State of the Union!

I have considered myself to 'chance' upon some events for no reason; events which range from mind-blowing to shocking. Events which often reaffirm my notions which often border on my 'intuitive' perception or 'gut feel'. The point is often I dont know why I did what I did to be the witness. Some events were really exciting most often on sports. The ones on top of my mind is Lara's classic match-winning knock and Nathan Astle's almost sucker shocker punch! Watching live, rather breaking news of 9/11 was equally sensational but somehow US was always 'far away'.

Today morning I watched the State of the Union LIVE. It seemed to reaffirm my perception of US! BBC summed it very well - what was expected to be a Presidential address that will give direction to the country in the current crisis, a damp squib would be a gross understatement. It was a big yawn to put it mildly. The US Prez spoke what was 'expected', atleast from me!

We believe that in a country where every race and faith and point of view can be found, we are still bound together as one people; that we share common hopes and a common creed;

In America, innovation doesn't just change our lives. It is how we make our living.

Half a century ago, when the Soviets beat us into space with the launch of a satellite called Sputnik

That's what Americans have done for over 200 years: reinvented ourselves.

Look to Iraq, where nearly 100,000 of our brave men and women have left with their heads held high.

Of course, as we speak, al Qaeda and their affiliates continue to plan attacks against us.

We will not relent, we will not waver, and we will defeat you.

I will travel to Brazil, Chile, and El Salvador to forge new alliances across the Americas.

In south Sudan — with our assistance — the people were finally able to vote for independence after years of war.

The United States of America stands with the people of Tunisia, and supports the democratic aspirations of all people.

Brandon started a company in Berlin, Pennsylvania, that specializes in a new kind of drilling technology. And one day last summer, he saw the news that halfway across the world, 33 men were trapped in a Chilean mine, and no one knew how to save them.

We do big things.

Anodynes are fine, but if I thought I didnt get anything out of the 'State of the Union' speech, so too felt Krugman.

Overall, however, I have no idea what the vision here was.

I always thought Americans think too much of themselves and even more comical is the world media going gaga over Obama's election! I felt that Europeans rubbed it further by giving Nobel Peace Prize to Obama because of his 'intent' :)) If at all, there was any respect/dignity left in Nobel Prize, this took it. I remember reading few pages of 'The audacity of hope' in a bookstore in Indianapolis and was impressed with how Obama wrote (I know it will be 'proofread' and 'word-smithed').

Having said that it was ridiculous to see the world 'expecting' or 'cheering' Obama. I mean, I dont care who is the chief minister of Jharkhand or Madhya Pradesh. Why should I care about President of USA? :o It was even funnier to see desis support a Democrat. Desis should support a Republican because only Republicans have relaxed immigration policies. No surprises, one of the first things that happened after Obama entered White House was restricitions on entry to US. I didnt think anybody or any party can change a country over night or in a single term (Well, I dont think Obama will be Prez in the next term!). There will be not be much of a difference between Congress and BJP in India or Republican or Democrat in US. Didnt Clinton send so many troops ('Wag The Dog' you see!)? For starters, Obama showed that he is a 'stuntman' by taking oath on some Lincoln Bible! Anyway to sum Obama's 'speech' up in 'latest Tamil jargon' - சூர மொக்கை :D

TN elections are coming soon and I cant imagine any Tamil political leader worth his/her salt talking anything beyond Tamil Nadu borders. It would be really comical if they talk like Obama about Sudan. Even talking about Sri Lanka has lost its apparent zing decades ago. For all that I remember Rajdeep Sardesai's column in Deccan Herald comparing 'sprightly' Obama and the American 'audacity' with the 'senile' and 'family biased' Karunanidhi. No wonder, all Hinglish channels have been talking for decades about Jayalalithaa being a 'Prime Minister' candidate. Karunanidhi has at least never lost an election. Jayalalithaa has lost even an Assembly seat contesting at the term at the end of her term as Chief Minister. Maybe these TV channels will cover and analyze 'foreign news' much better than local news :(