Theres no point in trying to have a substantive policy discussion tonight

[Political Heretic]

The emotions of those easily manipulated by words alone are too high.

I could come in and start making OPs with critical analysis, and why this SOTU brought me to tears - but not tears of joy. Or, I could start blitzing every happy reply with argument over the facts of policy and political action tonight.

But honestly - it just doesn't seem very gentleman-like to me.

In a couple of days, when the emotionalism dies down and everyone discovers were exactly where we were before the speech, with the same failing players pushing the same failing policies with the same failed approach of capitulation and compromise... we'll have more to talk about.

For tonight, go have the party.

[aquart]

1. Now that shows a rare common sense.

[LoZoccolo]

2. It's the #1 killer of domestic cats. n/t

[la la]

3. hmmm-

meow...

( no disrespect to cats!)

[RainDog]

4. okay

[CrawlingChaos]

5. Thank you for the words of sanity

I had hoped we were past the point of going weak in the knees over charm and eloquence, but that doesn't seem to be the case.

No party at my house. Things don't look any less bleak after the speech.

[leftstreet]

6. What was Michelle wearing?

:shrug:

[SemiCharmedQuark]

7. Ah yes, everyone that isn't you is just a dummy.

Thank you for having pity on us mere mortals

[Kweli4Real]

8. No, that'snot what the OP is saying ...

He/she is saying that anyone that doesn't agree with him/her is an emotion-driven simpleton; whereas, he/she is a stone-cold logician that could do far better.

[SemiCharmedQuark]

10. Ah yes. Well we, the simple, salute the OP.

[amborin]

9. good analysis here:

http://www.thenation.com/blogs/thebeat/522657/i_never_suggested_the_change_would_be_easy

[CrawlingChaos]

24. Thanks - that was spot on (n/t)

[That Is Quite Enough]

11. Couldn't agree more. I don't understand all the knee-jerk celebrations.

Action, not words.

Until Obama actually follows through on his words, I'm not going to be bought with a few populist sentiments.

[Go2Peace]

15. It was Charismatic, but the policy substance was a serious breach of core (D) values

[Peacetrain]

12. Good grief..

[fishwax]

13. yay! condescension!

:woohoo:

[PFunk]

14. I feel the same as you about this speech.

It's just a pretty exterior over a so-so core. Not exactly what I was looking for.

[omega minimo]

16. So?

[bridgit]

17. k...

[Codeine]

18. I'm so glad you're here to be so much smarter than I am.

Seriously, I'd be simply lost without you to tell me what to think and help me analyze stuff that I just can't possibly understand.

[OhioBlue]

19. don't underestimate the importance of emotion

it is what drives most of our (people in general) decisions - we then use logic to back it up. Sometimes, logic can change decisions, but emotion is much more powerful. The Republicans get that and they are very successful at branding, marketing and propaganda. It is one thing that drives most of us crazy - b/c if our brothers and sisters could only see the marketing job without substance that IS the Republican party.. they would vote with us. This President knows how to hit the emotional while providing the logic (real logic). It is something I love to watch. Republicans need Fox and Limbaugh and the sort to provide the ass-backward (illogical) logic to fulfill that need after they hit emotion.

You are correct that now is not that time to debate policy. Timing is also very important.

Personally, I loved the speech. I needed it. We can debate and discuss policy with logic and reason all day... but the President hit the human need of making me feel confident, I like that. The State of the Union isn't really about policy... it is about goals and vision.. the things we need a leader to do. that is what he did and did very well. It was a homerun. We can debate the how to's and what if's later.

Let us feel good for a day or two. It seems like we never get that even on/especially on DU. thanks for backing off and giving us a day to just feel good about our President.

[Kweli4Real]

20. So when in the history of SOTU addresses ...

was the speech about "substantive policy positions?" It's about setting a direction and if you missed that part ... you weren't listening.

[Political Heretic]

22. I didn't say the speech was about substantive policy positions.

I said its pointless to have a substantive policy discussion about the speech (meaning its policy implications) tonight.

[Political Heretic]

21. Quick resposne to all the replies suggesting arrogance or elitism:

I'm sorry, I see how people would take that away from what I said.

When I said I could start making OPs of critical policy analysis, I did not assume that my analysis would be right, or that everyone would agree. I just meant I could start those sorts of discussions, and will later.

When I said I could blitz every reply with argument over there note that I didn't say bltize every happy reply WITH the facts. I just meant, I could spend all night tonight in debate, but know that right after the speech isn't the best time to do so.

That only leaves: "the emotions of those easily manipulated by words are too high."

Well, I'm sticking with that one. But you certainly need not take those words to heart if you feel they don't apply to you.

Other than that, I think its off to bed (which is a foam mat on the floor of an apartment that isn't mine because I don't have a home after a year of unemployment) for me.

[Turborama]

23. It just doesn't seem very gentleman-like to start an OP with this little "critical analysis"...

"The emotions of those easily manipulated by words alone are too high"

[cali]

25. .........

:rofl:

[change_notfinetuning]

26. On the other hand, it's like telling your best friend that the one they've been

smitten by, the one whose walked-on ground they are worshiping, may not be that perfect soul mate. There really is no good time.

[depakid]

27. Let people have their fun- it's how it always goes

The real- or should I say accurate and objective- analysis and criticism rarely happens until a few days afterward.

No one's going to be receptive to it now in any case.