Musings from Brian J. Noggle

George W. Bush: Summation.

Was it the speech of his life? I don’t know. I haven’t seen them all.

He covered all the bases: foreign policy, domestic policy, past, present, future; himself, with perspective and humor, and his office. He knows the Republicans in the hall and in the nation don’t agree with everything he says and does, but he hopes you respect him for his principles and for his ability to stick to them.

I do, Mr. President, I do.

I would say “O Captain, my Captain,” but:

• I’m not a Whitman fan.
• I’m afraid a lot of people would think it was an allusion to Dead Poets’ Society.
• This is no occasion for an elegy; I hope our journey has only reached the midway point.

George W. Bush.

Damn kids, unfortunately many who will vote unwisely, would think “There is a time…” alludes to the Byrds.

It’s the Bible, dudes.

“Here buildings fell; here, a nation rose.”

That’s a line worthy of a framing poem, so it can resound in anthologies for the ages. The Kipling who put it in a speech deserves reknown.

George W. Bush.

The self-deprecating humor, regarding Arnold correcting his English and his Texas “walk” humanizes him greatly.

Unlike certain other elements of American political society, George W. Bush and others I admire recognize their foibles and can occasionally laugh about them.

Does Franken mock himself? I’m not asking rhetorically; I don’t know. I don’t listen to him.

George W. Bush.

We hold these truths to be self-evident….

The address reaches beyond petty contemporary concerns well.

We’re with you, Georgie the Kid!

Crap, random Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure allusion. Sorry. Won’t happen again.

George W. Bush.

He’s adding historical context, comparing Germany 1946 with Iraq.

“Maybe that person is still around, writing editorials.” Sweet.

Comparing himself (indirectly) to Truman (or perhaps contrasting Kerry with Truman) works. Come to think of it, couldn’t both John Kerry and John Edwards run and succeed in Wisconsin?

George W. Bush.

Not a roll call of states who helped (like Pataki), but countries. Presidential.

Who deserve the respect of Americans, not the scorn of a politician. That’s got to leave a mark.

He respects and remembers even foreign troops.

George W. Bush.

He’s dodged the “nuc-u-lar” bullet so far, but he hit “vee-hick-ulls”.

George W. Bush.

Hey, this dude has gravitas.

You’d expect the major media would comment on this.

George W. Bush.

A test of will. He’s calling out the American street for its fickle nature.

George W. Bush.

10,000,000 voters in Afghanistan. Good to mention this in prime time, although many network anchors are undoubtedly adding footnotes and “context.”

America must keep its word. And when we say, “You’re with us, or you’re with the terrorists,” we better smite those not with us.

George W. Bush.

Oh, it’s Four More Years. Cripes, people, let him speak.

George W. Bush.

What’s the chant? A disturbance on the floor? Protestors?

Curse this blocky Internet feed!

Bush recovered well.

The Internet feed did, too; better than ever. Must have been some anti-Real player Microsoftians.

George W. Bush.

Back up a minute: Bush said he’d appoint judges who could distinguish between the law and their personal opinions. This does fly in the face of certain opponents, who have espoused “The political is the personal,” and it hearkens back to the Stoic(?) concept of understanding the difference between Public and Private man.

Of course, I never read a stoic, but I do have a degree in social philosophy.

George W. Bush.

Dinging a claim I had not heard by Kerry wherein the Democrat nominee said he was a candidate of conservative values.

Hollywood ding? Check. Works.

Defense of marriage act? Not so good.

Impugning Reagan? Check.

Meatloaf said it first: Two out of three ain’t bad.

George W. Bush.

Welfare reform requiring work, and protecting the post-coital American citizens. Meat for the conservatives.

George W. Bush.

He’s calling Kerry out. I didn’t expect that.

A politician who promises to raise taxes keeps that promise. Echoes of Tommy Thompson’s first run against Tony Earl for Governor of Wisconsin, if I recall.

How did I forget Tony Earl in my list of Wisconsin politicians?