This article is part of TPM Cafe, TPM’s home for opinion and news analysis.
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1356015
This is a companion discussion topic for the original entry at https://talkingpointsmemo.com/?p=1356015
The contrast was stark. The Biden admin has made many statements about the direction they will be taking. Most, if not all, are meant to be reminders of basic core principals that Americans share, indeed much of the world has known that America.
It is necessary that Biden do this. The stench of Rump mustn’t linger.
I’m hoping for a speedy release of all the children caged and unification with their parents. This has been one of my personal grievances with the past administration.
Also… couldn’t help myself
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Off topic but I guess it is a true measure of the return to something like normalcy is that now that we have a democrat in the White House, MSNBC is really annoying again.
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I was recently chatting with a friend about where he was sending his kid to college. A couple of the choices were land grant universities, those created by the Morrill act under Lincoln. I joked with him, “kind of socialist, eh?” He said yeah I guess.
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When my kids were in 3rd grade, social studies was Wisconsin history. I went with on one of the field trips to Old World Wisconsin, which has a one-room school house setup. On the chalkboard is the original Pledge of Allegiance.
“I pledge allegiance to my Flag and the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
The kids were fascinated at the difference, and in how it progressed.
In 1923, the words, “the Flag of the United States of America” were added. At this time it read:
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
Not until 1954 did Eisenhower add “under God” to counter that commie menace. It was amazing to hear what kids heard back from their parents when they went home and told them.
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Curious, how so?
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I predict eleventy thousand hours of Michael Moore telling us how Biden’s win was really a loss for Democrats.
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Wait, is he a thing again? That is annoying.
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Wow … and if you questioned 10,000 people - maybe 20 would be aware of this !
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I grew up in town not far from where the 1949 Peekskill riots occurred. You’d figure that the authorities in my schools or from organizations dedicated to enforcing patriotism like the VFW’s etc would have pushed to have Under God as part of the pledge but ours was the original textualist version.
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
I distinctly remember this because the word indivisible to a grade school kid is big and multi syllable plus we had a few not so religious kids in classes so keeping it non denominational made sense.
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These three themes weren’t hidden. They shined through every sentence of the speech. Possibly they were implicit, but anyone listening to more than just the individual words, to the reasons they were uttered and to their implications for the future, would have perceived them from word one.
Maybe not Matt Schlapp and his ilk, but everyone else.
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There was another theme - Joe Biden’s irrepressible genuine desire to connect with people - and try to help them with their challenges
Oh … and this has been something that he has done throughout his life - this was not some recently fabricated streak of altruism…- contrary to an ignorant comment that I recently saw ( dim-witted Troll claiming that the “stutter” was just recently made up)
as a matter of fact -
November 11, 2009 - Joe Biden was the keynote speaker at The Lab School of Washington’s 25th anniversary gala - chosen because of his own personal experience of having learning difficulties throughout his childhood.
Joe Biden Speaks at the 2009 Lab School Gala - watch the speech :
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Michael Moore is a non-issue going forward. We have too many other goals, activities and positive actions right now to step back and waste time whining.
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Great timely informative historical article. The author has impressive knowledge. Thanks to the author and to TPM for posting it.
PS: I vaguely remember the author from the late 80s/early 90s. I’m an old Boston boy, local park advocate who got involved city-wide. We were often at odds with the BRA but also worked productively on a few key Central Artery issues. I was often there with Shirley Muirhead, Dick Garver, Homer ?, and Linda ?. Ah well.
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Is it just me or do others no longer feel as compelled to watch MSNBC every night, obsessively check my news feed every hour and peruse and post on this site throughout the day, now that asshole is gone and Biden’s taken over? It feels like we’re in good hands and it’s going to be ok now. I’m not saying that he’ll work miracles and there won’t be speedbumps. But Joe’s an old hand and knows how DC works as well if not better than anyone still alive, literally, and is assembling a team of veterans who know how to work the system. If anyone can get it done, he can. Plus he’ll have smart folks on the left pushing him to go big and bold and not waste this opportunity. Repubs will make noises, but that’s what they do, and they have serious internal issues to contend with, so I’m not that worried about them. Plus I need a break. I’ve got serious PTSD: Post Trump Stress Disorder.
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wind it down carefully -
a sudden & dramatic discontinuation of treatment may trigger adverse responses …
you may find that periodic visits to the virtual library will help with the weening - off process
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Too late. I went cold turkey and now I’m glued to Fox & Parler all day. Stop the steal! Take Murca back! No commies! Stop spying on my dental fillings! The moon landing was faked! I am Spartacus!
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My post has little to do with this particular topic.
It has to do with the type of story this is.
It is ABOUT Biden…it is not “Biden-Says _______________________” **
** To contrast, substitute the name “Trump” for "Biden and pick anything repulsive to Trump’s political opponent(s) he chooses to lambast THAT DAY. The “about Joe Biden” type of story lowers the temperature considerably. It also confines the narrative more to those choosing to mention (or capable of mentioning) policy.
Bottom line: you are, @kovie, essentially, feeling what most of us are. Trump had a Daily Entertainment Show for a four-year term AND a nearly two-year campaigning period before that…Blaring offensive, harmful and norm-wrecking verbiage.
You will notice that, as I have alluded to above, Biden stories are less about braying obscenities COMING FROM HIM and more about stories describing a workman-like, rather drama-less POTUS going about his business in a responsible manner. WHATEVER THAT IS, THAT IS NOT ENTERTAINMENT, and the Trump cultists are interested more in that than dull descriptions and narratives on policy
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