I am glad he made the point that kids cannot expect easy success in life via music, sports, or stardom.  It was an important reference to reality in the “celebrity” culture that surrounds us.

I was impressed that he emphasized personal responsibility.   Our society plays the “blame game” too often, blaming our bad choices on external circumstances – we blame our failures on our parents, the media, teachers – anyone and anything except ourselves.

On the other hand, the “humble spirit” I wish to teach my children seems conspicuously absent in our President.  Surely he can use his own story to inspire without boastfulness.

Whether you agree with his politics or not, I hope everyone will take the time to see what he had to say.  Visit To Love, Honor, and Vacuum, Vernalization, and Principled Discovery for other analysis of the speech.