State of the Union 2011: Your comments

"Will you be watching the State of the Union address?"

Nope. I'm English so it has no direct relevance to me.

As for why the British Broadcasting Corporation is offering up a debate on this subject that only directly affects those in American I can only guess that they have nothing better, more homegrown to offer a debate on.

This coming from an American I can't fathom why Britons would have anything to say about this.

This seems to be entirely a matter for the people of the United States. I know there are a few US posters on this HYS, but for most BBC contributors the intricacies of the US economy are both difficult to understand and of minimal interest. Come on, BBC, few enough of us understand our own economy. Still, I guess that won't stop some here from spouting their uninformed opinions - especially the usual anti-American brigade.

Teamwork and accountability.

When Obama makes his speech I don't think he will find there is much Union in the USA nowadays.

I think Obama has this one about right. In the great depression of the 1930s the only way USA and Germany could break free of its effect was to introduce massive work creation schemes and great public works projects which largely eradicated unemployment and created wealth. These measures along with education and research would put the USA in a better position to weather the next few years and see them emerge stronger and sooner than would otherwise be the case.

So suddenly we've become the United Kingdom of America?

When DID this happen?

When did we in Britain suddenly have to start staying up all night to listen to Mr Obama? Don't get me wrong, he is one of my all time heroes - but he is not the President of Great Britain, so I really don't see why the BRITISH Broadcasting Corporation should be paying someone's wages out of my licence fee to put up a Have your Say about his speech.

Remove this HYS AT ONCE, thank you!

2. At 10:21pm on 25 Jan 2011, Adam wrote:
This coming from an American I can't fathom why Britons would have anything to say about this.

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You are absolutely right. As long as you don't end up like us with the public sector non-jobs that cost a fortune to run, and when they finally have to be removed, you have - gosh, who WOULD have thought - mass unemployment again. Jobs cannot be created unless there is something that is actually required to be made or done. Good luck.

"6. At 10:34pm on 25 Jan 2011, corncobuk wrote:

I think Obama has this one about right. In the great depression of the 1930s the only way USA and Germany could break free of its effect was to introduce massive work creation schemes and great public works projects which largely eradicated unemployment and created wealth. These measures along with education and research would put the USA in a better position to weather the next few years and see them emerge stronger and sooner than would otherwise be the case."

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Just have to hope the USA don't follow the Germans idea from the 30's then. We all know what happened after the 30's...

9. At 10:57pm on 25 Jan 2011, ravenmorpheus2k wrote:
"6. At 10:34pm on 25 Jan 2011, corncobuk wrote:

I think Obama has this one about right. In the great depression of the 1930s the only way USA and Germany could break free of its effect was to introduce massive work creation schemes and great public works projects which largely eradicated unemployment and created wealth. These measures along with education and research would put the USA in a better position to weather the next few years and see them emerge stronger and sooner than would otherwise be the case."

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Just have to hope the USA don't follow the Germans idea from the 30's then. We all know what happened after the 30's...

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Gosh - the debate's taken off after all!!

AN EXERCISE IN ABSURDITY !!......what on Earth has Obama's speech to do with us here in Britain? We have relevant subjects that we Brits should concentrate on, why can't we have them?

"10. At 10:59pm on 25 Jan 2011, ruffled_feathers wrote:



Gosh - the debate's taken off after all!!"

Has it? I hadn't noticed.

9. At 10:57pm on 25 Jan 2011, ravenmorpheus2k wrote:

"6. At 10:34pm on 25 Jan 2011, corncobuk wrote:

I think Obama has this one about right. In the great depression of the 1930s the only way USA and Germany could break free of its effect was to introduce massive work creation schemes and great public works projects which largely eradicated unemployment and created wealth. These measures along with education and research would put the USA in a better position to weather the next few years and see them emerge stronger and sooner than would otherwise be the case."

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Just have to hope the USA don't follow the Germans idea from the 30's then. We all know what happened after the 30's...

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Yep have to agree with you there. That would put a wrinkle in their recovery for sure.

No, Not interested in what Obama has to say the man is a puppet as much as Bush was he works for the same corporations no change no change no change.

Turns out that what the americans voted for was YES WE CAN, CHANGE.
But what they actually got was ERM NO WE ERM LOOK----> a nice non allergy puppy.

As a person with American Relatives, You have to remember that Americans are a very selfish self absorbed people and equate tax with theft and public services as socialism, communism light. The fact that they do not understand how a national health service works and enjoy paying 4-5 times as much for insurance than any nation that has a national health service. The American way after all is "i'm alright, don't touch my stuff, i don't care how wealthy i am or how poor they are as long as i can own a gun, social responsibility ends in the states at the front door which is locked and a fire arm is kept close.

I'm hoping Obama will show us his real Birth Certificate that the Democrat Governor of Hawaii promised to find but could not.
I mean when I was born they took my little feet and stuck them into an ink pad and stamped them onto a document which was then witnessed and noterized with my parent's real correct information, you can still find that in Queens NY this is what we call a Birth Certificate not the Record of Live Birth which is what they give you if you show up at a Hospital with a baby already born.
All along I thought these so called "Birthers" were really kooks and lunatics but the longer this goes on it looks as if they were right and Obama is not eligable to be President. Therefore nothing he says matters.

It is amazing that some folk take the view that a state of the union address by an American president is of no real concern to the British.

It used to be said that if the American economy sneezed then Britain and Europe were at least in for a very rough cold. This of course was when the American economy was so world dominant both as an importer and exporter that it directly affected the well being of other nations. The American economy is no longer so massively dominant but it is still a very large trader with Britain and Europe. Sadly with the recent change of our economy into being so much more dependent upon financial services as a means of generating (invisible) exports we managed to import an economic whirlwind from the US of A in the form of dodgy financial packets backed with sub-prime mortgages.

Should we be interested in what the US admininistration is doing and proposing? If we are to be properly on our guard against being suckered in a second time then we should be very interested and very much keeping our brains in gear this time, not do as the gambling bankers did last time around, half asleep in their executive chairs after a good lunch and buying in rubbish for which we have all had to pay.

"# 17. At 11:43pm on 25 Jan 2011, SimpleOldSailor wrote:

It is amazing that some folk take the view that a state of the union address by an American president is of no real concern to the British.

It used to be said that if the American economy sneezed then Britain and Europe were at least in for a very rough cold. This of course was when the American economy was so world dominant both as an importer and exporter that it directly affected the well being of other nations. The American economy is no longer so massively dominant but it is still a very large trader with Britain and Europe. Sadly with the recent change of our economy into being so much more dependent upon financial services as a means of generating (invisible) exports we managed to import an economic whirlwind from the US of A in the form of dodgy financial packets backed with sub-prime mortgages.

Should we be interested in what the US admininistration is doing and proposing? If we are to be properly on our guard against being suckered in a second time then we should be very interested and very much keeping our brains in gear this time, not do as the gambling bankers did last time around, half asleep in their executive chairs after a good lunch and buying in rubbish for which we have all had to pay."

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Yes but it is not like he is actually doing anything though is it?

It is merely a speech. In the same way the Queen makes her speech each year.

The speech itself, much like this HYS, is irrelevant to us here in Britain.

When he actually starts to do something, which like all politicians, won't be what he "pledges" to do in the speech, then we can start taking notes.

ANOTHER debate about the usa??? Hopefully the BBC cuts that were announced today will impact the idiots who run these debates. Then, freed of the job that is tying them down in the UK they can run off to the USA where they clearly wish to be.

Obama's "State of the Union" has MUCH to do with UK because we are US' staunchest abettor and US has nothing left except Military Imposition, and even that is in question with Hariri out-manouvered by Hezbollah in Lebanon via DEMOCRATIC means, and Mubarak defending his Dictatorship with US Weapons and moolah.
C'mon Beeb, why can't we debate these accumulated FAILED US Foreign Policy forays and their implication of Empire Building gone awry?
We are so lucky to actually Witness these EXTRAORDINARY displays of Humanity shaking-off TYRANNY, similar to a dog shaking-off fleas. And the realisation that all it really takes is UNITED PURPOSE.

Like the man said: "If you think Education is expensive, try calculating the cost of Ignorance".

Obama's Rallying Cry should be:- "Dealing JUSTLY would've been so much CHEAPER".

Then list all those Foreign Aid TRILLIONS squandered on Invasions, Occupations, Subjudgation, Bondage, Meddling and Insecure Ego-Stroking, could've done for STRUGGLING US Citizens loosing their Homes or can't find any Job, let alone a Decent one.
That MONEY was ENOUGH to Ensure US Citizens of a Decent, Secure FUTURE.

OR

Start a contest to find the next level above Trillion:- Some say Bush did mention Brazillion. Harking back to Primary School I'll submit YUAWN nappy-time, I'll dream on it.

Obama should sort out Wall Street and his foreign policy and wars first.

"AN EXERCISE IN ABSURDITY !!......what on Earth has Obama's speech to do with us here in Britain"

Provide the Anti-American brigade an opportunity to mouth off of course

You know how much hatred America has around the world. We all know it by now. It is true that if you are powerful you must have all answers to our questions.

The statue of liberty was built on that principle, and the quest for knowledge never ends. The vision of modern world is not one persons or one nations goal.

America is the gift of the nature, we may hate it or love it, but the changing nature of human role brought America into a complicated grounds in understanding that, America also suffers and American spirit can never be replicated.

Imagine if Power has won over Wisdom, where one will watch only casualty in life and there is no perfect end of human civilisation.

The question is how far Obama can lead America into the changing world of dominance? Is it true that only power wins? We will see what Obama can offer, to his people and the world.

The only way USA can afford greater expenditure is if it magics yet more money out of thin air, quantaive easing, or printing money as its more commonly known. It is already in the process of printing $600 BILLION (£372 bn) and thats just to meet current expenditure and policy without adding yet more expenditure cost.

This will have an effect of driving down the value of the $ which is no different a behaviour to what USA alledges China is doing, depressing its currency. I wonder if this was spoken about in the recent Chinese visit, could be trouble on the horizon if it wasn't . I dont think that the markets will be too impressed if the USA goes down this path either as it de-values their investments in the USA, hence may result in further funnelling of monies out of the USA, which would be counter productive to ANY infrastructure spending plans and not really result in much gain due to losses of investors with REAL MONEY.

Due to UKs worsening economic predicament I think that we WILL also go down the same path, and the question is not if or but, but WHEN. Especially as Europe is doing the same which means that if UK does not go down this path then advantage of weaker currency and exports will go to USA & Europe, as well as still current with China hence theres no get out. Further, if countrys want to stimulate economys then its the ONLY option because there is NO FUNDING available due to current policy of REDUCING credit, hence credit is NOT a viable option.

I personally, as mentioned on many comments over past 2 years, even now think we are quite some way to getting out of this economic/financial mess and I still believe it will actually get much much worse.


Both in USA and UK, governments are talking up jobs, but they EXPLICITLY fail to mention that the VAST percentage in gained jobs are PART TIME jobs which might be fine for showing improvements to statistics but are an actual further regression of and long term loss of economic ability to CREATE wealth/new wealth, they are also FACTUALLY unsustainable, especially as in UK with continued and even GROWTH of taxpayer subsidy via tax credits and numerous other benefits for low paid workers.

One thing to my mind has been MISSING from the equation which is energy prices, especially oil.

So many times previously the USA has put preasure upon oil producing nations to increase productivity to facilitate lower prices. On this front, its currently very quiet. Maybe USA is using the high oil prices as a bargaining tool in which some producers purchase $billions of weapons etc from USA manufacturers, afterall, with serious economic difficulties USA is factually LESS able to afford to maintain its MASSIVE weapons industry and if it shrinks then that threatens USA national security, hence weapon sales to middle east specific countrys are important in maintaining USA military and its dominance of military technology and manufacturing capacity.

What I am more interested in from Obamas speech is what is NOT said, and what is NOT mentioned because basically it will be about GEEING up the USA and stating government yet still understands peoples suffering.

As I have mentioned previously, on many economic comments I think 2011 will be a bad year overall, not just for UK but for USA & Europe. There is very little capability of resiliance to ongoing detrimental economic outcomes, the complications left over from financial collapse are too ingrained to make sense of and turn around, hence UK may even need to implement its UK Resilience emergency strategy as would have been the outcome had the banks actually collapsed and taken the world money system with them. If such a reality becomes real then it basically means the same for Europe & USA & that the world is plunged into depression, which is STILL a very serious possibility which has NOT distanced itself from pressing realitys over the past 2 years.

Many people in USA have found jobs, but in that number is an increasing number who even in work, CANNOT afford to rent homes.

In USA or UK, jobs are all very well, but if they are jobs in which people cannot maintain their lives without serious continuous financial support then governments are basically in DENIAL or even just being deviant and fraudulent of the FACTUAL REALITY of circumstance and the growing possibility of a negative detrimental outcome.

Always the pessimist me!!!!

He's a great orator. On a different note, is North Caucasus the new BBC politically-correct phrase for Islamic terrorist?

Politicians lie.
So, I am unconcerned with what words and lies he or any other politician wishes to utter. The only exception being when the mask slips and they say something so un-politic that it must be what they truly believe.
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I judge politicians (and most others) by their actions and deeds.
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For the past two years I have seen how the Democrats behave when they have unfettered power.
I am uninterested with this pep rally.
I wish he (and every other President) would just write out his lies and mail them to the Congress (like all Presidents did until about FDR)

The BBC announced today that it is hacking chunks out of its international services - the World Service and the like, so why is it still spending goodness knows how much on live coverage of a speech that could be covered indirectly: "this is what Obama said today, this is the reaction, this is what it could mean for people in the UK." And don't even get me started on the coverage of American elections...
Sure, what happens in the US is relevant to us, but so is what happens in China, and other countries around the world, and there are so many funny, shocking, sad, inspiring, and just plain downright interesting stories out there that the BBC is missing because it puts so much into minute-by-minute coverage of everything that happens in the US (how many politicians in, say, Mexico have been attacked since that congresswoman in Arizona was shot, say? How many of them did we hear about? Precisely.) Stop wasting my money on covering the US so much. After all, if I'm that desperate to know what's going on there, there's CNN and (ho ho ho!) Fox News, and our old friend the internet.

State of the Union 2011: Your comments

Just two comments: Haven't seen it, Don't intend to see it. I am of course aware of the saying "when America sneezes, the rest of the world catches a cold"

Hmm, surely the question should be "Will the average American be watching this years SOU?"

Hes "unpopular" there allegedly..so it wouldnt exactly be a wasted question.

"27. At 01:30am on 26 Jan 2011, Apsara wrote:

The BBC announced today that it is hacking chunks out of its international services - the World Service and the like, so why is it still spending goodness knows how much on live coverage of a speech that could be covered indirectly: "this is what Obama said today, this is the reaction, this is what it could mean for people in the UK." And don't even get me started on the coverage of American elections...
Sure, what happens in the US is relevant to us, but so is what happens in China, and other countries around the world, and there are so many funny, shocking, sad, inspiring, and just plain downright interesting stories out there that the BBC is missing because it puts so much into minute-by-minute coverage of everything that happens in the US (how many politicians in, say, Mexico have been attacked since that congresswoman in Arizona was shot, say? How many of them did we hear about? Precisely.) Stop wasting my money on covering the US so much. After all, if I'm that desperate to know what's going on there, there's CNN and (ho ho ho!) Fox News, and our old friend the internet. "

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Its a good job they dont report every murder/attack on a Mexican political hack..would be "headline" "breaking news" every 5-10 minutes!

For all those Americans out there that are bemused as to why the Brits might be interested in the US State of the Union Address - Well I guess it comes down to the fact that Brit's like titillate about almost anything... We're naturally dour and negative, so if we chastise the domestic politics of another country, it distracts us from our own sorry state of affairs. Well as a Brit, I wish we had a leader like Obama.

Yes Ahbi you are right, ALL politicians lie, the are the biggest cheating lying group of people that exists in this world of ours, and, sadly of our own making. The depths that they descend to in their lying doesn't vary from one land to another. So why do we have to watch the BBC reports of liars from foreign countries when we have enough of our own just as good at it ? I think that Cameron lies so well that he even believes his own !!

Lets see more of Meerkat Manor in South Africa on BBC, I might just spend more time with my TV turned on !

Are you listening, program makers ???

Firstly I am wondering why this is taking up so much time on the BBC (British Broadcasting Company). I know it is news, but it should take up a brief period of time to tell us that the US had a state of the union address. Yesterday a British soldier was killed in Afghanistan, which I consider more important then a US president telling lies to his nation.

Why are the audience clapping every 30 seconds? Its pathetic.

Why is Obama trying to take credit for the people in Tunisia forcing a government change. The US had nothing to do with that!

17. At 11:43pm on 25 Jan 2011, SimpleOldSailor wrote:

It is amazing that some folk take the view that a state of the union address by an American president is of no real concern to the British.

It used to be said that if the American economy sneezed then Britain and Europe were at least in for a very rough cold. This of course was when the American economy was so world dominant both as an importer and exporter that it directly affected the well being of other nations. The American economy is no longer so massively dominant but it is still a very large trader with Britain and Europe. Sadly with the recent change of our economy into being so much more dependent upon financial services as a means of generating (invisible) exports we managed to import an economic whirlwind from the US of A in the form of dodgy financial packets backed with sub-prime mortgages.

Should we be interested in what the US admininistration is doing and proposing? If we are to be properly on our guard against being suckered in a second time then we should be very interested and very much keeping our brains in gear this time, not do as the gambling bankers did last time around, half asleep in their executive chairs after a good lunch and buying in rubbish for which we have all had to pay."

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We already know what he will say, protect US jobs, the US is responsible for freeing the world, blah blah lies and more lies. We get enough lies from our own politicians, why do we have to listen to the lies of other countries politicians?

I am proud of our President and regardless of how the UK is effected - he will help to make this world a better place.

Nothing but a fluff speech, even though Mr Obama claimed America has tonight been "renewed".
But he said nothing about the #1 issue facing the planet -- you, me, and everybody else: destruction of the environment and rapid climate change. Zero, nothing.
That only leaves one to hope for a surprise action in Davos in the next few days. But will the following occur:
Is there a genuine rebel leader among those meeting in Davos at the 2011 World Economic Forum?
A rebel in Davos, you ask? Yes. A rebel international finance leader with a band of like-minded important financial heads who can, by force if necessary, take control of world finance, suddenly and without warning, and lock its throat in a potential death grip in order to implement, overnight, economic change that ends global environment destruction that threatens us all.
Anything short of that is nothing at all. Seriously, that's how precarious rapid climate change that threatens to engulf us all has become. Now is the time for the totally unexpected to happen! It is in keeping with the Davos theme of Shared Norms for the New Reality, reflecting the fact that we live in a world that is becoming increasingly complex and interconnected but also experiencing an erosion of common values and principles (and, in my words, the Environment).
Rudy Haugeneder
Victoria, BC, Canada

I think more and more of us in America realize we are on a downhill slide with regard to our economic well being and might. While we do listen to what our politicians say, we don't really believe much of it.

To those Americans visiting this site who wonder why the BBC is so enthused and animated by a State of the Union speech by the current US president - President Obama represents something close to "The Second Coming" to the BBC. It is one of their most ardent and intense love affairs.

President Obama ticks all the right boxes.

Big government, high tax, and profligate spending.

The BBC were pretty much the same with Saint Tony of Blair and his successor Mr Brown, who pushed a similar economic strategy.

They could do no wrong in the collective eyes of the BBC.

Of course, as you suspect, to the average englishman a State of the Union address is about as important as The Queen's Speech is to an inhabitant of Boise, Idaho. (The Queens Speech does pretty much the same job as a State of the Union address - outlines the governments plans over the next year).

What Americans should note however, is the place to which Blair and Brown's economic competence has taken the UK.

And the fortunes of other European states, like Greece and Eire, who adopted largely similar policies.

Well here he goes again. State of the Union address by President Obama. He has a duty to address and do we have a duty to listen? I do not think so. Every year US presidents make such speeches and I do sometimes listen to them more for the eloquence, pompousness and style of the deliverer than for substance or for their promises and what not.

Well let him address and those who have nothing to do better, listen to him and for those who skip his speech for whatever mundane reason they have, they would not, I assure them, may loss anything substantially to turn their life upside down for worse or good.

These addresses are somewhat becoming very boring affairs, would you agree with me?

At 11:17pm on 25 Jan 2011, th3_0r4cl3 wrote:
As a person with American Relatives, You have to remember that Americans are a very selfish self absorbed people and equate tax with theft and public services as socialism, communism light. The fact that they do not understand how a national health service works and enjoy paying 4-5 times as much for insurance than any nation that has a national health service. The American way after all is "i'm alright, don't touch my stuff, i don't care how wealthy i am or how poor they are as long as i can own a gun, social responsibility ends in the states at the front door which is locked and a fire arm is kept close.


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REALLY?!?!? I wholeheartedly disagree with this statement. Please do not be so presumptive to think that all Americans are this way. A good number of us are actually educated and understand there is an entire world beyond our borders. No one, regardless of the country, truly likes taxes, but they are a necessary evil to pay for basic things like infrastructure and emergency services. Please be mindful in future with blanket statements such as this.

While I agree with "Roundraven", I feel like adding this: when I exited the local Federal Court Building tonight, where I proudly exercised my Jury duties for the first time, I was looking forward to going home to listen to President Obama's speech. At the bottom of the steps, two elderly men were waving the Israeli flag and holding a banner that stated "Eliminate terrorism, support Israel". Two Homeland Security Personnel vehicles stood nearby. I could not help but wonder if "my" President will ever tackle the Israeli issue rather than talk about it, or condemn the leadership's actions. Suggestions, propositions and condemnations sadly just do not cut it any longer in this day and age.

President Obama's speech was a reaction to his party's losses in the November election. He knew that he needed to focus on jobs and the economy; and that is exactly what he did.

Obama gave a very business friently speech, with an emphasis on helping American companies compete in the global economy. He disagreed with Republicans on the importance of government programs to build infrastructure, basic research, and education. He also made it clear that he and the Democrats will stand firm against repealing the health care law.

I think the future will be determined by technology that hasn't been invented yet. Reducing the deficit and developing new energy sources should be a high priority.

Finally, some sensible comments from you brits - i.e. this topic has nothing whatever to do with you nor will any opinion you express make the least difference to anything concerned with it. Now if only you would realize that that same principle applies no matter what the American topic - I am calling to mind the truly horrid rant from one of you post-Tucson shooting. It was the perfect example of why you brits should *never* have the choice of whether or not to possess a fire arm.

I noticed with interest that the Pres steered well clear of the contentious 2nd Amendment this evening - well done him!!!

35. At 03:34am on 26 Jan 2011, roundraven wrote:

I am proud of our President and regardless of how the UK is effected - he will help to make this world a better place.

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No he wont, like every other president of the US, he will make the world a more dangerous place.

43. At 04:48am on 26 Jan 2011, LALondoner wrote:

Finally, some sensible comments from you brits - i.e. this topic has nothing whatever to do with you nor will any opinion you express make the least difference to anything concerned with it. Now if only you would realize that that same principle applies no matter what the American topic - I am calling to mind the truly horrid rant from one of you post-Tucson shooting. It was the perfect example of why you brits should *never* have the choice of whether or not to possess a fire arm.

I noticed with interest that the Pres steered well clear of the contentious 2nd Amendment this evening - well done him!!!

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It would be nice if people of the US followed the example and stay out of everybody's business......I would say that would be a good policy for the US as a country to take as well. Sadly, we know that both the US as a country and its people just cant.

I don't know what rant you speak of, but the shooting amongst the hundreds of shootings in the US is a perfect example of why people in the US should not have weapons.

Ok, this is ridiculous. The American bias in the BBC is astounding. Yes the US State of the Union address is interesting to anyone of any country if you are interested in politics but do we really need a debate about it ?

There are so many stories here in the UK which need to be covered and the BBC are doing their best to ignore them. Are the Tories now controlling the content of the BBC ? Is that why we can't have real news any more ?

Why aren't we having a debate about how the UK government has not yet delivered one new job to the UK despite being in power for almost a year ?

How about a debate about how the Tories and the FIBerals are destroying the NHS ?

How about a debate on why the UK government's financial policy actually shrank our economy in the past three months ?

There is no excuse BBC. We need more focus on the UK and our problems. Just because you are choosing to dumb us down and distract us with non UK news and trivia doesn't mean we have forgotten what's happening here !

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Rife with ignorant comments, this.

On the one hand, I understand why Britons would care little for a speech and tradition that's only practiced in the U.S. At the same time, there are a lot of other articles and written opinions on various topics on HYS. If you're not interested, don't post here. Clearly, if you post, you cared enough to take the time.

And whether anyone likes it or not, the nations and empires in the spotlight enjoy being the nexus of political and economic focus. This is the way it's been since Rome and before. I enjoy reading articles about the UK on here, but the United States has a massively stronger impact on world affairs than the UK does now. Don't like that? Go live in a hut and post a sign; "No American news allowed."

The United States of America's agenda is quite relevant to the international community. We are no longer isolationists, so our business is important to yours.

46. At 05:03am on 26 Jan 2011, Icebloo wrote:

Ok, this is ridiculous. The American bias in the BBC is astounding. Yes the US State of the Union address is interesting to anyone of any country if you are interested in politics but do we really need a debate about it ?

There are so many stories here in the UK which need to be covered and the BBC are doing their best to ignore them. Are the Tories now controlling the content of the BBC ? Is that why we can't have real news any more ?

Why aren't we having a debate about how the UK government has not yet delivered one new job to the UK despite being in power for almost a year ?

How about a debate about how the Tories and the FIBerals are destroying the NHS ?

How about a debate on why the UK government's financial policy actually shrank our economy in the past three months ?

There is no excuse BBC. We need more focus on the UK and our problems. Just because you are choosing to dumb us down and distract us with non UK news and trivia doesn't mean we have forgotten what's happening here !

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To be fair, the BBC is an International news agency, and as such reports on events all over the world.
However, its bias is most definatly towards the US. We dont see speeches from the German, Italian, French, Russian, etc leaders. We see so many inane stories from the US on the BBC its slly, and worst of all, we see the BBC putting the priority on reporting the deaths of US soldiers over that of British soldiers despite them occurring on the same day.
It is time the BBC realised that International means just that, and not US.

America Will Recover

Then the World will have to Buy Up All the Anti depressants

Then the American Pharmaceutical corps will take off...and we will

Own your good mood

:)))

Oh then we will tax all the drugs and spend the money on guns for the

European market....and oh nooooo...you don't have murders...

oh nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

38. At 03:57am on 26 Jan 2011, Potty Harry wrote:
"What Americans should note however, is the place to which Blair and Brown's economic competence has taken the UK."

We certainly DO take note, and are following the unfolding events in the U.K. closely. You seem to be running at least a year ahead of us in coming to grips with reality. We respect that.

And that's why many of us here in the U.S. would value un-edited British comment on the President's speech tonight (and, more importantly, the Republican response to that speech) -- even though we recognize that you have your own issues to debate on the BBC's Have Your Say.

BTW -- we DO listen to the Queen's speech, and even Commons debate on those rare occasions when we get the chance. It lends perspective.

smile :))))

49. At 05:30am on 26 Jan 2011, Charlie wrote:

The United States of America's agenda is quite relevant to the international community. We are no longer isolationists, so our business is important to yours.

_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-


Only in the opinion of the US. You forget that there are many other countries out there that have agendas relevant to the International community as well and their business is important to ours just as ours is to theirs.

Why is the BBC wasting money & time on this? It may have escaped the censor that the UK is NOT the US - although Bush did treat us, in connivance with B'liar as a vassal state for his illegal war...

Other than that, BBC, go look up 1776....that's when that particular colony went it's own way......Wikipedia might help if you're having trouble.

Or.......is the Dave 'n' Nick Love In to start running a UK State of the DisUnited Kingdom Speech??

"My husband & I wish to let you know we're all in this together & that thanks to the previous errrrrrrr administration, the UK is broke. And it's goodnight from us"

Under Obama's watch the government has grown and spending has increased. The election results in November were partially about the economy but also about the growing size of government and increasing debt. However, Obama still wants to increase spending but refers to it as investing. Sorry Mr. President but we are out of money.

An American leader reads a speech - whoosh.

25. At 01:08am on 26 Jan 2011, old cop USA wrote:
He's a great orator. On a different note, is North Caucasus the new BBC politically-correct phrase for Islamic terrorist?
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
If being able to read from an autocue makes a great orator, then I guess that is a sad reflection of the times we live in.

A weak speech from a weak president, he should go.

th3_0r4cl3 wrote:

"As a person with American Relatives, You have to remember that Americans are a very selfish self absorbed people and equate tax with theft and public services as socialism, communism light. The fact that they do not understand how a national health service works and enjoy paying 4-5 times as much for insurance than any nation that has a national health service. The American way after all is "i'm alright, don't touch my stuff, i don't care how wealthy i am or how poor they are as long as i can own a gun, social responsibility ends in the states at the front door which is locked and a fire arm is kept close. "

Bravo, you have best anti-American cliches and misinformation all in one post and in one small paragraph. I bet you practice that a lot at your anti-American dinner parties, huh?

Well, as long as it continues making you feel knowledgeable and superior we Americans will continue not to care what you think about **our business.**

He is a wonderful speaker. He is honest and sincere and is truly for the people. President Obama could help restore America if the Republicans were not owned by the corporations. The GOP will continue to fight against reason and obey big money, hiding behind religion and pitching the big lie over and over. To bad

When I got up this morning (3am UK time – 6am here in Saudi), I turned on BBC World just to make sure that the world was still here and functioning.

The BBC were broadcasting Obama’s speech.

Not being an American, I tuned to Sky News. They were broadcasting Obama’s speech.

Not to be outdone, CNN were broadcasting Obama’s speech.

"I’ve got it", I thought and tuned to Al Jazeera TV. They were broadcasting Obama’s speech.

Can somebody tell me whether the world is still here and functioning ‘cos non of the news channels that I can receive don’t appear to want to tell me (and don’t suggest I tune to Fox News – I want a news channel).

1. At 10:11pm on 25 Jan 2011, ravenmorpheus2k wrote:
"Will you be watching the State of the Union address?"

Nope. I'm English so it has no direct relevance to me.

As for why the British Broadcasting Corporation is offering up a debate on this subject that only directly affects those in American I can only guess that they have nothing better, more homegrown to offer a debate on.
---------------------------
Ostrich.

2. At 10:21pm on 25 Jan 2011, Adam wrote:
This coming from an American I can't fathom why Britons would have anything to say about this.
-------------------------
Another ostrich.

3. At 10:23pm on 25 Jan 2011, Rabbitkiller wrote:
This seems to be entirely a matter for the people of the United States. I know there are a few US posters on this HYS, but for most BBC contributors the intricacies of the US economy are both difficult to understand and of minimal interest. Come on, BBC, few enough of us understand our own economy. Still, I guess that won't stop some here from spouting their uninformed opinions - especially the usual anti-American brigade.
----------------------------
A veritable pride of ostriches.

SimpleOldSailor wrote:

"It is amazing that some folk take the view that a state of the union address by an American president is of no real concern to the British."

No, what's amazing is the number of people from your country that seem to think they should have a say in how Americans choose to run their own country, especially in matters that have zero to do with your country.

"It used to be said that if the American economy sneezed then Britain and Europe were at least in for a very rough cold. This of course was when the American economy was so world dominant both as an importer and exporter that it directly affected the well being of other nations. The American economy is no longer so massively dominant but it is still a very large trader with Britain and Europe. Sadly with the recent change of our economy into being so much more dependent upon financial services as a means of generating (invisible) exports we managed to import an economic whirlwind from the US of A in the form of dodgy financial packets backed with sub-prime mortgages."

Just don't confuse the health of America's economy as some kind of any obligation to look after your country's economy and as an excuse to meddle in its affairs and its business.

And if you country's businesses choose to invest in "dodgy financial" investments then that is their own fault. No one is forcing any of your businesses to do business in or with our country.

"Should we be interested in what the US admininistration is doing and proposing? If we are to be properly on our guard against being suckered in a second time then we should be very interested and very much keeping our brains in gear this time, not do as the gambling bankers did last time around, half asleep in their executive chairs after a good lunch and buying in rubbish for which we have all had to pay."

If that's the case why do wish to continue doing business with a country that supposedly "suckered" you in? And if you were "suckered in" then where does the "gambling bankers" part come in?

And the only "gambling bankers" that are your business are those in your own country.

I fail to see what this has to do with the UK? This is a state of the union speach for the USA, I take as little interest in this as the yanks do of Prime Ministers questions. What tiny BBC brain thought this one up? How about a question on alleged sexism in sport? That's been the big story of the week, no? Didn't think so.

lordBanners wrote:

"Obama's "State of the Union" has MUCH to do with UK because we are US' staunchest abettor and US has nothing left except Military Imposition"

Nothing left, huh? Take away American technology, innovation, products and services and life as you know it would cease to exist.

"Like the man said: "If you think Education is expensive, try calculating the cost of Ignorance"."

As a foreigner America's education policies are none of your business.

"Then list all those Foreign Aid TRILLIONS squandered on Invasions, Occupations, Subjudgation, Bondage, Meddling and Insecure Ego-Stroking, could've done for STRUGGLING US Citizens loosing their Homes or can't find any Job, let alone a Decent one."

Maybe America should not have intervened during WWII? Or is that an acceptable self-serving exception?

Admit it, you couldn't care less about our citizens. You also know zip about what you are talking about. Very few Americans are truly "struggling" in America. That's actually a big part of the problem, especially long term. I have little sympathy for people "losing their homes" when they obviously couldn't afford them.

And any job that feeds and houses you is a "decent one." No one is truly entitled to anything in America. You are expected to work for what you have and take responsibility for the choices you make in your life.

"That MONEY was ENOUGH to Ensure US Citizens of a Decent, Secure FUTURE."

Our country will ultimately secure its future in the same way it always has, without the interference and demand of foreigners.

WHY? I am British

31. At 02:29am on 26 Jan 2011, Yankee_Poodle wrote:
For all those Americans out there that are bemused as to why the Brits might be interested in the US State of the Union Address - Well I guess it comes down to the fact that Brit's like titillate about almost anything... We're naturally dour and negative, so if we chastise the domestic politics of another country, it distracts us from our own sorry state of affairs. Well as a Brit, I wish we had a leader like Obama.
------------------
As a Brit, i just wish we had a leader!

What speech? Why is the BBC UK site asking this question?

Utter indifference. The man is a fool. GW Bush was much better.

Like many others on this post I could not care less what Obama has to say in a speech for the American domestic market. This obsession with every utterance from this man by the UK media takes sycophancy to new heights.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

17. At 11:43pm on 25 Jan 2011, SimpleOldSailor wrote:
It is amazing that some folk take the view that a state of the union address by an American president is of no real concern to the British.

It used to be said that if the American economy sneezed then Britain and Europe were at least in for a very rough cold.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Quite honestly, after the very rough cold Obama managed to give BP only (no mention of American companies at the time, and it was BRITISH Petroleum) - yes, he's capable of making us all ill.

BP accepted all responsibility, but on he trundled, regardless of the effects on pensions, markets, jobs, everything else.

If I had known last night that this speech was coming up, then I might have stayed up to watch it. Oh well, there's always next year.

what has this speech or anything OBAMA says have to do with Great Britain

why are the BBC covering this i dont know ........WELL I DO

its all proporganda its all the plan

the news bringer = the bbc
the meseenger = obama
the conspirators = nwo
the executioners = big business

I won’t comment on the Obama’s speech but I will comment on the comments like the one from RabbitKiller who said ‘but for most BBC contributors the intricacies of the US economy are both difficult to understand and of minimal interest.’

Personally I find this complete insult.

We are not all blinkered to what happens outside of our own State let alone Country and I certainly have an interest in what happens in America because whether I like it or not it has a major bearing on Britain and our own economy as the subprime fiasco proved!

The Union is in quite a state....

good comment ron c

america is important to know about

we should know why blair jumped in bed with bush so easily
why the british royal family mean so much to the american administration
why the uk military are used a pawns by the pentagon
why m16 and the cia are involved in rat fXXXXXX operations around the globe
and why big business on both sides of the pond enjoy the wars created
in the name of democracy
why the bbc and news corp sell us the information thats keeps us in perpetual depression over what the man in the street can do against facism

Republican or Democrat, Coke or Pepsi, McDonalds or Burger King, Labour or Conservative, did you vote to join Europe? Did you vote for the war in Iraq? Did yoy vote for the War in Afghanistan? Did you vote for the coalition? It is all theater to give you the illusion you are in control. But you are not. The ruling elite is. The 1% that own 40% of the worlds wealth. They want you to believe that you are in control because you pay for it all!

Prez Obama is a man with a mission bereft of ugly politics. One can safely label him a statesman. He cares for America and the Americans. He kept most of his campaign promises but still struggles with the problem of unemployment. It is easier to destory than to reconstruct. His predecessor Prez Bush undermined America's economy by helping the millionaires with his tax concessions, unbridled bonuses to Bank bigwigs, superficial boom to real-estate and going in for not one but two wars simultaneously. These brought America middle-class to ruins. Obama is sincere but requires another term to resurrect the pristine glory of America as the world's most powerful and richest nation.

Globalisation, the Butterfly Effect.

what atbout the world service cuts?

When America sneezes, we catch a cold.

What happens when America catches a cold, like it has now?

As a British subject I can not express how disinterested I am or anyone I know is in the State of the Union address, and why would we be?
I know they now own a lot of our infrastructure but they don't own us or Rule over us.

Item 15 says it all.

35. At 03:34am on 26 Jan 2011, roundraven wrote:
I am proud of our President and regardless of how the UK is effected - he will help to make this world a better place.
//////////////////

And where do you live - Disneyland ? That's All Folks.

64. At 07:10am on 26 Jan 2011, Ax0l0tl wrote:
Ostrich.

65. At 07:11am on 26 Jan 2011, Ax0l0tl wrote:
Another ostrich.

66. At 07:13am on 26 Jan 2011, Ax0l0tl wrote:
A veritable pride of ostriches.
---------------------------------------------
Bonkers

I am rather fed up with the BBC obsession with reporting what the USA to the exclusion of most of the rest of the world does or doesn't do. We are not yet a state of the Union so I am more interested in how Europe functions until we quit the E.U. and become a state of the Union

25. At 01:08am on 26 Jan 2011, old cop USA wrote:
is North Caucasus the new BBC politically-correct phrase for Islamic terrorist?
-------------------------------------------------
North Caucasus is a geographical location outside of the US. Which, I suppose, explains your confusion.

Having read the comments of Peter Sissons about how the BBC operates with it's own political agenda and those of Andrew Marr a few years ago I am left wondering as to how the BBC is allowed to operate without an in depth enquiry into the PC left wing agenda that permeates it from top to bottom with a view to a root and branch dismantling and restoring it to it's original charter.

It's my view that the BBC is a major and influential communications/propaganda player in the establishment of the New World Order ( for those that take an interest in these matters, you know what I am talking about ) which Obama is also a puppet and a player.

That's why the BBC puts out so much coverage of and support of Obama.

Did you mention the weather was to blame for anything?

Let me see, British Broadcasting Corporation and I am UK Resident.

I would not presume to comment on the President (Head of State) of the USA's State of the Union Speech just as I would not expect any person not of the Commonwealth to comment on the Queen's Speech.

It is a matter for the Americans and the BBC needs to learn that they are not required by their Licence Payers to publish everything this man says. In fact in these times of austerity one questions the BBC's fascination with Obama, who appears on our screens more often than the Queen. He does not govern here.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

Obamas speech is important to the UK as we live in a Global Village and we have to trade there too. However it is the American people that have the right to veto or comment as we have no influence at all on the American system. Believe me, if America needed to bolster its economy at the cost the the UK it would!

We need to watch what is going on, try to work out what is really going on, we do not need to see this live with inane 'at the moment commentary' we need to see it dissected later with thought out commentary. BBC lose the necessity to have it live, buy it in later and lets review it at leisure.

Because of the financial linkls to America we as Brits have to be interested.

If the USA goes downhill then we are dragged with it. The isolationist comments of we are British are ridiculous. I would agree that live broadcasts and wasted resources are not cost effective. I do not want to hear live commentary as it happens.... I want to read or see it later when alll the wrinkles have been spotted or the best bits are able to be highlighted.

Yes Why because we are part of the U.S.A. as the Iron Lady, once said we are its unsinkable battle ship and The U.K. is only a small player in the E.U, What I dont' understand is how come our money is not dollars?The £ is worthless abroad today.

I couldn't care less what a foreign governmemnt is doing in it's own country.

ref #83
Aziz Merchant wrote:
Prez Obama is a man with a mission bereft of ugly politics. One can safely label him a statesman. He cares for America and the Americans.
___________

Preisdent is an elevated Chicago political hack. His speech on the shooting of rep Giffords and finally having rational economic policies late in the year(forced by the republicans) have been the only right moves domesticly.

He has appeased special interests like labor union and the environmental lobby.

His foriegn policy in appeasing islamic terrorists and latin American dictators has been worse