"Listening" to Bush one last time

While I have agonizingly watched each of President George W. Bush's State of the Union addresses, I've never looked forward to one as much as this year. Reason being - it is his last.

We are quickly approaching the five year mark of "Mission Accomplished." What an abuse of the word accomplishment: 4,000 American lives lost, tens of thousands wounded, and billions of dollars wasted. More importantly, America's reputation in the world is ruined, the ball has been dropped in Afghanistan, and genocide ignored in Sudan. In addition, millions are hungry, jobless, and in need of healthcare here at home. And the greatest challenge of our generation - the world's climate change - has been disregarded by this Administration.

Many candidates have talked about HOPE in this campaign. People hope for good health, a prosperous economy, security, equality and justice. Judging from the offensive rhetoric displayed in the Republican presidential campaign, we need to hope the message of Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton or John Edwards is quickly heard throughout the nation and the Democratic nominee is elected in November.

Finally, let’s tip our hats to Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, who this week became the first former President or Vice-President to embrace marriage equality.