Rarely Has a State of The Union Address Generated More Pre-Speech Interest.
The President of the United States is called upon to give a report on the State of the Union on an annual basis. Since the early 1900's, that report has been made by way of a spoken speech. Article II, Section 3 of the United States Constitution provides that the President periodically "give to the Congress information of the State of the Union, and recommend to their Consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient."
Credible and Incisive doubts that President Trump will have any trouble in fulfilling his obligations. There were, of course, pre-State of the Union skirmishes between President Trump and embattled House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Prior to the interim settlement of the budget imbroglio, Pelosi disinvited the President, who replied at first that he'd show up anyway. Then he pulled back on that. With the settlement, everything, at least at this hour, is a 'go'.
Pelosi is said to be fearing an uprising of venomous showboating by the quickly growing anti-American contingent among Democratic Congressional representatives. The two Islamics in that group - Ilhan Omar of Minnesota and Rashida Tlaib of Michigan - have already put the country on notice that they intend to showboat and make free use of Anti-Semitism. Look for all of that to begin tonight. Some Democrats will like that. Many will not, not because they don't really agree with the presumed sentiment of such outbursts, but because of the damage to the party they fear will result.
One assumes that President Trump will be ready and loaded for bear when the showboating gets underway. Will he try to ignore it? Will he attempt to take it in stride? Will he fight back? It is difficult to imagine the President taking a passive approach. Nor would a passive approach be appropriate. Would the President or a Congressional Officer seek to resort to Congressional Rules and Procedures to restore the decorum of the Congress (such as it is). I would not want to be the Sergeant of Arms or official security and police personnel.
Some observers have worried that the new anti-American elements amongst the left will begin their show by dressing down for the night. And that might be a good early gauge as to what the anti-Americans are up to.
Assuming the President is actually able to make his speech, one assumes he will begin by reminding the audience of his many and varied accomplishments thus far. I say "remind," but in more than a few cases, a recitation of those many accomplishments will be a matter of first impression. The Anti-American Anti-Trump Main Stream Media have all buy eliminated any news about these frequent accomplishments from the pages and minutes of their media outlets. People who actually still look to the New York Times or, say, CBS, for news of such things will be getting quite the education when they hear about the microscopic unemployment levels these days, even among such often vulnerable groups such as Black Men and Hispanics. In both of these instances, the unemployment rates have never been lower.
Never.
Trump will also want to remind Viewers about his many foreign policy accomplishments, including his agreements with North Korea, his pending agreement with China, his trade treaties (now actually favoring the USA) and his decisions to reduce USA troop levels around the world. He will also want to inform everyone once again about the better-equipped USA Military that defends this nation. Before President Trump, the American Military was on a downbound train, seemingly, under Obama, on an express one to a crash landing at the bottom of reality.
President Trump must also take this unique opportunity to frame to Border Wall Controversy in a way that will make crystal clear how necessary wall is and how wrong-headed opposition to it is. Will the Queen of Hostility and Inane thinking - she being Nancy Pelosi - be listening? No. That is why the President be prepared to explain what his next steps will be.
Let me put in an unsolicited plug for One American News and its announced coverage plans for the evening, According to the network - which, on FIOS, is Station Number 116, there will be no commercial interruptions, either during the State of the Union or during the rebuttals of the Democrats. After all of this, One American News will provide analysis from its never-soft-spoken commentator Liz Wheeler. I wish time would also have been made for a contribution from the networks only other commentator, Graham Ledger. You will not find a more articulate, hard-hitting, honest, or informed commentator anywhere.
From the King James Bible, the Old Testament, this is Jeremiah, Chapter 50, Verse 6: My people hath been lost sheep: their shepherds have caused them to go astray, they have turned them away on the mountains; they have gone from mountain to hill, they have forgotten their resting place.
Also from the King James Translation, Old Testament, from the prophet Obadiah, Chapter 1, Verse 15: For the day of the LORD is near upon all the heathen: as thou hast done, It shall be done unto thee: thy reward shall return upon thine own head.
And from the King James, New Testament, St. Paul's Letter to the Galatians, Chapter 1, beginning at Verse 13: For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: Verse 14: And profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. Verse 15: But when it pleased God, who separated me fom my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, Verse 16: To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Verse 17: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Verse 18: Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter; and abode with him fifteen days. Verse 19: But other of the apostles saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. Verse 20: Now the things which I write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. Verse 21: Afterwards I came into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; Verse 22: And was unknown by face unto the churches of Judaea which were in Christ: Verse 23: But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Verse 24: And they glorified God in me.
Sports: A Few Notes About Burnley and Maryland (Basketball and Baseball)
Pinch yourself. It is only February 5, but opening day for the University of Maryland Baseball Team is only a few days hence. The Terps open the 2019 campaign in Conway, South Carolina, where they will take part in a three-day, four team NCAA baseball festival. Besides the Terps, Campbell, Coastal Carolina and VCU are taking part. Maryland plays Campbell on Friday, February 15, at 11 am, Coastal Carolina on Saturday, February 16, at 3 pm, and VCU on Sunday, February 17, at 11 am. Maryland opens their home schedule Friday, February 22, against Maine. It will be the first of a three-game series with the Brown Bears.
Maryland basketball team next plays Nebraska. The Terps slipped to No. 24 in the latest AP poll.
Unless Burnley rights their ship, they seem destined to play the relegation game right down to the final week of Premier League play in May. As I post, the Claret are 6 wins, 6 draws and 13 defeats, and, more importantly, just two points clear of relegation. The Claret have 13 matches left to play. Generally, to avoid relegation, a side needs to be a tad over 40 points. Right now, Burnley has 24 points. Think about 4 wins and 4 draws to avoid relegation.
