# State of the Union 2018 follow-along thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [January 31, 2018, 12:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846 "2018-01-31T00:03:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 11
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/201 "2018-01-31T05:29:08Z")
> [@Arizona\_Mike](#): > > 1. What WAS that drool coming from the corners oF Kennedy;s mouth? > > 2. Did they film that on the set of an early Bruce Springsteen music video? > > 3. Was that his Uncle Ted’s convertible with the top up in the background? That’s the best you’ve got? ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/202 "2018-01-31T05:30:44Z")
I would like an answer to those 3 questions, please. ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/203 "2018-01-31T05:34:16Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > My Govt. students have to report on the SOTU, but I told them not to watch it, just catch the low-lights online tomorrow. I wouldn’t wish a live watching on anybody. That’s awesome, so as an educator, you’ve already pre-ordained for them the outcome of the speech, rather than teach them critical thinking and have them draw their own opinions based on their observations… This is what is wrong in America today, we cannot have intelligent discourse, and many of our educators, rather than challenge students to able to develop their own opinions, are simply imposing their own opinions… Maybe one or two of your students were interested in watching? Are you going to penalize them because they didn’t regurgitate the “low-lights” you expect in their reports? Pit me if you want, I don’t give a shit, but this disgusts me…I am not Republican, I am a proud non-affiliated voter for the last 10 years as both parties have disappointed me…but, seriously, every State of the Union address is an opportunity for students to observe, listen, formulate their OWN opinions…and for you to dismiss it to them is a failing of you as an educator… ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/204 "2018-01-31T05:47:18Z")
> [@betterlifethroughchemistry](#): > > … seriously, every State of the Union address is an opportunity for students to observe, listen, formulate their OWN opinions…and for you to dismiss it to them is a failing of you as an educator… There was this movie years ago where a guy and a girl were working as a team: she would wiggle her ass and the guy would be cleaning out some poor mark’s wallet before she was even done shaking. The SOTU is the ass-wiggle. The students really ought to be paying attention to what is going on back there. So, as a lesson, being exposed to the actual content is of little or no value. ---
**Author:** ![betterlifethroughchemistry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/betterlifethroughchemistry/32/3094_2.png) [@betterlifethroughchemistry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/betterlifethroughchemistry)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/205 "2018-01-31T05:57:07Z")
> [@eschereal](#): > > There was this movie years ago where a guy and a girl were working as a team: she would wiggle her ass and the guy would be cleaning out some poor mark’s wallet before she was even done shaking. The SOTU is the ass-wiggle. The students really ought to be paying attention to what is going on back there. So, as a lesson, being exposed to the actual content is of little or no value. Really? So, completely dismiss what the POTUS is saying because you think it is of no value? The old shake and bake? That has nothing to do with with my point - it doesn’t matter if the POTUS sits up there and reads “Green Egg and Ham”, it’s a matter of teaching kids/children the ability to draw their own opinion on what is said, not that you think the “actual content is of little or no value” - let them decide, not you… ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/206 "2018-01-31T06:16:26Z")
Nonetheless, there is never anything to be gained from watching/hearing the speech that one cannot glean from the transcript. The students would probably get a better understanding of what was said from reading it than from hearing it. If there is a valuable lesson to be had, it is: what did he say, what is he doing, and how do the two compare? ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/207 "2018-01-31T06:17:16Z")
Hey, I just wanted to say thanks to everyone who participated during the SOTU; it was fun! ---
**Author:** ![Starving\_Artist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/aeb1de/32.png) [@Starving\_Artist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Starving_Artist)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/208 "2018-01-31T06:27:27Z")
> [@Locrian](#): > > Hey, me and my friends are making fun of Ivanka now, pretending she’s retarded. It’s okay because President Yam showed us it’s okay during the election! He’s truly inspirational when it comes to making fun of people. > > :rolleyes: I’d wager that Ivanka would have used proper grammar (an anachronism in these circles, I know) and said _‘my friends and I’_ before regaling us with tales of how she and her friends made fun of someone for being retarded…which I suspect she has too much class to do in the first place. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/209 "2018-01-31T06:55:36Z")
I was frankly disappointed with the Dem response. I expected more coming with the facts (like Bernie did), and a call to action (like Bernie sort-of did). And, there was no policy at all in it, just ‘this is what we believe.’ OK, that’s good, now what are you going to do about it? I haven’t seen Maxine Waters’ response yet, though, so maybe there’s something there. Bernie’s speechwriters should’ve worked with Joe Kennedy. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/210 "2018-01-31T07:09:43Z")
> [@Starving\_Artist](#): > > I’d wager that Ivanka would have used proper grammar (an anachronism in these circles, I know) and said _‘my friends and I’_ before regaling us with tales of how she and her friends made fun of someone for being retarded…which I suspect she has too much class to do in the first place. Her daddy doesn’t have class. And that was a bust at Hurricane whatshisname for calling out other posters on calling her a bitch. I sure hope I don’t need to post the video where I learned that “make fun of handicapped reporter” shtick. Apple…tree. ---
**Author:** ![Locrian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/locrian/32/14146_2.png) [@Locrian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Locrian)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 7:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/211 "2018-01-31T07:15:16Z")
OOOPS! Didn’t realize the furthest thing from a “Starving Artist” commented. So I suppose I DO have to show the video evidence. You’ll have to wait a whole 5, count them, FIVE seconds before you see the intelligent influence from Der Patriarch. [![]( " - YouTube") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBDpaiKTuvU) ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 12:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/212 "2018-01-31T12:06:37Z")
> [@Kolak\_of\_Twilo](#): > > So “chain migration” is an actual term now? Like “anchor babies”? It took me a minute to figure out what “Jane migration” was. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/213 "2018-01-31T13:33:23Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > I was frankly disappointed with the Dem response. I expected more coming with the facts (like Bernie did), and a call to action (like Bernie sort-of did). And, there was no policy at all in it, just ‘this is what we believe.’ OK, that’s good, now what are you going to do about it? I haven’t seen Maxine Waters’ response yet, though, so maybe there’s something there. > > Bernie’s speechwriters should’ve worked with Joe Kennedy. And why should they do that? They’ve got a job working for an outspoken, well known, independent Senator but they should spend their spare time helping out some newbie Democrat Congressman only elected for his famous name? ---
**Author:** ![Greathouse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/greathouse/32/2992_2.png) [@Greathouse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Greathouse)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/214 "2018-01-31T13:52:28Z")
> [@Simmerdown](#): > > Right. “We no longer tell our enemies our plans.” which is why we need to tell everyone our nuclear arsenal is not quite up to snuff. We don’t need to tell our enemies our plans after you’ve invited them into the oval office and allowed them to bug it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Tooth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c67d28/32.png) [@The\_Tooth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Tooth)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/215 "2018-01-31T14:55:57Z")
> [@Paintcharge](#): > > It took me a minute to figure out what “Jane migration” was. It’s part of ICE’s PR campaign. “Remember kids, be good loyal Americans and do what Jane Migration does: when in doubt, rat 'em out.” ---
**Author:** ![Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/try2b_comprehensive/32/65_2.png) [@Try2B\_Comprehensive](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Try2B_Comprehensive)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/216 "2018-01-31T14:58:41Z")
Krugman speaks on Trumpfrastructure: [https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/trumpfrastructure-is-a-scam/ar-BBIuqj5](https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/opinion/trumpfrastructure-is-a-scam/ar-BBIuqj5) Spoiler: It’s a scam. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/217 "2018-01-31T17:19:01Z")
75% of Americans who watched the SOTU approve of the speech. > **[Viewers approve of Trump's first State of the Union address - CBS News poll](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/viewers-approve-of-trumps-first-state-of-the-union-address-cbs-news-poll/)** > > CBS News asked speech watchers for their instant reaction to the State of the Union address ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 5:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/218 "2018-01-31T17:22:56Z")
> [@D\_Anconia](#): > > 75% of Americans who watched the SOTU approve of the speech. > > [Viewers approve of Trump's first State of the Union address - CBS News poll - CBS News](https://www.cbsnews.com/news/viewers-approve-of-trumps-first-state-of-the-union-address-cbs-news-poll/) You left out something. > [@](#): > > But as is often the case in State of the Union addresses, the people who watched tonight’s speech leaned more towards the president’s own party, at least compared to Americans overall. In the latest CBS national poll released earlier this month, 24 percent of Americans identified themselves as Republicans. Among those who watched tonight’s address, that percentage was 42 percent, bolstering the overall approval of the address. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Ace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/6bbea6/32.png) [@Johnny\_Ace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Ace)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/219 "2018-01-31T18:44:32Z")
> [@CarnalK](#): > > And why should they do that? They’ve got a job working for an outspoken, well known, independent Senator but they should spend their spare time helping out some newbie Democrat Congressman only elected for his famous name? Exactly what do you not get about the term ‘Democratic response?’ But then I guess Bernie’s speechwriters wouldn’t be inclined to help out a party that they’re not members of anyway. What I don’t get is your virulent and unsubstantiated dislike of Kennedy, but whatever. Wait, lemme guess, you voted for Jill Stein in the election because you just couldn’t stomach all the imagined injustices Hillary committed against Bernie. ---
**Author:** ![CarnalK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnalk/32/486_2.png) [@CarnalK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CarnalK)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2018, 6:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846/220 "2018-01-31T18:58:56Z")
> [@Johnny\_Ace](#): > > But then I guess Bernie’s speechwriters wouldn’t be inclined to help out a party that they’re not members of anyway. Umm, you mean almost exactly what I said? > [@](#): > > What I don’t get is your virulent and unsubstantiated dislike of Kennedy, but whatever. Wait, lemme guess, you voted for Jill Stein in the election because you just couldn’t stomach all the imagined injustices Hillary committed against Bernie. Bizarre guess about a bizarre observation. Calling Kennedy a newbie Dem Congressman who got elected by virtue of his last name is an obvious and straightforward observation, not an indication of “virulent dislike”. wtf? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846.md?page=10) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/state-of-the-union-2018-follow-along-thread/807846.md?page=12)