Biden’s First Address As President

Marking one year stolen by the coronavirus, the president laced the somber script of his first prime time address with references to Hemingway and personal ruminations on loss.
“While it was different for everyone, we all lost something.” My ledeall - https://t.co/nAumK4Y2SX

— Katie Rogers (@katierogers) March 12, 2021

See: pic.twitter.com/o0lBuduJkp

— McKay Coppins (@mckaycoppins) March 10, 2021

It's important we start there; but just put a pin in it for a moment.

I'm just tuning in to Biden's speech, has he talked about low-flow toilets or injecting bleach yet? What about the stability of his geniusry?

— Jeff Timmer (@jefftimmer) March 12, 2021

Not a word tonight about UV rays or injecting disinfectant.

— Michael Beschloss (@BeschlossDC) March 12, 2021

Alright, back to the speech itself:

Every person I have interviewed about the attacks in the AAPI community has brought up the fact that words matter. Specifically, the words that have been used recklessly and dangerously.

.@POTUS’ words from the podium matter: https://t.co/PMkZ5R0eSU

— Weijia Jiang (@weijia) March 12, 2021

Yes, words do matter.  Remember these?

"I wanted to always play it down, I still like playing it down, b/c I don’t want to create a panic”
"I always say, even without a vaccine it goes away"
"We’re doing a great job with it. It will go away. Just stay calm. It will go away" -Twice Impeached, Disgraced FMR Pres. Trump pic.twitter.com/q2pCvMoRvD

— Emily Brandwin (@CIAspygirl) March 12, 2021

The most profound parts of Biden's speech were reminders that we are decent people, and that we can behave decently:

Biden has a wheelhouse and the country is in the middle of it, thank the Lord.

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) March 12, 2021

A call for civic engagement and responsibility? What is this strange language he speaks?

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) March 12, 2021

Joe is making us all feel good while also telling us how much he doesn't want to turn this car around RIGHT NOW!

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) March 12, 2021

It's been so long since we heard that kind of speech, the Opposition doesn't know what to do:

This is not a comical paraphrase. This is a direct quote. https://t.co/4sJ4DEZvoj

— Helen Kennedy (@HelenKennedy) March 12, 2021

And the correct response to Trump is:

I envision the day I will get my shot. And I promise you, as the needle plunges into my arm, I will remember President Trump and thank all of heaven and God above that it does not contain bleach. God bless and keep you, President Biden.

— Amanda Carpenter (@amandacarpenter) March 11, 2021

So say we all, because we end with the sheer relief that Joe Biden is our President:

The depths of the unspeakable depravity. #pandemicide

— Mary L Trump (@MaryLTrump) March 11, 2021

And when you've read all that, you can watch this:

Two presidents. One year apart. pic.twitter.com/BJwL7QTJz9

— The Recount (@therecount) March 12, 2021

We rejoice in the return to what was once very familiar:

The image of 4th of July picnics is exactly the kind of cornball vision the country needs. And there is no snark in saying so.

— Charles P. Pierce (@CharlesPPierce) March 12, 2021

Indeed.