LOS ANGELES - It is that time of year where President Barack Obama will give his State of The Union address on Tuesday to a rather catty, cliquey joint session of Congress. The State of The Union has turned into the equivalent of a high school pep-rally with all the cliques bringing all their "cool friends" trying show up everybody else. After all, invites to this year's affair include Fort Lee, New Jersey Mayor Mark Sokolich, Duck Dynasty star Willie Robertson and Fox News Channel's Sean Hannity.
Let us face it, most of the president's speech has leaked out and most of it will be things he has been said before. About the only real revelation is Mr. Obama will likely announce he will use his Executive Order privilege to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 a hour for government contract workers.
Adding to the high school pep-rally feel are some lawmakers clapping at everything the president says during the speech, and at times looking around awkwardly wondering if they should give the president a standing ovation. Then there are other lawmakers who refuse to clap sitting there acting like an angry child. Surely the reaction of some lawmaker during the State of The Union speech will get the attention of the news cycle and trend online with some catchy hash-tag.
This whole thing has turned into a bunch of theatrics, and so here are four other things to do beside watch the State of The Union:
1. Go To The Record Store!
Support your local record store. In fact, if you have not got around to it check out Jungle Beat Records in Montebello. A lot of great records at great prices, and the owner is an awesome guy.
Jungle Beat Records
2461 W Whittier Blvd
Montebello 90640
Dial (323) 725-0940
2. Go To This Show at The Detroit Bar
Go see Let's Drive to Alaska, Robot Work and AtariSUNSHINE at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. If you have not heard of these bands then go check them out, because you will not be disappointed. Also, the show is free, but it is 21 and over.
Detriot Bar
843 W 19th St
Costa Mesa 92627
3. Go Volunteer!
This of course does not have to be during The State of The Union, but consider volunteering and making your community a little bit better of a place (let's see some sour face lawmaker not stand up and applaud that). A lot of people want to do this, but not too sure where to even start. Well, Volunteer Los Angeles, One OC and Volunteer Match: Riverside-San Bernardino Volunteer Opportunities, are very good places to start.
4. Go To This Art Museum
Go to The Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College (yes, that Vincent Price). Among featuring work from many up and coming artists the museum also features a collection of artworks from ancient civilizations in Central and South America. This museum is one of these hidden gems in Southern California and it is highly recommended you check it out. The museum is open until 4 p.m. and admission is free.
The Vincent Prince Art Museum at East Los Angeles College
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park 91754
Dial (323) 265-8841
As for The State of The Union, you can always read the transcript of it at the White House website. If you really want to torture yourself you can listen to the cable news noise channels and what the many pundits believe the speech really meant.
Whatever you decide to do, hopefully you have a very good day.
Let us face it, most of the president's speech has leaked out and most of it will be things he has been said before. About the only real revelation is Mr. Obama will likely announce he will use his Executive Order privilege to raise the minimum wage to $10.10 a hour for government contract workers.
Adding to the high school pep-rally feel are some lawmakers clapping at everything the president says during the speech, and at times looking around awkwardly wondering if they should give the president a standing ovation. Then there are other lawmakers who refuse to clap sitting there acting like an angry child. Surely the reaction of some lawmaker during the State of The Union speech will get the attention of the news cycle and trend online with some catchy hash-tag.
This whole thing has turned into a bunch of theatrics, and so here are four other things to do beside watch the State of The Union:
1. Go To The Record Store!
Support your local record store. In fact, if you have not got around to it check out Jungle Beat Records in Montebello. A lot of great records at great prices, and the owner is an awesome guy.
Jungle Beat Records
2461 W Whittier Blvd
Montebello 90640
Dial (323) 725-0940
2. Go To This Show at The Detroit Bar
Go see Let's Drive to Alaska, Robot Work and AtariSUNSHINE at the Detroit Bar in Costa Mesa. Doors open at 8:30 p.m. If you have not heard of these bands then go check them out, because you will not be disappointed. Also, the show is free, but it is 21 and over.
Detriot Bar
843 W 19th St
Costa Mesa 92627
3. Go Volunteer!
This of course does not have to be during The State of The Union, but consider volunteering and making your community a little bit better of a place (let's see some sour face lawmaker not stand up and applaud that). A lot of people want to do this, but not too sure where to even start. Well, Volunteer Los Angeles, One OC and Volunteer Match: Riverside-San Bernardino Volunteer Opportunities, are very good places to start.
4. Go To This Art Museum
Go to The Vincent Price Art Museum at East Los Angeles College (yes, that Vincent Price). Among featuring work from many up and coming artists the museum also features a collection of artworks from ancient civilizations in Central and South America. This museum is one of these hidden gems in Southern California and it is highly recommended you check it out. The museum is open until 4 p.m. and admission is free.
The Vincent Prince Art Museum at East Los Angeles College
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez
Monterey Park 91754
Dial (323) 265-8841
As for The State of The Union, you can always read the transcript of it at the White House website. If you really want to torture yourself you can listen to the cable news noise channels and what the many pundits believe the speech really meant.
Whatever you decide to do, hopefully you have a very good day.
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