The State of the Union

[WilliamPitt]

The State of the Union
By William Rivers Pitt
t r u t h o u t | Perspective

Tuesday 31 January 2006

i knew that i was dying.
something in me said, go ahead, die, sleep, become
them, accept.
then something else in me said, no, save the tiniest
bit.
it needn't be much, just a spark.
a spark can set a whole forest on
fire.
just a spark.
save it.

- Charles Bukowski

"He shall from time to time," reads the Constitution, "give to the Congress information of the state of the union, and recommend to their consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient." And so it shall be. George W. Bush will be speaking tonight from the podium in the House of Representatives. Before him will be arrayed Senators, Representatives, generals and judges. The balconies will be filled with observers, luminaries, reporters and a few so-called "special guests" whose presence will be used to reinforce some argument or another.

It shall be quite a thing to see, a show worth watching if only to observe exactly how many lies, distortions, threats, taunts and smirks can be crammed into a single speech. This will be Mr. Bush speaking, after all, and the truth is not in him. It will be in every pertinent sense a mere commercial, a television advertisement from a failing company, a whitewashing of ugly truths by a staggering CEO whose sole desire is to keep the stockholders in line for another quarter.

In the interests of truth, the actual state of this union deserves to be displayed for all to see. This is the deal. This is how it is...

More: http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/013106Y.shtml

[kentuck]

1. Excellent commentary.

:)

[EuroObserver]

2. Yup.

[mdmc]

3. I feel that the time that Jefferson speaks of is at hand, or almost so

What principles are we going to stand for at this juncture? When the time comes, we better be, all, "Satan, stand behind me!" I know that we are united in regaining the principles lost to this administration. That should be the source of our dialog here at DU and within the party.

Peace and low stress,
mdmc

[stellanoir]

4. Kudos

two other corroberating though very different takes

http://www.juancole.com/

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x2422870

K & R

[leveymg]

5. Did you see the RE/MAX real estate ad about buying a home in Italy?

You know, that's the new meme - just follow the money as it flows abroad. First in a trickle, (second homes in Tuscany) and then comes the flood (penniless in Canada, picked-up, deported south). After the inevitable devaluation and conversion to the Euro, what's left standing in the ruins of America will be scooped up as bargains by the bagful.

The major stockholders aren't fools, Will. They vote with their money. Just watch the capital fly. If he's still in office next year, Shrub will be left holding the empty bag. That's his scripted role in this. Perfectly cast as a sneering villain with a touch of madness and comic relief.

[mattclearing]

6. Great column, Will.

Thanks for this. It puts the bullshit we'll hear tonight in perspective.

[Pachamama]

7. SOTU: An ugly TV Ad of the neo-fascist, corrupt regime that has taken over

our country and painted with lies by a scoundrel who acts like the Emperor of the World....

:puke:

I refuse to watch that scum spew his lies and the sham of the "dignitaries" that sit there and clap. The only thing that would make it worth watching is if I knew that every single Democrat and true American patriot stood up and turned their back on him and walked out.

Right now, I am so sick to my stomach about the failure of so many Democrats (including ones I have supported for years, Cantwell being one of them) that voted to cut off debate of a lifetime appointment. I can't think of anything more un-democratic by members of a party that I have supported.

Our country is in crisis and I'm so disgusted right now I am beyond words....

[VaYallaDawg]

8. Thanks Will for your ever-thoughtful comments.

Just about the only thing worth paying any attention to will be the entertainment value of his "dizzying new heights of dumassitude" (wish I could take credit for that line).

[GalleryGod]

9. Well done once more, WRP