NOTE: This commentary comes from the political process occupying us just now.

Welcome to my Wednesday Morning Follies, State of the Union Address. I don't know if will be an annual event, but it might be, so stay tuned. I didn't tell anyone earlier because I did not want pundits spilling and then spewing about what I was going to say in advance and why it is all baloney even before I say it. I have seen this happen to President Obama, and before him to Presidents Bush the Younger, Clinton, Bush The First, Reagan, etc., and I find little usefulness in that. You can read my appraisal of the State of the Union and then agree or disagree, depending on your own self; there may be rebuttal, but the rebuttalers won't have the advantage of knowing what I am going to say before I say it. They will have to do their research pretty quickly because no one knows yet how I think the Union fares or my plans for its future.

Since no one knows those judgments and plans, the Alternative Party cannot designate an Opposition Spokesman and that means this newspaper won't have to promote them with free print time and you won't have to endure their silly prattle.

No panels of experts hold their breath waiting for me to finish so they can tell you as instantly as possible what I said—didn't say—should have said—shouldn't have said—or really meant. You will just have to make do with my own words about the State of Our Union.

I have not asked special guests to sit in the gallery to help me illustrate previous achievements or future goals because, hey, this is a newspaper and you couldn't see them anyway.

I do not expect to be constantly interrupted by applause, but some form of polite response will be appreciated when I am finished.

So here goes: My State of the Union Address is that we are in pretty good shape for the shape we are in; and I thank God every day for the privilege of being an American.

Archie P. McDonald is a professor of history and Community Liaison at Stephen F. Austin State University. His commentaries are also featured each Friday morning on Red River Radio.