(C) Daily Kos
This story was originally published by Daily Kos and is unaltered.
. . . . . . . . . .
What is ours to do is what Biden didn't say [1]
['This Content Is Not Subject To Review Daily Kos Staff Prior To Publication.', 'Backgroundurl Avatar_Large', 'Nickname', 'Joined', 'Created_At', 'Story Count', 'N_Stories', 'Comment Count', 'N_Comments', 'Popular Tags']
Date: 2022-11-04
It’ on the ballot
Much has been written about president Biden’s recent address, both praise and criticism bandied about liberally. I seriously feel just ho hum okay about most speeches, being mostly deaf. Fortunately, DKos’s own Mark Sumner’s real time narrative delivered as Biden was speaking stirred me out of that, and quietly, firmly reassured me. I’m grateful that was my first introduction and remains the lasting impression.
Later I caught a whiff or two in headlines and comments with respect to the ridiculous repetitious reproval but was able to easily tune those out. Dead common, innit.
Yesterday evening I was able to catch the Washington Post editorial penned by Eugene Robinson, which echoed some of that emotionally charged sentiment I first felt while reiterating, clarifying, and tying together some of the more publicly launched criticisms.
And I was left with a feeling of disappointment Robinson rarely delivers. That restive niggling feeling of dissatisfaction kept at me. And I think I finally understand why.
That our president began his speech recounting the horrifying attack on Paul Pelosi carries a significance that should not be overlooked or minimized.
The two men are both of a certain age, and have likely known each other, certainly socially and at least tangentially for years, if not decades. It’s even likely, though I don’t know for certain, they were friends.
This attack would have necessarily impacted Biden, not just at the national level, where the forces of evil wage a seemingly inexorable incomprehensible war against the ideals of democracy, but also at the doorstep, in the neighborhood, close by to hearth and home.
I’m wondering that anyone, knowing of the personal losses this elder statesman of ours has suffered, could fail to comprehend how devastating that this happened on his watch.
That such suffering as Joe, the man, has known, should now be visited upon his colleague and friends, how that realization would have first stunned, then reverberated. The intense pain would echo through his own experience, impact him deeply, and shake him to the very core.
Small wonder then at his inability to deliver a flawless speech.
The horror was doubly promulgated, though, for not only did this hit home, it was a cheap, crude and childish blow struck violently against the foundation and formation that literally and figuratively upholds our democracy. Directly unsuitably echoing the standard bearing anthem of times Joe must remember, If I had a Hammer*
Who represents our current aims, our standard as head of state? None other than Joe Biden. The responsibility of that position in and of itself is enormous, and the assault a mantle that would inevitably weigh heavily upon him now. And yet, and still
It’s his job
We’re four days out from election day— three days, including today, and a wake up, as I form my thoughts, putting into words the context of this diary. And if you’re still with me, still reading, I know you also feel the heavy weight of that, wondering like me, have we done enough? Can we do anything further to effect the outcome? Can we live with what happens if we fall short?
So I imagine the grave responsibility we share over our common feeling of uncertainty and hope, excitement and despair, while palpable, is still negligible compared to the immense sense of duty our commander in chief is enduring.
Everything is at stake here.
The opinion piece by Robinson is probably paywalled, but I’m sharing the link anyway. And I’ll encapsulate as best I can my takeaway, because I think we need to hear this.
Biden fears for democracy. It might not matter in the midterms
While Robinson agrees with Biden that American democracy is at stake, he waffles on our president’s decision to make that theme not only central but also his only message this close to the election.
He worries that kitchen table issues are what matter to the voters, and frets there are too many MAGA constituents that fail to grasp the enormity of the divide that threatens to devour us. He doesn't trust that the all encompassing theme of democracy will deliver.
He thinks Joe is too darned optimistic, and laments his own lack of faith, and inability to get there from here. He thinks a more animated and motivating message is needed.
He also thinks it’s an unusual opening for a presidential address—which is why I covered that first and at length. If you’ve been there you understand. And if you can feel empathy and compassion, you get at least a smidgen of it, too.
To quote the end of the opinion
. . this week’s speech showed what is most important to Biden — and what keeps him up at night. If it turns out that neither his accomplishments nor his conviction end up being enough to secure victory for his party on Tuesday, it would reveal more about the public than the president.
Robinson wants more fire from Joe. He, like many of us, want Dark Brandon.
What he doesn’t say, what I wish Robinson would have said, is to offer us that calm, inspired certitude Sumner voices when he plainly states
UPDATE: Wednesday, Nov 2, 2022 · 7:23:48 PM EDT · Mark Sumner Heartfelt and passionate, straightforward and unflinching. You couldn’t ask for more.
Because in the grand scheme of things, where the rubber meets the road, there’s nothing more we need. I can say this with conviction because I believe Biden is the right man, in the right place, at the right time for us and for our great nation. I see his purpose at the helm one of an unwavering beacon, burning bright and steady as he determinedly pilots our path, aiming us solidly back aright, so our trajectory is straight and true.
That’s his job.
We are the fire.
It’s our role to carry out that mission, to bring forth the passion. When we do the work, and accomplish our task of securing the vote, ushering in a time of a more equitable union—when we do our job we can absolutely depend on Joe, on Kamala, on Nancy and Schumer—and yes, even those progressive junior legislators—we can trust them and all the rest to take care of everything else.
All we have to do is everything we can to make sure our democracy is safe. And as citizens of America this must remain our focus.
Our elected officials can and will tackle inflation. They’ll competently and intelligently deal with climate change. They’ll usher in a new wave of prosperity and equality that reaches every individual in every segment of the population.
Quality and affordable health care? Check! A woman’s right to choose? Check! Restitution? Check! Wealth equity? Check!
This is not meant to be a comprehensive list. That's up to the collective us to generate.
Are these tasks of Herculean proportions? Of course they are. Are they going to be easily obtainable? Hell no. But are we going to throw in the towel and give up and in? Not on your life.
We ain’t had it in so long or Maybe Ever we forget that a healthy and functioning democracy by design will deliver a government by the people, for the people, and of the people.
We choose
And if it doesn’t deliver? We’ve secured the vote (Check!) so we know we have redress.
We. Choose.
Everything is at stake here.
I’m aware even as I bring this to a close just how wrong it can possibly go. I’m begging you, should the unthinkable happen, please don’t give up and don’t despair. Twenty twenty four will be upon us before we know it and win or lose in ’22, we’ve still so much to do.
We are the fire.
Thank you for standing up, for talking loud, for being proud. Everything you’ve done, all you continue to do — for all you will do to secure our democracy— to ensure Joe and his team are able to do their job, on our behalf, it matters.
Like my friend Marty loves to say
I’ve fell down before but I ain’t never just laid there.
* from wikipedia, “If I Had a Hammer” was written by Pete Seeger and Lee Hays in 1949 as an anthem for many progressive concerns of the day and most specifically the Labor Movement. The song features images of blue-collar workers (hammers and bells to suggest factories, etc.) as a rallying call for justice and equality.
20th Operation Respect, an activity for participants to explore and prepare for the lessons of the cornerstone curriculum theme 'Celebrating Diversity' through the song “If I Had a Hammer”
[END]
---
[1] Url:
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2022/11/4/2133491/-What-is-ours-to-do-is-what-Biden-didn-t-say
Published and (C) by Daily Kos
Content appears here under this condition or license: Site content may be used for any purpose without permission unless otherwise specified.
via Magical.Fish Gopher News Feeds:
gopher://magical.fish/1/feeds/news/dailykos/
