For anyone who was unsure after his inauguration speech a few
weeks ago, Tuesday night's State of the Union address should
have removed all doubt:  Newly re-elected President Barack Obama
is emboldened and intends to aggressively press his agenda
during his second term.  On climate change, for instance, the
president issued the gathering of lawmakers a direct challenge.
"If Congress won't act soon to protect future generations, I
will," he said. "I will direct my Cabinet to come up with
executive actions we can take, now and in the future, to reduce
pollution, prepare our communities for the consequences of
climate change, and speed the transition to more sustainable
sources of energy."  That's no idle threat.  In January, a month
after the Connecticut elementary school massacre, the president
approved 23 executive actions on the controversial issue of gun
control.  Considering the bitter partisanship that virtually
paralyzed the previous session of Congress, Obama's frustration
and willingness to go it alon