i think barack was right to try to tamp down expectations, and it was a solid speech. but at this point we've seen barack do all of this just as well before. as a speech, it wasn't a wonder of the world. but i wouldn't for a second say that this isn't an amazing thing. they kept saying "historic" today, which  has been boywhocriedwolfed to death. : every state of the union address is at once historic and forgotten within ten minutes, for example. but this is, actually, historic. obviously race is not over. but this has to be basically encouraging about the state of race in america.