"We Did Not Come Here to Fear the Future. We Came Here to Shape It."

[NYC_SKP]

You heard the man...

..."You see, our predecessors understood that government could not, and should not, solve every problem. They understood that there are instances when the gains in security from government action are not worth the added constraints on our freedom. But they also understood that the danger of too much government is matched by the perils of too little; that without the leavening hand of wise policy, markets can crash, monopolies can stifle competition, and the vulnerable can be exploited. And they knew that when any government measure, no matter how carefully crafted or beneficial, is subject to scorn; when any efforts to help people in need are attacked as un-American; when facts and reason are thrown overboard and only timidity passes for wisdom, and we can no longer even engage in a civil conversation with each other over the things that truly matter – that at that point we don’t merely lose our capacity to solve big challenges. We lose something essential about ourselves.

What was true then remains true today. I understand how difficult this health care debate has been. I know that many in this country are deeply skeptical that government is looking out for them. I understand that the politically safe move would be to kick the can further down the road – to defer reform one more year, or one more election, or one more term.

But that’s not what the moment calls for. That’s not what we came here to do. We did not come to fear the future. We came here to shape it. I still believe we can act even when it’s hard. I still believe we can replace acrimony with civility, and gridlock with progress. I still believe we can do great things, and that here and now we will meet history’s test.

Because that is who we are. That is our calling. That is our character. Thank you, God Bless You, and may God Bless the United States of America.

:patriot:

...

[shraby]

1. Beautiful words, but Joe Wilson sure shot Obama's theory

all to hell that they can replace acrimony with civility, didn't he?

[Clio the Leo]

5. Based on the reaction this morning......

.... no.

Joe the Liar looks like a fool. He's apologized, and even those whom he sat next to are chastising him.

[flor de jasmim]

2. But the Republicans should understand something:

They are so fond of the "you're either with us or against us." Obama has essentially said the same thing: you either work with us to shape the country, or be known ever after as obstructionists who did not have the best interests of the people at heart.

Love it!

[Egnever]

3. Best line of the night

:thumbsup:

[depakid]

4. Nice line...

Reminds one of Shakespeare.

With the obligatory exceptionalist angle.

Now, how about a bit of substance for the patients.

Which of course- John Donne told us long ago- are you & me.

http://www.poetry-online.org/donne_for_whom_the_bell_tolls.htm

[NYC_SKP]

12. He craftily turned their own rhetoric against them.

What does it mean to be American, to be Patriotic?

And, hey, thanks for a nice morning piece of pithy prose!

Interesting that the ads on the page are for Kaiser Permanente...

:donut:

[joeycola]

6. yeah, the health insurance industry is shaping up just fine and will continue to do so.

[babylonsister]

8. If I didn't know better, I'd think you have an agenda. Ahem. nt

[joeycola]

9. My agenda is to see a robust Public option. I did not see that

last night.

[babylonsister]

10. Sure it is. Go read the speech since it seems you didn't watch it. nt

[joeycola]

11. Oh, I watched it. Great oratory--as is his style, but he threw crumbs

to the progressives at end.

[lunatica]

14. He's never claimed to be a Progressive

And your bitterness belies any real progressiveness on your part. Because there's a difference between a Progressive and a far left reactionary.

[lunatica]

13. Everywhere I turn there you are on your negative rant

It's getting ludicrously obvious.

And you've only been a member for 18 days.

[Jennicut]

16. There is another one whom I won't name, posting on everyone's threads

But these two posters seem not to understand that scorning what the President is trying to do will not lead to a strong public option, it will lead to nothing...I do not want to wait 15 more years for this to be brought up again. The President needs my support to get a structure in place to cover the uninsured. And as a diabetic, I want it illegal not to cover people with pre-existing conditions. I understand wanting something better but I am willing to see what the final bill is before I attack the President on it.

[Peacetrain]

7. I love the part where he believes we can replace acrimony

and then Wilson shows what a dufus he is. Timing is everything sometimes. It is a wonderful piece in the speech

[lunatica]

15. It's like a Will Ferrell Movie

With Will playing some idiot in the GOP

[NYC_SKP]

17. It sounded like he was about 3 seconds late with his Heckle, and it stood out like a sore thumb.

Others seemed to be making ugly noises, then those subsided, then Wilson chimed in and it sounded singular and kinda loud.

Which is very Will Ferrell...