Thursday, January 28, 2010

You're Not Listening!

To the Democrats and Obama supporters that were in the House of Chambers last night when President Obama gave his State of the Union speech,

Were any of you really listening to anything Obama said? Or were you merely clapping at every pause of breath that Obama took? Was it a chance to get up and stretch your legs?

Yes, you may have well been listening to some parts Obama said, and you all do not deserve entirely what I just said, but sometimes I think you just clap because Obama is up and speaking.

Starting at the 39 minute mark or so, Obama said,
At the beginning of the last decade, the year 2000, America had a budget surplus of over $200 billion. (Applause.) By the time I took office, we had a one-year deficit of over $1 trillion and projected deficits of $8 trillion over the next decade. Most of this was the result of not paying for two wars, two tax cuts, and an expensive prescription drug program. On top of that, the effects of the recession put a $3 trillion hole in our budget. All this was before I walked in the door.

And the crazy thing is Democrats and Obama supporters? You all stood up and applauded President Obama for saying that. Obama said we are in a financial hole, a huge financial hole, and you applaud that statement? What in that statement was applause worthy, honestly? Was it because you somehow viewed that statement as Obama bashing the previous administration?

Honestly, it is these moments where you applaud Obama for saying we are in massive debt that to me, you do not seem to be listening. It is embarrassing.

Which is why many people don't have much confidence in Government, because politicians seem to blindly follow and support their respective political party more than they serve the people who elected them and they represent.

So honestly, I hope honestly that one of my congressmen was not there cheering at the moment, because I now question your intelligence for cheering then.

So that is my little rant. Oh, and you republicans, you don't get off the hook so easily. None of you seemed to applaud at all. You all were seated in stoic silence, or the occasional boo. Except for that one senator who clearly stood up because everyone around him had stood up and pity clapped Obama for a second or two and just stood there. You don't fool me either. You made me laugh actually.

So kudos to both parties, you either clap like blind fools or not at all. Actually, everyone may have been clapping at the end, it was hard to tell with the camera angles. So actually Republicans, you at least have the decency to clap at the end instead of at every pause Obama had.

So I just had to say that, because incessant clapping is annoying, especially when you clap at the wrong things to clap at.

9 comments:

Jules AF said...

I like clapping a lot. That's all.

Sam, The Nanti-SARRMM said...

Clapping a lot isn't inherently bad, I just always assumed it was proper courtesy to clap after the speaker is done speaking, or during appropriate breaks. Not after every little thing that is sad. That is annoying.

Kell said...

I would love to express my full views, but I'm pretty sure it would make everyone hate me.
That being said..
I agree. I think it's appropriate to clap with something you agree with. Because that's kind of the point of clapping.. it shows agreement or that you like what someone is saying. So......yep!

Punk said...

I did not watch the State of the Union, so I appreciate your recap. I agree that applause like what you're describing is meaningless. I wonder if they -- the leaders of our government -- even know how meaningless. Were they listening?

Bah. Maybe I should have watched it and been bored for whatever length of time. AT least then I could have heard for myself what was said instead of having to filter it through the media.

I need my friends in politics to rise into political positions. Then I need my other friends (who write) to start a media-revolution. I could get on board with that. What do you think?

Amanda said...

amen, i feel like nobody every listens to a word he says, they just get mesmerized by his "charisma" somehow. His cadence makes it impossible for me to even process what he's saying most of the time.

colleenroselle said...

just even thinking about politics hugely upsets me right now. that's so retarded, I totally agree with you.

Alexandria said...

'Political ranting Sam' is my favorite. He makes me laugh.

We already discussed this. So you know my thoughts.

Katie said...

People clap because they don't know what's going on, even though they realize it's probably dumb. It reminds me of Family Feud when the families all clap and say "Good Answer...Good Answer!" even though it really was a terrible answer.

Vanessa said...

Hahaha this is hilarious and so true. Stupid people just don't know what is going on.