State of disunion

He chastised the Supreme Court, whose members sat stonily
quiet, looking down, before him. He told military leaders, lined up in front of
him, sullen and silent, that he was ending wars soon. He complimented House
members and nudged Senate members, who applauded if they agreed and laughed
aloud if they did not. He was feisty at times, joking at times (as if there was
much to smile about, though his smile is radiant and infectious).

But the message to this member of the public was — this is
the man I cheered to election and missed this past year. One hopes the speech
introduces a year of living aggressively with his political enemies and
critically with his friends. It is time for change.

Visit www.RonaldGoldfarb.com.