In tuning in to Barack Obama's annual speech, I challenged myself to read - and not listen to - it, essentially removing rhetorical devices in order to be able to focus on the speech, itself, and not the speaker.
At first, reading the transcript was a bit like the last time I listened to the radio - it's nothing I haven't heard before, and the only real unity present was the current popularity of the songs I heard.
It was nearly schizophrenic. While I was certainly pleased to read we are no longer at war and are instead creating millions of jobs, I was especially pleased to read how much I felt like I was learning. An entire political year in one speech - and isn't that the point of the State of the Union?
One particular element I couldn't help but pick up on was the following: "And we know how." We know how to fix our inexcusable behavior. We know how to solve the challenges that ever lie ahead.
My only real question, in conclusion, is this: Do we really know? Does Obama really know? I'm sure, if I had watched it, I would've bought it. I voted for him because I bought it the first time. Whether or not I buy it this time, though, is still to be seen.
Was "we know how" in relation to the economic crisis? I recall him taking us through the history. Brief though it was, it was an effective recap. We can fall into thinking, "oh this economy is so complex." But no, some people at the top made some legal but shortsighted and selfish decisions. I'm kind of excited about the financial crimes investigation and consumer protection agency that Obama talked about. Some heads need to roll!
ReplyDeleteI think that it's interesting that you read the State of the Union instead of watched it. In all honesty, Obama spoke very well per usual. I'm interested in what you mean by, "it was nearly schizophrenic." Politician's will always tell us what we want to hear. The real question is whether or not they will follow through with it.
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