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'Everything Is Awesome' SOTU Post-Mortem: "It's Not Government's Job To Make Everybody Rich"
The only thing we did not get from tonight's State of The Union speech was a "Mission Accomplished" flag... oddly some of the 6,493 words (the lowest word-count of his Presidency) were not entirely 'factual'...
SOTU ran 59 mins 56 seconds. Applause count per @JillianBHughes was 87.
— Mark Knoller (@markknoller) January 21, 2015
Don't Forget...
"Make A New America"
The Atlantic has an excellent interactive chart for diving into the details of SOTUs...
* * *
Some color...
"The shadow of crisis has passed" - so why are Treasury yields at record lows and why does The Fed have ZIRP and keep threatening QE on every 5% drop in stocks?
"the stock market has doubled"
Somewhere Ben Bernanke is offended Obama took credit for the stock market's gains
— GreekFire23 (@GreekFire23) January 21, 2015
"our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999"
About the whole jobs thing #SOTU pic.twitter.com/YJiHjUSh54
— Tim Backshall (@credittrader) January 21, 2015
Watiers/Bartenders vs Manufacturing workers pic.twitter.com/Y4OfJJ6VN9
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
"Wages are finally starting to rise again." - well hope is...
Obama "Wages are finally starting to rise" pic.twitter.com/9Xnox1EJYq
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
"These ideas won’t make everybody rich, or relieve every hardship. That’s not the job of government." - indeed only the 'already rich' get rich...
"The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate"
The world's billionaires fighting climate change in Davos pic.twitter.com/tcH08wrfnU
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
"Middle Class Economics" - How's that working out?
% of global wealth held by the middle class pic.twitter.com/O2CWE7zwYy
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
As WSJ notes, no one is even clear what the Middle-Class is...
"Cost of community college for all will be zero" - yeah that didn't work out so well did it...
For the first time in history, a majority of jobless workers 25 and over have attended some college pic.twitter.com/HhGg4peqE2
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
Free community college pic.twitter.com/C6W2U1ETpn
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
Student Debt pic.twitter.com/idH1g1DjcL
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
"As Americans, we cherish our civil liberties?" - not so much Germans... or North Koreans
U.S. Spies Tapped North Korean Computers Before Sony Hack http://t.co/PYKgZDx3Lo
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
"Russia is isolated, with its economy in tatters."
Obama in China pic.twitter.com/7Qe0u2McXP
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
Countries that have "isolated" Russia shown in blue pic.twitter.com/tvbn1pIJkd
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
And finally... "That’s a better politics. That’s how we start rebuilding trust. That’s how we move this country forward. That’s what the American people want. That’s what they deserve."
Obama: Congress should come together Obama: I will veto anything I disagree with
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
* * *
Bloomberg headline summary...
- *OBAMA SAYS `THE SHADOW OF CRISIS HAS PASSED'
- *OBAMA SAYS BUDGET WILL BE PRACTICAL, NOT PARTISAN
- *OBAMA SAYS HE WILL VETO ATTEMPTS TO KILL OBAMACARE, DODD-FRANK
- *OBAMA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO EXPAND PAID SICK LEAVE
- *OBAMA SAYS HE'S SENDING CONGRESS PLAN FOR COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- *OBAMA SAYS COST OF COMMUNITY COLLEGE WILL BE ZERO UNDER PLAN
- *OBAMA REITERATES CALL FOR TRADE PROMOTION AUTHORITY
- *OBAMA SAYS HE'S LAUNCHING INITIATIVE FOR CURING DISEASES
- *OBAMA CALLS ON CONGRESS TO HELP HIM CLOSE TAX LOOPHOLES
- *OBAMA REITERATES HE WANTS `FREE AND OPEN' INTERNET
- *OBAMA: U.S. HAS LEARNED `COSTLY LESSONS' IN FOREIGN POLICY
- *OBAMA SAYS RUSSIA IS ISOLATED, `ITS ECONOMY IN TATTERS'
- *OBAMA: IRAN SANCTIONS ALL BUT GUARANTEE NUKE TALKS WILL FAIL
- *OBAMA SAYS HE WILL VETO ANY NEW IRAN SANCTIONS BILL
- *OBAMA: NOTHING IS GREATER THREAT TO FUTURE THAN CLIMATE CHANGE
* * *
The White House has released the entire State of The Union speech...
Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans:
We are fifteen years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars; that saw a vicious recession spread across our nation and the world. It has been, and still is, a hard time for many.
But tonight, we turn the page.
Tonight, after a breakthrough year for America, our economy is growing and creating jobs at the fastest pace since 1999. Our unemployment rate is now lower than it was before the financial crisis. More of our kids are graduating than ever before; more of our people are insured than ever before; we are as free from the grip of foreign oil as we’ve been in almost 30 years.
Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago, nearly 180,000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, fewer than 15,000 remain. And we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 Generation who has served to keep us safe. We are humbled and grateful for your service.
America, for all that we’ve endured; for all the grit and hard work required to come back; for all the tasks that lie ahead, know this:
The shadow of crisis has passed, and the State of the Union is strong.
At this moment?—?with a growing economy, shrinking deficits, bustling industry, and booming energy production?—?we have risen from recession freer to write our own future than any other nation on Earth. It’s now up to us to choose who we want to be over the next fifteen years, and for decades to come.
Will we accept an economy where only a few of us do spectacularly well? Or will we commit ourselves to an economy that generates rising incomes and chances for everyone who makes the effort?
Will we approach the world fearful and reactive, dragged into costly conflicts that strain our military and set back our standing? Or will we lead wisely, using all elements of our power to defeat new threats and protect our planet?
Will we allow ourselves to be sorted into factions and turned against one another?—?or will we recapture the sense of common purpose that has always propelled America forward?
In two weeks, I will send this Congress a budget filled with ideas that are practical, not partisan. And in the months ahead, I’ll crisscross the country making a case for those ideas.
So tonight, I want to focus less on a checklist of proposals, and focus more on the values at stake in the choices before us.
It begins with our economy.
Seven years ago, Rebekah and Ben Erler of Minneapolis were newlyweds. She waited tables. He worked construction. Their first child, Jack, was on the way.
They were young and in love in America, and it doesn’t get much better than that.
“If only we had known,” Rebekah wrote to me last spring, “what was about to happen to the housing and construction market.”
As the crisis worsened, Ben’s business dried up, so he took what jobs he could find, even if they kept him on the road for long stretches of time. Rebekah took out student loans, enrolled in community college, and retrained for a new career. They sacrificed for each other. And slowly, it paid off. They bought their first home. They had a second son, Henry. Rebekah got a better job, and then a raise. Ben is back in construction?—?and home for dinner every night.
“It is amazing,” Rebekah wrote, “what you can bounce back from when you have to…we are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times.”
We are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times.
America, Rebekah and Ben’s story is our story. They represent the millions who have worked hard, and scrimped, and sacrificed, and retooled. You are the reason I ran for this office. You’re the people I was thinking of six years ago today, in the darkest months of the crisis, when I stood on the steps of this Capitol and promised we would rebuild our economy on a new foundation. And it’s been your effort and resilience that has made it possible for our country to emerge stronger.
We believed we could reverse the tide of outsourcing, and draw new jobs to our shores. And over the past five years, our businesses have created more than 11 million new jobs.
We believed we could reduce our dependence on foreign oil and protect our planet. And today, America is number one in oil and gas. America is number one in wind power. Every three weeks, we bring online as much solar power as we did in all of 2008. And thanks to lower gas prices and higher fuel standards, the typical family this year should save $750 at the pump.
We believed we could prepare our kids for a more competitive world. And today, our younger students have earned the highest math and reading scores on record. Our high school graduation rate has hit an all-time high. And more Americans finish college than ever before.
We believed that sensible regulations could prevent another crisis, shield families from ruin, and encourage fair competition. Today, we have new tools to stop taxpayer-funded bailouts, and a new consumer watchdog to protect us from predatory lending and abusive credit card practices. And in the past year alone, about ten million uninsured Americans finally gained the security of health coverage.
At every step, we were told our goals were misguided or too ambitious; that we would crush jobs and explode deficits. Instead, we’ve seen the fastest economic growth in over a decade, our deficits cut by two-thirds, a stock market that has doubled, and health care inflation at its lowest rate in fifty years.
So the verdict is clear. Middle-class economics works. Expanding opportunity works. And these policies will continue to work, as long as politics don’t get in the way. We can’t slow down businesses or put our economy at risk with government shutdowns or fiscal showdowns. We can’t put the security of families at risk by taking away their health insurance, or unraveling the new rules on Wall Street, or refighting past battles on immigration when we’ve got a system to fix. And if a bill comes to my desk that tries to do any of these things, it will earn my veto.
Today, thanks to a growing economy, the recovery is touching more and more lives. Wages are finally starting to rise again. We know that more small business owners plan to raise their employees’ pay than at any time since 2007. But here’s the thing?—?those of us here tonight, we need to set our sights higher than just making sure government doesn’t halt the progress we’re making. We need to do more than just do no harm. Tonight, together, let’s do more to restore the link between hard work and growing opportunity for every American.
Because families like Rebekah’s still need our help. She and Ben are working as hard as ever, but have to forego vacations and a new car so they can pay off student loans and save for retirement. Basic childcare for Jack and Henry costs more than their mortgage, and almost as much as a year at the University of Minnesota. Like millions of hardworking Americans, Rebekah isn’t asking for a handout, but she is asking that we look for more ways to help families get ahead.
In fact, at every moment of economic change throughout our history, this country has taken bold action to adapt to new circumstances, and to make sure everyone gets a fair shot. We set up worker protections, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid to protect ourselves from the harshest adversity. We gave our citizens schools and colleges, infrastructure and the internet?—?tools they needed to go as far as their effort will take them.
That’s what middle-class economics is?—?the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. We don’t just want everyone to share in America’s success?—?we want everyone to contribute to our success.
So what does middle-class economics require in our time?
First?—?middle-class economics means helping working families feel more secure in a world of constant change. That means helping folks afford childcare, college, health care, a home, retirement?—?and my budget will address each of these issues, lowering the taxes of working families and putting thousands of dollars back into their pockets each year.
Here’s one example. During World War II, when men like my grandfather went off to war, having women like my grandmother in the workforce was a national security priority?—?so this country provided universal childcare. In today’s economy, when having both parents in the workforce is an economic necessity for many families, we need affordable, high-quality childcare more than ever. It’s not a nice-to-have?—?it’s a must-have. It’s time we stop treating childcare as a side issue, or a women’s issue, and treat it like the national economic priority that it is for all of us. And that’s why my plan will make quality childcare more available, and more affordable, for every middle-class and low-income family with young children in America?—?by creating more slots and a new tax cut of up to $3,000 per child, per year.
Here’s another example. Today, we’re the only advanced country on Earth that doesn’t guarantee paid sick leave or paid maternity leave to our workers. Forty-three million workers have no paid sick leave. Forty-three million. Think about that. And that forces too many parents to make the gut-wrenching choice between a paycheck and a sick kid at home. So I’ll be taking new action to help states adopt paid leave laws of their own. And since paid sick leave won where it was on the ballot last November, let’s put it to a vote right here in Washington. Send me a bill that gives every worker in America the opportunity to earn seven days of paid sick leave. It’s the right thing to do.
Of course, nothing helps families make ends meet like higher wages. That’s why this Congress still needs to pass a law that makes sure a woman is paid the same as a man for doing the same work. Really. It’s 2015. It’s time. We still need to make sure employees get the overtime they’ve earned. And to everyone in this Congress who still refuses to raise the minimum wage, I say this: If you truly believe you could work full-time and support a family on less than $15,000 a year, go try it. If not, vote to give millions of the hardest-working people in America a raise.
These ideas won’t make everybody rich, or relieve every hardship. That’s not the job of government. To give working families a fair shot, we’ll still need more employers to see beyond next quarter’s earnings and recognize that investing in their workforce is in their company’s long-term interest. We still need laws that strengthen rather than weaken unions, and give American workers a voice. But things like child care and sick leave and equal pay; things like lower mortgage premiums and a higher minimum wage?—?these ideas will make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of families. That is a fact. And that’s what all of us?—?Republicans and Democrats alike?—?were sent here to do.
Second, to make sure folks keep earning higher wages down the road, we have to do more to help Americans upgrade their skills.
America thrived in the 20th century because we made high school free, sent a generation of GIs to college, and trained the best workforce in the world. But in a 21st century economy that rewards knowledge like never before, we need to do more.
By the end of this decade, two in three job openings will require some higher education. Two in three. And yet, we still live in a country where too many bright, striving Americans are priced out of the education they need. It’s not fair to them, and it’s not smart for our future.
That’s why I am sending this Congress a bold new plan to lower the cost of community college?—?to zero.
Forty percent of our college students choose community college. Some are young and starting out. Some are older and looking for a better job. Some are veterans and single parents trying to transition back into the job market. Whoever you are, this plan is your chance to graduate ready for the new economy, without a load of debt. Understand, you’ve got to earn it?—?you’ve got to keep your grades up and graduate on time. Tennessee, a state with Republican leadership, and Chicago, a city with Democratic leadership, are showing that free community college is possible. I want to spread that idea all across America, so that two years of college becomes as free and universal in America as high school is today. And I want to work with this Congress, to make sure Americans already burdened with student loans can reduce their monthly payments, so that student debt doesn’t derail anyone’s dreams.
Thanks to Vice President Biden’s great work to update our job training system, we’re connecting community colleges with local employers to train workers to fill high-paying jobs like coding, and nursing, and robotics. Tonight, I’m also asking more businesses to follow the lead of companies like CVS and UPS, and offer more educational benefits and paid apprenticeships?—?opportunities that give workers the chance to earn higher-paying jobs even if they don’t have a higher education.
And as a new generation of veterans comes home, we owe them every opportunity to live the American Dream they helped defend. Already, we’ve made strides towards ensuring that every veteran has access to the highest quality care. We’re slashing the backlog that had too many veterans waiting years to get the benefits they need, and we’re making it easier for vets to translate their training and experience into civilian jobs. Joining Forces, the national campaign launched by Michelle and Jill Biden, has helped nearly 700,000 veterans and military spouses get new jobs. So to every CEO in America, let me repeat: If you want somebody who’s going to get the job done, hire a veteran.
Finally, as we better train our workers, we need the new economy to keep churning out high-wage jobs for our workers to fill.
Since 2010, America has put more people back to work than Europe, Japan, and all advanced economies combined. Our manufacturers have added almost 800,000 new jobs. Some of our bedrock sectors, like our auto industry, are booming. But there are also millions of Americans who work in jobs that didn’t even exist ten or twenty years ago?—?jobs at companies like Google, and eBay, and Tesla.
So no one knows for certain which industries will generate the jobs of the future. But we do know we want them here in America. That’s why the third part of middle-class economics is about building the most competitive economy anywhere, the place where businesses want to locate and hire.
21st century businesses need 21st century infrastructure?—?modern ports, stronger bridges, faster trains and the fastest internet. Democrats and Republicans used to agree on this. So let’s set our sights higher than a single oil pipeline. Let’s pass a bipartisan infrastructure plan that could create more than thirty times as many jobs per year, and make this country stronger for decades to come.
21st century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. Today, our businesses export more than ever, and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. But as we speak, China wants to write the rules for the world’s fastest-growing region. That would put our workers and businesses at a disadvantage. Why would we let that happen? We should write those rules. We should level the playing field. That’s why I’m asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers, with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe that aren’t just free, but fair.
Look, I’m the first one to admit that past trade deals haven’t always lived up to the hype, and that’s why we’ve gone after countries that break the rules at our expense. But ninety-five percent of the world’s customers live outside our borders, and we can’t close ourselves off from those opportunities. More than half of manufacturing executives have said they’re actively looking at bringing jobs back from China. Let’s give them one more reason to get it done.
21st century businesses will rely on American science, technology, research and development. I want the country that eliminated polio and mapped the human genome to lead a new era of medicine?—?one that delivers the right treatment at the right time. In some patients with cystic fibrosis, this approach has reversed a disease once thought unstoppable. Tonight, I’m launching a new Precision Medicine Initiative to bring us closer to curing diseases like cancer and diabetes?—?and to give all of us access to the personalized information we need to keep ourselves and our families healthier.
I intend to protect a free and open internet, extend its reach to every classroom, and every community, and help folks build the fastest networks, so that the next generation of digital innovators and entrepreneurs have the platform to keep reshaping our world.
I want Americans to win the race for the kinds of discoveries that unleash new jobs?—?converting sunlight into liquid fuel; creating revolutionary prosthetics, so that a veteran who gave his arms for his country can play catch with his kid; pushing out into the Solar System not just to visit, but to stay. Last month, we launched a new spacecraft as part of a re-energized space program that will send American astronauts to Mars. In two months, to prepare us for those missions, Scott Kelly will begin a year-long stay in space. Good luck, Captain?—?and make sure to Instagram it.
Now, the truth is, when it comes to issues like infrastructure and basic research, I know there’s bipartisan support in this chamber. Members of both parties have told me so. Where we too often run onto the rocks is how to pay for these investments. As Americans, we don’t mind paying our fair share of taxes, as long as everybody else does, too. But for far too long, lobbyists have rigged the tax code with loopholes that let some corporations pay nothing while others pay full freight. They’ve riddled it with giveaways the superrich don’t need, denying a break to middle class families who do.
This year, we have an opportunity to change that. Let’s close loopholes so we stop rewarding companies that keep profits abroad, and reward those that invest in America. Let’s use those savings to rebuild our infrastructure and make it more attractive for companies to bring jobs home. Let’s simplify the system and let a small business owner file based on her actual bank statement, instead of the number of accountants she can afford. And let’s close the loopholes that lead to inequality by allowing the top one percent to avoid paying taxes on their accumulated wealth. We can use that money to help more families pay for childcare and send their kids to college. We need a tax code that truly helps working Americans trying to get a leg up in the new economy, and we can achieve that together.
Helping hardworking families make ends meet. Giving them the tools they need for good-paying jobs in this new economy. Maintaining the conditions for growth and competitiveness. This is where America needs to go. I believe it’s where the American people want to go. It will make our economy stronger a year from now, fifteen years from now, and deep into the century ahead.
Of course, if there’s one thing this new century has taught us, it’s that we cannot separate our work at home from challenges beyond our shores.
My first duty as Commander-in-Chief is to defend the United States of America. In doing so, the question is not whether America leads in the world, but how. When we make rash decisions, reacting to the headlines instead of using our heads; when the first response to a challenge is to send in our military?—?then we risk getting drawn into unnecessary conflicts, and neglect the broader strategy we need for a safer, more prosperous world. That’s what our enemies want us to do.
I believe in a smarter kind of American leadership. We lead best when we combine military power with strong diplomacy; when we leverage our power with coalition building; when we don’t let our fears blind us to the opportunities that this new century presents. That’s exactly what we’re doing right now?—?and around the globe, it is making a difference.
First, we stand united with people around the world who’ve been targeted by terrorists?—?from a school in Pakistan to the streets of Paris. We will continue to hunt down terrorists and dismantle their networks, and we reserve the right to act unilaterally, as we’ve done relentlessly since I took office to take out terrorists who pose a direct threat to us and our allies.
At the same time, we’ve learned some costly lessons over the last thirteen years.
Instead of Americans patrolling the valleys of Afghanistan, we’ve trained their security forces, who’ve now taken the lead, and we’ve honored our troops’ sacrifice by supporting that country’s first democratic transition. Instead of sending large ground forces overseas, we’re partnering with nations from South Asia to North Africa to deny safe haven to terrorists who threaten America. In Iraq and Syria, American leadership?—?including our military power?—?is stopping ISIL’s advance. Instead of getting dragged into another ground war in the Middle East, we are leading a broad coalition, including Arab nations, to degrade and ultimately destroy this terrorist group. We’re also supporting a moderate opposition in Syria that can help us in this effort, and assisting people everywhere who stand up to the bankrupt ideology of violent extremism. This effort will take time. It will require focus. But we will succeed. And tonight, I call on this Congress to show the world that we are united in this mission by passing a resolution to authorize the use of force against ISIL.
Second, we are demonstrating the power of American strength and diplomacy. We’re upholding the principle that bigger nations can’t bully the small?—?by opposing Russian aggression, supporting Ukraine’s democracy, and reassuring our NATO allies. Last year, as we were doing the hard work of imposing sanctions along with our allies, some suggested that Mr. Putin’s aggression was a masterful display of strategy and strength. Well, today, it is America that stands strong and united with our allies, while Russia is isolated, with its economy in tatters.
That’s how America leads?—?not with bluster, but with persistent, steady resolve.
In Cuba, we are ending a policy that was long past its expiration date. When what you’re doing doesn’t work for fifty years, it’s time to try something new. Our shift in Cuba policy has the potential to end a legacy of mistrust in our hemisphere; removes a phony excuse for restrictions in Cuba; stands up for democratic values; and extends the hand of friendship to the Cuban people. And this year, Congress should begin the work of ending the embargo. As His Holiness, Pope Francis, has said, diplomacy is the work of “small steps.” These small steps have added up to new hope for the future in Cuba. And after years in prison, we’re overjoyed that Alan Gross is back where he belongs. Welcome home, Alan.
Our diplomacy is at work with respect to Iran, where, for the first time in a decade, we’ve halted the progress of its nuclear program and reduced its stockpile of nuclear material. Between now and this spring, we have a chance to negotiate a comprehensive agreement that prevents a nuclear-armed Iran; secures America and our allies?—?including Israel; while avoiding yet another Middle East conflict. There are no guarantees that negotiations will succeed, and I keep all options on the table to prevent a nuclear Iran. But new sanctions passed by this Congress, at this moment in time, will all but guarantee that diplomacy fails?—?alienating America from its allies; and ensuring that Iran starts up its nuclear program again. It doesn’t make sense. That is why I will veto any new sanctions bill that threatens to undo this progress. The American people expect us to only go to war as a last resort, and I intend to stay true to that wisdom.
Third, we’re looking beyond the issues that have consumed us in the past to shape the coming century.
No foreign nation, no hacker, should be able to shut down our networks, steal our trade secrets, or invade the privacy of American families, especially our kids. We are making sure our government integrates intelligence to combat cyber threats, just as we have done to combat terrorism. And tonight, I urge this Congress to finally pass the legislation we need to better meet the evolving threat of cyber-attacks, combat identity theft, and protect our children’s information. If we don’t act, we’ll leave our nation and our economy vulnerable. If we do, we can continue to protect the technologies that have unleashed untold opportunities for people around the globe.
In West Africa, our troops, our scientists, our doctors, our nurses and healthcare workers are rolling back Ebola?—?saving countless lives and stopping the spread of disease. I couldn’t be prouder of them, and I thank this Congress for your bipartisan support of their efforts. But the job is not yet done?—?and the world needs to use this lesson to build a more effective global effort to prevent the spread of future pandemics, invest in smart development, and eradicate extreme poverty.
In the Asia Pacific, we are modernizing alliances while making sure that other nations play by the rules?—?in how they trade, how they resolve maritime disputes, and how they participate in meeting common international challenges like nonproliferation and disaster relief. And no challenge?—?no challenge?—?poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.
2014 was the planet’s warmest year on record. Now, one year doesn’t make a trend, but this does?—?14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all fallen in the first 15 years of this century.
I’ve heard some folks try to dodge the evidence by saying they’re not scientists; that we don’t have enough information to act. Well, I’m not a scientist, either. But you know what?—?I know a lot of really good scientists at NASA, and NOAA, and at our major universities. The best scientists in the world are all telling us that our activities are changing the climate, and if we do not act forcefully, we’ll continue to see rising oceans, longer, hotter heat waves, dangerous droughts and floods, and massive disruptions that can trigger greater migration, conflict, and hunger around the globe. The Pentagon says that climate change poses immediate risks to our national security. We should act like it.
That’s why, over the past six years, we’ve done more than ever before to combat climate change, from the way we produce energy, to the way we use it. That’s why we’ve set aside more public lands and waters than any administration in history. And that’s why I will not let this Congress endanger the health of our children by turning back the clock on our efforts. I am determined to make sure American leadership drives international action. In Beijing, we made an historic announcement?—?the United States will double the pace at which we cut carbon pollution, and China committed, for the first time, to limiting their emissions. And because the world’s two largest economies came together, other nations are now stepping up, and offering hope that, this year, the world will finally reach an agreement to protect the one planet we’ve got.
There’s one last pillar to our leadership?—?and that’s the example of our values.
As Americans, we respect human dignity, even when we’re threatened, which is why I’ve prohibited torture, and worked to make sure our use of new technology like drones is properly constrained. It’s why we speak out against the deplorable anti-Semitism that has resurfaced in certain parts of the world. It’s why we continue to reject offensive stereotypes of Muslims?—?the vast majority of whom share our commitment to peace. That’s why we defend free speech, and advocate for political prisoners, and condemn the persecution of women, or religious minorities, or people who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender. We do these things not only because they’re right, but because they make us safer.
As Americans, we have a profound commitment to justice?—?so it makes no sense to spend three million dollars per prisoner to keep open a prison that the world condemns and terrorists use to recruit. Since I’ve been President, we’ve worked responsibly to cut the population of GTMO in half. Now it’s time to finish the job. And I will not relent in my determination to shut it down. It’s not who we are.
As Americans, we cherish our civil liberties?—?and we need to uphold that commitment if we want maximum cooperation from other countries and industry in our fight against terrorist networks. So while some have moved on from the debates over our surveillance programs, I haven’t. As promised, our intelligence agencies have worked hard, with the recommendations of privacy advocates, to increase transparency and build more safeguards against potential abuse. And next month, we’ll issue a report on how we’re keeping our promise to keep our country safe while strengthening privacy.
Looking to the future instead of the past. Making sure we match our power with diplomacy, and use force wisely. Building coalitions to meet new challenges and opportunities. Leading?—?always?—?with the example of our values. That’s what makes us exceptional. That’s what keeps us strong. And that’s why we must keep striving to hold ourselves to the highest of standards?—?our own.
You know, just over a decade ago, I gave a speech in Boston where I said there wasn’t a liberal America, or a conservative America; a black America or a white America?—?but a United States of America. I said this because I had seen it in my own life, in a nation that gave someone like me a chance; because I grew up in Hawaii, a melting pot of races and customs; because I made Illinois my home?—?a state of small towns, rich farmland, and one of the world’s great cities; a microcosm of the country where Democrats and Republicans and Independents, good people of every ethnicity and every faith, share certain bedrock values.
Over the past six years, the pundits have pointed out more than once that my presidency hasn’t delivered on this vision. How ironic, they say, that our politics seems more divided than ever. It’s held up as proof not just of my own flaws?—?of which there are many?—?but also as proof that the vision itself is misguided, and naïve, and that there are too many people in this town who actually benefit from partisanship and gridlock for us to ever do anything about it.
I know how tempting such cynicism may be. But I still think the cynics are wrong.
I still believe that we are one people. I still believe that together, we can do great things, even when the odds are long. I believe this because over and over in my six years in office, I have seen America at its best. I’ve seen the hopeful faces of young graduates from New York to California; and our newest officers at West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, and New London. I’ve mourned with grieving families in Tucson and Newtown; in Boston, West, Texas, and West Virginia. I’ve watched Americans beat back adversity from the Gulf Coast to the Great Plains; from Midwest assembly lines to the Mid-Atlantic seaboard. I’ve seen something like gay marriage go from a wedge issue used to drive us apart to a story of freedom across our country, a civil right now legal in states that seven in ten Americans call home.
So I know the good, and optimistic, and big-hearted generosity of the American people who, every day, live the idea that we are our brother’s keeper, and our sister’s keeper. And I know they expect those of us who serve here to set a better example.
So the question for those of us here tonight is how we, all of us, can better reflect America’s hopes. I’ve served in Congress with many of you. I know many of you well. There are a lot of good people here, on both sides of the aisle. And many of you have told me that this isn’t what you signed up for?—?arguing past each other on cable shows, the constant fundraising, always looking over your shoulder at how the base will react to every decision.
Imagine if we broke out of these tired old patterns. Imagine if we did something different.
Understand?—?a better politics isn’t one where Democrats abandon their agenda or Republicans simply embrace mine.
A better politics is one where we appeal to each other’s basic decency instead of our basest fears.
A better politics is one where we debate without demonizing each other; where we talk issues, and values, and principles, and facts, rather than “gotcha” moments, or trivial gaffes, or fake controversies that have nothing to do with people’s daily lives.
A better politics is one where we spend less time drowning in dark money for ads that pull us into the gutter, and spend more time lifting young people up, with a sense of purpose and possibility, and asking them to join in the great mission of building America.
If we’re going to have arguments, let’s have arguments?—?but let’s make them debates worthy of this body and worthy of this country.
We still may not agree on a woman’s right to choose, but surely we can agree it’s a good thing that teen pregnancies and abortions are nearing all-time lows, and that every woman should have access to the health care she needs.
Yes, passions still fly on immigration, but surely we can all see something of ourselves in the striving young student, and agree that no one benefits when a hardworking mom is taken from her child, and that it’s possible to shape a law that upholds our tradition as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants.
We may go at it in campaign season, but surely we can agree that the right to vote is sacred; that it’s being denied to too many; and that, on this 50th anniversary of the great march from Selma to Montgomery and the passage of the Voting Rights Act, we can come together, Democrats and Republicans, to make voting easier for every single American.
We may have different takes on the events of Ferguson and New York. But surely we can understand a father who fears his son can’t walk home without being harassed. Surely we can understand the wife who won’t rest until the police officer she married walks through the front door at the end of his shift. Surely we can agree it’s a good thing that for the first time in 40 years, the crime rate and the incarceration rate have come down together, and use that as a starting point for Democrats and Republicans, community leaders and law enforcement, to reform America’s criminal justice system so that it protects and serves us all.
That’s a better politics. That’s how we start rebuilding trust. That’s how we move this country forward. That’s what the American people want. That’s what they deserve.
I have no more campaigns to run. My only agenda for the next two years is the same as the one I’ve had since the day I swore an oath on the steps of this Capitol?—?to do what I believe is best for America. If you share the broad vision I outlined tonight, join me in the work at hand. If you disagree with parts of it, I hope you’ll at least work with me where you do agree. And I commit to every Republican here tonight that I will not only seek out your ideas, I will seek to work with you to make this country stronger.
Because I want this chamber, this city, to reflect the truth?—?that for all our blind spots and shortcomings, we are a people with the strength and generosity of spirit to bridge divides, to unite in common effort, and help our neighbors, whether down the street or on the other side of the world.
I want our actions to tell every child, in every neighborhood: your life matters, and we are as committed to improving your life chances as we are for our own kids.
I want future generations to know that we are a people who see our differences as a great gift, that we are a people who value the dignity and worth of every citizen?—?man and woman, young and old, black and white, Latino and Asian, immigrant and Native American, gay and straight, Americans with mental illness or physical disability.
I want them to grow up in a country that shows the world what we still know to be true: that we are still more than a collection of red states and blue states; that we are the United States of America.
I want them to grow up in a country where a young mom like Rebekah can sit down and write a letter to her President with a story to sum up these past six years:
“It is amazing what you can bounce back from when you have to…we are a strong, tight-knit family who has made it through some very, very hard times.”
My fellow Americans, we too are a strong, tight-knit family. We, too, have made it through some hard times. Fifteen years into this new century, we have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves off, and begun again the work of remaking America. We’ve laid a new foundation. A brighter future is ours to write. Let’s begin this new chapter?—?together?—?and let’s start the work right now.
Thank you, God bless you, and God bless this country we love.
* * *
Summing it all up...
More Socialism is the answer pic.twitter.com/cvV1uMeia8
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) January 21, 2015
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Well done.
I saluted my screen. Thanks!
So much stupidity and hot air in one suit. Where are the Guiness Book of World Records people?
The only way things will change at this point is for the citizenry to drag that lying traitor out of the white house by his skinny legs!
Yes, but use rubber gloves if you do.
Just the banksters.
Looks like our friends in Davos included Hewlitt-Packard, Wells Fargo and duPont, among others:
http://registry.faa.gov/aircraftinquiry/NNum_Inquiry.aspx
New America, every time.
Awesome job Tylers!
I particularly liked the tweet about all the Gulfstreams on the runway there at Davos.
#Hypocrites!
"We don’t just want everyone to share in America’s success?—?we want everyone to contribute to our success."
(emphasis is mine)
This statement really says it all.
Funny how he used the word "America" the most, and yet he is the visible puppet of the DC US nation that is criminally occupying the American country.
He should have used "Zion" and "CIA" a bit more.
The banksters need to repay us.
hmmm, I dunno there kchrisc
I thought the most used word was "children"
How many City States are we aware of?
- Wash DC
- New York City
- London
- Geneva, Switzerland
- Luxembourg?
- Frankfurt?
- Paris?
- Brussels, Belgium
- Moscow, Russia
- Beijing, China
- Shanghai, China
- Hong kong, China
- Singapore, Singapore
Hey anyone know anything about the Family Kong behind the Hong in Hong Kong?
Ugh.
He knows his audience has been Gruberized so doesn't matter how Big the Lies are ... they all praise him for moar free stuff.
Some folks like the smoke blown up their ass.... Does this open the door for an Short sqeeze in the morning?
"Renewing our Alliances in the Asia Pacific" - i.e.,
"We've exploited and colonized some Asia-Pacific Folks before; and we're about to do it again since we need them to keep buying our Bonds..."
He didn't mention the driverless car coming to a neighborhood near you. No more need for traffic cops as the car will be programmed to follow rules. Won't even start until it checks to see if insured and registered.
Good Bye CHP.
With cameras everywhere, half the detectives will be out of work as all crimes will probably be filmed.
There goes the bulk of the police forces. Cab drivers, truck drivers, bus drivers will no longer be needed.
There are a whole bunch of other work killing and middle class debillitating robots out there waiting to be unleashed on us. Even the POTUS and Congress can be replaced with a decent software/hardware combo, and they won't have egos.
Oh, I thought he said a "drive-by" was coming to a neighborhood near you."
Looks like the speech is good (or bad) enough to push gold over $1300.
Something wrong with that person. Why don't they use a sexy animae character with big jugs. That way people wouldn't pick on the idiot so much and some may even be able to beat off to the state of the union address. I mean after reading this article all that was left for ZH to do was to kick him.
Whatever Obama promises to do or not do, whoever he promises to make happy with what, I just don't care anymore. The more I like what he says the harder I have to shut it out. Because if it comes packaged with his campaign to get Fast Trakc for the TPP and TTIP and his insanely stupid drive toward war with Russia and Syria, anything else is just sugar coating on the cyanide.
We're going to Mars. Far out!
The guys we've isolated, Russia, is going to help us: Our astronaut will spend a year in the ISS... the Russians have an App for that, to get them there.
Psst... And they'll sell us a bunch of really large space rockets for a mere $1B... 8hrs of QE. But we got them ISS-olated real good.
Reality check:
I just got a phone call from a very rich, very liberal, crony capitalist in-law.
He LOVED Obama's SOTU speech.
"Greatest state of the union speech ever".
Sorry, but those people exist, and it's too late to have my wife choose her relatives.
I'd suggest you choose a new wife, but if she thinks the SOTU was BS then she's a keeper, regardless of her family.
I'ms so glad this stupid fuck POTUS will be out of office in 2016...
That's what we're all supposed to say.
the problem is you'll get another one just like him, no matter which party wins.
So, if nothing is going to change anything, what's the point of posting anything?
The state of the cosmos will be the same with or without you.
I know this is hard to fathom, but you could even get a worse one. Who would have ever thought you could get worse than Bush? Like interest rates, they keep lowering the bar, on a scale of zero to ten "Presidents" are in negative country now.
BOHICA
..
I did NOT watch this clown.
I can already tell you the crux of this speech was 'buy more time'.
I've been saying that for quit sometime.
Obamas idea of 'equality' is busting the rich down to our level. LMAO!
"Now you make that damn market close green so I look good or i'll suicide your ass!!!!"
Everything is fabulous.
Obama has deliberately made many non producers relatively rich for not working - compared to if they worked but would get fewer cash and other benefits. Hes given more free medical care to lower incomes as middle classers pick up the tab. The ulta rich have also been heavily favored through dovishly ignorant Federal Reserve/Central bankers.
It's government's job to plunder everyone poor
Did he say that he was gonna be closing Guantanamo...reallly?????.....Anyway, it again was all romance & political irrelevance just as the others. The real action was the deals he made on his way to and away from the podium!!
We suicided some bad apples (code for extremists which is code for the real truth):
http://www.naturalnews.com/048345_Grey_State_martial_law_murder-suicide....
Then again if this guy was convinced this was going to happen perhaps he decided to take his family to a better place.
I NEVER watch the state of tyranny speech. I feel horrible for anybody who does, and still buys into it. :(
Flipping the news channels - unbelievable positive polls and spin on CNN.
That's because if you're a sheep who doesn't know a bit about the manipulation of information that is out there, that would have sounded like a superb speech. If you know some of the actual numbers, facts and are aware of how President Stampy Feet acts when he doesn't get his way, you know that he's a lying fucking hypocrite.
euphoria at tops
FUCK YA!!!!
Here's MY State of the Union speech.
FUCK YOU OBAMA - YOU AND THE ELITIST SWINE THAT FOOLS AND DECEIVES THE MASSES...YOU ASSES..
I SAY WITH CLARITY.....FUCK....YOU
MH17 lies in tatters too.
(We) tatters(ed) (some folks). That's how we lead... - worst paragraph break ever.
I guess that's one way to reassure your NATO partners. Charming.
I apologize to everyone here at ZH, but after the speech, I got drunk I am so impressed with the average American these days. We are so, so easily bullshited. But what really gets me it that there are millions of Americans who buy into this popycock. Straight forward without jokes or sarcasim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-znXUMp0qk
Your Dear Leader shows his color as one who governs with anger and confrontation. He does not know how to behave as an adult and work with people, be it Putin or the US congress.
So, fxxK you all who voted this monkey into office and no, I am no repubiican and I have serious doubt about him from day 1. Man, look at his fxxking head, it is so small how smart do you think he can be. Did you vote for his mouth? I bet you did.
Parasite terminator by Antal Fekete.
http://www.professorfekete.com
Eliminates banker parasites and their political progeny by starving them.
Caution: This prescription works only if you use it.
You mean GOLD BILLS PAYABLE IN GOLD SOVEREIGNS...
- I have seen some of his stuff, but didn't see this before. They say he is a real honest researcher, honest man.
Looks like $332 USD per Sovereign
With this silly fuck in charge, we are lost forever.
The Shadow do....
or
Have you ever seen you collapse, baby, standing it the shadow...
or
ask your kids about Shadow the Hedgehog, maybe he's got a btter outlook than me...
just a note:
Its not govts job to ,make everyone rich (historically), its govt's job to seccure the interests of the people.
The natural state of man is a state with no govt.
A state where one man trades with another man ,(one man trades what he has plenty of , for that which he has little of.)
One man is a fisherman, the other is a farmer, the fisherman trades fish for cows milk and meat, this is an equal transaction.
When govt steps in, it state that the milk and the meat belong to it and that you should keep managing its production "for the benefit of the state", which is essentially a mafia that points a gun to the farmers head and orders them to produce enough for their own consumption + the consumption of countless others.
And thus the weak vote for "government" and the strong simply try and endure its injustice.
And thats why govt should roughly be defined as " Rule by the weak and inferior (quantity vs quality) in terms of genes being passed on.
Govt is how the weak ensure their genes are passed on, they are not fit to survive (physically) in the world presented to them, so they must "piggy back" on more evolved genes (more athletic physical attributes) in order to survive.
Its like one set of humans evolving to master deception and lies and fraud and crime, in order to survive off the backs of a superior species of human (physically more capable to survive).
This was the most humorous part of Obama's speech:
"That’s what middle-class economics is?—?the idea that this country does best when everyone gets their fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules. We don’t just want everyone to share in America’s success?—?we want everyone to contribute to our success."
A fair shot? The same set of rules? I want what he's smoking.
I would vote for anyone who gave me a fair shot...at the banksters.
But, O Leader, you once told us that we didn't build any of this??
Tyler, you actually watched the SOTU? You poor man! Take tomorrow off and cleanse your colon. also, apply plenty of eye, ear and brain bleach to clean out your body from that horrible experience!
Want to start day with a humor in ruskie style? :)
Watch this: http://youtu.be/283bDqu92PY
You can easily create (or even buy) quadcycle that is controllable with remote control. Than you can put on it what ever you like - for example a tomato and tell that you are working on creating killer tomatoes. And as "proof" put this tomato on quadcycle and drive with it using remote control that controls quadcycle.
This is really funny actually what Putin regime did :) Pathetic...
Want to start day with a humor in latvian style? :)
- Knock knock.
- Who's there?
- Latvian.
- Latvian who?
- Open door, is cold... and dark. Have potato?
Your constant anti-Russian/Putin dribble is pathetic...
"Latvia has cancelled a Holocaust exhibition in Paris for the fear of tarnishing the country’s image as the Baltic nation currently holds the EU presidency. The exposition was to tell the story of child prisoners at a concentration camp near Riga. "
www.rt.com
Latvian joke is better when tell is original style. Puts potato on quadcycle and drive with it through Riga using remote control that controls quadcycle. Quadcycle drive off pier at Riga harbor, catch by waiting Russian submarine, disappear. Dozens Latvians following quadcycle potato march off pier, fall in harbor, get wet.
Actually what Putin regime did. Is funny even to pollacks.
http://i.imgur.com/Lct5rhI.jpg
Just curious ...was there a 'Mission Accomplished' banner in the background?
'Bullshit Accomplished'
Here's Rand Paul's Response, which is a breath of fresh air.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=czsKW6EqypY
Thanks for the link.
"Russia is isolated, with its economy in tatters."
Did he really say that?
Out-of-control egomania in one simple sentence.
Was that speech .... "The State of the Onion" ?
the state of delusion ..
French fry
State of the french fry is greasy, cold, and way too much salt
But this is not funny as we can see repeating history with fascist rising in Russia:
A new group of “patriots” have vowed to defend Russia against pro-democracy protesters who “threaten its constitution”, using violent means if necessary. The group, which calls itself anti-Maidan, said on Thursday it would fight any attempts to bring Russians on to the streets to protest against the government.
Zaldostanov has been given awards by the Kremlin for his patriotic work and has frequently been pictured with Putin. A biker show put on by the Night Wolves in Crimea after the peninsula was annexed last year portrayed Ukrainians as fascists and was shown on Russian state television.
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jan/15/group-anti-maidan-defend-ru...
A fascist paramilitary is a fighting force - whether armed, unarmed, or merely symbolic - that is independent of regular military command and is established for the defence and advancement of a movement that adheres to the radical nationalist ideology of fascism. Such a paramilitary is similar to other radical political fighting forces, such as the Red Brigades of communism or black blocs of anarchism. Since fascism is such a militarist ideology, there are very few varieties of fascism where paramilitaries do not play a central role, and some kind of paramilitary participation is almost always a basic requirement of membership in fascist movements. Fascist paramilitaries have seen action in both peacetime and wartime. Most fascist paramilitaries wear political uniforms, and many have taken their names from the colours of their uniforms.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascist_paramilitary
"Latvia has cancelled a Holocaust exhibition in Paris for the fear of tarnishing the country’s image as the Baltic nation currently holds the EU presidency. The exposition was to tell the story of child prisoners at a concentration camp near Riga. "
www.rt.com
Dear Latvian troll, you are quoting the Guardian article very selectively.
Here's one quote from it. As you can see the principle aim of the Night Wolves crowd in Moscow is to prevent any Western attempts to do in Russia what Washington and its acolytes in Westminster/Brussels have done across the Middle East, Libya, Ukraine and attempted to do in Hong Kong via fallacious "color revolutions", which amount to nothing more than overthrowing the incumbent leaders and parachuting in a Western "stooge" who takes orders from Washington.
It's time for you admit that you're just a propaganda stooge on somebody's payroll.
Dear ruskie payed troll, that fascist - Nikolai Starikov - can say what ever he wants - like he is saving little babies etc. That doesn't change the fact that he with Putin regime organizing fascist aggresive group that will attack any demonstration against Putin regime.
It's time to admit you are a Putin propoganda stooge on Kremlins payroll.
I think you are both right, both bring facts and should both refrain from accusations of paid trolldom
a fascist stooge can be a great little babies saver, too. and a patriot, and even a hero. and we are seeing lots of fascist stooges being pitted against each other by "regimes"
I'd say stop claiming the moral high ground, both of you. that's a thing of the past, and perhaps the future, but not this present of imperial pretensions
Maybe you are right... maybe
Ghordius, you're a regular reader/commenter on ZH and can see that other ZH-ers are not some sort of old commie-wannabes. Far from it; that is not why there's support for Putin on ZH. It's because people are intelligent enough to see that in these Western engineered incidents that arise between the West and Russia, Putin is doing the right thing and showing enormous restraint under intense Western provocation. As a result he's exposing the likes of Obola for what they are: CIA/Neo-con/MIC/Bankster stooges. Many of us are angry and disgusted at what we see going on in our name and all without any authority. It will not end well. And Brussels won't save anybody.
If Western leaders shed their madness, Russia could be a welcome member of the global community with much to bring to the table of mankind.
...just my opinion :-)
It's not EU that has invaded and occupied part of Georgia and it's not EU that has occupied and than annexed part of Ukraine. It's Russia. Russia is aggresor and is invading Ukraine using hybrid war by sending it's troops and militia to Ukraine. Is that a crime? Yes! Is that something new? No! US is just as criminal until it's ruled by oligarch regime, just as in Russia it's ruled by oligarch regime. US also used rebels to arm them and invade other countries and to remove goverments. Putin regime uses same tactics. They both are criminal. both.
So by exposing US oligarch regime it doesn't mean that Putin oligarch regime is not criminal.
Question is who from both evils are far wors for each of us. I think there should be revolution in both countries and both US citizens and Russian citizens should regain power of their country. But both citizens are brainwashed by their oligarch regime main stream media. You can't trust them both. But you can trust infromation from the ground. And regardin Ukraine - it's Russian militia who are invadinig Ukraine because Putin regime doesn't think Ukraine is separate country - it wants it's resources. Also EU wanted Ukraine recources - but thing is - EU doesn't invade countries. EU doesn't send it's militias. EU sends arms and weapons to Ukraine army because Ukraine had free open democratic election that where approved even by Russia as legit - and so - this Ukraine goverment and it's army represents people of Ukraine.
.
Fixed it for you, tovarisch.
Sounds like a scary. However, it is you who claimed Russian invading in Ukraine. To quote Latvian honeydipper potato troll,
Maybe time to be reminded of things such as evidence?
http://www.zerohedge.com/news/2014-09-09/mh17-was-struck-multiple-high-e...
careful, there. the EU has no arms/weapons. the EU countries have weapons. specifically, Poland is the most pro-Ukraine EU country and leads a block of pro-Ukraine countries highly suspicious of Russia
do you have informations on which countries are giving arms to Ukraine? then check them and you'll see that. you might even notice non-EU sources
Is it Poland who has annexed Crimea?
"Ad Hominem", with a bit of "strawman"..
Stay predictable ;-)
no, of course not. the Russian Duma legislated the Act of Annexation of Crimea
we had tons of discussions on that on ZH. sadly, most ZHrs don't see the implications, and don't see why this drives many EU countries to be highly suspicious of Russia. I blame decades of bullshit spent talking about "international law". and referendums being the one thing that makes everything holy.
it's a powerful argument with me, but generally speaking it leaves the average libertarian, for example, completely cold. I'd even say it leaves the average American quite puzzled
the concept of "Westphalian sovereignty" is european first, and Asian second. I sometimes doubt it was ever American in the fullest sense, and for sure not since WWII. and it wasn't ever Russian
Nonsense. Your allegations would only stand up if Putin had minority public support, say about 20%. You might then be able to claim that he is a fascist despot, or whatever takes your fancy, determined to quell all opposition using this biker crowd. But the reality is different.
You carefully avoid admitting that Putin has overwhelming majority public support for running Russia; somewhere around 80% the last time I looked. That's a darned sight higher than any Western leader we have. Putin is not the new Stalin or Khrushchev. Whether the biker crowd have connections with Putin's regime is immaterial because what they're doing is preventing a CIA-funded-orchestrated coup against the legitimate Russian leader.
Russians don't want their country run from Washington.
Add to that, Putin gives me the strong impression that he wants (wanted) Russia to be a full member of the global community and for Russian people to benefit from that. And let's be clear: Russian people are not stupid, they have a lot to offer the world. Sadly, that's not acceptable to the likes of Obola, McCain, Nuland, the Neo-cons and the moronic crowd in Westminster & Brussels, all backed by Western banksters.
Since your own country is linked to the EU, you might better spend time taking a closer look at the Brussels crowd to see that fascism is rising across Europe, including the UK under an empty suit who has the balls to call himself a "Conservative". He's far from it and listens to far too many loaded briefings from the spooks in GCHQ, MI5 & MI6 who are determined that Britain becomes the world's No.1 surveillance state under their control.
Soviet Union communism is history. Get used to it. Fast forward yourself into the 21st century.
Have A Nice Day :-)
"You carefully avoid admitting that Putin has overwhelming majority public support for running Russia; somewhere around 80% the last time I looked. "
People of Russia are brainwashed by Putin regime controlled media, so they don't see any alternative to his regime.
It's not normal in free open democratic country where personality regime doesnt rule over people:
Increasingly, Russians See No Alternative to Putin"Soviet Union communism is history. Get used to it. Fast forward yourself into the 21st century."
More than half of Russians want the Soviet Union back
Why nearly 60 percent of Russians 'deeply regret' the USSR's demiseAnother way of saying that Russians (80% of them) see no alternative to Putin is to say they support him over other candidates. How different is that to the West? ....except that our leaders never achieve 80% support because they're a bunch of slimeballs.
Edit:
"More than half of Russians want the Soviet Union back"
No. that is not what the Pew poll is saying. You need to read between the lines of such polls.
"they support him over other candidates"
Because all the real alternative candidates are either dead or suddenley arrested and jailed using corrupt Putin regime court system which feeds from Putin regime.
Really - can anyone see this regime in Russia surviving without Putin? If Putin died - who would took his place? Would things go normal? In any other country there would be no much changes - another election and some polititians would took it's place. But not in Russia. You have to be blind or without knowledge or troll not to admit that that is a huge difference in Russia.
Putin regime is corrupt from top to down, elite is feeding from this system and actually Putin is in prison with this system. System can't live without him and he can't live without this system.
US Empire is the Biggest Threat to World Peace . Period .
no, not period. at the same time, it is the guarantor of World Peace, too. A Paradoxon, yes, but there it is. America is many things and many conflicts, too
NOPE . It's not the guarantor of world peace . you learnt nothing then .
http://russia-insider.com/en/2015/01/21/2577?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medi...
/sarcasm on
Very objective site: putin-lies-propoganda.com
/sarcasm off
No. Read the article and spot that the article was first posted on Counterpunch, not exactly a Russian proxy site.
What you are describing could easily be said of many other nations.
Who do you think killed Dr Kelly?? (UK expert on Iraq's non-existent WMD)
Who do you think killed Gareth Williams?? (ex UK GCHQ/MI6 operative who discovered that GCHQ/MI6 were manufacturing false terror plots)
Who do you think organised the 7/7 bomb attacks on London Underground??
Did you ever hear of "The Ricin Plot That Never Was?? http://pistolero.aracari.swift-mail.com/Misc/Guardian-ricin-plot-that-ne... (original Guardian article now disappeared)
And in the US, there are even more mysterious incidents and deaths of people who "knew too much" and were about to blow the lid off.
ALL governments are corrupt.
I'm trying to remember a few.
- Libertarian Medical Doctor candidate for Congress, died in air crash 4 months ago
- Phillip Marshal http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2275258/Phillip-Marshall-Former-...
- Sonny Bono, Skiing accident
- David Webb, LA Journalist
- Bradley Cooper
- Vince Foster
- Friends of Bill Clinton
- I just don't have a good list I guess.
This lady is very share in documentation and researched in Germany about Operation Paperclip. Apparently she has gotten great assistance from the Germans about our German Scientists and the 20,000 Migrants in Operation Paperclip.
http://anniejacobsen.com/ Caught a few minutes of an Interview, I don't know about any other books of hers.
and I thought this thread was dead
"Since your own country is linked to the EU, you might better spend time taking a closer look at the Brussels crowd to see that fascism is rising across Europe, including the UK under an empty suit who has the balls to call himself a "Conservative". He's far from it and listens to far too many loaded briefings from the spooks in GCHQ, MI5 & MI6 who are determined that Britain becomes the world's No.1 surveillance state under their control. "
you mean the Right Honourable Mr. Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. well, yes, I agree
note, though, that th "Brussels crowd" is furious with him and GCHQ, particularly after they found out that the British services were spying on Brussel's diplo teams
and please also note that the EU Parliament is strongly in favour of existing and future "right to privacy" EU laws for all EU citizens that are completely opposed to what Mr. Cameron is proposing in his Orwellian Distopian Dream of getting rid of all private encryption
I haven't heard from Nigel Farage on this theme, and I'm giddy with anticipation what he will say, particularly if he does that on the EU Parliament's floor
here an old one: Nigel Farage says "have confidence in the intelligence services": http://youtu.be/Hd1qM-QE_0E
Quite so Ghordius.
I've never said this to you before, but whilst I have little time for the EU, its nanny state rules, its lack of understanding of economics and much more, I have always had equally grave concerns about what happens n Britain without the EU breathing down its neck.
The problems began with John Major (Michael Howard), continued with Blair and now Cameron. Truth is that none of our political parties can be trusted to run the country in the best interests of citizens. This recent Cameron crap of outlawing encryption is just the beginning, and it's all being driven by the spooks in private briefings to him and his evil Home Secretary.
If Britain does leave the EU, I would expect the police state to be ramped up soon afterwards under either party.
This is why I have long argued for a British Constitution. Neither party will agree.
As for Farage, he's hiding a lot.
"As for Farage, he's hiding a lot."
What ?
Farage would have us all believe that he's a "breath of fresh air" and anti-Establishment. He may have inclinations in that direction - who knows - which would please many Brits like myself.
In reality, if he ever got into office he'd find himself facing off with armies of Establishment lackies all telling him that he cannot do what he wants to do (because it would diminish their power). If he ignores them, they'll dish the dirt and destroy him.
smacker, quite so too, in the inverse way
whilst I have little time myself for the UK, it's domestic nanny state rules while claiming oppression from the EU in the economic/regulatory realm, it's understanding of economics in the extreme ultra-liberal free trade globalizational attitude and much more, I have always had equally grave concerns about what happens in the EU without the UK breathing down its neck
I defend the EU a lot here... from imho false allegations. I would applaud a correct and factual criticism of the EU. the UK would fit the role of the main critic perfectly. but I don't see much seriousness in it, and a lot of domestic politics
but I still harbour hope. including in the UK leaving the EU and reforming itself, nevertheless
The "extreme ultra-liberal free trade globalizational attitude" that you say exists in the UK, only really applies to The City of London and free trade which Britain has always been in favour of because it makes profits for the big corps. In this respect, Britain is very much a corporatist state.
The rest of British industry - notably SMEs - is increasingly stifled by regulation and the cost of compliance went thru the roof when Blair was in town. IIRC it rose from about UKP11 billion to over UKP80 billion per annum between 1997-2006. On top of that there are extremely high business rates to shell out. For instance the business rates for the Wimbledon tennis complex in SW London are in excess of UKP3 million pa. No wonder ticket prices and a bowl of strawberries cost so much.
And we should not ignore that the EU has a huge corporate lobbying sector. RT.com made a documentary about it a while back. Here's the storyline of it:
This is the EU equivalent of America's "K Street".
It's no wonder that with all this closeness between government and corporates that many people say the EU & Britain are now "corporatist states", just like the US.
Commenting on US President Barack Obama’s State of the Union Speech, Lavrov said it showed Washington wanted to dominate the world and required all the rest to acknowledge their superiority.
“Americans are absolutely non-critical in assessing their own steps, and yesterday’s speech by Obama shows that the core of their philosophy is: ‘we are number one’. And all the rest should accept that.”
Lavrov described US “aggressive” foreign policy as “outdated.”
www.rt.com
I think it is possible that in 2008 not only did DOJ, The President & CONgress not pursue Criminal Charges against Bankers... But that some Powers in the USA... Actually recruited the biggest most corrupt Banking Criminals
- For Cheap Credit
- For Funding
- For Investments
- For Intelligence, Spying & Blackmail
- To set up a new secret Operational Intelligence Org
But this is just what my Imagination can come up with.
Never waste an opportunity.
"Russia is isolated, with its economy in tatters."
Did he really say that!!!!!
POT(us) calling kettle black!
And this is good? The FOTUS taunts other nations during a state of union? What's wrong with the bent little fuck?
oh, my, goodness
"21st century businesses, including small businesses, need to sell more American products overseas. Today, our businesses export more than ever, and exporters tend to pay their workers higher wages. But as we speak, China wants to write the rules for the world’s fastest-growing region. That would put our workers and businesses at a disadvantage. Why would we let that happen? We should write those rules. We should level the playing field. That’s why I’m asking both parties to give me trade promotion authority to protect American workers, with strong new trade deals from Asia to Europe that aren’t just free, but fair.
Look, I’m the first one to admit that past trade deals haven’t always lived up to the hype, and that’s why we’ve gone after countries that break the rules at our expense. But ninety-five percent of the world’s customers live outside our borders, and we can’t close ourselves off from those opportunities. More than half of manufacturing executives have said they’re actively looking at bringing jobs back from China. Let’s give them one more reason to get it done."
sure. because TTIP and it's counterpart TTP are all about small businesses, higher wages, fair dealing, manufacturing and jobs... /S
I don't even know where to start. With the "IP" part of the TTIP which completely dismisses national laws, jurisdictions and sovereignty? With the fact that both proposed deals are driven by Big Biz for Big Biz? That it would result in less jobs, expended in favour of longer supply lines and more megabiz efficiency? With the GMO part of the deals? With the fact that Big Biz lobbyists are up to now the only participants in the discussions, with no stakeholder from anything even remotely resembling small biz? With the little detail of the european negotiating teams being spied upon by both the US and the UK and having been caught in the act?
U.S. secretly negotiated trade deals are not about increasing trade, their own economic analysis shows trade increases only marginally. These trade deals are about moving market share to big corporations. The goal is not preserve small or medium businesses but to gut them. The globalists have an agenda- most of which has been facilitated by the United States.
If I were to start a peaceful revolution I would do the following...
Divide the country into regions using the government's FEMA divisions and let organic formation take hold.
Encourage what's left of the middle class to educate the poor on the issues. Outreach programs in Walmart parking lot, fast food joints. Sell it- sell it - sell it. Use advertising techniques to get people to buy in. Each region send their best looking, most articulate out into the field. Only the coolest, smartest, bad ass people are involved so join. Political activism needs to be sexy.
Have everyone put Congressional reps in their phone contact lists and create chaos in Congress with calls and emails.
These calls/emails would demand campaign finance reform immediately. Nothing more- nothing less. No 1000 pages of bullshit with loopholes. Campaigns funded with a portion of the Pentagon budget. A good government is imperative to the country's defense- the Pentagon will pay- no ifs, and or buts.
After they have no choice but to bend to our will- everyone will know the majority of people are asking for it and to ignore would be cause to disband Congress- next demand- get rid of Central Banks- if the government can print a bond it can print a dollar. Peg the dollar to physical metals. No more printing money to increase the wealth of the 1%. No more misallocation of capital.
That's a start.
Political activism needs to be sexy- sell it. Being "awake" or whatever you want to call it is of really no use unless you wake up others. Writing comments is therapeutic but in the long run not much more. Owning a gun and having some canned food or prepping won't get your family very far. At least put your Congressional reps in your phone contact list and call them. Let them know you are watching.
Interesting.
But who exactly are "the globalists" according to you ?
"Why should we let China have trade agreements with their neighbors?!"
"But as we speak, China wants to write the rules for the world’s fastest-growing region. That would put our workers and businesses at a disadvantage. Why would we let that happen? We should write those rules."
US student loans from USD 131 billion in 2008 Q3 to 825 billion in 2014 Q3, according the FRED statistic (here link) as tweeted above by Tyler
that's the single, most horrifying statistic I've ever seen (not involving death, war, famine and pestilence)
694 billion moar debt that can't be defaulted, making it the single greatest experiment in financial madness in the history of mankind
banksters are poisoning a whole US generation with that. that's not even debt serfdom, that's free-range debt slavery of gargantuan dimensions
Thanks for the numbers. I think this is a $694B seed. The offshoot will be future debt forgivenss that can only be guaranteed by the government. They are basically storing votes for the future. You will either be slave to your debt, or slave to the government, or both.
thats one way to pad the employment numbers too. Keep people shown on the books as students
This is part of the hidden inflation. Some parts of the economy did not get their salaries "downgraded" as part of the globalist, NWO, WTO agenda. College professors, city workers and pensioners, doctors and the medical-industrial complex to speak of just a few.
Other elements where inflation is hidden is in the quality aspect. Food for example. To prepare a true organic meal comparative to what was available say in the 1960's will set you back 4-5 times what the standard slop available in a grocery store will. Or say finely made furniture in comparison to the balsa wood veneer garbage brought in by the container load from China.
It goes on and on.
Mark Daniels | South Jersey Times By Mark Daniels | South Jersey TimesFollow on Twitter
on January 20, 2015 at 2:50 PM, updated January 20, 2015 at 6:18 PM Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier, 22, of Rutgers Avenue in Pemberton. (Photo provided)Associated Press
UPDATED
A Burlington County woman charged with burning her newborn infant to death on Friday allegedly doused the baby with flammable liquid before setting her ablaze, according to reports from police released by the prosecutor's office.
Hyphernkemberly Dorvilier, 22, of the 200 block of Rutgers Avenue in Pemberton Township, is charged with murder in the alleged incident that happened at 11:15 p.m. Jan. 16 on Simonton Road.
Prosecutors say Dorvilier doused the female newborn, who had been wrapped in towels and papers, in the flammable spray lubricant WD-40 before lighting her on fire.
When confronted by concerned neighborhood residents, authorities say Dorvilier claimed she was burning feces that her dog had left in her vehicle that was parked nearby.
Those resident detained Dorvilier and contacted police after she attempted to flee after putting out the flames with a bottle of water, authorities say, and the baby began crying.
Prosecutors say officers responding to the scene detained Dorvilier and recovered a can of WD-40 and a lighter in her jacket pocket.
Upon placing the baby that had been on the ground in a police cruiser, officers unwrapped the smoldering towels and paper and discovered that the child still had the umbilical cord and placenta attached, according to prosecutors.
The unnamed baby was airlifted to St. Christopher's Hospital in Philadelphia where she died about two hours later, prosecutors say.
Dorvilier was transported to Lourdes Emergency Department at Deborah Hospital where officers observed her bleeding or "spotting" on a hospital gurney awaiting checkup by a doctor, according to prosecutors.
Authorities say officers responding to her Rutgers Avenue residence discovered a blood trail from the driveway to an exterior door.
Police reportedly made contact with Dorvilier's mother and sister at the residence, who were unaware the suspect was injured or had given birth, according to authorities.
Police reportedly observed blood in the downstairs portion of the split-level home, finding blood and a bloody rag in that bathroom.
Dorvilier has been detained in Burlington County Corrections and Work Release Center on $500,000 bail — with no option to post 10 percent — since the alleged incident, prosecutors say.
Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Jim Ronca requested that Dorvilier's release upon posting bail also be contingent on a psychiatric evaluation.
Superior Court Judge Philip E. Haines agreed with prosecutors' call for evaluation and a review of that evaluation by the court, in addition to the $500,000 bail.
The charges are "very serious, in the high range of serious ... without a doubt," said Haines in court on Tuesday.
Dorvilier, who appeared in court through video conferencing while in detention, responded by saying "yes, your honor" when asked is she understood the charges against her.
She also indicated that she believed she would be retaining private legal counsel.
Dorvilier's loved ones on hand for the proceedings declined to comment to members of the media outside the courtroom.
Mark Daniels may be reached at mdaniels@southjerseymedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @dannypapers. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.
© 2015 NJ.com. All rights reserved.
http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/ng-interactive/2015/jan/20/-sp-state-...
pictures are worth ....
Another FAIL. But hey- Let's ride the 10 yr into the dirt
Pretty much a exercise in Obama proving he likes to hear himself talk.
"any state is a republic if it is governed by laws and not by autocratic decrees…if the king makes as well as executes the laws, then there is no res publica, or commonwealth, there is only a tyrant ruling slaves." Durant paraphrasing Rousseau
Screw the SOTU, I was waiting to read the comments here at ZH this morning instead...
Nobody really watched this abortion, did they?
Phew! At least he said God Bless! Must mean we are still A- OTAY in the USA!
Just a lot of sound and fury signifying the total collapse of our representative form of government by monies from the 1%. Any attempt to even pick the turds out of the punchbowl of that speech is useless. Our government has been captured by big money and nothing will change until it does. Hey dumbass I don't want you to make me richer, I want you to quit making the !% richer, that makes me poorer. Get it shithead? damn what a 2nd rate carney of a POTUS.
Missed the SOTU last night as I was fighting the city council on zoning outside the city limits without representation of the people outside the city liimits that cannot vote. Well, I don't see any positive comments on the speech. So I must assume that no one (zero) believes the BS coming out of the Kenyan's mouth. My question is: what are you doing about it? Are you going to be apathetic or are you actually going to get off your fat ass and do something about it? When I see you on the line with me then that will be change I can believe in.
This new bunch of ZH'ers talk's big but can't walk the walk. How many have Osamacare? How many still feed the beast?
YES, I am pissed off..........and I have a gun. This dog bites.
This 'line' of yours...
Does it exist only in your imagination?
I have read nothing about any barracades being put up with a lone gunman screaming about biting dogs.
This surely would be newsworthy? If you really want to grab some headlines, try self immolation.
It is, if you'll excuse the pun, a sure fire winner.
Yet here you are, barking.
"Tonight, for the first time since 9/11, our combat mission in Afghanistan is over. Six years ago, nearly 180,000 American troops served in Iraq and Afghanistan. Today, fewer than 15,000 remain. And we salute the courage and sacrifice of every man and woman in this 9/11 Generation who has served to keep us safe. We are humbled and grateful for your service."...
The only take away that matters that no one in the mainstream media will touch this morning or ever ask Mr. President why he said it?
Welcome to the "9/11 Generation" America!
How did he not vomit in his mouth as he was spewing so many lies?
Fuck him.
Having had an ex-wife, I find my appetite for bad liars somewhat blunted, so I view the SOTU speech as nothing more than an example of a grand rectal turbulence.
SOTU = Strangle, Oppress, Tax, Undercut
The wealth creators took all the credit and all the rewards in the good times.
They must now take all the responsibility in the bad.
This is probably why no one has gone all out, to claim all credit on the way up before today's wealth creators.
You get all the responsibility on the way down.
Get your fingers out "wealth creators" your performance for the last six years has been appalling.
Don't even try blaming the workers, they got none of the rewards on the way up.
The blame resides solely with you.
No excuses now.
As the wealth creators make all the important decisions the falling price of crude is obviously their fault.
An apology is in order wealth creators.
... I didn't view it, but it was nicely summarized here, thank you very much, and from the majority of the bubbly comments, SOTU was more like a state of the onion ... as you shed a tear while you peel each layer of lies, and with your mouth agape, eyes wild, you would softly utter wtf, and when you get to the last layer of in-your-face lies, you'd get absolutely nothing ...
Listening to obama talk is like bill clinton telling Hillary Rohdam how much he loves and cherishes her.
UNBELIEVABLE!
I missed it due to the cable going out....after I unplugged it. Even if someone is watching their enemy <insert Sun Tzu quote here> I couldn't phathom watching that charade. Who can stomach getting lied to by the institution of liars and not need a hot shower afterwards. This has become such a joke that the joke is on us.
"I started a joke, which started the whole world crying,
but I didn't see that the joke was on me, oh no."
Barry "MF" Gibb
Unless you work in government.
Government makes people poorer.
SOTU = Sanctions On The USA
Except, of course, the .1% who own us.
SOTU = Shut Out the USA.
I didn't watch it (puke). Did anyone faint this time?
I've heard enough propaganda, lies and pablum over the last 6 years. I really don't need to tune in and get more. I'm already full of your BS. Go to hell you evil POS.
SOTU = Sit On The USA