Boston bomb survivors are guests at Obama speech

[unhappycamper]

http://www.philly.com/philly/news/nation_world/20140127_ap_64f6f5c66ecf4e04b711392e23b186e3.html

Boston bomb survivors are guests at Obama speech
The Associated Press
Posted: Monday, January 27, 2014, 6:02 AM

WASHINGTON (AP) - Two survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing and an openly gay NBA player are among the guests who will sit with first lady Michelle Obama Tuesday when President Barack Obama delivers the annual State of the Union address.

The first lady's guests are often picked because they symbolize an issue or policy the president is promoting. The White House announced six guests on Monday, with other names to be released ahead of Obama's address.

The guests announced so far are:

- Carlos Arredondo and Jeff Bauman, Boston: A photograph of Arredondo, 53, and Bauman, 27, has become one of the iconic images from the April 2013 bombing. The photo captured Arredondo rushing a badly injured Bauman away from the scene of the attack. Bauman, who lost both legs in the attack, played a crucial role in identifying the bombers while he was in the hospital recovering. The two men have become close friends, the White House said.

[earthside]

1. One of the reasons I loath State of the Union speeches anyone.

I think Reagan started it with these 'special guest stars'.

And I have watched increasingly fewer SOTU addresses ever since.

It becomes more theatrics every year.

Congress people actually "camp-out" on aisle seats so they can shake the President's hand as he enters.
Really.
And Congress wonders why so many American have contempt for them?

The media extravaganza with a virtual 'pre-game' show; keeping score on standing ovations; who is seated next to whom; 'post-game' analysis; etc.

And on top of all that hardly anything newsworthy ever comes out of these speeches.

I favor going back to George Washington's time when the State of the Union was a written document by the President hand-delivered to the Congress for them to read ... and the public.

That won't happen and I won't watch this annual Washington insiders media orgy.

[Demeter]

2. Ah, yes, the Boston Massacre, so totally NOT PREDICTED by NSA

this isn't even subtle, on the POTUS' part.