54 Comments
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Laura Lowery's avatar

This was a very well executed, powerful and important speech, and I hope every American listens to it. It may be the most important speech President Biden has ever given thus far. I look forward to our discussions about it.

KC Coyne's avatar

thank you for making this available in both forms! So easy to miss with busy lives and constant news cycle. Everyone should see it!

Kate Lauderbaugh's avatar

Can we pressure media to cover the issues facing us and how they would be handled rather than polls that are meaningless?

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Sep 29, 2023
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Musings From Hemlock Hollow's avatar

I agree. I am tired of all the free press IQ45 is getting, and not enough mentions of Biden's accomplishments being the top stories of the day, or other good trouble going on by our reps and other organizations who are fighting for our democracy!

Simone B's avatar

I’d like to see coverage of Kamala Harris’s college tour! When more people see how popular she is with the youth vote, maybe that will change minds.

Connie Miller's avatar

Thank you for posting, due to busy life had missed it. It’s a very powerful speech and feels like the opening of an aggressive campaign to get this message across. And we need to keep doing the work!

Eileen Hollowell's avatar

We need to keep talking and posting about this speech. We need to counter balance the media’s skewed coverage of Trump which glosses over the truth which is that his election will mean the end of the American Constitutional order.

mahesh pherwani's avatar

Considering the dumbed-down-ness of people generally, we need to use as simpler, shorter sentences. Your second sentence floats over maga heads and others on their periphery. Much like the event horizon of a black hole. Apologies from London, for any offence, Ms Hollowell. 🙏🧘

Ginni Simpson's avatar

I wish the media actually covered and reported on this so that all Americans could read and hear our President’s inspiring words and warning. Instead, they continue to focus on the most unimportant issues regarding tfg. I’ve begun to believe today’s media is not very smart.

Kate Lauderbaugh's avatar

They are prioritizing profits over helpfulness (need a better word here)

Martin Bentz's avatar

I hope “moderate Republicans” come around and see how their fence-sitting is a threat to our very existence as a country. We have to work together to survive the relentless attacks on civil liberties.

DK Brooklyn's avatar

Meanwhile the candidates for the Republican nomination are appealing to the MAGA base and the Republicans in office (local and national) are complicit and silent about the threats of violence to government. MAGA needs to be the third, fringe party and Republicans need to take theirs back.

mahesh pherwani's avatar

MAGA shite needs to be buried, deep. So it degrades & disintegrates.

Kenneth Hines's avatar

Perfect timing, perfect delivery. Powerful message. Excerpts should be quoted (and accredited) frequently for the next 15 months as reminders of our peril should MAGA gain any ground whatsoever.

Bruce - Thinking Deeply's avatar

You absolutely nailed it. This Biden speech in defense of democracy is so important. It is important for what it says about the contrast between those who support democracy and MAGA extremists. It was important for its call to patriotism and service, to decency, to preserving and protecting democracy not burning it all down. I know there are so many of us who care deeply about all that Biden spoke about. It does not matter if you are a descendent of generations of forebears who have served our country and worked hard to build all the good in our country or if you and your parents arrived here recently with an aspiration to be a part of “the American dream” of a better life and helping to make that a reality for generations in your family to come. We are all here for a shared and common purpose of trying to make America a safe, secure, prosperous place for all where we work together for the “common good.”

The common good ... this is an important distinction between what Democrats work for, and aspire to foster, and MAGA Republicans neither understand or care for.

"The common good" refers to the well-being of society as a whole, emphasizing shared benefits and interests over individual pursuits. It's a concept deeply rooted in ethical and political philosophy, emphasizing cooperation and collective welfare. Aristotle, in his 'Politics,' stated, "What is common to the greatest number has the least care bestowed upon it."

Renowned philosopher John Rawls argued for the common good in the context of justice, stating, "Each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override." This underscores the importance of upholding individual rights within the pursuit of the common good.

Pope John XXIII, in his encyclical 'Pacem in Terris,' highlighted the significance of a common good rooted in respect for human dignity, social justice, and solidarity. He stated, "All men are equal, in view of their dignity and their rights and duties, participants in a common good."

The common good is crucial as it fosters social cohesion, equality, and a balance between individual and collective interests. It reflects a shared responsibility to create a just and sustainable society, as echoed by John F. Kennedy: "Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."

In essence, the common good encapsulates a moral imperative to prioritize the well-being of all, recognizing the interconnectedness of individuals within a society.

Thank you and President Biden for reminding us of the importance of the common good and calling us to remember it is what we are all here for.

Kate Lauderbaugh's avatar

Love this framing for the common good

Michael Towey's avatar

Uplifting . Inspiring. Affirming. This is the first time I’ve heard Trump & MAGA called out directly by Biden or for that matter, other democrats. GOOD. Facists, extremists and racists must be confronted directly. Should be required reading by every American…but probably won’t make the cut in Florida.

Larry Sink's avatar

At last, Biden took off the gloves and laid out the threat of MAGA and Trump. Now, how do we convince MAGA or at least marginalize them?

Micah Grossman's avatar

MAGA is the Lost Cause repackaged for the 21st century. They're hopeless by and large. The challenge is to reach enough who aren't MAGA and turn them out to vote

Michelle Basius's avatar

Thank you for sharing the transcript.

President Joe Biden is the man for the moment!~!

Stunning speech imho.

All so true and so important to hear a POTUS reaffirm "We’ll have proved, through all its imperfections, America is still a place of possibilities, a beacon for the world, a promise realized — where the power forever resides with “We the People.”

That’s our soul. That’s who we truly are. That’s who we must always be."

We The People!~!

I have hope for our country going forward and believe we will win this battle to keep our democracy!

Hopium 100% :)

Brian's avatar

Really, what does it cost one to share possibilities with another? About as much as to say, “Thank you, sir,” or “Thank you, ma’am.” That’a very modest cost that we can all afford to pay. It’s not really even a cost, it’s an investment.

Pete Huck's avatar

I had only read snippets of this speech until I followed your link to watch it in its entirety. I’m glad I did. I think this was one of the most powerful speeches I’ve heard. Ever. I was encouraged to see the president name the problem and call it out in a powerful way. The venue was a perfect setting - the John McCain Library - allowing the president to stand on his long friendship with John, and their ability to work across the aisle and compromise, to do the hard work of governing. This speech reminded me of the noble work that has been done by great leaders throughout our history - and at 73 years old I’ve lived through my share of history. Considering the complete dysfunction in Congress, and the complete failure of legacy media to accurately report and hold people accountable, this speech brought me hope that “We the People” will prevail.

Josepha Gayer Beitch's avatar

There was no “ageism “ evident in his powerful and sincere delivery.

John Backlund's avatar

God bless Joe Biden… What a great speech… Has to be the best of his career…

Pamela Rutenber's avatar

President Biden's speech leaves me in awe. We are so fortunate to have him as our leader in this difficult time in our nation.