Obama's 70-minute State of the Union speech was packed with the high flying oratory for which he and his TelePrompTer are so justly famous. Soaring phrases to spin supposed accomplishments, energize a disappointed base, and galvanize the citizenry into a mood of future hope for "changes" that aren't really wanted and never will happen anyway.
The how and why of all that I leave to other analyses, but striking among the president's remarks were the things he did not say -- or even touch on more than in a passing nod. Things that represent prominent problems on the international stage, and include some of the most important threats to the safety and future of our country, one of our closest allies, and an entire region, if not the whole Western World.
In more than an hour's worth of carefully chosen words, among the ones Obama chose not to utter, not even a single time, were terrorist, Israel, the Middle East, al-Qaeda, jihad, Islamism, Palestinians, Gaza, mullah, Iran, or any other word or phrase that would give an inkling of the tremendous threats we face from the fanatics of Islam who would kill and destroy our cities and out people.
Not one of those words worth a mention, just a small nod in passing with a promise to keep a watch our for bioterrorism and, perhaps, next year's flu strain:
And we are launching a new initiative that will give us the capacity to respond faster and more effectively to bioterrorism or an infectious disease -- a plan that will counter threats at home and strengthen public health abroad.
Not one word about the kind of terrorism that has already done devastating damage here and in places around the world such as London, Madrid, Bali, Israel, and elsewhere.
Indeed, President Obama devoted far more of his time and wordage to berating Republicans for their refusal to conspire with his administration to pass unpopular and unwanted legislation than in even a whisper of the challenges of confronting an existential enemy.
He did, however, make sure to throw a sop to the friends in the world of his childhood:
We are working with Muslim communities around the world to promote science, education and innovation.
What does this teach us about Mr. Obama's real concerns, and the cavalier disregard he has for the threat of Khalid Sheikh Mohammeds and their ilk who would destroy our civilization utterly if they could?
Share