Monday, January 21, 2013

Obama's Kenyan Anti-Colonial America, Round 2

We'll start with this amazing Chuck Shumer photobomb.


The speech was pretty interesting on a couple of fronts. Probably the most progressive speech he's ever given. Not quite sure what/if that means anything, but good to see regardless.
  • Strong defense of social security/medicare in his speech, if nothing else will be easy to clip and throw back at him next time he proposes cuts.
  • Obama wasn't in favor of gay marriage 9 months ago. His speech today mentioned the Stonewall riots and a full defense of gay rights. I'd say that's evolution.
  • Mentions of climate change, in fact more time devoted to them than during the entire campaign. We'll see if that means an actual push for anything whether through through congress of executive order/EPA/Keystone.
  • There was talk of an end to war, which will be great if it inclues the end of Afganistan as well as our constant bombings of Pakistan/Yemen/etc.
As for what we should really want/expect in the second term, our best bet for congressional legislation is for nothing major outside of raising the debt ceiling and not shutting down the government. If nothing other than those passes that's probably a good sign since anything that can get through the house is almost assuredly something I want no part of. Our best bet for good things would be Obama expanding his use of executive orders in immigration/climate/gay rights areas where he seems interested in taking action.

Any thoughts on the speech/second term predictions?

2 comments:

  1. My fan girl moment:
    "For we, the people, understand that our country cannot succeed when a shrinking few do very well and a growing many barely make it. We believe that America's prosperity must rest upon the broad shoulders of a rising middle class. We know that America thrives when every person can find independence and pride in their work; when the wages of honest labor liberate families from the brink of hardship."
    and of course Seneca f*cking Falls and Stonewall. He should have mic dropped then. That is ERA like language. Le sigh, now I'll sit back and wait to be disappointed.

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  2. Yep. that was a really awesome section.

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