Inappropriate Content: 1000 Words©

President Bush gave the commencement speech at the Naval Academy today. He took the opportunity to defend Secretary Rumsfeld's plan to close dozens of military bases across the country—a plan that I happen to believe is a good idea:

"In this time of unprecedented dangers, we need you to take on two difficult missions at once," [Bush] told the officers. "We need you to defeat the terrorists who want to destroy what we stand for and how we live. And at the same time, we need you to transform our military for the 21st century, so we can deter and defeat the new adversaries who may threaten our people in the decades ahead."

I'm concerned at how familiar that rhetoric sounds. "In a time of unprecedented dangers, brave men will take on two difficult missions at once." It's not like I'm surprised the President is giving a speech that makes him sound like Don LaFontaine. It's just that this was the same speech the President gave throughout the run-up to the invasion of Iraq and throughout his campaign. I'm wondering if it's not getting a little old.

Could the fact that Bush is so on message be part of the reason his approval ratings have been sliding? Take the picture above. He looks out of place. The President (on the left) is very somber, giving his "in a world of unprecedented dangers" speech. But that wasn't the mood of the event: the new officer (center) is clearly celebrating his graduation from the Naval Academy and the distinguished admiral (right) is clearly celebrating his unobstructed view of the new officer's shapely ass. Maybe Bush could have loosened up a little. I'm not saying the President should have tapped a keg with the new graduates or anything. Okay, I am. That would be cool.

Just some food for thought as we head into the holiday weekend.