Thanks to Ecopolitology’s head up, I started watching President Obama’s first State of the Union on Hulu, live, on my laptop, at home (in the bath, with Vodka 14) where I could pay attention and hear what’s being said, instead of the usual gathering at a noisy (and fun) crowded bar in downtown Boulder (further downside: you’d get arrested if you were in your bday suit, drinking Vodka 14).

I then switched over to nytimes.com, which showed the whole speech, live, through their home page. Now, I’m relatively young and all, and tech-savvy…but still I kept shaking my head in wonderment…this was right out of Harry Potter: watching moving magical pictures and sounds coming out of what only 10 years ago was a static newspaper.

Magic? Technology? Yes.

Also, before and after (and during, for the more talented and/or ADHD members of our national green community), there was a live twitter chat room (images of my fave tweets, above) where folks called it as they saw it, booed, applauded, weighed in, criticized, and gave shoutouts.
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What stood out for me: the standing ovation for Obama’s vow to end DADT, and give gays in the military full and equal rights. His vow to push for equal pay for women. He vow to pass a Climate Bill, and his directly addressing the Republicans:

“I know there have been questions about whether we can afford such changes in a tough economy; and I know that there are those who disagree with the overwhelming scientific evidence on climate change. But even if you doubt the evidence, providing incentives for energy efficiency and clean energy are the right thing to do for our future – because the nation that leads the clean energy economy will be the nation that leads the global economy. And America must be that nation.”

His (to my mind, unsupported) support of nuclear energy, and offshore drilling when appropriate. His “ballsy” direct statement to the Supreme Court justices, seated right before him and suddenly very much on the spot, about allowing more money in politics (a sentiment McCain would agree with).

The full address: