Here are some thoughts on the State of The Union Address..

This might surprise some, but I was very happy to see attention drawn to the Patriot Act right off the bat. This is a big issue, and (duh) we know Bush would like it to get "renewed", that's not shocking. However, I would have certainly been _very_ angry if it wasn't mentioned. As far as "The Union" is concerned, this is a pretty big issue, and it lies dead ahead. This may have been a very good time for that reminder to get pounded into most of America.. It is very important that it occured within that first 15 minutes when people are still likely to be paying attention and tuned in.

It came at a great point too. The opening was basically "We kick ass", "We work hard", "We have accomplished much", and "Our service people rock".. Then we had the "We have faced serious challenges", "Our enemies are everywhere", and of course "We must follow through". Then, the Patriot Act comes up.. No time was wasted. That made me happy, and the use of the word "renewed" is so much nicer then something like "confirmed"..

I'm of the opinion that anything done with it should have another sunset clause. Another four years. Because of the gravity of the issue, I see no reason why we shouldn't be forced to revisit it, over and over if necessary. Intelligence and law enforcement are always going to have issues involving search/surveillance powers. They are necessary to confront new asymmetric threats, which we are still learning how to combat.. They are also highly effected by advances and changes in technology, something we can't accurately predict. The rules governing these powers will likely change over time if they are to be both effective and safe guard rights.

No one disagrees with the idea that there should be accountability, oversight, yadda, yadda.. However, ideas about the specifics are lacking and will likely remain absent when the bill expires. Any powers that exist for any extended period of time, are likely to find themselves abused at some point, even if they are not being abused right now. That flaw is one of power and human nature, not of law.. We could also come up with something that is completely ineffective.

Fears need to be addressed. Right or not, some people don't trust government. That should be seen as a built in defense mechanism of freedom and liberty, not a problem or a lack of patriotism. Another expire date is an easy way to keep people from screaming bloody murder. At least nothing would have gotten worse, been "lost", or become hopeless. Clearing up a policy such as this would actually help Bush greatly in his re-election bid, if handled correctly. The dems seem to either be pandering to their far left by tossing around the word "repeal" (not going to happen), or pandering to the moderates by saying nothing hence getting nothing wrong. Neither of these approaches are going to work if Bush decides to lead on the issue in even a slightly reasonable way.. Neither of these approaches is going to do anything to safe guard our civil liberties.

North Korea came up, nice to know its on the radar. However, there are two words that didn't come up even once.. They weren't "sports" or "steroids", they were "Israel" and "Palestine". There was much talk of threats in the Middle East. There was much talk of bringing reform and freedom to the Middle East, but it seems Iraq is getting it all. If we are focused on the sources of threats and hatred in the Middle East, and the Israeli and Palestinian situation is not seen as a key issue, then something is seriously missing. Its one of the biggest problems in the world today, I can't fathom how it didn't get mentioned. It has a huge (abet indirect) effect on America's security. The tension created by this situation fuels so much hatred that our enemies are very efficient at channeling against us.

Is that being left for closer to election time? If that's part of some Rove play, its evil..

State of the Union Address (text & video via whitehouse.gov)