# W's SOTU address tonight **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [January 23, 2007, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128 "2007-01-23T18:42:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/41 "2007-01-24T04:23:59Z")
He may have been schedued to be a talking head on one of the news channels. Seems like a lot of big names get some face time right after the SotU. ---
**Author:** ![astro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9dc877/32.png) [@astro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astro)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/42 "2007-01-24T04:34:19Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] A sledgehammer **would** kill an ant. Actually, the Admin’s strategy has been more like using a machine gun to rid a house of termites. [/QUOTE] I like that one! ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/43 "2007-01-24T04:55:36Z")
[QUOTE=Bear\_Nenno] Anyone else see how fast Kerry ran out of there at the end? Think he’s still bitter? [/QUOTE] Do Congressional seats come with those bags they give you on airplanes? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 9:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/44 "2007-01-24T09:53:57Z")
[QUOTE=BrainGlutton] the opposition being entirely free to hoot, jeer, boo, laugh at, or **grill** the speaker. [/QUOTE] I’d cheerfully donate my BBQ grill! ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 10:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/45 "2007-01-24T10:00:22Z")
New Bush Meme: in 2005, things were going great in the Middle East. Then our enemies struck back. > [@](#): > > In the last 2 years, we have seen the desire for liberty in the broader Middle East — and we have been sobered by the enemy’s fierce reaction. In 2005, the world watched as the citizens of Lebanon raised the banner of the Cedar Revolution … drove out the Syrian occupiers … and chose new leaders in free elections. In 2005, the people of Afghanistan defied the terrorists and elected a democratic legislature. And in 2005, the Iraqi people held three national elections — choosing a transitional government … adopting the most progressive, democratic constitution in the Arab world … and then electing a government under that constitution. Despite endless threats from the killers in their midst, nearly 12 million Iraqi citizens came out to vote in a show of hope and solidarity we should never forget. > > A thinking enemy watched all of these scenes, adjusted their tactics, and in 2006 they struck back. It’s a great meme, isn’t it? It effectively says we can’t just give up in response to the first counterattack; we were on the road to success, and we can get back there again if only we demonstrate ‘resolve’ now. Total bullshit, of course, but it’s a great meme. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 10:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/46 "2007-01-24T10:24:25Z")
A followup thought: it’s as if Bush is saying 2003-05 was _Star Wars_, and 2006 was _The Empire Strikes Back_. And if we don’t support the Administration, we’ll prevent the triumphant conclusion of _The Return of the Jedi_. ---
**Author:** ![Revenant\_Threshold](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@Revenant\_Threshold](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Revenant_Threshold)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 11:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/47 "2007-01-24T11:09:40Z")
Bush’s new strategy is “Send in the Ewoks!”? ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 11:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/48 "2007-01-24T11:36:13Z")
[QUOTE=Revenant Threshold] Bush’s new strategy is “Send in the Ewoks!”? [/QUOTE] Hey, it might work, if we sent enough of them. I’m sure both Shi’ites and Sunnis would consider roast Ewok very tasty and nutritious. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Cheesesteak](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cheesesteak/32/3694_2.png) [@Cheesesteak](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheesesteak)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/49 "2007-01-24T12:35:04Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] . The Iraqi People pretty much hate you, and all Americans. This is because you invaded their country without provocation, toppled their government, and hanged their President by proxy. [/QUOTE] Just a nitpick here, honestly, it’s a minor point excusing nothing that Bush has done. When you say “their government” you imply that it is a government of their own choosing, who acts to secure their safety and prosperity. You don’t imply a government that just happened to wrest power from the prior government and brutally suppress opposition for decades, acting only to ensure their continuing rule. If they’re angry at us, I don’t believe it’s because we took out their beloved Saddam, it’s because we made their lives worse. If there was now a safe and prosperous Iraq, with a solid government preserving the peace, it would be a small minority (there and here) complaining that we invaded. ---
**Author:** ![El\_Kabong](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/el_kabong/32/496_2.png) [@El\_Kabong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/El_Kabong)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/50 "2007-01-24T13:36:27Z")
[Quote=Revenent Threshold] I’m sure both Shi’ites and Sunnis would consider roast Ewok very tasty and nutritious. [/Quote] Er, I’m not so sure. Is Ewok considered _halal_? ---
**Author:** ![Scuba\_Ben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/278dde/32.png) [@Scuba\_Ben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scuba_Ben)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/51 "2007-01-24T13:48:53Z")
[QUOTE=El\_Kabong] Er, I’m not so sure. Is Ewok considered _halal_? [/QUOTE] Ewok isn’t kosher, that’s certain. Halal is more permissive than kosher, I’d love to know its rules on sentient semi-bipeds that have a certain level of civilization. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/52 "2007-01-24T13:50:49Z")
[QUOTE=Oakminster] Well, yeah, a sledgehammer would kill an ant pretty dead. [/QUOTE] If it hits the ant. ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/53 "2007-01-24T13:57:18Z")
[QUOTE=Scuba\_Ben] Ewok isn’t kosher, that’s certain. Halal is more permissive than kosher, I’d love to know its rules on sentient semi-bipeds that have a certain level of civilization. [/QUOTE] You can kill Americans, but you can’t eat 'em. ---
**Author:** ![Dinsdale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/97f17d/32.png) [@Dinsdale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dinsdale)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/54 "2007-01-24T14:22:27Z")
The SotU was last night? :smack: Well, for those of you who missed it - **Veronica Mars** was quite entertaining. ---
**Author:** ![Oakminster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/77aa72/32.png) [@Oakminster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oakminster)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/55 "2007-01-24T16:57:58Z")
[QUOTE=Cheesesteak] Just a nitpick here, honestly, it’s a minor point excusing nothing that Bush has done. When you say “their government” you imply that it is a government of their own choosing, who acts to secure their safety and prosperity. You don’t imply a government that just happened to wrest power from the prior government and brutally suppress opposition for decades, acting only to ensure their continuing rule. [/QUOTE] I did not intend that implication. I know they were not especially fond of Saddam, and he was not legitimately elected in a democratic system. But we did more than just dispose of that piece of garbage. We removed the entire government from power. No army. No police. No sanitation workers. No nothing. Chaos reigned. The system they had sucked, but at least there was some degree of stability. From the Iraqi citizen point of view, we’re a conquering army. Put another way, I’m not a big fan of Bush. If some foreign power were to invade and attempt to remove him from power, I’d go all **Red Dawn** on them, just like some Iraqis are doing to us. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/56 "2007-01-24T17:07:47Z")
Can anyone get me a screen shot of the Sgt who was recognized for his actions in Iraq and his Silver Star? The only pics I can find online are of him earlier in the year in ACUs. If someone recorded the SOTU digitally and could give me a screen shot of him standing and waving, I’d appreciate it. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/57 "2007-01-24T17:11:04Z")
[CNN.com](http://CNN.com) has a photo gallery that features him. ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/58 "2007-01-24T17:35:19Z")
Could you help me with a link. Nothing comes up when I search for Tommy Rieman or even Photo Gallery. I can’t find it anywhere on there. ---
**Author:** ![RTFirefly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c77e96/32.png) [@RTFirefly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RTFirefly)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/59 "2007-01-24T19:31:43Z")
[QUOTE=Scuba\_Ben] Ewok isn’t kosher, that’s certain. Halal is more permissive than kosher, I’d love to know its rules on sentient semi-bipeds that have a certain level of civilization. [/QUOTE] I’m sure it’s silent on the question of fictional creatures from fictional planets. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 24, 2007, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128/60 "2007-01-24T19:59:23Z")
[QUOTE=Bear\_Nenno] Could you help me with a link. Nothing comes up when I search for Tommy Rieman or even Photo Gallery. I can’t find it anywhere on there. [/QUOTE] That’s puzzling. They’ve probably changed their lead story, but you should be able to find that by searching. Try “State Union Rieman” or the like, and it should take you to an archived story, especially if it’s only been archived for less than a day. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ws-sotu-address-tonight/389128.md?page=4)