State of the Union: Catchphrase Pool

[Zanzibar]

A bit late, but let's take guesses as to how many times the following phrases will appear:

'Enemies of Freedom'
'Strong economic indicators'
'We will not fail'
'Turning the corner'
'Success in Iraq'
'Strengthen our resolve'
'Patriotic Americans'

BONUS:
Will he utter any of the following words/phrases?
'Recession'
'Economic downturn'
'Civilian casualties'

Feel free to suggest more! No prizes except some bragging rights, which we all know is far more valuable around here.

[Aggort]

I am wondering if he will touch on the elections at all, and how they will effect the state of the union and if so I guarantee he mentions republicans.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

Eh, I don't care one iota about his last State of the Union, except that it is his last.

Now if he were to begin (or end) by announcing his and Cheney's immediate resignation, I'd do three jumping jacks for joy. Naked. On the roof.

Too bad I'll be keeping my dignity. :p

[Church42]

Should draw up some Bingo cards and call it "Political Catchphrase Bingo", just like that IBM commercial centering on corporate catchphrases.

I'm seriously going to stab out the eyes of the next person at work who blathers on about providing "value-added services"

[IrishWhiskey]

Eh, I don't care one iota about his last State of the Union, except that it is his last.
Well obviously thats because you won't be playing the State of the Union drinking game. The only way I can make it through one of these things. Get wasted and celebrate that its his last (or the the Washington Post eerily put it "probably his last").

Here's Wonkette's (http://wonkette.com/349790/the-eighth-annual-gw-bush-sotu-drinking-game) to get you started, although we make up our own rules.

Take a demure little sip whenever any pundit:
* Says “legacy.”
* Brings up 9/11.
* Mentions the 2000 election.
* Mentions the Florida recount.
Repeat when Bush himself mentions any of the above.

Take a solid hit off your drink when you see:
* Any noble public servants — teachers, nurses, etc. — who will spend the rest of their lives in underpaid obscurity.

Finish your current drink when the teevee lingers on:
* Any member of the Kennedy clan.

Pull down your pants and hobble to the bathroom when you see:
* Larry Craig

Take a regular drink when Bush:
* Dorkily praises Nancy Pelosi.
* Lies about the economy.
* Lies about the housing market.
* Lies about health care.
* Lies about Iraq.
* Lies about “energy independence.”

When he looks all proud of himself for successfully, if awkwardly, pronouncing a common three-syllable word:
* Drink one Shot.

Should he jabber about going to Mars or whatever the hell space stuff that would maybe at best happen 15 or 20 years from now, when he’s buried in Paraguay:
* Two shots, chase with half a bottle of beer or three gulps of wine, run around the couch three times flapping your arms.

He patriotically notes the patriotic example of Iraq veterans missing various body parts because they got blown up in Iraq for ever-changing bullshit reasons:
* One shot, one entire beer, throw the empties at your host.

[Sandman]

So the state of the union is tonight? I'll be watching Monday Night RAW.

[GrinR]

God Bless George W. Bush. God help us that he's the best we could get.

[Karmakin]

So the state of the union is tonight? I'll be watching Monday Night RAW.

Ahh. Watching something that's more real, huh? :)

Actually, someone should get up in the balcony and raise a sign that says

Economy=Wages+Benefits-Bills....DUMBASS

*ahem*

[IrishWhiskey]

God Bless George W. Bush. God help us that he's the best we could get.In no election ever would George Bush qualify as "the best we could get". "The best we deserve" maybe, but only if you are deeply cynical.

[Oxonian]

Get wasted and celebrate that its his last (or the the Washington Post eerily put it "probably his last").
To be fair, the Constitution mandates that the President inform Congress of the State of the Union "from time to time." There's no requirement that it be once a year. Bush could mosey on down to the Capitol every morning if he wanted.

Actually, that's kind of interesting: Art. II Sec. 3 gives the President the power to convene the Houses of Congress "on extraordinary occasions" and recommend to their consideration such measures as he deems necessary or expedient. Does that mean that, if Congress is about to consider some measure he dislikes, he can preempt the debate by calling Congress together and repeatedly asking it if various outfits make his butt look fat? Sort of like a Presidential filibuster?

[NationalKato]

And he's causing the Sarah Connor Chronicles to be a repeat this week. Asshole.

[IrishWhiskey]

Actually, that's kind of interesting: Art. II Sec. 3 gives the President the power to convene the Houses of Congress "on extraordinary occasions" and recommend to their consideration such measures as he deems necessary or expedient. Does that mean that, if Congress is about to consider some measure he dislikes, he can preempt the debate by calling Congress together and repeatedly asking it if various outfits make his butt look fat? Sort of like a Presidential filibuster?I'd be more worried about this part: "he may, on extraordinary Occasions, convene both Houses, or either of them, and in Case of Disagreement between them, with Respect to the Time of Adjournment, he may adjourn them to such Time as he shall think proper;".So he can summon Congress, and then if they say no or disagree about when to meet, he can disband them until whenever? Perfect document my ass.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

That sounds like a lot of fun Irish, but I'd be dead 15 minutes in. :(

[Oxonian]

So he can summon Congress, and then if they say no or disagree about when to meet, he can disband them until whenever? Perfect document my ass.
Proof that some of the Founders were secret Oliver Cromwell fans. And his warts.

[JediSanf]

The State of the Union is...

hilarious. Seriously, anyone who can look at current affairs and not laugh their ass off is not crazy enough to be a friend of mine.

What're your guesses?

[PathMaster]

Nuclur Power!

[Zanzibar]

The State of the Union is...

"Well and truly fucked."

Oh. You mean what BUSH will say?

"like Jell-O."
"better than Iraq's!"
"as good as we could expect, being that we're at War with the Terrorists!"

[GrinR]

In no election ever would George Bush qualify as "the best we could get". "The best we deserve" maybe, but only if you are deeply cynical.

It wasn't a question, but rather a statement of fact.

[Blade]

Once again, this is fucking up my television schedule. It is only Week 3 of Sarah Connor and I'm given a repeat!

Fuck the union!

[Zanzibar]

Fuck the union!

Union's already been fucked. Where have YOU been?
;)

[walkstheplanes]

In no election ever would George Bush qualify as "the best we could get". "The best we deserve" maybe, but only if you are deeply cynical.

Both opinions appear equally dismal.

[TheFlyingOrc]

"Well and truly fucked."

Oh. You mean what BUSH will say?

"like Jell-O."
"better than Iraq's!"
"as good as we could expect, being that we're at War with the Terrorists!"

I've noticed that my personal life is way worse than it used to be.

Oh wai-

I hate your threads.

[Druxk]

'Enemies of Freedom' - 3
'Strong economic indicators' - 0
'We will not fail' - 1
'Turning the corner' - 0
'Success in Iraq' - 10
'Strengthen our resolve' - 1
'Patriotic Americans' - 5

[IrishWhiskey]

I've noticed that my personal life is way worse than it used to be

Oh wai-
"Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, fellow citizens:
Tonight I have come here to tell you, and all Americans, that the State of the Union is, TheFlyingOrc's personal life is going okay."

Nope, don't think it works. Actually I wonder if any President since its been televised has said anything other than "strong".

[TheFlyingOrc]

"Madam Speaker, Vice President Cheney, members of Congress, fellow citizens:
Tonight I have come here to tell you, and all Americans, that the State of the Union is, TheFlyingOrc's personal life is going okay."

Nope, don't think it works. Actually I wonder if any President since its been televised has said anything other than "strong".

My point was criticizing his "everything is a disaster and we're all doomed" talk. Things aren't that bad all over. You don't have to agree with his policy to think that Bush hasn't ended Western Civilization.

[Magnanimous Gnome]

I've noticed that my personal life is way worse than it used to be.

Oh wai-

I hate your threads.


Then why do you read them?

[SuicideKing]

Wasn't planning on touching this given the way most of the board trends liberally, but come on, does anyone actually consider the governor's rebuttal to be, as per her words, "not a partisan response, but an American one?" I stopped watching 10 minutes in as I couldn't stand the non-stop stream of partisan talking points spewing forth.

-We need to go green, hug a tree.
-The World doesn't like us, oh noes, quick, make nice.
-The REAL enemy is the one we aren't fighting so yeah, let's uhm, pull out of Iraq.
-The economy sucks, Mr President, just sign our bills.
-Continual referrals to the new Democratic majority (which isn't all that new, and has done almost nothing of note yet, I'm sure there's something the Dems might consider to be of note, but for the life of me I can't think of any legislation they've actually passed)

By the way, anyone catch her referring to herself as the "Commander-in-Chief" of the National Guard. She didn't specifically say, But she meant the Kansas National Guard exclusively from the context I gathered..
Is that even true?
Last I checked, the President was still C-in-C, and could call up state reserves whenever he wanted.

[IrishWhiskey]

Wasn't planning on touching this given the way most of the board trends liberally, but come on, does anyone actually consider the governor's rebuttal to be, as per her words, "not a partisan response, but an American one?"Ah, so you were one of the 12 people who saw the response by Gov. Kathleen Sebelius of Kansas. The other eleven being her family members.

I wouldn't say the board trends liberally although you could say it trends more libertarian than average, as in small government, socially liberal.

Anyway, for those with the sense to skip an incredibly boring speech, here it is in a hundred words, run through Microsoft Word's "autosummarize" feature.

"The Congress can help even more. America honors the strength and
resilience of the people of this region [the Gulf Coast]. In
Afghanistan, America, our 25 NATO allies, and 15 partner nations are
helping the Afghan people defend their freedom and rebuild their
country. We launched a surge of American forces into Iraq. A free Iraq
will deny al Qaida a safe haven. America is leading the fight against
global hunger. America is leading the fight against disease. Our
military families also sacrifice for America. Our military families
serve our Nation, they inspire our Nation, and tonight our Nation
honors them."

[Schnoogs]

I'd be more worried about this part: So he can summon Congress, and then if they say no or disagree about when to meet, he can disband them until whenever? Perfect document my ass.

What's truly scary is that you actually think there's even the slightest chance he'll exercise that authority.

The next best reason to get Bush out of office is so that we can get a break from all of the tin foil wearing, conspiracy theorists who have to keep wasting our time with their "Bush is teh Hitler" stories.

[TheFlyingOrc]

What's truly scary is that you actually think there's even the slightest chance he'll exercise that authority.

The next best reason to get Bush out of office is so that we can get a break from all of the tin foil wearing, conspiracy theorists who have to keep wasting our time with their "Bush is teh Hitler" stories.

You are so stupid. He was joking.

[Lord_Singing_Whale]

The next best reason to get Bush out of office is so that we can get a break from all of the tin foil wearing, conspiracy theorists who have to keep wasting our time with their "Bush is teh Hitler" stories.

I find it tragic that America is hating so much upon Bush that they would even consider comparing him, or really, any leader that was democratically elected, to Hitler.

On a side note, I find it hilarious that people seem to think he is the front runner of the "New World Order".

[TheFlyingOrc]

I find it tragic that America is hating so much upon Bush that they would even consider comparing him, or really, any leader that was democratically elected, to Hitler.

On a side note, I find it hilarious that people seem to think he is the front runner of the "New World Order".
Hitler was kinda-sorta elected.

I seem to recall it being "not REALLY", but I think he was technically chosen.

[IrishWhiskey]

What's truly scary is that you actually think there's even the slightest chance he'll exercise that authority.

The next best reason to get Bush out of office is so that we can get a break from all of the tin foil wearing, conspiracy theorists who have to keep wasting our time with their "Bush is teh Hitler" stories.Like TheFlyingOrc said, I was joking with Ox about the phrasing of the Constitution. I never suggested Bush would do such a thing.

Hillary on the other hand would DEFINITELY do it.

On a side note, I find it hilarious that people seem to think he is the front runner of the "New World Order".Also Barbara Streisand, Bill Gates, David Beckham and Ban Ki Moon.

Has there ever been a sane theory involving the 'New World Order'?

[Craggle]

I'd be more worried about this part: So he can summon Congress, and then if they say no or disagree about when to meet, he can disband them until whenever? Perfect document my ass.

Only if they cannot agree on a time of adjournment. And the president has no power to prevent the Congress from reconvening.

[Drinking_Buddy]

I find it tragic that America is hating so much upon Bush that they would even consider comparing him, or really, any leader that was democratically elected, to Hitler.

On a side note, I find it hilarious that people seem to think he is the front runner of the "New World Order".

Every President is named the anti-christ, Hitler,NWO pawn or whatever, at lest once. Its part of being the President.

[NationalKato]

On a side note, I find it hilarious that people seem to think he is the front runner of the "New World Order".

Nah, that was Herbert Walker.

[Oxonian]

Actually I wonder if any President since its been televised has said anything other than "strong".
I know that Eisenhower's 1957 SotU (http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php?pid=11029) didn't describe the Union as "strong"; indeed, it might fairly be summarized as, "There is a very slim chance that, if you do exactly what I say, we might live through the next year." Carter's 1980 SotU claimed that the United States was "the strongest nation in the world," but his comments about the state of the Union itself were much less enthusiastic. Possibly there are other examples.

[Nerv]

Hitler was kinda-sorta elected.

I seem to recall it being "not REALLY", but I think he was technically chosen.

He was appointed Chancellor in an attempt to keep the government from falling apart, but within a month the Reichstag had burnt down, they blamed it on the communists and and used emergency powers to surpress the opposition and win and election, after which he used the same emergency powers to declare himself dictator of Germany.

[Disgustipated]

He was appointed Chancellor in an attempt to keep the government from falling apart, but within a month the Reichstag had burnt down, they blamed it on the communists and and used emergency powers to surpress the opposition and win and election, after which he used the same emergency powers to declare himself dictator of Germany.

I'm pretty sure Emperor Palpatine forced the Republic to make him Chancellor. I mean, "emergency powers" and all are great, but damn if he didn't fool them all.

[Oxonian]

He was appointed Chancellor in an attempt to keep the government from falling apart, but within a month the Reichstag had burnt down, they blamed it on the communists and and used emergency powers to surpress the opposition and win and election, after which he used the same emergency powers to declare himself dictator of Germany.
Yes, but you're leaving out Hitler's significant flirtations with democracy. He ran in the February 1932 elections and came second with 36.8% of the vote in two rounds of voting (Hindenburg, hero of the Great War, won 40%). In July 1932, the Nazis became the largest party in the Reichstag with 230 seats. Papen offered to make Hitler Vice Chancellor based on these election results, but Hitler would not settle for anything less than Chancellor.