Clinton's speech

The transcendent ability to speak punctually for one hour and fit in a guest appearance on the popular Larry King Live show in the morning and on CNN at night, covering a wide range of complex subjects including political, economic and social issues befitting the State of Union address, must only prove that Bill Clinton is a genius. The President handed the script to the Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich and the Presiding Officer of the Senate (and Vice-President) Al Gore. Then, amazingly, he spoke by heart for a full hour.

Perhaps the speech will go on record as the State of the Union address that excelled in receiving the most frequent standing ovations from the floor. This indicates that the topics raised and the corresponding actions received full endorsement.

Among the issues that loom large in the forthcoming agenda for the second term, it is most striking that education receives the number one priority, to which a huge budget appropriation is in the offing. Bipartisan support was called for in the contemplated legislation to implement an education plan with Clinton saying that politics must stop at the schoolhouse door.

Another striking tip on education was the statement which elevated the status of education to the level of national security issues. In this respect, it was stressed that the doors of the college must be open to all citizens. In the call for character education, Clinton appealed: "We must teach our children to become good citizens."

He boasted his assurance that every American would receive a good education, but he was right in his assertion that to have the best schools is to have the best teachers.

It is a matter of great acclaim and rejoice that teachers won a worthy place in the State of the Union address.

To an observer in a developing country, another noteworthy feature was the call to build stronger communities, where children must be saved from juvenile crime, drugs, and from the danger of cigarettes. The issue of a clean environment was also raised in this context.

It is very interesting that being a descendant from Irish emigrants, Clinton tersely remarked that America is a land of emigrants. But in this regard he stressed that "diversity is our greatest strength, not weakness".

There was a skeptical comment from the Republican side which, in referring to Clinton's speech, reportedly said that "those are only words; we await deeds". To make such a comment must be easy enough, but to have full control of the wide range of issues facing the nation and to speak of them so confidently is not an easy task.

SAM SUHAEDI

Jakarta