 State of the Union address



On edit: Added link to full text of the 2014 SOTU

[Smarmie Doofus]

32. I won't watch. Other things to do. And I've seen the show before.

Many times.

[onethatcares]

33. will not be watching

and the sun is as far away from my sign as it will be this year so I should get more rest. Cue snores.

I used to watch, but I'm tired of pretty speeches and Arne Duncan.

Sorry.

[riqster]

34. I've had a long day and much family stuff to do tonight.

I will avidly read a transcript while I do my Domestic God routine.

[FreeJoe]

35. I never watch SOTU addresses.

Boring waste of time for anyone that is already politically engaged.

[pipi_k]

36. got other

things to do instead.

Like read. Or play SongPop on my iPad and listen to music on it while browsing Flipboard and News 360. Knit. Watch a DVR'd program on coywolves.

My usual nighttime agenda.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

38. I skip commercials. Particularly those made by politicians.

[fadedrose]

40. I always enjoy watching the President enter

and shaking hands with members of both parties..(some)

I don't enjoy his positive remarks cheered by the Dems met with cold stares from the Reps...

I enjoy watching him leave shaking hands...

No matter what he does wrong or doesn't do at all, I still can't help but love him. I like the man, always did and probably always will.

Am sending vibes and hope you all do too that he hits it out of the park....

Putting the kid to bed is YOUR priorty, and you got it right. When she (?) is older we expect you to stay up and drink.

[Blue_In_AK]

41. I haven't made up my mind yet.

It comes on early here, and we want to go out and watch the sunset. It'll probably rerun later, but if it doesn't? Oh well...

[Throd]

43. I'll get the highlights in the morning.

[Mz Pip]

45. I'm sick

I have a cough and a fever. I do not want to get out of bed. Maybe I'll catch some on line commentary.

[cherokeeprogressive]

47. Few things less boring than a SOTU speech. Nothing to do with the SOTU and everything...

to do with cheering one side over the other.

I prefer the precedent Thomas Jefferson set in 1801 that lasted all the way through the 19th Century and until Woodrow Wilson was President: Submit it in writing and send it to Congress to be read by a clerk.

Besides, there's a hockey game on tonight, and the Kings are on a winning streak. One in a row. They need my help...

[Iggo]

49. Actually scored a goal last game!

Woot!

[cherokeeprogressive]

50. And I was out of the room! n/t

[Iggo]

51. Lol...me, too!!!

[Iggo]

48. I try to never watch it.

I'm not interested in the performance. I read it afterward.

[petronius]

52. I'll be 'watching' it here: I figure skilled DUers will almost immediately post up

the good bits, so if I just read the SOTU threads it will have the effect of TiVOing through all the applause-breaks...

[Nay]

53. Me neither - it will be dissected here tomorrow, and I refuse to watch the

Pubs act like assholes. I just don't see the point of listening to speeches any more. They raise my hopes and then reality dashes them. Can't endure that again.

I watched the latest installment of True Detective.

[scarletwoman]

54. I don't have TV, so I definitely won't be watching it.

I have a radio, which is permanently tuned to NPR, and I'm leaving it off.

I'm quite confident that whatever Obama has to say in his SOTU speech will be beside the point. The actual POINT of where we find ourselves is predatory capitalism, and nothing else.

Somehow, I find myself very much doubting that Obama is going to go all Angela Davis on us.

[LWolf]

55. I forgot it was going to be on.

99% of political speeches leave me feeling the same as listening to a televangelist: nauseous and needing a shower.

If there were ever a president in the WH whose words and policies I valued, I'd probably tune in. That's just been non-existent in my decades of adulthood. I'm not one who needs to turn up negative drama, or who gets inspired by calculated speeches, so I won't be tuning in.

[Jesus Malverde]

56. At worst you'll miss some tea bagger yelling liar and shots of the duck yuppie acting hillbilly..nt

[ecstatic]

57. I hope to, but I'm DVR'ing it... The only reason for

watching live is to be able to respond to comments in real time.

[Demo_Chris]

59. Nope. Nothing he says MEANS anything. nt

[1000words]

61. Might as well ask me to watch a televised "debate."

Pass.

[sendero]

62. I've heard enough talk.

.... I'm tired of empty rhetoric that is like a sugar high, feels great for a few hours and then you crash for months.

[Corruption Inc]

63. I won't be watching the propaganda show wherein "we're at war" and such will be recited

I hear there was a lot of hope expressed that things will change while criminal bankers, torture camps and disastrous trade agreements were presented as things we all need or else disaster will happen.

Actually, I can't think of a more corrupt time in American history and sure the Propagandized State of the Union did not reflect that in any way, shape or form.

[AngryOldDem]

64. I didn't watch it.

Got home from work at 9 after 12 straight hours of dealing with politics. Don't need to deal with it at home. Stayed up long enough to download some podcasts and went to bed.

ON EDIT: And yes, I too am getting pretty close to the point where I just don't give a shit anymore. State of the union sucks. Has for a long time. And there's just not much I can do about it except take care of those things that are within my control.

[PowerToThePeople]

65. I did not see it.

But a scan through the ops here makes it appear that nothing was said that was of any import.