From left: Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.; Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas.; Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz.; Sen. Tom Udall, D-N.M.; and Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Conn., talk in the House Chamber before the start of President Barack Obama’s State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., Jan. 25, 2010. (Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

On Tuesday, January 25th, I proudly watch President Obama give his annual State of the Union address. Since the Tucson tragedy there has been a call for unity, and it was interesting to watch members of the House and Senate cross party lines and sit next to each other. Some in the media called it “Prom Night”, I personally prefer “Date night”. In previous years the Democrats would sit on one side and the Republicans on the other, needless to say (depending on the President’s party) when the standing ovations occurred it would obviously be one sided.

I have read, and heard, that several found this seating arrangement boring, that it led to a less lively live audience as members seem to be more restrained — perhaps more self-conscious about leaping to their feet when their seat-mates stayed in their chairs. I, personally, found it delightful – there were more moments of united applause then ever before. Let’s face it, when the person(s) next to you start applauding (or standing) it’s infectious and it leads to all others to do the same. I would hope that in the future, all SOTU’s continue with this format, unfortunately I doubt that this will happen.

I’m not going to review most of what the speech said. Many publications have done so, and you can watch the SOTU  on the White House website. There are a couple of things I would like to mention. First, I loved that everyone wore white and black ribbons in honor of Congresswoman Gabrielle Griffords. The white symbolizes hope and the black anti-violence. The ribbons were also worn by Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford’s and her husband as they watched the state of the union from her hospital room.

When he spoke of education and stated “In South Korea, teachers are known as “nation builders.” Here in America, it’s time we treated the people who educate our children with the same level of respect. We want to reward good teachers and stop making excuses for bad ones. And over the next ten years, with so many Baby Boomers retiring from our classrooms, we want to prepare 100,000 new teachers in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and math. In fact, to every young person listening tonight who’s contemplating their career choice: If you want to make a difference in the life of our nation; if you want to make a difference in the life of a child – become a teacher. Your country needs you.”  My immediate reaction was to say to the State Governor’s NOT to cut education, when attempting to balance their budgets. I do understand that many States are in financial difficulties, to put it mildly, and I can only speak of the State of Texas where I reside. In Texas, instead of dipping into the States “rainy day fun” Gov. Perry will be recommending that all public education funds would be cut 10 percent by the Senate, 11.5 percent by the House. He won’t even put the education issue as an emergency issue that would be a priority in the first 30 days of the 82nd Texas Legislation. What did he consider a priority over education? Legislation to require a voter to present proof of identification when voting and legislation that would require a woman to undergo a sonogram before electing to have an abortion.  Okay, sorry, I got off the track of the SOTU but these “emergency” issues are NOT an emergency when issues such as education are.

In conclusion, I just want to applaud our President for another wonderful speech. It also seems that the majority of Americans polled gave him a big thumbs up.

An overwhelming majority of Americans approved of the overall message in President Obama’s State of the Union speech on Tuesday night, according to a CBS News poll of speech watchers.

According to the poll, which was conducted online by Knowledge Networks immediately after the president’s address, 91 percent of those who watched the speech approved of the proposals Mr. Obama put forth during his remarks. Only nine percent disapproved.

President Obama discusses the steps he is taking to make America competitive in the short and long terms, and why he chose GE CEO Jeff Immelt to head up the new Council on Jobs and Competitiveness.

The President, First Lady and Dr. Jill Biden hosted a very important event at the White House today.They gathered together with members of the Cabinet, military service members and their families to highlight the efforts of the federal government to support our nation’s military families.

Several people  who represent the strength and courage that Dr. Biden has seen in so many military families around the country attended.

People like Jessica Sanders who Dr. Biden met two weeks ago at a Deployment Ceremony for members of the Delaware Army National Guard’s 126th Aviation Regiment. Jessica’s fiancé, Captain Mark Thomas, will deploy in the coming weeks to Afghanistan where he and his unit will provide medical evacuations for troops, allies and Afghan civilians.

Read the rest  HERE.

President Barack Obama looks over at First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden as he delivers remarks in the East Room of the White House unveiling efforts to better coordinate and strengthen the Federal government’s support for military families, Monday, January 24, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

I recently received an email from President Obama regarding the topic of his State of the Union Address. Below is what he said in the email along with a link to a video he recorded.

“I will talk to the nation about how we can win the future by out-innovating, out-educating, and out-building the rest of the world. By dealing with our deficits and our debt in a responsible way, and reforming government so that it’s leaner and smarter for the 21st century. How we continue to keep America safe and advance our interests around the world.

But we can do it only if we all work together.

I’ve recorded this video so that we all know what’s at stake and we’re ready for the work to come. I do hope you take the time to watch the video.

My name is Patti Wavinak and I am the proud new owner of PlanetObama. My cousin, LaVonne, was the original owner and she did a good job of keeping it up-to-date. However, she has become involved in other things (such as starting her own business – yeah!). When I learned that she was going to give this domain away I immediately contacted her. There was no way that I wanted this site to fall into the “wrong hands”, if you know what I mean, plus I have an enormous respect for our President Barack Obama and want to keep the public abreast of all the good that he has done and continues to do.

Let me tell you a little about myself. I run a blog called My World Of Soaps – I’ve been hooked on a few . Let’s face it, politics are very similar to Soap Opera’s with all the scandals that have happened over the years. I reside the very Republican state of Texas so my enthusiasm for our President definitely leaves me in the minority – but that does not deter me to shout his praises.

I was very involved in helping then Senator Obama win the 2008 election. I donated time and money,  wrote letters, and  made hundreds of phone calls. I guess my efforts were noticed by Obama’s election committee as I was delighted, thrilled, and shocked when I received an invitation to his Inauguration!. Unfortunately, I could not attend but I do have the invitation framed and displayed proudly on my entertainment center.

I am so looking forward to helping President Obama get re-elected in 2012. I am looking forward to his State of Union on Tuesday, January 25th. Of course, I will be be giving you an update on that – along with my thoughts.

Please feel free to comment on any, and all, of my posts. You can also contact me at moonbrrz@gmail.com and you can follow me on Twitter @myworldofsoaps.

On her way home from Mexico, Michelle Obama made a pit-stop in San Diego to visit the New Roots Community Farm. She changed out of the white suit she wore for her departure and into a pair of wide-leg trousers and a J. Crew cardigan. (AP Photo) First Lady Michelle Obama, center, examines vegetables grown by Somali immgrant Khadija Musame, second from right, as interpreter Bilal Muya, right, farm coordinator Amy Lint, second from left, and Dr. Robert Ross, President and CEO of The California Endowment, look on Thursday April 15, 2010 in San Diego. (AP Photo/Lenny Ignelzi) Read more: J. Crew , Michelle Obama , Michelle Obama J. Crew , Michelle Obama Style , Style News

Read more:

Michelle Obama In San Diego: FLOTUS Gardens In J. Crew (PHOTO)

President Obama signed a Presidential Memorandum launching the America’s Great Outdoors Initiative today, which focuses on promoting community-level efforts to conserve outdoor spaces. As part of the initiative, members of the administration will host regional sessions with groups and individuals across the country to discuss ideas on how to protect America’s natural landscape and form a 21st century strategy conservation agenda. The President said that the initiative is not a “big federal agenda being driven out of Washington,” but an effort to collect the best ideas on conservation that local communities support and reconnect Americans to the outdoors. He explained that the initiative will build on successful conservation efforts being lead by local and state governments, tribes, and private groups, while helping farmers, ranchers, and property owners to protect their lands. The outdoors initiative will also help families spend more time outdoors by building on the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative. America’s Great Outdoors Initiative will be lead by the Secretaries of the Interior and Agriculture, the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Chair of the Council of Environmental Quality. They will work in coordination with the Departments of Defense, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, Labor, Transportation, Education, and the Office of Management and Budget. President Barack Obama signs a presidential memorandum at the America’s Great Outdoors Conference at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C. Watching, from left, are Chair of the White House Council on Environmental Quality Nancy Sutley, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa P. Jackson, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, Assistant Secretary of the Army Jo-Ellen Darcy, Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Jane Lubchenco, and Deputy Undersecretary of Defense Dr. Dorothy Robyn. The initiative follows a public lands bill that the President signed into law last year that designated 2 acres of wilderness, over 1,000 miles of wild and scenic rivers, and three national parks, marking the most significant lands bill in decades.

The President gives his support to those rallying to give full voting representation to residents of the Nation’s Capital: On this occasion, we remember the day in 1862 when President Lincoln freed the enslaved people of Washington, DC – nine months before he issued the Emancipation Proclamation.

As we noted earlier this week , the attacks from some quarters that the President’s Wall Street Reform proposal somehow opens the door to perpetual bailouts comes straight out of a now-infamous polling memo on how to defeat reform by pretending it doesn’t go far enough.

Welcome to the third episode of the West Wing Week, your guide to all things 1600 Pennsylvania Ave.