Reason Staff Liveblogs the State of the Union

January 25, 2011

Join the Reason staff as we liveblog the heck out of Barack Obama's State of the Union speech. Click the play arrow below to watch our chatter scroll by in real time.

And don't forget to play the all-new 2011 edition of the Reason State of the Union drinking game. We will be.

UPDATE: Our work here is done. Thanks for joining us. Our condolences to your livers.

&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f8d618fd36" mce_href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php/option=com_mobile/task=viewaltcast/altcast_code=f8d618fd36" &amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Reason staff liveblogs the State of the Union&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

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|1.25.11 @ 12:40PM|#

The drinking game again? Didn't that kill enough people last year?

|1.25.11 @ 8:29PM|#

Yeah but Four Loko is banned now.

Suki|1.25.11 @ 11:14PM|#

While they had everybody in one place, couldn't the Senate repeal ObamaCare after they finished gawking at the prez?

Thorbie|1.25.11 @ 8:49PM|#

Nick Gillespie likes Dick Dale? Awesome! Here I thought I was alone in thinking surf music and libertarianism mixed well.

db|1.25.11 @ 9:04PM|#

Surf Music could be the Libertarian soundtrack--intense, vigorous, and unmindful of convention.

|1.25.11 @ 9:11PM|#

There's a libertarian chick who used to come here a lot that Dick Dale was really into apparently.

Seriously.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 8:54PM|#

More server squirrels - STAT!

Contemplationist|1.25.11 @ 8:57PM|#

I need a drink already

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:01PM|#

I propose 5 year spending freeze...at 1950 spending levels.

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:05PM|#

Listening to Zeppelin is a sign of true genius

db|1.25.11 @ 9:06PM|#

OK from the liveblog content it appears that the drinking is already in full effect.

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 9:06PM|#

Click refresh... click refresh...

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:06PM|#

Can Obama ever not look smug?

Esoteric.|1.25.11 @ 9:07PM|#

OH SHIT I'M ALREADY HAMMERED.

Esoteric.|1.25.11 @ 9:07PM|#

TELL MY LIVER I'M SORRY BUT I HAD TO DO IT.

Esoteric|1.25.11 @ 9:08PM|#

I do like the pruple tie, however.

(*hic*)

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:08PM|#

The US Government. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:09PM|#

Christ, are they ever gonna stop clapping

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:11PM|#

Soon. Then they'll move onto the siphilising.

|1.25.11 @ 9:10PM|#

The host has disabled reader comments.

what the hell?!?!

i guess reason thinks all 8 of us reading this thing might advertise or say 4 letter word.

Sheep|1.25.11 @ 9:12PM|#

Don't forget me!

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:10PM|#

Damn, there was a 3 sec gap where I could comment in the widget and I missed it.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:11PM|#

Dudes - watch Tosh.0, do shots and troll Reason! This RULES! WOOOOOO!!

Is someone giving a speech?

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:12PM|#

Web redemption for the fuhbah player who tackled his own player. Dumbass.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:14PM|#

Fucking Bill Romanowski to help the dude! Awesome!

*drink*

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:11PM|#

Where is Murray Head sitting?

vousy zuřivosti|1.25.11 @ 9:11PM|#

where's ANN MURRAY sitting?

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:12PM|#

With the snowbirds. So Florida, I guess, with all the other Canucks.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:12PM|#

Do it for Gabby!

|1.25.11 @ 9:12PM|#

Is jesse walker's avatar the dead space dude?

db|1.25.11 @ 9:13PM|#

I think reason should have a separate liveblog that allows reader comments. Give us a sandbox!

|1.25.11 @ 9:15PM|#

I think you are looking at it

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:15PM|#

Or they could just add a "live mode" for the regular H&R comments that fetches new ones without reloading the page...

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:14PM|#

PLEASE don't let Boehner start crying!

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:15PM|#

I'm curious about the meth kit demo

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:15PM|#

There are nations that have fistfights among their members of parliament right there on the floor. And those are just the chicks http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LrlV7FJq1AY

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:19PM|#

there were fights in my state's legislature back in the day

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:15PM|#

We must cooperate, but only when it means agreeing with me!

|1.25.11 @ 9:16PM|#

I like how Randy and Nick both used Muppets for their avatars.

|1.25.11 @ 9:17PM|#

Randy = Radley

Robert|1.25.11 @ 9:16PM|#

"Members of Congress, let's get this over quickly. I hear the State of the Union address is coming on tonight, and I don't want to miss it."

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:16PM|#

Rising stock prices = prosperity. There you have it, folks

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:16PM|#

Couldn't you get a pic of Veronique to use as an avatar?

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:17PM|#

the children (who are our future)

|1.25.11 @ 9:19PM|#

I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside...

|1.26.11 @ 12:19AM|#

No we need nation builders to pound our ideology into their little heads. And we can't stop stealing from the rich until the we fix the schools, even though more funding has never helped education and til there are no more budget cuts, even thoug a budget cut means that spending will go up 200% instead of the 314% requested by the school boards.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:17PM|#

Lol'd at Balko's avatar.

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:18PM|#

Pres looks a tad uncomfortable

|1.25.11 @ 9:18PM|#

what's the over/under on affirmative nods by biden?

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:18PM|#

"We have to do more."

Why, exactly?

Robert|1.25.11 @ 9:18PM|#

Hey, we're doing as good as they are, but we're not getting paid.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:20PM|#

We shill for Evil Billionaire Businessmen For Free!

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:18PM|#

Is Obama pining for the 1950s?

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:19PM|#

Um my father worked hard so I *wouldn't* have to do the same crap he did.

|1.25.11 @ 9:19PM|#

I just leaned a new word. Alliteration.

|1.25.11 @ 9:20PM|#

Learned.

BakedPenguin|1.25.11 @ 10:06PM|#

Another word I learned to say.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:21PM|#

They didn't have English class in your middle school?

|1.25.11 @ 9:35PM|#

Yes but I type faster than I think. Sometimes. ADHD.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:20PM|#

I like how the Reason staff are almost as cool as the Reasonoids.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:20PM|#

Yeah, but we have one that wins Jeopardy!

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:20PM|#

President Friedman.

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:21PM|#

Obama legacy-building pool:
a) Return to the moon
b) Manned flight to mars
c) Solar powered high-speed train linking east & west coasts

Place your bets now

|1.25.11 @ 9:22PM|#

Solar-powered high speed train to the moon!

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:23PM|#

"None of us can predict... what the next big industry will be, or where the new jobs will come from."

... But they'll definitely be in the green technology sector! Trust us!

|1.25.11 @ 9:22PM|#

If you have high unemployment businesses will hire all the productive workers and lay off all the low productive.

that is how France beats the US in productivity

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:22PM|#

How much longer till KM-W is a MILF?

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:26PM|#

3-2-1...

Robert|1.25.11 @ 9:22PM|#

That's it, I'm bailing for Tom Scharpling's stream ("The Best Show On WFMU") -- http://wfmu.org/wfmu32.pls

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:25PM|#

WFMU is the second best radio station in the country. WREK is #1

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:23PM|#

So is Obama the Twelfth Doctor?

Barack Obama|1.25.11 @ 9:24PM|#

Opportunity cost does not exist.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:24PM|#

sputnik moment

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:24PM|#

Sputnik!!!!!!!

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:25PM|#

No "tang" jokes? But "poontang" jokes are OK, right?

|1.25.11 @ 9:51PM|#

"I'm gonna be up to my elbows in tang like a fuckin' astronaut"

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:25PM|#

Investing in education is why we beat the Soviets to the moon.

To the moon, Alice!

skr|1.25.11 @ 9:27PM|#

It may just be me, but I think Biden looks like Sam the Eagle from the Muppets right now.

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:28PM|#

I almost can't believe he went from "we can't predict what technology will win out in the long run" to "we need to invest in these specific green energy sources". In the span of like 3 minutes.

|1.25.11 @ 9:28PM|#

Holy shit i think Biden is going to cry!!!

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:29PM|#

Blah blah, throw more money at green technology. Blah blah, throw more money at the public school system.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:39PM|#

"The policies of failure have failed!"

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:29PM|#

Someone should start charter trade schools

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:31PM|#

That's a good idea. That's the innovation we need!

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:29PM|#

let's "invest" in "clean energy". translation: let's subsidize our friends and fellow socialists who have co-opted the environment in order to tell everyone how to live like a good little citizen.

|1.25.11 @ 9:31PM|#

+100

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:29PM|#

To get more students through high school, just make it end at 10th grade.

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:30PM|#

Science fairs! Hells yeah!

|1.25.11 @ 9:30PM|#

Is it over yet?

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:32PM|#

"Show me the money!"
-20th century pop culture reference

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:33PM|#

quoting jerry macguire is easier than coming up with his own "ask not what your country can do for you" line.

|1.25.11 @ 9:54PM|#

OK, get mine from above:

"I'm gonna be up to my elbows in tang like a fuckin' astronaut."

Then I'll be impressed.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:32PM|#

there it is.....the token rags to riches good school anecdote.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:33PM|#

I think he said we need to make teachers into nation builders. This can only mean we're shipping them all to Afghanistan.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:34PM|#

I'm going to stop making jokes now, since the Reason staff seem to be pre-empting all of them.

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:34PM|#

Baby boomers, if you can't do, TEACH!

|1.25.11 @ 9:36PM|#

McCain and Kerry sitting next to each other is a nice touch.

|1.25.11 @ 9:37PM|#

A reminder to us all that the last 10 years could have been even worse.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:38PM|#

I think the Washington Post called it the "Caucus of Broken Dreams" section.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 9:36PM|#

Utter nonsense our TOTUS is spewing from his vomitus cavity, along the lines of: "Let me be clear, and make no mistake, because we have now solved the problem of health care for all, we can now 'invest' all of our collective efforts into jobs for all Americans. Those who cannot find jobs because of this fledgling centralized and slowly recovering (crony command) economy, we won't leave you behind. My ideas have been mis-characterized as the the cause of our lagging unemployment in my quest to radically transform America. They did not. We will 're-invest' as we see fit along lines that are consistent with the values of America, particularly it's youth and the dis-enfranchised. The values of entitlement, reparations, and imposition; the redistribution of resources along sound ideological lines, and the American idea that as long as we continue to 'invest' and 'appropriate' resources for our young (liberal) people so they will never know personal responsibilities like paying for their own health care in lieu of iPads, stylish clothes, and hipster doofus, faux hip-hop lifestyles so critical to the self-esteem necessary for them to succeed in our green, global economy. We must continue to 'invest' in such critical areas of daily life so they will never know a decrease in their standard of living and the rest of American will subsidize the solution to our health care woes, as we cannot afford to deny our young people this right. This precious right to guaranteed success and mitigation of failure, in this we must 'invest.'"

Insert some vapid comments and lip-service about civility (just like how the New Black Panther Party practices their speech) and pretenses to adopting free-market principles, and there ya go! Sputnik!

Justice Alito has the right idea. Mmmmm, Hawaii!

|1.25.11 @ 9:37PM|#

Instead of watching a predator talk, I'm watching a show about predators, on the Science Channel.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:39PM|#

Tosh.0 baby - hiLARious!

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:37PM|#

I ready for Rep. Ryan now.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:40PM|#

He was asking about you

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:37PM|#

yes mr president, by backing all student loans with the 'full faith and credit of the united states' (a line that will surely be over-used in the debt ceiling debate) you've assured that tuitions will keep going up and students will keep graduating with $100,000+ in debt. never fear though...those loans will be forgiven if they volunteer to work at govt-approved left wing special interest groups like acorn, etc.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

That is the future "Doc Fix".

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:37PM|#

OH fuck me. I think I'm switching to heroin. The alcohol isn't helping me.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:38PM|#

Is there anything he isn't spending more money on?

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:38PM|#

Infrastructure? What the fuck was the stimulus bill paying for? Where were all those shovel ready projects?

|1.26.11 @ 12:24AM|#

I could build fence if it wasn't for the labor shortage, wonderful time to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:39PM|#

ray lahood is a dickhead

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:39PM|#

And the Russians built the Trans Siberian Railroad.

(Which still goes to North Korea)

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:40PM|#

Man, their last Christmas album was good

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:42PM|#

Can anyone else see a 1964 Mao speech where he's bitching about all the new infrastructure the US has?

"We used to be the world leader, now... a nation with 150 years of history, 150 years! has better infrastructure.

|1.26.11 @ 12:31AM|#

China is losing money on fast trains we shoud have faster trains. Obama is right that airports need to improve but Americans not look at China with a few new airports in the cities and alack of basic infrastructure in most of the country but to Europe and Canada where air transport was improved by market reforms and liberalization which make flying more affordable.

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:40PM|#

The pat down joke was good. I'll give him that.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

the TSA is pissed he said that. they can't wait to feel up on train passengers too

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:40PM|#

HA HA TSA SUX@!

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:41PM|#

Napolitano Eyes Full Body Scans for Trains, Ships, Mass Transit

http://news.antiwar.com/2010/1.....s-transit/

|1.25.11 @ 9:40PM|#

Radley, before worry about wifi on Amrak, first we need to get Amtrak to break even.

I like riding Amtrak but I fear the repubs will cut it.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:41PM|#

IN Russia, train ride YOU!

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:41PM|#

No patdowns on trains.

HAHAHAHAHAAH!!

|1.25.11 @ 10:01PM|#

My pee is clear...but only when I drink enough water.

|1.25.11 @ 10:01PM|#

My pee is clear...but only when I drink enough water.

|1.25.11 @ 9:41PM|#

How many think we would be better off if Osama flew a plan into congress right now rather then into the twin towers in 2001?

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:42PM|#

homeland security is on their way to your house right now

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:42PM|#

Tom Clancy is a fan.

cynical|1.26.11 @ 1:11PM|#

Fun Fact: Paul Ryan is actually Jack Ryan's cousin.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:43PM|#

*raises hand*

*does another shot*

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:43PM|#

Hang on, Obama's going to unveil his plan any minute now.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:41PM|#

high speed rail? great. so now i can get taxpayers to overpay for me to ride on an empty train from tampa to orlando....and then we'll move everything in orlando to within walking distance of the train station. just think of how many jobs that would create?

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

I have a plan to create over 1,000,000 green jobs by outlawing tractors.

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:45PM|#

Luddite!

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:43PM|#

Review of regulations *drink*

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

was "commonsense" in the drinking game?

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

Common sense safe guards like forcing us to buy mercury filled light bulbs?

Margaret|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

Agghhh! The Wax Man

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:44PM|#

We got speed limits because of the Ay Rabs and OPEC.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:45PM|#

Did he just take credit for child labor laws? Is he going to pimp his support for prohibition next?

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:45PM|#

evil corporations! standing O

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:50PM|#

... Except, of course, for the corporations that are staffing the Administration.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:46PM|#

Do we drink for anecdotes?

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:47PM|#

Making prescription drugs cheaper, one monopoly at a time.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:47PM|#

Now I'm just drinkin' cause

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:47PM|#

how stupid is the 'pre-existing condition' argument? how about i buy my fire insurance after a fire burns down my house? according to obama, that's logical.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:48PM|#

Fucking insurance - how does it work?

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:14PM|#

Easy, I just pay my little co-pay and get exponential service in return. My public sector union and state insurance commissioner said so. Health care is a right dammit!

/snark

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:48PM|#

live in their means? did mister biggest borrower in history just say we should live within our means?

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 9:48PM|#

"Freeze domestic spending"

(Three lone claps)

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 9:49PM|#

We're right foked

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:52PM|#

"(Three lone claps)"

That's less than Silvio Berlusconi these days!

Vermont Gun Owner|1.25.11 @ 9:49PM|#

Suderman, you should spare 150 words for alt text.

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:49PM|#

400 billion in the next decade. Wow. I think it would have been more effective if he said it in the Dr. Evil voice.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:50PM|#

spending freeze? more stupidity. if a 400 lbs guy goes to the doctor, would the doctor say "you're overweight and it's killing you. let's start by freezing your weight at 400 lbs for 5 years"

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:50PM|#

We have to ensure we're not buried under a mountain of debt.

Just a foothill of debt.

"He's freezing domestic spending for 5 years." Hmm ...

"We'll eliminate anything we can honestly do without." Oh, never mind, then.

|1.25.11 @ 9:55PM|#

He is freezing spending now that he has raised it to country killing levels. God I hate that mother fucker. And all of his fucking minions in the media will be out talking about how reasonable he is being for freezing spending rates at unsustainable levels.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:12PM|#

Ask the monster-mega banks how wise it was freezing ARMs at the higher rate.

Or ask the states with the public sector unions conundrum how well they are doing, for that matter.

|1.25.11 @ 10:18PM|#

If we assume the Republicans are serious about cutting spending, then I think there's a case to make that that's like the worst case scenario.

If we assume the Republicans were about revert to pork-ass form anyway and slop their constituents to get themselves reelected?

Then everything always looks darkest just before it turns pitch black.

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 9:50PM|#

I prefer Rand Paul's plan to cut 500 million from this year's budget.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:51PM|#

Comments enabled my ass.

|1.25.11 @ 9:55PM|#

Teh cake is a lie!!!

|1.25.11 @ 9:51PM|#

We can comment in live blog now

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:53PM|#

except they aren't coming thru.

|1.25.11 @ 11:09PM|#

Yeah...but i think they could read them.

Matt mentioned something about reading the right hand column and they seemed to respond to things I wrote.

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 9:51PM|#

Maybe the airplane with the engine will crash right into the car in the ditch and kill the Republicans standing next to it sipping Slurpees.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 9:57PM|#

Slurpees have HFCS, they will shortly be banned in favor of Hawaiian Shaved Ice (tm). It's for the Children(tm).

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:52PM|#

He's going to fix Social Security and Medicare... without any privatization and without cutting benefits. Wait, what?

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:55PM|#

it's called snake oil.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:52PM|#

class warfare in the SOTU. what a surprise.

nekoxgirl|1.25.11 @ 9:53PM|#

Yes, taking someone's money away at gun point isn't punishing them. Why would anyone think that?

|1.25.11 @ 9:53PM|#

Two years ago it was all about "I Won" and "elections have consiquences". Now it is elections are over and it is time to forget them and work together. And of course the slimeball in chief will work together as long as the other side is only willing to offer meaningless changes to the piece of shit health bill he shoved down everyone's throat. We have never elected a more revolting person to the Presidency. Nixon was at least smart. Bush was at least a nice guy. Clinton was at least charming. Obama seems to lack even a single redeeming quality.

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 9:58PM|#

We have never elected a more revolting person to the Presidency.

Let's not get carried away here.

|1.25.11 @ 10:07PM|#

I can't think of one. Seriously. Hoover fed Europe after the World War I. Every 20th Century President had something going for them. I suppose you could go back to the pro slavery guys in the 19th Century. But post 1900 Obama is by far the most revolting.

Lyndon Johnson|1.25.11 @ 10:33PM|#

At least I could charm the dogs.

http://www.lbjlib.utexas.edu/j.....1-7-64.jpg

prolefeed|1.26.11 @ 4:59AM|#

FDR. Wilson. The other fucking Roosevelt. LBJ.

You're not even trying, John.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 9:53PM|#

On the 4th of October 1957, USSR succeeded in launching the first Artificial Satellite which had been the many years dream of mankind, and on the 3rd of November they launched the second one successively which loaded a dog, and the U.S.A also has made a success in this line at the beginning of 1958. And now the world has apparently entered the cosmic age.

GOTO OPTICAL MFG. CO.

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:54PM|#

"Simplify the tax code."

By putting the whole text on line.

IRS|1.25.11 @ 9:56PM|#

We're publishing a large-print version.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:54PM|#

Top. Men.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:54PM|#

Credit to National Journal for spelling 'rein' correctly

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 9:54PM|#

Hardy har, he said something cute written by his speech writers.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 9:55PM|#

I think the Teleprompter is on the way out.

|1.25.11 @ 9:54PM|#

My man, Rand Paul, playing the Reason SOTU drinking game with our good Kentucky bourbon (from Mitch's flask).

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 9:55PM|#

So, who will be canonized first? Rep. Gabby or the TOTUS?

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:55PM|#

That medical records thing is hella haphazard.

|1.25.11 @ 9:56PM|#

Restoring credibility in the institution of government = Term limits

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:56PM|#

What about Salmon Rushdie?

|1.25.11 @ 9:56PM|#

Restoring credibility in the institution of government = Term limits

Binky|1.25.11 @ 9:56PM|#

Salmon-chanted evening.

Caleb |1.25.11 @ 9:57PM|#

When will the staff realize that we aren't commenting?

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 9:58PM|#

Mebbe ur doin it wrong.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 9:57PM|#

We're engaging as hard as we can right now.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:58PM|#

it's nice to see that the camera men know their ues

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 9:59PM|#

cues

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:00PM|#

mention iraq or afghanistan, pan to soldier in the audience.

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 9:59PM|#

Al Franken.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:01PM|#

cue 'America Fuck Yeah' song

BenDU99|1.25.11 @ 10:01PM|#

Didn't Bush give this speech in 2004?

Binky|1.25.11 @ 10:05PM|#

No. Bush said "Bring it on" not "We will defeat you".

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:02PM|#

cue 'America Fuck Yeah' song

|1.25.11 @ 10:02PM|#

high speed rail. don't forget high speed rail. what is it with the stupid and trains?

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:04PM|#

You know who else was obsessed with trains.....

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 10:06PM|#

Don't worry, these trains are different. They won't run on time or on budget.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:23PM|#

Ah, nothing another government oversight committee won't fix. Remember gubmint math: bigger + more intrusive = efficiency^spending

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 10:02PM|#

"Muslims are .. a part of our American family." Sure. They're like that brother you paid other people to beat the shit out of, and locked out of the house.

Or something.

|1.25.11 @ 10:05PM|#

Well he did try to blow the house up that time.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:08PM|#

And screw the goat that other time.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 10:02PM|#

10:00 PM EST =PBR time!

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:04PM|#

helping farmers grow more food? is that what the dept of agriculture does? i thought they pay people NOT to grow more food.

this speech is riddled with doublespeak.

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 10:06PM|#

Your criticism is double plus ungood.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:05PM|#

here's the 'support our troops' moment. what happened to the Democratic anti-war movement anyway?

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:06PM|#

BTW, the ROTC not allowed on campus thing is a bit of a red herring (by both sides) and has been since the end of the Cold War.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:07PM|#

It's all about the Benjamins.

|1.25.11 @ 10:09PM|#

How is it a Red Herring? They don't let ROTC on some campuses becaust they are run by leftist self hating fucks who are stuck in 1968. DADT was just the excuse

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:14PM|#

Anybody's that gone to Harvard (for instance) in our generation has been allowed to be part of ROTC. They do it, like many other urban campuses as part of a city-wide consortium (Boston's is at MIT)

Multiple units would be a waste of money.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:16PM|#

DADT allowed both the 'leftists' and the 'anti-leftists' to be posers and pretend it wasn't all about the money.

Now that's gone.

|1.25.11 @ 10:21PM|#

But they do more than that. They won't let recruiters on campus. And MIT and Harvard both have an English department don't they? If it makes more sense to have a consortium for military studies why not everything else? It is not about the money it is about the ideology of the aging dirty hippies who run the place.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:26PM|#

The no recruiters on campus would be news to the recruiters I worked with around 2001 or so that lived in Boston and went onto those campuses.

|1.25.11 @ 10:34PM|#

It would be news to the JAG recruiters who were banned from Harvard and Yale Law Schools.

|1.25.11 @ 10:37PM|#

Were you awake during the Elana Keagan confirmation? It is okay to admit lefties suck. No one will take your cool card for it. And if they do, you really don't need it anyway.

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 10:07PM|#

That general looked pretty uncomfortable about the idea of letting teh gaiz serve openly.

|1.25.11 @ 10:07PM|#

My pee is clear but only when I drink enough water.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 10:07PM|#

"One nation"

What I wouldn't give to trade Barack Obama for George Clinton right now.

Johnny Longtorso|1.25.11 @ 10:08PM|#

Glad I skipped it and just drank in a room w/ the shades drawn and the lights off.

Oh god here we go again|1.25.11 @ 10:09PM|#

SCRANTON REPRESENNNNT

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:09PM|#

not for long. people will flee our shores as the govt creeps toward socialism, just as they used came to our shores to escape it.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:10PM|#

Tears! Drink!

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 10:10PM|#

Cue the waterworks

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:10PM|#

You know who else was big in Berlin?

Barney Frank|1.25.11 @ 10:12PM|#

Do you mean Irving Berlin?

BakedPenguin|1.25.11 @ 10:12PM|#

Our porpoises are clear - as are his motives.

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 10:13PM|#

I know how the dolphin on the bottom feels.

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 10:12PM|#

Is he talking about a shining city on a hill?

Barely Suppressed Rage|1.25.11 @ 10:13PM|#

Oh, is he done?

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 10:15PM|#

Brian Doherty:
Smoked Salmon, drilling a 2,000 foot hole to our future.

Thread over

BakedPenguin|1.25.11 @ 10:17PM|#

As I posted above, it wasn't really salmon.

|1.25.11 @ 10:15PM|#

I have been listening and understanding political speeches for over 30 years now. And the entire time every one of them from both parties talked about our crumbling infrastructure and need to have more research.

Is there any infrastructure that isn't crumbling? What a crock.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:19PM|#

Entropy. It's not just a good idea, it's the (second) law!

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:21PM|#

Fudge, it's the third.

I blame our science educational system, a chinese tiger student would have got it right.

BakedPenguin|1.25.11 @ 10:27PM|#

Have you put in your three hours of piano lessons yet?

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:32PM|#

It was the play dates and sleepovers that inhibited Kolohe's development.

|1.25.11 @ 10:16PM|#

The 2,000 foot hole to our future, is for the high speed trains, which will get us deeper in debt, even faster.

With the high speed internet we'll find about about it sooner.

Spiny Norman|1.25.11 @ 10:16PM|#

Jesse Walker: "reset our relationship with Russia" - what does that mean?

It means we'll send Hillary over with another mistranslated gift to show the Russians what idiots we are.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:21PM|#

under sniper fire, of course.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:23PM|#

under sniper fire, of course.

Brett L|1.25.11 @ 10:18PM|#

Its like they've already cut the White House speechwriters. Terrible, terrible speech.

|1.25.11 @ 10:20PM|#

Thank god, it's finally over.

But he's still stroking his ego, signing autographs.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 10:28PM|#

POTUS signed printed documents (SotU program) are highly desirable and valuable pieces of Americana.I'd push my way to get one if I was there.

|1.25.11 @ 11:37PM|#

Meh, I got a book signed by Roger Penrose at his talk at Pitt yesterday. I value that way more than a B-O memento.

|1.25.11 @ 11:37PM|#

Meh, I got a book signed by Roger Penrose at his talk at Pitt yesterday. I value that way more than a B-O memento.

|1.25.11 @ 11:37PM|#

Meh, I got a book signed by Roger Penrose at his talk at Pitt yesterday. I value that way more than a B-O memento.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 10:29PM|#

POTUS signed printed documents (SotU program) are highly desirable and valuable pieces of Americana.I'd push my way to get one if I was there.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:20PM|#

what's with all this "we" and "one nation" shit? how can he describe our country as both diverse and "one nation" at the same time? more doublespeak i guess.

i'm sick of all this "we" shit. I am an individual, and I have INDIVIDUAL rights. stop shitting on them Barry!

this wasn't a speech. it was a doublespeech. it's the type of collectivist PR that would've made lenin proud.

|1.26.11 @ 4:24AM|#

mebbe it's like a e pluribus unum thing...

SIV|1.25.11 @ 10:21PM|#

I had to manually transcribe this from an image so again, re: Sputnik
On the 4th of October 1957, USSR succeeded in launching the first Artificial Satellite which had been the many years dream of mankind, and on the 3rd of November they launched the second one successively which loaded a dog, and the U.S.A also has made a success in this line at the beginning of 1958. And now the world has apparently entered the cosmic age.

GOTO OPTICAL MFG. CO.

alan|1.25.11 @ 10:21PM|#

Just finished watchingJacob's Ladder for the first time since its theatrical release. Much better than I remembered. Is it safe to turn on the TV, yet? Have the politicians left yet?

|1.25.11 @ 10:21PM|#

i'm enjoying contrasting the liveblog comments with the running hagiographies over at democraticunderground.com

classic

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 10:23PM|#

But what kind of fish joke will Paul Ryan's speech have?

H. Protagonist|1.25.11 @ 10:23PM|#

I find the acronym for "Winning The Future" amazingly appropriate.

Charles 3E|1.25.11 @ 10:26PM|#

Paul Ryan is high. Look at those red eyes.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:27PM|#

Irish Triplets

Obama's Volt|1.25.11 @ 10:28PM|#

Did I get an honorable mention?

stephen|1.25.11 @ 10:29PM|#

love reason. hate the fact they rip on anyone who dares admit they're a christian.

|1.25.11 @ 10:34PM|#

Roger that. Libertarians need to get used to the fact that unless they team up with conservative christians, gutting big gov't will not happen, ever.

BakedPenguin|1.25.11 @ 10:41PM|#

Christians need to realize that until they accept that their acceptance of a moral code does not give them a right to impose it on others. You're financially conservative? You want fiscal solvency? End the War on Drugs.

Now go bring that message to conservative Christians and see the response you get.

|1.25.11 @ 10:47PM|#

Depends on what you mean by "impose". If you are talking government coercion sure. You can't save someone's sould by putting a gun to their heads. But many libertarians are talking about more than just government coercion. Non Christians need to realize that freedom means not just you can do what you like but also other people are free to tell you how much it sucks.

JoshINHB|1.25.11 @ 10:48PM|#

The Christian conservative are on it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v.....r_embedded

If only the social liberals were as open minded.

http://blogs.laweekly.com/info....._chair.php

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:35PM|#

They didn't rip me, and I cop to being Presbyterian.

OK, that's like having no religion at all, but WHATEVER.

Born-Again Barack|1.25.11 @ 10:38PM|#

Are you ripping me or complimenting me?

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:40PM|#

I'm complementing you

*fist bump*

YEAH, I STILL FIST BUMP!

BakedPenguin|1.25.11 @ 10:37PM|#

Well, I like Jesus and Mary Chain, if that helps.

Rock Action |1.26.11 @ 1:29AM|#

Probably not? But that just inspired a Pandora station. Love that song. Love the Pixies cover. Like everything I've ever heard by them. Love the Raveonettes. But I've never sat and just listened. It's time to download Psychocandy, be patient and listen, and get on with the love.

Kolohe|1.25.11 @ 10:30PM|#

Aw, there's plenty of precedents for failure.

xBoris|1.25.11 @ 10:34PM|#

ryan's speech is much better than barry's was.

Spazmo|1.25.11 @ 10:34PM|#

We've transformed the social safety net into a salmon hammock.

|1.25.11 @ 10:36PM|#

And it smells fishy. Ha ha!

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 10:36PM|#

Ryan's mention of "sound money" is interesting. Kind of impressive how far the Ron Paul crowd has shifted the debate.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:37PM|#

So, how was everyone's evening?

I watched 3 Tosh.0s, now watching The Onion Sports, talked to my buddy in Toronto on the cell, did some blogging @ Reason.com....

You guys? Everyone having a killer time?

Binky|1.25.11 @ 10:38PM|#

The late mention of gun control is a buzz killer.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:41PM|#

|1.25.11 @ 10:39PM|#

I'm on record here from way back that the real purpose of the stimulus bills was to crank up baseline spending.

And here's the proof I was right. A spending freeze locks in the post-stimulus budget as the new baseline.

Thanks much. I hate being right.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:41PM|#

You were definitely right. Damn...

|1.25.11 @ 10:43PM|#

I am on record saying the same thing. The whole point of the stimulus was to raise the baseline so that later after they got the electoral ass whiping they so richly deserved they could "triangulate" and look reasonable by freezing spending. It is just infuriating.

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 10:45PM|#

Funny that you use the word "crank": The States(tm) with their profligate spending acquiescing to the demands of the local and state electorate and cronies, (read: public sector unions and Medicaid) simply used an all too willing Federal (New) Dealer. I predict if the states are indeed permitted to go bankrupt, there will be a rather violent backlash.

|1.25.11 @ 10:41PM|#

Obama mentioned a lot of countries, but he said nothing about the latest earthquake that shattered the tiny country of Togoland.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:46PM|#

Is that near Legoland? i've never heard of Togoland. Fer real...

|1.25.11 @ 11:21PM|#

It's an old SCTV gag. On their news segment they would always cut to a late-breaking report about another natural disaster to hit Togoland, which actually later became Togo.

Drunk Reasonoid|1.25.11 @ 10:45PM|#

YOU KNOW I LOVE YOU GYS? RIIIGHT?

*BAAAAAAAAARF^

OH MY GOD....

*BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARF*

I GOTTA LLAKN'M'fEF POYI08Y3R.M,YPRQ/IO[]PKEPF

*staggers*

alan|1.25.11 @ 10:46PM|#

KMW, the mustachioed avatar is auditioning for Paco in the remake of The Good, The Bad, The Ugly.

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:47PM|#

BLONNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNDIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!

Lucky|1.25.11 @ 10:48PM|#

cleanse your palette

db|1.25.11 @ 10:49PM|#

Holy crap, Rand Paul sounds like the Book of Revelations (which may be appropriate given the fiscal state of the union)

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:50PM|#

That's SugerFree-level disturbing.

The black chick on Sports Onion is HAWT. Shit...

|1.25.11 @ 10:53PM|#

My definition of bipartisan is you agreeing with me that the Constitution should be interpeted in a strictly constructionist and federalist manner.

You can disagree if you want, just do it while living in another country.

Or, secretly fantasize about a commie uptopia while enjoying life in a capitalist society.

Bradley|1.25.11 @ 10:55PM|#

WTF does the Imo Jima picture have to do with cutting spending?

Almanian|1.25.11 @ 10:57PM|#

Emo Jima- where Emo kids go to die

Sovereign Immunity|1.25.11 @ 11:10PM|#

Unpossible. That would be conformist to go to the same place when one takes the eternal dirt nap.

SIV|1.25.11 @ 10:59PM|#

Souvineer Jap skulls!

|1.25.11 @ 11:06PM|#

no mention of Global Warming or climate change.

He did mention clean energy though.

Lucky|1.25.11 @ 11:12PM|#

if you're still recovering

Contemplationist|1.25.11 @ 11:59PM|#

Holy shit. The Stossel special was EPIC!
"I will pardon everyone convicted of non-violent drug offenses till the Drug war is ended" How awesome is that? Will leftist scumbags support this rhetoric or wank on about the Koch brothers?

Fist of Etiquette|1.26.11 @ 12:32AM|#

Was at the Pens game. Pens over Izlanders.

Did I miss anything here? Are we no longer in debt? Did the stimulus work? Unemployment a thing of the past? Has the rise of the oceans begun to slow and the planet begun to heal? Help me out here.