Too Weird to be True--But They Are!

 

What a strange couple weeks it has been in the world of what's true but not believable.

Who knew that a former President, one of the richest men in the world, would decide to issue digital "baseball" cards for a fee; the proceeds of which goes directly into his pocket? So, let me get this straight--this rich guy is asking less wealthy people to directly help make him richer and in return they get a digital card which has no worth? Talk about a scam!

Read about it here.

Next up, the Republicans in the House of Representatives are trying to figure out how to install one of their members who has ZERO integrity as Speaker of the House. It is not like Kevin McCarthy has a long history of supporting the great ideals of the United States, like the Constitution. In fact, he still maintains that the 2020 election was stolen from the former President AND despite actually being threatened by the insurrection on January 6, 2021, he does not support the January 6 Commission and will disband it immediately upon becoming Speaker of the House. He also supports what I call "retribution legislation" against Democrats and Republicans who voted to impeach the former President. Can't we do better?

House GOP Investigations Are Just Another Part of Kevin McCarthy’s “Counterproductive and Vindictive Agenda.

And writing about "can't we do better"--how is it possible that a former President who was sworn to uphold and defend the Constitution would suggest suspending parts of it for his own personal good? That sounds like something a third world dictator would do. 

Trump calls for the termination of the Constitution

We have got to do better if, as a nation, we want to endure. There are too many threats across the world that want to destroy us and we are only speeding our demise by continuing to allow ourselves to be led by short-sighted and vindictive persons who seek only to profit from their service.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Nine Days

 

Sunday has arrived. 

There are just nine days until Election Day and then, hopefully, the madness will abate for at least a while. 

The string of lies and untruths in candidates' commercials are appalling. Finding truth in our country right now seems to be like looking for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

Everyone has a spin. A twist. Or a downright untruth. 

I have seen ads that take truth out of context which makes it a lie. 

Soon, perhaps too soon, we will have a new Congress and then we will have to deal with a new set of problems and axe grinding issues. 

Well, at least the end (or is it the beginning?) is in sight.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

And We Are Off--Go Vote!

 It is Election Season!

VOTE!

At least here in Palm Beach County, Election Season has arrived. Early voting is underway.

Chris and I both voted yesterday. It was the most complicated ballot that I have ever seen in that we voted to retain about 10 justices (or not) in addition to the regular offices like governor and senator up for election. There were also five ballot issues. Fortunately we did our research ahead of time on each of the election items on the ballot. 

OK, I may not have spent much time on the election for Palm Beach Soil and Water Conservation District, or the Loxahatchee River Environmental Control District. I'm not even sure of why those offices in fact actually are established. 

I encourage everyone to vote. I do not care if we agree on the candidates or the issues, but it is critical to vote so that our representatives know how "We the People" feel and what we want our representatives to support.

It was important for Chris and I to vote early because we will be on a cruise over Election Day. Our vote is cast!

Do your part and be sure to vote!!!!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

When Will it be Over?

 

The mid-term elections season is definitely out of control. My senses are assaulted with almost every political ad airing on the television. The untruths twisted into seemingly fact and the quotes from previous elections from ten years ago thrown out as current policy imperatives. 

Of course, I am in the middle of two desperate campaigns one for governor of Florida and the other a senatorial race. The stakes are high for our country. But, I wondered why have those running for office gone so far off the rails and so far from the truth to retain their offices?

I found possible answers this morning in The Atlantic. 

In an article titled: J. D. Vance and the Collapse of Dignity, the author maintains "American politics are now cruel burlesque." I tend to agree and might even table it the theater of the absurd.

Two paragraphs form the article highlight the descent of American politics into the abyss.

Americans once expected politicians to carry themselves with a seriousness that indicated their ability and willingness to tackle problems, whether poverty or war, that were too difficult for the rest of us. We elected such people not because we wanted them to be like us but because we hoped that they were better than us: smarter, tougher, and capable of being leaders and role models.

A few paragraphs later:

Today, we no longer expect or even want our politicians to be better than we are. The new American right, however, has blown past the relatively innocuous populism of the past 40 years and added a fetid cynicism about almost everything related to public life. Not only are the MAGA Republicans seemingly repelled by the idea of voting for someone better than they are; they support candidates who are often manifestly worse people than the average citizen, so that they may slather their fears about their own shortcomings and prejudices under a sludgy and undifferentiated hatred about almost everyone in public office.

I remember a cruel joke from a few years ago that, sadly, has become too true:

How do you know a politician is lying?  Their lips are moving.

Until we the voters determine to elect honest, hard-working, patriotic Americans devoted to the principles of the Constitution, we will continue to get lying, cheating, single issue (or less) scoundrels who will say or do anything to achieve office. And then we will wonder--why is our country failing? 

Why?

Because We the People are not electing people with vision and a dedication to democracy. Become afraid when candidates tout they support freedom because inevitably they have redefined freedom as free from choice instead of free to choose.

The banner of The Washington Post is Democracy Dies in Darkness. Darkness is growing in our country and we who recognize it must work to overcome it. I see it in the mid-term campaigns, some are campaigning on issues while others are campaigning on fear. Fear promotes darkness.

When will it be over? Probably never. The struggle will continue because our democracy is under attack. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL 

September is gone?

 October arrived overnight. Somehow September slipped through our fingers and we are in the final quarter of the year. 

Carton Containing Coffee Table
Tequesta, FL
September 30, 2022

Happy New Year to all of the federal workers out there. Congress once again failed to do their jobs and had to supply a continuing resolution to keep the government funded, but at least they did that and kicked the budget battle down the road until December 16th. 

Coffee Table in Living Room
Tequesta, FL
September, 30, 2022

Yesterday was busy. The dogs took a lot of time, but I did get a few projects completed. The biggest project was in front of my door when Finnegan and I returned home from our morning walk. The new coffee table arrived. All 130 lbs of it! There it was, big as can be, blocking the door. Thank-you Fedex!

I was concerned because upon inspecting the carton I noticed some damage, but once I wrestled the box inside, opened it, and freed the table from the excessive packing I determined that there was no damage. The packing protected the table and the area of the damaged carton was dead space. 

Does anyone else thing we use way too much styrofoam in packing? And the cheap styrofoam crumbles and gets everywhere. 

The new table, however, looks great and there are end tables somewhere in the process of being shipped which will complete the look. 

Today I will be tackling hanging a TV using the new mount which arrived yesterday. The mount for the TV being replaced was not sufficient for the TV I am hanging and so I must remove and replace TV mounts! Ugh! 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Truth in Advertising

 It is the season for the "elect me" commercials on TV and in my mailbox.

I have noticed that most of the ads deviate significantly from the truth. 

In fact, many of the ads present untruths and twisted facts. It is scary that there does not have to be truth in advertising when it comes to political commercials. If businesses led with commercials containing so many untruths they would be sued and the commercials removed from the airwaves. 

Why are political ads not held to the same standard? I  believe that there should be an independent review of the commercials for lies and untruths before they are allowed to be aired. 

It is no wonder that we cannot elect truthful leaders; they get elected by lying.

Enjoy the commercials until early-November and play a game. See if you can discern who is telling the truth!

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Closing a Chapter of History

I am not a Royals watcher, but I have always appreciated the steady leadership that Queen Elizabeth II provided to the United Kingdom and the world.

Through all of the travails, she provided was a constant not only for the United Kingdom, but for the free world. 

I now understand the saying, "The Queen is dead, long live the King."

And history will remember her leadership through seven decades.

A chapter of history is closing and her relatively sudden passing provides an opportunity to pause and reflect upon our own endeavors and direction. I wish the United States had leaders committed to bettering the country rather than forcing their own personal biases upon others.

The next days will allow us to reflect upon our own leadership as we remember Queen Elizabeth II. The world is complex and we need leaders that can work across the spectrum from domestic to international and serve the greater good of the people of both the United States and the world. We must not elect "one trick pony" leaders but rather those who can operate in the world.

Rest In Peace Queen Elizabeth II.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

War Crimes and Atrocities

The verdict is apparently in--the Russian military is as brutal in dealing with civilians as it is incompetent on the battle field.

Putin the War Criminal 

The images and reports coming from Ukraine showing the atrocities committed against civilians is appalling. Putin has leapt into the annals of history as a war criminal and that will become his legacy.

For those who cling to the idea that the Ukrainians staged the atrocities, as has been reported in both Russian and Chinese media, we need only remember that the same Russian military targeted hospitals, schools, and other non-military installations as their assault stalled and their frustrations grew. I recall that the Russians only a few years ago were quick to highlight to the world every American action in Syria where civilians were injured or killed as part of collateral damage. How times have changed.

A CNN report on the Chinese reaction to the atrocities is especially distressing.

As the world reacts in horror to Bucha, China's state media strikes a different tone - CNN

But, we should expect such things as we live in a world where fake news is as prevalent as factual reporting. Even in the U.S. the the validity of the images and reports is being questioned. 

Hopefully, those within our own government who idolize Putin will take another look at the true face of authoritarianism and determine that democracy is a better path. 

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Serving at the Pleasure of the President

I read an article yesterday about two Trump appointees who do not understand how government works. Mehmet Oz and Herschel Walker were appointed to the President's Council on Sports, Fitness & Nutrition. This week, President Biden asked them to resign because they are candidates for federal office in their home states. 

The referenced article is from CNN. 

Biden requests Mehmet Oz and Herschel Walker resign from presidential council or be terminated

Both refused the President's request.

Wow. Clearly both men do not understand that Presidential appointees serve at the pleasure of the President! They are not elected officials. According to the article, President Biden has a stated policy that individuals running for federal office cannot serve on Presidential committees and councils. 

Both Oz and Walker made statements which misconstrued the truth suggesting that political motives were at work. What is scary is that both are candidates for the Senate and do not understand the basics of being an unelected person on a Presidential commission or council. Just what we need, more senators who do not understand how government works and who are intent on pushing their own narrow definition of what America should be.

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

There are Still Heroes

 

Most all Americans have been watching carefully the unwarranted Russian invasion of Ukraine. 

I found this quote in the Atlantic Daily email:

Meanwhile, Ukrainians on the ground, including President Volodymyr Zelensky and the everyday citizens taking up arms against the Russian military, have reminded the world what heroism looks like.

Heroism--the world needs heroes right now and we have found them in the Ukrainian people. 

The brave Ukrainians are doing what I imagine many Americans would do if out country were invaded. They are standing in the front lines with the weapons they have. I saw a news report and there was a Ukrainian standing on guard with his double barrel shotgun!

This morning, CNN reported this by the youngest member of the Ukrainian Parliament:

Ukraine's youngest MP: 'If we can survive Stalin, we can survive Putin'

I understand the difficult situation that the United States is in by not wanting to escalate the conflict outside of the borders of Ukraine, but I can only imagine what a few A-10 Warthogs could do to the 40 mile long Russian convoy headed towards Kyiv.

Perhaps Russia should be removed from the UN Security Council. I don't even know if that is possible. 

I can only hope that the mostly-unified world sanctions against Putin have a measurable impact soon. I believe using all of the instruments of national power (DIME) against Russia will work--but, will it be too late to save the brave heroes of Ukraine?

-- Bob Doan, Tequesta, FL

Revenge and Retribution

 I watched this week as our Congressional leaders engaged in unhealthy tactics and make threats against the future that clearly demonstrated how far they collectively have fallen from a standard which could in any way be considered civil.

Maybe they all need to get back out into the real world, yes there is life outside of the Capitol, and reacquaint themselves with what it takes to be successful in business and life. 

And to be clear--I am not focusing on one side of the aisle. There is plenty of virulence to go around.

The Washington Post reported on the situation surrounding the Paul Gosar censure vote as follows:

As we wrote after Wednesday’s vote, the situation also led to the latest entry in the GOP leadership’s growing efforts to combat such things by threatening retribution — even to exploit the supposed new standards by stretching them further. House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) spoke at length on the House floor likening the situation to controversial comments by certain House Democrats and suggested that Republicans, once in the majority, could also strip them of their powerful posts.

“A new standard will continue to be applied in the future,” he concluded.

While the House Minority Leader may think he is galvanizing his political base, worlds like these cannot be tolerated and are simply appalling--especially considering the circumstances surrounding the censure vote. 

The Washington Post article continues a few paragraphs later  writing:

While Democrats often sought to portray Gosar’s actions as deliberate incitement and even a threat, there is no question that careless rhetoric and allusions to even figurative violence can influence the decisions of people who would resort to actual violence. We have seen where that can potentially lead, regardless of whether specific and repeated suggestive comments about violence by a politician like Donald Trump lead to people taking up arms.

There is an election on the horizon and I believe there needs to be some serious housecleaning--on both sides!

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Rolling into the Weekend

 Happy Friday!

There, I am being more positive. I was informed that my end of September post was a bit depressing.

I am encouraged that the government shutdown did not occur. They kicked the can down the road again, until December 3, but at least cooler heads prevailed and solid bipartisan action prevented a disastrous government shutdown.

I dearly hope that the Congress can get their act together and move forward--the people want a function government not a dysfunctional one.

This weekend the Severn Seminoles 14U will participate in its first tournament of the Fall Season. The first game is tomorrow at 0830--and it should be cold. That is what Fall Ball is all about--playing baseball despite the onset of cold weather. We believe that we will compete very well.

And then there is the end of the MLB regular season and the plans for the playoffs coupled NFL Football. 

Wow--it is gonna be busy!

Monday will be back again before I can even begin to think about it.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Another September Budget Crisis

 Well, it is late-September and our Congress is demonstrating clearly that it matters not which party is in the seat, they cannot or will not do their constitutionally appointed task of funding the government with a budget.

It has become an annual rite: the budget crisis and of course it is almost always tied to raising the debt ceiling. 

What is sad is that the Republicans seem to have amnesia that when they held the reigns, the deficit increased over $7 trillion! Yup, it's true. And now they are quibbling and threatening to shut the government down. And of course the Democrats are no better--they can't even find consensus among themselves.

The problem for "we the people" is that our retirement accounts are based upon the good faith and credit of the United States and when Congress plays politics they threaten our livelihood and future. It has become an important game for small-minded people to try an grind their individual axes.

Just pass a budget and get on with it.

We cannot move forward if we keep looking back.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Saying Good-bye

 

America is saying good-bye to the longest war that it has ever waged: Afghanistan. 

I admit I have mixed emotions about the end of the war and the way it is ending, but I do believe that the time has come to allow the Afghans to either stand or fall on their own. 

I find the Republican resistance to the withdrawal interesting, since it was the former president who first announced the withdrawal during October 2020:

Trump's Afghanistan withdrawal announcement takes US officials by surprise

President Biden is following through on something his predecessor proposed and should, therefore, have bipartisan support. 

The sad state of politics in America is clear in this episode. The two parties have fallen into camps of progressives and obstructionists and this issue highlights the irrational approach to government both parties exhibit. 

I am looking forward to September 1, 2021 as being the first day in a very long time that America has not been at war. 

I do have to take issue with the notion that Afghanistan is the longest war that the U.S. has fought. Too many people forget the Cold War (1945-1991) which we waged longer. And don't tell me that no one died during the Cold War. There are many civilians and military personnel who died waging the Cold War. 

I long for peace. I hope that the church bells ring as the last American military forces depart Afghanistan and Americans begin the search for our collective post-9/11 Era identity and place in the world--that is the truer struggle. Afghanistan is the last active reminder of the America which began to take shape after 9/11/2001.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

The President Speaks

 Doug Mills/The New York Times

 I thought President Biden gave a great speech last evening that laid out a plan for the future of America. Let me start there. 

It has been 100 days since Joe Biden was inaugurated. America is a very different place that it was four years ago, but there is hope for the future. 

I reviewed the transcript this morning and continued to be impressed with the attempt at inclusiveness. I was impressed that there were cogent sentences that laid out complex policies without vilifying any particular group. There were invitations to join together and a call for working together restart America. The president laid out a Jobs Plan and called for the Congress to jointly approve the plan to move America forward. 

The president said:

We all know life can knock us down. But in America, we never, ever, ever stay down. Americans always get up. Today, that’s what we’re doing. America is rising anew. Choosing hope over fear, truth over lies and light over darkness. After 100 days of rescue and renewal, America is ready for a takeoff, in my view. We’re working again, dreaming again, discovering again and leading the world again. We have shown each other and the world that there’s no quit in America. None.  (from NY Times)

The president is calling for government to rescue Americans caught in the middle of an economic downturn and COVID-19. how can anyone be against that? Wait, this is still America and people are allowed to dissent.

And how to bring about renewal? I found the following to be especially exciting:

Look, think about it. There is simply no reason why the blades for wind turbines can’t be built in Pittsburgh instead of Beijing. No reason. None. No reason. So folks, there’s no reason why Americans — American workers can’t lead the world in the production of electric vehicles and batteries. There is no reason. We have the capacity. They’re best-trained people in the world. The American Jobs Plan is going to create millions of good-paying jobs, jobs Americans can raise a family on. As my dad would then say, with a little breathing room. And all the investments in the American Jobs Plan will be guided by one principle: Buy American. Buy American.

As the president pointed out, this is nothing new and it was not invented by his predecessor. The president went on to say:

And I might note parenthetically, that does not violate any trade agreement. It’s been the law since the ’30s, buy American. American tax dollars are going to be used to buy American products, made in America, to create American jobs. That’s the way it’s supposed to be, and it will be in this administration.

I was encouraged by what I heard. Sadly, the opposite side has not proposed solutions, only objections. My view is if you want to object that's fine, but what are you proposing instead? 

The president noted:

I have never been more confident or optimistic about America. Not because I am president. Because of what’s happening with the American people. We’ve stared into the abyss of insurrection and autocracy, pandemic and pain, and “We the people” did not flinch.

I hope the momentum of the first 100 days can continue and that more and more the opposition will decide that there is merit in the ideas. At least there is a plan to discuss and determine the future for America. I still cannot fathom how we can decide against helping Americans in need.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

It Won't Go Away

The election just won't go away. 

It seems that people are actually going to be held accountable for the misleading and false statements they made or repeated in the absence of evidence. 

This morning in The Wall Street Journal I found this headline:

Smartmatic Sues Fox News Over Election Claims

In reading the article I am at the same time gratified and concerned. Here is a quote from the article:

The suit, filed Thursday in a New York court, focuses on a series of statements made about Smartmatic on Fox News by lawyers who supported former President Donald Trump’s claims that the election was rigged, including Rudy Giuliani and Sidney Powell. The lawsuit also mentions remarks made about Smartmatic by Fox News Media anchors including Lou Dobbs and Maria Bartiromo.

Smartmatic’s complaint claims that the segments on Fox News contained numerous errors involving the reliability of its technology, and that Fox News knew its statements about Smartmatic were untruthful.

While I am happy that people are being held accountable for their words and the damage it has subsequently done to companies and people, I am concerned that a news organization is at the center of the complaint. News organizations are supposed to report news--both sides and allow the viewers to make decisions. Perhaps this suit would suggest that Fox News is not a news organization, but rather a mouthpiece for right-wing disinformation?

And then there is the impeachment trial coming next week. Will anything good come of it? We all knew when the House of Representatives voted to impeach the then president a second time that the Senate would likely not vote to convict. And apparently even before the trial begins it appears there are not nearly enough votes to potentially convict. I am saddened that so many senators have so short a memory. 

But we, who are doing the best to make it in our day-to-day lives need to move on. We cannot continue to look behind us or we will not see the obstacles yet to come. 

I wish our Congress would stop looking in the rearview mirror and start supporting our president in planning to meet the future.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD  

Week One - Done

It was only a week ago that President Biden was sworn-in, but I feel that the mood in the country is already improving. 

Civility has returned to the White House. Despite the efforts of the right-wing disinformation machine, progress is being made and America is reengaging with the world and tits Allies. No, it is not Pax Americana, but the tone and tenor of communications from the highest office in the land is reasoned and inclusive.

The COVID-19 battle is underway with a strategy and competent leadership to fill the void left by the previous administration. After only a week it is hard to point to much progress, but positive things should begin happening soon as the new policies and plans begin to take effect.

NBC News published a comprehensive list of the executive actions already taken by the administration in its first seven days on the job. 

I have seen that some have made the news for the problems that they may cause, but some of those focusing on problems are ignoring the larger body of good being dome--the problems can be corrected within the context of the broader positives of the actions. 

Week One is done. I remain encouraged.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Democracy and our Republic

Illustration by Tim O’Brien for TIME

I have been reflecting on the week's activities. President Biden made the following encouraging statement during his Inaugural Address: 

  We have learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed. (Politico)

And I am encouraged. Democracy has prevailed. Despite the worst efforts of the unrepentant opposition, the inauguration happened and the will of the majority of the American people was confirmed on a cold, January Wednesday in Washington, D.C.

But there are still forces out there stalking, waiting for their moment. I found a paragraph from an article in Time Magazine which continues on from President Biden's thought:

But only barely. Biden now leads a country divided between Americans who believe in facts and Americans who distrust them, between those who want a multiracial Republic and those who seek to invalidate nonwhite votes, between those with faith in democratic institutions and those who put faith only in Trump. (Time Magazine)

I understand that now there are three strong political forces in the country. The Democrats, the Republicans, and the Cult of Trump.

I know that many people have been calling for a third political party to help balance the partisan fighting between the Democrats and the Republicans--but I am not sure that a party based upon a fervent religious adoration of Trump is a good counterpoint. I know that this statement will incite many of my friends and possibly family--but that is OK.

I point to the words of our President during his inauguration:

That’s democracy. That’s America. The right to dissent peaceably, within the guardrails of our Republic, is perhaps our nation’s greatest strength.Yet hear me clearly: Disagreement must not lead to disunion. (Politico)

And so, we, and I mean all of us, are on a journey. It is a two-year journey, for at that point we will be electing a new House of Representatives and one-third of the Senate. It will be a referendum on the Biden Administration and it will be in our hands to change course if we believe our Union is not on the right path.

But we must remember the starting point, from President Biden's Inaugural Address: 

We face an attack on democracy and on truth.
A raging virus.
Growing inequity.
The sting of systemic racism.
A climate in crisis.
America’s role in the world.
Any one of these would be enough to challenge us in profound ways.
But the fact is we face them all at once, presenting this nation with the gravest of responsibilities.
Now we must step up.
All of us.
It is a time for boldness, for there is so much to do.
And, this is certain.
We will be judged, you and I, for how we resolve the cascading crises of our era.
Will we rise to the occasion?
Will we master this rare and difficult hour?
Will we meet our obligations and pass along a new and better world for our children?

I believe we must and I believe we will.

(Politico)

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Inauguration--Beginning Anew

I watched the inauguration yesterday with great anticipation and expectation. I do not know what I expected to see, but I know that I saw it. 

I saw grace, strength and resilience on display. I saw a team, a new president and Vice President, who I believe can unite the country and plot a cogent course for the future.

I was encouraged to hear an inauguration address worthy of the day and the moment in time. A speech which recognized the divisions and differences in the country, but did not blame nor shame the opposition. 

Much of what President Biden spoke made my heart sing, and so, from the Washington Post text of the Inaugural Address, here are some of the parts which spoke to me. Note, the red annotations are from the Washington Post and I highly recommend you click on the link above and read the commentary they provided.

But the answer is not to turn inward, to retreat into competing factions, distrusting those who don’t look like you or worship the way you do, or don’t get their news from the same sources you do. We must end this uncivil war ⁹that pits red against blue, rural vs. urban, conservative vs. liberal. We can do this if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility, and if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes, as my mom would say, just for a moment, stand in their shoes. Because here’s the thing about life: There’s no accounting for what fate will deal you. Some days when you need a hand. There are other days when we’re called to lend a hand. That’s how it has to be. That’s what we do for one another. And if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future. And we can still disagree.

So here’s my message to those beyond our borders: ¹¹America has been tested and we’ve come out stronger for it. We will repair our alliances and engage with the world once again. Not to meet yesterday’s challenges, but today’s and tomorrow’s challenges. And we’ll lead, not merely by the example of our power, but by the power of our example.

Folks, this is a time of testing. We face an attack on our democracy and on truth, a raging virus, growing inequity, the sting of systemic racism, a climate in crisis, America’s role in the world. Any one of these will be enough to challenge us in profound ways. But the fact is, we face them all at once, presenting this nation with one of the gravest responsibilities we’ve had. Now we’re going to be tested. Are we going to step up? All of us? It’s time for boldness, for there is so much to do. And this is certain, I promise you: We will be judged, you and I, by how we resolve these cascading crises of our era.

I know that this was not the greatest inaugural address ever given--but, I am convinced it was the right address, given by the right person, at just the right time. And that is what really matters.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD

Inauguration Day - 2021

 

The day has arrived. It dawns full of hope and promise like all Inauguration Days before it. A chapter of American history ends and another begins with the utterance of a short, but powerful, phrase. 

The oath is perhaps the most powerful in the land and possibly the world.

"I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States."

At noon today, Joe Biden becomes the 46th President of the United States. 

No one wants a president to fail. No matter who we voted for, there is nothing worse than a failed presidency and so at noon all of the hopes and dreams of every American fall upon his shoulders and those of the Vice President, Kamala Harris.

• The President is merely the most important among a large number of public servants. He should be supported or opposed exactly to the degree which is warranted by his good conduct or bad conduct, his efficiency or inefficiency in rendering loyal, able, and disinterested service to the nation as a whole. Therefore it is absolutely necessary that there should be full liberty to tell the truth about his acts, and this means that it is exactly as necessary to blame him when he does wrong as to praise him when he does right. Any other attitude in an American citizen is both base and servile. To announce that there must be no criticism of the President, or that we are to stand by the President, right or wrong, is not only unpatriotic and servile, but is morally treasonable to the American public. Nothing but the truth should be spoken about him or any one else. But it is even more important to tell the truth, pleasant or unpleasant, about him than about any one else.
• Theodore Roosevelt, "Lincoln and Free Speech", The Great Adventure (1926; vol. 19 of The Works of Theodore Roosevelt, national ed.), chapter 7, p. 289.

-- Bob Doan, Elkridge, MD