SOTU

I couldn't let it pass without at least making a passing reference to it.  The State of the Union was tonight and I was struck by some of the images and some of the contradictions.

First, the Dems made fools of themselves.  The images of them scowling, sitting on their hands, and generally acting like spoiled children was embarrassing.  When the President of the United States touts true statistics like a booming economy, low unemployment, soaring stock market, companies offering bonuses and wage increases and investment in R&D, well then you should applaud.  At least as a decent American you should.  That they sat there was ridiculous.  And when he touted the lowest black unemployment in HISTORY, the Congressional Black Caucus sat and scowled.  It was pretty disgusting.

Second, Trump has obviously been very controversial.  He has made some hurtful comments about people and has been tough on a lot of people.  Some have said that he's everything from a racist to a lier to a misogynist to everything in between.  And I admit that he's been a buffoon at times.  But he's also got a lot of successes to tout.  And these successes are good for all Americans.  Tonight he tried in a lot of ways to strike a cord of conciliation.  He tried to reach across the aisle.  But I'm afraid it's too late.  There are so many who hate him and they won't ever forgive him for real or perceived slights and actions.  The sad thing as that many of these things have been created by the media and keep getting reinforced by them.  And those guys will never, ever give him a break.

I was also struck by what the speech has evolved to.  All of the call outs of folks in the gallery gets a little tiresome.  I get that they want the human interest story out there to gain the sympathy vote, but it's just sort of smarmy.  Every President does it.  I just wish they'd dial it back.

But I really wish is that they'd just get rid of it all together.  It is a useless exercise.  There are never many specifics in it.  It's usually just platitudes.  I'd favor just a speech to the country at his desk in his office.  Of course, President's are politicians, so that will never happen.