SOTU: The Drover's Version

Afterwards, I was amazed to hear Keith Olbermann say "It wasn't a good speech, but it wasn't a bad speech." Keith, I have news for you: It was a bad speech. Though nobody expected the Gettysburg Address it was not too much to ask that the President and his handlers produce something pedestrian but workmanlike, perhaps a bit tedious, but useful nevertheless. This speech, however, treats the presidency as if it were a reality TV game show. Jack-in-the-box Republicans, strategically massed around the podium, proved their dexterity at clapping and leaping to their feet on the slightest provocation, but even they couldn't help. It was painful to watch this meandering slough avoid Iraq until it could be avoided no longer, somewhere around half an hour into the thing, when the words "military action" popped out. Then a triple fear booster, enlivened by extra-heavy smirking. At which point even the redoubtable Republican cheering squad began to show signs of fatigue. The "nothing more important in our history" line about fighting terrorism sounding freakishly out of place, limping in as it did after a dull list of platitudes regarding the economy, tax cuts, energy, climate change, etc. Finally, the kitsch of honored all-American success stories underscored the parody. Unfortunately, it's all too possible that the Democrats will now be enchanted by such glittering frauds as the medical equivalent of social security privatization or doubling the size of the strategic petroleum reserve. Boondoggle upon boondoggle. Watching Keith's reaction I could see that the Tyrant's thaumaturgy already had had its effect...