Hello Readers,
I will be liveblogging the State of the Union. I'm sitting in the IGS Library at UC Berkeley surrounded by Political Science Professors and a number of students. I'm watching ABC where George Stephanopolus is giving instant political commentary. I'll try to leave partisanism at the door. Expect some sarcasm!

6:05: Handshakes, handshakes, handshakes.
6:09 Bill Livinggood announces the prez, he kisses a lot of cheeks and makes it to the podium.
6:11 Prez hands the speech to the the Speaker and the VP. Thats it He's met his constitutional obligation. That was easy.
Prex introduced to US. Congress applauds. I hope this voice over commentary goes away
6:12 W starts talking. Honors the passing of Corretta Scott King. Smart opening!
6:13 He is humbled. That's the second time tonight. Our differences should be respected. Prez will play game
6:14 IT'S OFFICIAL STATE OF UNION IS STRONG.
6:15 The US will continue to lead by our leadership.
Fighting terrorism is not "idealism"
6:16 Democracies respect the rights of their neighbors. Freedom = respect
McCain is not a smiler!
6:16 Democracy is spreading, look at Afganistan and Iraq
He didn't mention Palesstine but mentioned Iran. Hmmmm.
6:17 Radical islam is an ideology of terror and death. They are totalitarian, and completely unlike us. They use fear. And blow up things.
Applause for "loving freedom"
6:19 Isolationism is not going to happen. There is no honor in retreat. Believing in our own ideals means that we must be involved in combatting terror worldwide. (THESIS)
6:19 He just invoked the holocaust. Well...liberating camps as a parallel to fighting terror.