What's with all the standing ovations during the speech to Congress yesterday?

[IntravenousDemilo]

I think I lost count after about 20 of them. Why can't the audience just remain standing if they're going to keep getting up on their feet like that?

I've noticed this before, and it seems rather silly. If everything gets a standing ovation, than standing O's become meaningless.

[Parche]

1. I Will Take 'Obama Is A Fantastic Speaker' For $1000 Alex

:woohoo::woohoo: :hi:

[KonaKane]

5. OK with me

It was a joy to see, after eight long and terrible years, a president speak before congress who could form cogent sentences, thoughts, and formulate a thoughtful plan and vision for the future. If people want to jump to their feet over and over again for that, I'd say StairMaster is getting some stiff competition.

[madokie]

2. Some of them old bastages need the exercise

[ellacott]

3. That's a tradition with these speeches

[elfin]

4. Dems have been waiting a LONG time to

play jack in the box after enduring so many caused by the stupid and bellicose remarks by W among his "faith"ful.

Glee, plus sticking it to the Rethugs. A happy night.

[ConcernedCanuk]

6. The POTUS was speaking coherently for the first time in almost a decade . .

.
.
.

That'll do it!

[IntravenousDemilo]

7. Yes, well, they did it for the last POTUS as well. The practice seems primitive and tribal to me.

And in the House of Commons here in Canada, when the Finance Minister delivers the budget, the MPs from the government side regularly interrupt the budget speech with sustained applause and the occasional standing ovation, though that's usually saved for the end of the speech.

At least MPs don't thump their desks anymore when they approve of something, as they used to. That always reminded me of cavemen beating on tree trunks and going "ooh, ooh, ooh!"