State+of+the+Union+Speech

=Obama State of the Union Speech, Tuesday, January 25th, 2011= The Constitution specifies in Article II about the Executive Branch that the President will from time to time update the Congress on the present "State of the Union". This has become an annual event during which- usually in January, the president addresses a joint session of Congress. He tells of the progress of the past year, gives an adjective to characterize the current "state of the union" and then sets an agenda for Congress to consider in the coming year. Since this is nationally broadcast, the president is speaking as much to the nation as he is to Congress.

This is the big political show of the year, and the media ramp up their coverage with pre- and post game shows even allowing other parties to broadcast their "Response" to the president's speech. It's great political theatre to see the president be announced, do a "gladiator's walk" to the stage, receive applause, and acknowledge people in the audience who have been invited as examples for the nation. Democrats and Republicans on camera in their seats show their opposing viewpoints through their standing ovations and stubbornly sitting with crossed arms. Traditionally different parties sit on different sides of the aisle, but this year it has been proposed that members of Congress sit mixed together. We'll see...

__So- prior to Tue__, what are you hoping to see and hear in the President's speech ?
===__After Tue__- what did you think ? How would you rate the speech ? What were the most powerful words ? What did you notice about the event? What are your questions ? Which of the issues brought up by the President as a challenge for Congress might you be interested in exploring and writing practice laws about for our Mock Congress ?===

This discussion will run until Sunday, January 30th.