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Applause
North Miami Beach, FL February
27, 2001 Aaron H. Schectman
THINKING ALLOWED
Essays on issues, ideas and reflections on the times. Published now and
then, Opinions pro or con are welcome.
THE
MEANING OF APPLAUSE
I got back from choir practice (you are invited to our Spring Concert on
Friday, March 23, 2001 at 7:30 p.m. at Temple Sinai) and tuned in to the new
President's Budget speech before the combined houses of Congress. The
cadres of Republican supporters far outdid themselves in applause. They
could not hear a sentence without applauding.
Did you notice that the television cameras spent little time recording the
lack of enthusiasm on the Democratic side? The applause was well
orchestrated, beginning on command by a chief clapper. He began on cue at
the end of most sentences. Even some Republicans just followed the
directions and dutifully clapped along.
"Dubya" gave an uncharacteristically good speech but spent entirely too
much time in pious declarations of his good intentions. In fact, he gave a
very good speech, for him, but a speech filled with dire implications for
the end of good and needed programs in favor of tax cuts to people that do
not need them. He talked of reform rather than cold cash given to new plans
of education. And again, he stated his intention to forge ahead with "Faith
Based" initiatives. His platitudes were plentiful but you could easily strip
them away and you would find that he has taken a sharper turn to the right
than in his speeches while campaigning for the office.
The mood of the country is disturbing because we have all accepted his
administration with little or no noticeable objection (excepting the
vigorous reaction by the Black Community). If the applause he received is
any indication of real change of direction for this country, he will get the
support for the program he laid out tonight. But did you notice the tightly
smiling Democrats? For the most part they were polite and there were no
boos although there was a wave of "oohs". They were giving the "Dubya" man
a chance to show his stuff. And he did - but they did not applaud. They
were a good deal more polite than the vociferous opposition to "Bill" in the
last decade. Let's applaud a well-delivered speech. Now put your hands
together and let's hear it for "W" just to be respectful to our President.
Carol's Evaluation: 8 out of 10.
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