My Look at President Obama's State of the Union Speech

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President Barack Obama spoke before a joint session of congress, Senate and House, with supreme court members, government leaders, military leaders and specially invited guests. This speech continues a tradition of over 200 years.I will not analyze the president's words and ideas. That is already being done all over television. I will just say how l viewed the event, not comment on whether his plans are good or bad.

My first impression was that the president showed little emotion, passion. He spoke like he was reading a dull speech. Yet he did make a few minor jokes. Obama spent much of the time saying how bad the country was when he took office. He seemed to be blaming others for the bad news while taking credit for some good signs of improvements.

I did see two incidents in the audience while the president spoke. First, when Obama spoke of how bad the recent supreme court decision ending limits on campaign contributions by corporations was, and spoke of over ruling it, associate justice Samuel Alito, shook his head several times and said something to the man next to him. He did not look happy.

The other incident was also maybe a sign of future problems. When president Obama spoke of ending the military policy of don't ask, don't tell on gays serving in the military, the cameras focused on several military men in the audience. Most of the audience was standing and applauding and smiling. Yet all the military personnel were sitting, arms folded, looking like they had a toothache. Many seemed to be senior officers.

Over all it seemed the president was just going through a required duty. There was little new, no bold new programs, no real inspiring rhetoric. I think in a few weeks this speech will be forgotten. Just my impressions.