Speechblogging

It’s 8 PM EST and I’m sitting in my dorm room watching MSNBC. I’m gonna blog this thing, sort of play-by-play.

8:01 – Prez at the podium. Recap of history. Bush clearly reading off teleprompter. Odd wavering in his voice.

8:03 – “The regime has […] It has…” Neutered and unspecific references rather than pointing directly at Saddam.

8:04 – “US has sovereign authority.” References Congress vote from last year.

8:05 – MSNBC shows Marines in Kuwait watching. “This is not a question of authority, it is a question of will.”

8:06 – “[Iraq] will not disarm so long as Saddam Hussein holds power.” Ah, there we go with the specifics. "These governments don’t share our resolve [to “enforce peace”]."

8:07 – “The UN has not lived up to its responsibilities.” Saddam and sons have 48 hours to leave or military action.

8:08- Promises to Iraqi people. “We will help you to build a new Iraq that is prosperous and free […] The day of your liberation is near.”

8:09 – Warning to Iraqi soldiers: “Do not destroy Iraqi oil wells […] War crimes will be punished.”

8:11 – “Our government is on heightened watch.” News noted before speech that Terror Alert has just been moved to Code Orange.

8:12 – “Saddam Hussein and his terrorist allies.” Proof of such allies?

8:14 – “Free nations have a duty to unite against the violent.” I don’t want to say ironic, but…

I need to mull this over. But there you go. More frequent blogging starts now, by the way.