USA Politics (redux)

[drogulus]

     

"Y'know, the thing about a shark, he's got lifeless eyes, black eyes, like a doll's eyes."

     They're black seriously, if not literally.

     

[drogulus]

     

     

[Herman]

Watching the current footage, of everybody talking after the swearing in and speech, I just hope this isn't going to be the first Biden super spreader event.

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Watching the current footage, of everybody talking after the swearing in and speech, I just hope this isn't going to be the first Biden super spreader event.

I know...a bit worried about that too; however, I suspect that 99% of the folks attending have been being super-careful.

Wonderful speech by Biden.  Stirring benediction by the Rev. Dr. Silvester Beaman.  And, wow!  What a poem by the twenty-two year old US Poet Laureate!

And so great to see a woman being sworn in as the first female vice president--a first in so many ways. 

[Mirror Image]

And now we close that chapter of the failed, misanthropic presidency of Donald Trump. Good riddance! [Breathes sigh of relief.]

[MusicTurner]

Glad that it was only one term for #45, and that today's ceremony went well.

[Mirror Image]

I know...a bit worried about that too; however, I suspect that 99% of the folks attending have been being super-careful.

Wonderful speech by Biden.  Stirring benediction by the Rev. Dr. Silvester Beaman.  And, wow!  What a poem by the twenty-two year old US Poet Laureate!

And so great to see a woman being sworn in as the first female vice president--a first in so many ways. 

I liked Biden's speech as well, which is the only thing I actively watched, although I did watch him being sworn in by Chief Justice Roberts. It's time to get to work, though. Biden has so much on his plate right now that I doubt he'll get it all done in four years.

[vandermolen]

As an outsider I'm hopeful for the future.

This made me laugh today:

https://www.aol.co.uk/entertainment/2021/01/20/nigella-lawson-names-bitter-orange-tart-recipe-of-the-day-as-tru/

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Glad that it was only one term for #45, and that today's ceremony went well.

Yes, me too!  Wondering how long they'll keep all those National Guard troops around and praying that there aren't any more violent demonstrations.

As an outsider I'm hopeful for the future.

This made me laugh today:

https://www.aol.co.uk/entertainment/2021/01/20/nigella-lawson-names-bitter-orange-tart-recipe-of-the-day-as-tru/

Thanks!  Very witty. 

[Brahmsian]

Even as an outsider, but a neighbour to the United States, can I just express how relieving and refreshing it is to be able to say "President Biden".

[Pohjolas Daughter]

Even as an outsider, but a neighbour to the United States, can I just express how relieving and refreshing it is to be able to say "President Biden".

+1 from a local. 

[Mirror Image]

Even as an outsider, but a neighbour to the United States, can I just express how relieving and refreshing it is to be able to say "President Biden".

I think the entire world is relieved by Trump's departure except for maybe Putin.

[Herman]

I think the entire world is relieved by Trump's departure except for maybe Putin.

well, there were something like seventy million Americans (some dead, admittedly) who voted for the other guy.

So some folks will need some time yet.

[Mirror Image]

well, there were something like seventy million Americans (some dead, admittedly) who voted for the other guy.

So some folks will need some time yet.

Yes, but many of these voters didn't know that the former thug-in-chief was going to incite a coup. If they were happy the Capitol got raided by a bunch of toothless vermin, then they don't deserve to vote at all, because they're not Americans, IMHO.

[Herman]

I don't know. To a large degree the coup was foretold by Trump when he said, in 2016, he'd accept the election result if he won.

I understand it's hard to believe he's really going to do all these things, but at some point it became clear it was naive to think he'd stop at anything.

But let's say fifty million out of seventy were appalled by the events of Jan 6.

That leaves twenty who were ok with it.

[71 dB]

Yes, but many of these voters didn't know that the former thug-in-chief was going to incite a coup.

Given the rhetoric Trump used for years and especially during 2020 people should have known he might try to incite a coup.

[SimonNZ]

I don't watch inaugurations - including this one - but in today's commentary I heard someone mention a line in Obama's first regarding foreign policy where he said "We will extend a hand if you unclench your fist" and I thought that's a pretty great quote that deserves to have gone into common usage.

[bhodges]

Just watched press secretary Jen Psaki give the first White House press conference for the new administration. Zero comparison with what we have had to put up with for the last four years. She promises daily briefings, Monday through Friday. (And if I heard right, she chuckled slightly, referencing time off on weekends.)

Ended with, "Thank you again, everyone. Let's do this again tomorrow!" Incredible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WlhZwCHAxT8

--Bruce

[Mirror Image]

I don't know. To a large degree the coup was foretold by Trump when he said, in 2016, he'd accept the election result if he won.

I understand it's hard to believe he's really going to do all these things, but at some point it became clear it was naive to think he'd stop at anything.

But let's say fifty million out of seventy were appalled by the events of Jan 6.

That leaves twenty who were ok with it.

I think it's still a difficult pill for many to swallow that he did what he did at the end of his presidency. I guess I'm an optimist in that I was hoping that a man in his position would've had the balls to admit his own defeat despite what he had said in the past. Remember he has flip-flopped more times than a hooker on meth. The man lost fair and square, so at this juncture, I'm quite content knowing that I don't have to see his orange-glazed dour mug again. I think the best defense against Trump now would be to ignore him and pretend the last four years didn't happen. I know I'm going to try my best to do this.

[Que]

My congratulations to all members from the US with their new president.... 

Though I'm afraid we are all in the midst of a fight over a free, open, inclusive and outward looking democratic society. A fight against ethnocentrism, isolationism and authoritarian nationalism. This fight takes on different forms in the US, Europe and the UK, but is IMO essentially the same.

I hope the US and other countries can steer away from this threat to our democracies.
Because we are going to need each other to defend democracy in the world, and to save humanity and the planet from a pandemic and a climate crisis.

Q