The Rocky Mountain Collegian

President George W. Bush addressed the nation on Tuesday night, in the annual State of the Union. Bush addressed the members of the House, Senate, Supreme Court and political dignitaries for an hour, discussing American education in math and science, the national dependency on foreign oil, foreign relations with Iraq and Iran and issues of federal spending.

Absent from the speech, for national security reasons, were Veteran Affair secretary Jim Nicholson, GOP Deputy Whip Eric Cantor of Virginia, Representative George Miller (D-CA), Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) and Sen. Ted Stevens (R-AK).

On the eve of "Black History Month," Bush began his speech by recognizing the legacy of national hero Martin Luther King, Jr.'s widow, Coretta Scott King, who passed away on Monday. Bush later acknowledged and thanked retired Justice Sandra Day O'Connor for her service to the nation's highest court. O'Connor was replaced earlier in the day by Justice Samuel Alito.

Alito was confirmed to be the 110th justice to join the Supreme Court, by a Senate vote of 58-42. Sens. Robert Kennedy and John Kerry (D-MA) had threatened to filibuster the nomination, but the Senate voted on Monday to have an up-and-down vote.

Bush announced numerous plans to increase the country's proficiency in math and science, to be more competitive with rising foreign nations.

He discussed a plan to increase federal spending for research that will help decrease the country's dependency on Middle Eastern oil by 75 percent by 2025. His plan will include the construction of more nuclear power plants and technology advancements in ethanol fuels made from wood chips, weeds and corn.

Bush stressed the health of the nation's economy regarding federal spending initiatives and job creation. Bush gave more details on his plan to decrease the federal budget deficit by 50 percent by 2009. To accomplish this, Bush plans to cut taxes and eliminate government programs, which will put $880 billion into taxpayers' hands. Bush said that, in two-and-a-half years, the country created 4.6 million new jobs-more than the European Union and Japan, two leaders in the growing global economy, combined.

Bush said that he has no concrete plans to withdraw troops from Iraq, but that he will heed the advice of his top military advisers, as to when the time is appropriate. Bush assured the people of Iran that the United States will support them in their desire for freedom, and that he will help rally the countries of the world to address the threat of Iran.

Bush's speech was highlighted by numerous instances of applause and standing ovations on both sides of the aisle. In a moment of sarcastic humor, the side containing the chamber's Democrats stood and cheered when Bush noted that Congress had rejected his 2005 proposal to reform social security. Bush answered his critics right away.

"Yet the rising cost of entitlements is a problem that is not going away, and with every year we fail to act, the situation gets worse," Bush said.

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