Thank you, God bless you, and God bless America.

[laconicsax]

Obama's speech to students ends with those words. :puke:

http://politicalticker.blogs.cnn.com/2009/09/07/obama-speech-to-school-children-you-make-your-own-future/

Just once I'd like a Presidential address that doesn't conclude by invoking ancient superstition. Is that really too much to ask?

[vixengrl]

1. I think the problem might lie in finding an original and acceptable sign-off

in lieu of the supernatural and antique. I would go for "Be excellent to each other," but others might find it too informal (or know where it came from.)

[charlie]

2. People think you're "at war" with their religion

and go for their guns because you say, "happy holidays."

Obama's got to decide a secular, non-sectarian sign off is important enough to weather that kind of shit. I don't think that day will ever come.

[vixengrl]

3. I think that's right--I can already hear some commentator going, "Noticeably absent from the

President's speech tonight was the familiar benediction 'God Bless America.' With us is (pick a god-bagger) to discuss why our President hates Jesus..."

[charlie]

4. More than most, this one needs the insurance

because he's secretly a Mooslim. It won't take 5 minutes for FOX to discover that "Take care and goodnight" is "Allahu Akbar" backwards. Patriots will thwart sleeper cell activation by shooting a few convenience store clerks and the president will have to answer for it.

[laconicsax]

9. Nothing is going to convince those people

They're convinced that Obama's a secret Muslim who's out to destroy America. He could wipe his ass with pages from the Koran and they'd just say, "Where'd he get the Koran if he isn't Muslim?" He could announce a new phase in the War on Terra with the goal of exterminating every last adherent of Islam and they'd just call it a deception by Satan.

[moggie]

5. Why not end with a song?

It works for comedians. More seriously, and off the top of my head, something like "Thank-you for listening. I wish you all the best for the future, and I'm confident that, together, we can make America a lasting inspiration to all". Yadda yadda: I'm not a motivational speaker. Still empty bullshit, but secular empty bullshit, which recognises that whatever "blessings" are bestowed upon people and the country come from the hard work of flesh and blood individuals, not supernatural agencies.

Seems to me that the religious sign-off is a big "fuck you" to that whole separation of church and state deal. The message is: kids, you know how your teachers are not allowed to bring God into the classroom? Well, I think that's a damn shame, but I'm the fucking president, and I can do what I like.

[realisticphish]

15. "I'm Barack Obama, and you're not"

[amyrose2712]

17. I'd support Bill and Ted!nt

[immoderate]

6. He didn't do that in his labor speech in Cincinati.

It was a totally secular sign off, though I can't recall what he said. :shrug:

--imm

[laconicsax]

8. This transcript says otherwise:

That's the lesson of this day-that some things are always worth fighting for. Equal pay. Fair wages. Dignity in the workplace. Justice on the job. An economy that works for everyone, because in America there are no second-class citizens. An economy where you can make a living and care for your families. Where you leave your kids something better.

Where we live up to our fundamental ideals-those words put on paper some 200 years ago. That we are all created equal; that we all deserve a chance to pursue our happiness and achieve our goals.

That is the calling to which we are summoned this Labor Day. That is the cause of my presidency. And that is the commitment we must fulfill to preserve the American Dream for all of America's working families.

God bless you. And God bless the United States of America.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/07/obama-labor-day-speech-at_n_278772.html

[immoderate]

10. The transcript is wrong...

Check the video at about 4:00...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADN0LcyVGBI

--imm

[laconicsax]

11. So it would seem.

He's clearly capable of leaving it out. He just needs to do so more often.

[immoderate]

12. Agree.

--imm

[sarcasmo]

7. The pandering norm, it's like accepting an award you have to thank Jebus.

[laconicsax]

13. Guess what, we're a Christian nation!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x4048925#4049274

So far I've got three Arugmentum ad populum replies and one "quit being so selfish." I just love some of the 'progressives' on this board who haven't the slightest idea about the Establishment and Free Exercise clauses.

[DavidDvorkin]

14. I cringe every time a politician ends a speech that way

I expect to keep cringing for a long time, unfortunately.

[laconicsax]

16. Ugh. Add yesterday's address to Congress to the list.

[Soylent Brice]

18. yeah, if there was any indoctrination going on in speeches, this would be the perfect example.