If you brought absolutely nothing to it, Obama's speech was a great one. He hit the buttons. It was inspirational and, just as his pre-address spinners promised, visionary.

If, on the other land, you listened with a bit of history in mind and a knack for translating poli-speak into English, you heard a call for a massive new public works program and tossing another few billions or trillions at the schools. You heard the patent absurdity that every American youngster "should have access to higher education."  Meaning, among other things, that decent plumbers, electricians, and carpenters will be even harder to find.

But at least he wants us to "invest" in high-speed rail. I didn't understand whether that comes before or after we rebuild our "crumbling" bridges which, as you'll recall from the news,  dump hundreds of Innocent Americans into our rivers and canyons every day.

More later, maybe. Right now I'm mostly inspired to get back to 1905 and see what else Bradley has to say about  The Imperial Cruise.