Joe Biden's first State of the Union address
March 1, 2022 6:08 PM Subscribe
Happening now: President Joe Biden delivers his first official State of the Union address (after last year's "address to a joint session") during a time of crisis both domestic and international. Tune in on YouTube to hear #46 on coronavirus, democracy, the economy, the Supreme Court nomination of Ketanji Brown Jackson, and the situation in Ukraine, for the first time with two women on the podium behind him, and for (potentially) the last time under full Democratic control of Washington.
MeFi chat
NPR: A preview of the State of the Union
NYTimes live analysis
FiveThirtyEight liveblog
Masks: (mostly) off
Designated survivor: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimundo
Republican response: Iowa Gov. Kim. Reynolds
MeFi chat
NPR: A preview of the State of the Union
NYTimes live analysis
FiveThirtyEight liveblog
Masks: (mostly) off
Designated survivor: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimundo
Republican response: Iowa Gov. Kim. Reynolds
I meant more under his presidency, but yeah, yikes!
posted by Rhaomi at 6:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 6:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
Every Republican who allowed their president to extort Ukraine and then voted to let him off the hook wearing blue and yellow should burst into flames from shame but they won't because they have none.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [58 favorites]
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [58 favorites]
Ok, Jill Biden hugging the Ukranian ambassador already gave me the feels.
posted by freecellwizard at 6:13 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by freecellwizard at 6:13 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
I swear I've watched these kinds of things before on C-SPAN, but today, it won't let me stream the broadcast, and instead insisted that I enter my cable provider, which would be a no-go as I'm outside of the U.S.
Surprisingly, CNN is letting me stream it.
posted by sardonyx at 6:14 PM on March 1, 2022
Surprisingly, CNN is letting me stream it.
posted by sardonyx at 6:14 PM on March 1, 2022
Watching C-SPAN on YouTube, if you want to try it that way.
posted by jilloftrades at 6:16 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by jilloftrades at 6:16 PM on March 1, 2022
It's available direct on YouTube from the OP's post.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:16 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:16 PM on March 1, 2022
There's a story behind the dress the woman behind the Ukrainien Ambassador is wearing, and I want to hear it.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:18 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 6:18 PM on March 1, 2022
Is it sad to be impressed the Republicans are still standing and applauding the Ukraine lines?
posted by Rhaomi at 6:20 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 6:20 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
The sourpuss looks on their faces while giving the standing ovation says it all.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:22 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:22 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
So far
- no we’re not engaging fighting in Ukraine
- but yes we’re defending NATO to an inch of our lives
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:22 PM on March 1, 2022
- no we’re not engaging fighting in Ukraine
- but yes we’re defending NATO to an inch of our lives
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:22 PM on March 1, 2022
MSNBC also has a live audio stream if you want to hear the speech and analysis with Rachel Maddow.
posted by bluesky43 at 6:24 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by bluesky43 at 6:24 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Ugh don’t be cynical
It’s an Intel shout out - they recently indicated they’re buying one of the major semiconductor chip fabs and expanding. I work in this space and it’s huge news.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:31 PM on March 1, 2022 [17 favorites]
It’s an Intel shout out - they recently indicated they’re buying one of the major semiconductor chip fabs and expanding. I work in this space and it’s huge news.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:31 PM on March 1, 2022 [17 favorites]
Really hoping he contrasts the rah rah USinvestment happy talk with the world-historical drain happening in Russia at the moment.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:31 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by Rhaomi at 6:31 PM on March 1, 2022
Can stream on ABC as well without a cable provider.
Good stuff about infrastructure. Thanks R/D/independents. Urging passage of American Innovation Act ... I forget what this is?
He's doing well, couple of stumbles but overall great.
posted by freecellwizard at 6:32 PM on March 1, 2022
Good stuff about infrastructure. Thanks R/D/independents. Urging passage of American Innovation Act ... I forget what this is?
He's doing well, couple of stumbles but overall great.
posted by freecellwizard at 6:32 PM on March 1, 2022
Who is that dapper child applauding and shaking hands?!
posted by something something at 6:32 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by something something at 6:32 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
why i do believe that is transportation secretary pete buttigieg.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:35 PM on March 1, 2022 [38 favorites]
posted by Rhaomi at 6:35 PM on March 1, 2022 [38 favorites]
He's all in on buy American, build American, which I pooh-poohed back in the 80s but time has shown to be important. Better 10 sock factories in North Carolina than all the world's socks stuck on a ship somewhere. (My words, not his ... and I have some great NC socks)
posted by freecellwizard at 6:35 PM on March 1, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by freecellwizard at 6:35 PM on March 1, 2022 [7 favorites]
Ok, the dapper kid is diabetes kid. Sweet and manipulative all at once!
posted by freecellwizard at 6:36 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by freecellwizard at 6:36 PM on March 1, 2022
Oh god I’m in love with Joshua the young diabetic.
posted by something something at 6:36 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by something something at 6:36 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
There's a story behind the dress the woman behind the Ukrainien Ambassador is wearing, and I want to hear it.
The person wearing it is Melissa Isaac, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and native educator. I'm not sure what the colors of the design mean yet but I'm trying to find out.
Who is that dapper child applauding and shaking hands?!
Joshua Davis, a seventh grade student-advocate for diabetes awareness from Midlothian, Virginia.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:37 PM on March 1, 2022 [10 favorites]
The person wearing it is Melissa Isaac, a member of the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe and native educator. I'm not sure what the colors of the design mean yet but I'm trying to find out.
Who is that dapper child applauding and shaking hands?!
Joshua Davis, a seventh grade student-advocate for diabetes awareness from Midlothian, Virginia.
posted by Your Childhood Pet Rock at 6:37 PM on March 1, 2022 [10 favorites]
My attention is divided, but so far I'm seeing a conspicuous lack of Manchin and Sinema during these BBB passages.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:39 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by Rhaomi at 6:39 PM on March 1, 2022
And now…. I’m hearing a lot of talk, thin on actual policy.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:40 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 6:40 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
SotU isn't for policy, it's for soundbites.
posted by Marticus at 6:43 PM on March 1, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by Marticus at 6:43 PM on March 1, 2022 [9 favorites]
Sheldon Whitehouse is wearing the "warming stripes" lapel pin representing global warming that (I think) he and others started wearing for a Trump SOTU address.
posted by paper chromatographologist at 6:46 PM on March 1, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by paper chromatographologist at 6:46 PM on March 1, 2022 [10 favorites]
Yes and no... The SotU is a stage for rolling out major policy initiatives (using digestible soundbites). With major components of the Biden agenda still stalled in Congress this is a chance to see what Biden still thinks he can get accomplished in the next 2 years.
posted by Wretch729 at 6:48 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Wretch729 at 6:48 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Madison Cawthorn looks like he'd rather be touring the Fuhrer's vacation home again ... he's not paying attention at all.
posted by freecellwizard at 6:50 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by freecellwizard at 6:50 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
I wonder if any GOP campaign will have the sheer gall to splice Biden saying the phrase "defund the police" into their ads.
posted by Rhaomi at 6:54 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhaomi at 6:54 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
SHOW MANCHIN AND/OR SINEMA YOU COWARDS
posted by Rhaomi at 6:55 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhaomi at 6:55 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
...to be yourself reaching your God given potential...
posted by clavdivs at 7:00 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clavdivs at 7:00 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
"I will always have your back so that our young transgender people can reach their God-given potential"- ok this actually made my throat close up a bit. Good job on that one, Joe.
posted by erattacorrige at 7:01 PM on March 1, 2022 [33 favorites]
posted by erattacorrige at 7:01 PM on March 1, 2022 [33 favorites]
what was the hhuhh call before he mentioned his son and Kosovo
posted by clavdivs at 7:05 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by clavdivs at 7:05 PM on March 1, 2022
Anyone able to hear what was shouted out to boo's while Biden was talking about veterans?
posted by meese at 7:05 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by meese at 7:05 PM on March 1, 2022
She said something about 13? Edit: it was almost certainly about the 13 US soldiers killed in Kabul
posted by os tuberoes at 7:06 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by os tuberoes at 7:06 PM on March 1, 2022
Had to rewind and Google, but apparently the boo line was Marjorie Taylor Greene blaming Biden for the 13 Americans KIA in the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Because there would be so many fewer deaths if we were still embroiled in a hot war.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:06 PM on March 1, 2022 [9 favorites]
Because there would be so many fewer deaths if we were still embroiled in a hot war.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:06 PM on March 1, 2022 [9 favorites]
yes. yes. this will increase benefits for our veterans. big deal there
posted by clavdivs at 7:07 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by clavdivs at 7:07 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
I met Joshua, the 12-year-old with Type 1 Diabetes, and his family, a couple of weeks ago when he introduced Biden and a speech. He is an impressive kid.
posted by COD at 7:07 PM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by COD at 7:07 PM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
That last one was Boebert, another wonderful person attending tonight. Pelosi really needs a bouncer.
posted by credulous at 7:08 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by credulous at 7:08 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
FiveThirtyEight: In Texas, Rep. Louie Gohmert gave up his safe congressional seat to come in fourth place in the Republican attorney general primary.
🎻
posted by Rhaomi at 7:08 PM on March 1, 2022 [33 favorites]
🎻
posted by Rhaomi at 7:08 PM on March 1, 2022 [33 favorites]
245 years strong, stronger, our moment.
God bless America
go get him.
posted by clavdivs at 7:11 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
God bless America
go get him.
posted by clavdivs at 7:11 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
Clearing-the-lowest-of-low-bars alert:
So far, the candidates who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 (Alma Arredondo-Lynch in the 23rd District and Sam Montoya in the 35th District) are trailing far behind the competition, although there aren’t enough results in either race yet to conclusively project a winner.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:11 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
So far, the candidates who were at the Capitol on Jan. 6 (Alma Arredondo-Lynch in the 23rd District and Sam Montoya in the 35th District) are trailing far behind the competition, although there aren’t enough results in either race yet to conclusively project a winner.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:11 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
I'm watching the Crooked Media live cast and enjoying their commentary. Some funny comments about the transitions or lack thereof :-) Something like "Biden changes topics like I grocery shop ... no plan, just hoping I can cobble something together from the stuff I grabbed."
posted by freecellwizard at 7:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by freecellwizard at 7:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
watching Lester, that was the first question he asked, yup. Justice Breyer was gracious.
posted by clavdivs at 7:15 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by clavdivs at 7:15 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
GOP response link, in case you're into that sort of thing
posted by Rhaomi at 7:18 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by Rhaomi at 7:18 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Chuck Todd@ wanted Biden to exspamd on Ukraine. should explain/ expend jebus Chuck don't explain.
posted by clavdivs at 7:19 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by clavdivs at 7:19 PM on March 1, 2022
go get him.
I wonder how that line plays in the bunker.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:20 PM on March 1, 2022
I wonder how that line plays in the bunker.
posted by leotrotsky at 7:20 PM on March 1, 2022
DS is commerce. I'd just be tempted to mess with the big board
posted by clavdivs at 7:28 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by clavdivs at 7:28 PM on March 1, 2022
Oof, she admitted Biden is the president, that's a rookie mistake.
Also why does she keep looking off screen like she's being held hostage, this is super weird.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:33 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Also why does she keep looking off screen like she's being held hostage, this is super weird.
posted by Rhaomi at 7:33 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
If you are immunocompromised or have some other vulnerability, we have treatments and free high-quality masks. We are leaving no one behind or ignoring anyone's needs as we move forward.As an immunocompromised person, I'm really struggling to parse this part of the speech. What treatments? Where do I get these masks? Who's supposed to tell me about these things? How is dropping mask mandates not leaving me behind?
posted by MrVisible at 7:38 PM on March 1, 2022 [49 favorites]
GOP response is like watching the newscaster during a zombie invasion
posted by clavdivs at 7:39 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
posted by clavdivs at 7:39 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
clavdivs: "GOP response is like watching the newscaster during a zombie invasion"
Same energy (and backdrop!)
posted by Rhaomi at 7:41 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Same energy (and backdrop!)
posted by Rhaomi at 7:41 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Ooohh, I liked that speech!
posted by DeepSeaHaggis at 7:43 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by DeepSeaHaggis at 7:43 PM on March 1, 2022 [1 favorite]
Where do I get these masks?
Where to Find Those Free N95 Face Masks [WIRED, Feb 12]
posted by hippybear at 7:43 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
Where to Find Those Free N95 Face Masks [WIRED, Feb 12]
posted by hippybear at 7:43 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
Iowa nice
The, perhaps satirically named, phenomenon found among Iowa natives of remaining surface-deep at all times. Many Iowans will ask you how you are, but make no mistake, they don’t want an honest or detailed answer. Some bland response is required. Expressing opinions or taking stances on really any topic will be met with iciness. Iowans are repressed and judgmental. “Iowa nice” means let’s not actually connect in any human way, but rather, let’s avoid confrontation at any cost.posted by Rhaomi at 7:47 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
Our neighbors are Iowa nice. We’ve lived next door to them for fifteen years. They don’t know anything about us and they haven’t asked, either.
clavdivs-you have nailed it! A platitude addict of the first order.
posted by Oyéah at 7:48 PM on March 1, 2022
posted by Oyéah at 7:48 PM on March 1, 2022
Had to rewind and Google, but apparently the boo line was Marjorie Taylor Greene blaming Biden for the 13 Americans KIA in the Afghanistan withdrawal.
Specifically, after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden needed to send troops BACK to rescue the nitwits who ignored months of State Dept. warnings to GTFO of Afghanistan ASAP. Those nitwits are why 13 servicemembers died.
posted by mikelieman at 7:52 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
Specifically, after the withdrawal from Afghanistan, Biden needed to send troops BACK to rescue the nitwits who ignored months of State Dept. warnings to GTFO of Afghanistan ASAP. Those nitwits are why 13 servicemembers died.
posted by mikelieman at 7:52 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
Okay, where can I get free masks without risking my life by going to a drug store?
posted by MrVisible at 7:58 PM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by MrVisible at 7:58 PM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
GOP response link yt , in case you're into that sort of thing.
Which was like a zombie movie where the undead were crumbled fossils. That woman preached like an inanimate carbon rod. You missed a total burnt barn.
posted by y2karl at 8:00 PM on March 1, 2022
Which was like a zombie movie where the undead were crumbled fossils. That woman preached like an inanimate carbon rod. You missed a total burnt barn.
posted by y2karl at 8:00 PM on March 1, 2022
Okay, where can I get free masks without risking my life by going to a drug store?
At this point, I will leave the googling up to you.
posted by hippybear at 8:01 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
At this point, I will leave the googling up to you.
posted by hippybear at 8:01 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
go get him.
I was confused by this but apparently the line was, "Go get ’em."
posted by paper chromatographologist at 8:03 PM on March 1, 2022
I was confused by this but apparently the line was, "Go get ’em."
posted by paper chromatographologist at 8:03 PM on March 1, 2022
If you are immunocompromised or have some other vulnerability, we have treatments and free high-quality masks. We are leaving no one behind or ignoring anyone's needs as we move forward.
"If you're likely to get sick, go ahead and just get sick worry free because now we have A TREATMENT!" I really hate this guy.
posted by bleep at 8:04 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
"If you're likely to get sick, go ahead and just get sick worry free because now we have A TREATMENT!" I really hate this guy.
posted by bleep at 8:04 PM on March 1, 2022 [4 favorites]
where were all the rabid truckers? we were promised rabid truckers
posted by pyramid termite at 8:05 PM on March 1, 2022 [7 favorites]
posted by pyramid termite at 8:05 PM on March 1, 2022 [7 favorites]
Okay, where can I get free masks without risking my life by going to a drug store?
PM me your address and I’ll gladly send you some KN95’s.
posted by schoolgirl report at 8:06 PM on March 1, 2022 [19 favorites]
PM me your address and I’ll gladly send you some KN95’s.
posted by schoolgirl report at 8:06 PM on March 1, 2022 [19 favorites]
From the Wired article:
Personally, I've been ordering my N95s from Amazon, so I'm fine, thank you. There are a lot of people who aren't so privileged. And I think a lot of us are feeling really left behind right now.
posted by MrVisible at 8:09 PM on March 1, 2022 [32 favorites]
Unlike the free at-home Covid-19 rapid tests, you cannot order free N95 masks online. You'll have to pick them up in person at a local pharmacy or community health center.My point being, the system to get N95 masks to immunocompromised people requires them to risk their lives by going to pharmacies. Every human interaction is another saving throw vs. death for me, so I try to minimize those as much as possible, especially in places where sick people tend to congregate. It'd be nice to think that the government systems which have been put in place to support us would take that into account.
Personally, I've been ordering my N95s from Amazon, so I'm fine, thank you. There are a lot of people who aren't so privileged. And I think a lot of us are feeling really left behind right now.
posted by MrVisible at 8:09 PM on March 1, 2022 [32 favorites]
You’re feeling left behind because you are left behind; half of the political spectrum actively hopes you’ll die and the other half would like to save you as long as it’s not too inconvenient or would bother Manchin in any way because he hopes you’ll die but he can’t actually admit that and they can’t call him on it lest he get pissy.
…so, y’know, yay?
Or nightmare screaming, that’ll work too.
posted by aramaic at 8:19 PM on March 1, 2022 [33 favorites]
…so, y’know, yay?
Or nightmare screaming, that’ll work too.
posted by aramaic at 8:19 PM on March 1, 2022 [33 favorites]
CNN instant poll of speech watchers (11 points more Democratic):
Topline impressions:
41% very positive (10% less than last year, lowest in 15 years)
29% somewhat positive
29% negative
Percent who said Biden sufficiently addressed:
Russia/Ukraine: 69%
Inflation: 47%
Crime: 46%
How did the speech change your confidence in Biden handling Ukraine?
30% more
56% no change
14% less
More important topic?
64% economy
36% Ukraine
posted by Rhaomi at 8:22 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
Topline impressions:
41% very positive (10% less than last year, lowest in 15 years)
29% somewhat positive
29% negative
Percent who said Biden sufficiently addressed:
Russia/Ukraine: 69%
Inflation: 47%
Crime: 46%
How did the speech change your confidence in Biden handling Ukraine?
30% more
56% no change
14% less
More important topic?
64% economy
36% Ukraine
posted by Rhaomi at 8:22 PM on March 1, 2022 [2 favorites]
where were all the rabid truckers? we were promised rabid truckers
They're not due to arrive outside DC until March 5th.
The was a rally for them in the district a couple days ago that drew about six(!) people.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:25 PM on March 1, 2022
They're not due to arrive outside DC until March 5th.
The was a rally for them in the district a couple days ago that drew about six(!) people.
posted by ChurchHatesTucker at 8:25 PM on March 1, 2022
Trucker convoy protest in Washington DC flops as no-one shows up – Organisers had expected thousands of people to attend Freedom Convoy event, The Independent, Graeme Massie (Los Angeles), Mar 1, 2022.
posted by cenoxo at 8:28 PM on March 1, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by cenoxo at 8:28 PM on March 1, 2022 [13 favorites]
Vice: The MAGA Trucker Convoy Is Mad Ukraine Is Getting All the Attention Right Now
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:46 PM on March 1, 2022 [16 favorites]
posted by sebastienbailard at 8:46 PM on March 1, 2022 [16 favorites]
Okay, where can I get free masks without risking my life by going to a drug store?
Ask for the masks at the drive-thru window of the pharmacy. They are really nice masks!
posted by jabah at 8:51 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
Ask for the masks at the drive-thru window of the pharmacy. They are really nice masks!
posted by jabah at 8:51 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
'em, him. dammit I was close. Yeah, no truckers I forgot about that a week ago.
and they had... 1.1
Million dollars
posted by clavdivs at 8:52 PM on March 1, 2022
and they had... 1.1
Million dollars
posted by clavdivs at 8:52 PM on March 1, 2022
"The answer is not to defund the police. It's to fund the police"
Good luck with that, I guess.
posted by CrystalDave at 8:56 PM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
Good luck with that, I guess.
posted by CrystalDave at 8:56 PM on March 1, 2022 [5 favorites]
A solid speech for a guy who isn't a great orator.
I admire Biden for keeping a cool head, and largely making the correct calls while dealing with the worst combination of disasters of any incoming president in my lifetime. (I was born in the Nixon era.)
He doesn't get even a fraction of the credit he should for it, of course. His humility and his decades of experience are underappreciated, and many people -- including on the left -- confuse his speech impediment with dementia, and are amazingly free with ageist and ableist comments.
The media seem hopelessly devoted to chasing bright shiny objects, and mostly incapable of seeing the forest for the trees. They don't seem to be able to put the things that Biden has done -- and the bullets we've dodged as a result -- in perspective for the American public. And the opposition party is dominated by psychotic liars.
But there's nothing I can do about any of that, so I'm just trying not to care too much about it.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 9:04 PM on March 1, 2022 [94 favorites]
I admire Biden for keeping a cool head, and largely making the correct calls while dealing with the worst combination of disasters of any incoming president in my lifetime. (I was born in the Nixon era.)
He doesn't get even a fraction of the credit he should for it, of course. His humility and his decades of experience are underappreciated, and many people -- including on the left -- confuse his speech impediment with dementia, and are amazingly free with ageist and ableist comments.
The media seem hopelessly devoted to chasing bright shiny objects, and mostly incapable of seeing the forest for the trees. They don't seem to be able to put the things that Biden has done -- and the bullets we've dodged as a result -- in perspective for the American public. And the opposition party is dominated by psychotic liars.
But there's nothing I can do about any of that, so I'm just trying not to care too much about it.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 9:04 PM on March 1, 2022 [94 favorites]
But there's nothing I can do about any of that, so I'm just trying not to care too much about it.
My problem is, not caring too much about it doesn't mean it will end up fucking my life up any less.
posted by hippybear at 9:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
My problem is, not caring too much about it doesn't mean it will end up fucking my life up any less.
posted by hippybear at 9:12 PM on March 1, 2022 [3 favorites]
Biden is certainly not the orator that Obama was. Every time he spoke, you felt like a better person, a better American. I would guess that feeling is felt by supporters of the last president. Biden has been put into situations that haven't happened in a century, or about a half century. While his opposition has lost their minds. He's doing pretty good.
posted by Windopaene at 9:20 PM on March 1, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by Windopaene at 9:20 PM on March 1, 2022 [10 favorites]
I don't understand why there was a huge system spun up to ship out $40 worth of rapid tests but not for $1 N95s, it's not like people are doing fit tests in store.
posted by meowzilla at 9:39 PM on March 1, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by meowzilla at 9:39 PM on March 1, 2022 [9 favorites]
I thought it was a good speech. Biden has been given a lot to deal with, and he's done a fine job of things. Having said that, if there's one thing that makes me a single issue voter, the one topic that brings out my inner leftist, it's healthcare. And this administration has had the opportunity to really promote single-payer or at least government healthcare, price controls on medicine, etc. But that's dead in the water, and it makes me livid, because I know that at this rate, with these centrist Democrats in charge (to say nothing of Republicans of course), universal healthcare will simply never happen in America. And that's holding us back in countless ways.
posted by zardoz at 10:21 PM on March 1, 2022 [15 favorites]
posted by zardoz at 10:21 PM on March 1, 2022 [15 favorites]
Boring speech rehashing his agenda. He did seem to admit there was a problem with the open southern border but he told the congress they should fix it. It was like he was speaking directly to Manchin. Btw, Manchin was sitting with Romney on the REPUBLICAN side. Lol. They said it was to show unity. Unity of what I ask?
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:35 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by JohnnyGunn at 10:35 PM on March 1, 2022 [6 favorites]
Fund the police. :(
posted by Gadarene at 12:11 AM on March 2, 2022 [6 favorites]
posted by Gadarene at 12:11 AM on March 2, 2022 [6 favorites]
Fund the police. :(
That was to defang Republican attacks for the midterms. Only cities and municipalities can fund or defund the police. I don't love that he said that, but the median voter is unfortunately pro-police.
posted by ichomp at 1:04 AM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
That was to defang Republican attacks for the midterms. Only cities and municipalities can fund or defund the police. I don't love that he said that, but the median voter is unfortunately pro-police.
posted by ichomp at 1:04 AM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
I miss Obama's gift for oratory. Biden's speech was a laundry list of "We should do THIS!" in comparison, but give me a big government with aspirations of providing opportunities for Americans rather than a big government playing to (half the) Americans' fears any day.
posted by emelenjr at 3:28 AM on March 2, 2022
posted by emelenjr at 3:28 AM on March 2, 2022
I don't understand why there was a huge system spun up to ship out $40 worth of rapid tests but not for $1 N95s, it's not like people are doing fit tests in store.
I’ll go out on a limb and suppose that, unlike tests that even the most rabid “mah freedumz” redhat will likely use, masks are a politicized hot-potato, and the image of the government sending freedom-stealing masks to homes would more-than-likely be steamrolled into mighty outrage by the right.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:25 AM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
I’ll go out on a limb and suppose that, unlike tests that even the most rabid “mah freedumz” redhat will likely use, masks are a politicized hot-potato, and the image of the government sending freedom-stealing masks to homes would more-than-likely be steamrolled into mighty outrage by the right.
posted by Thorzdad at 5:25 AM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
Trucker convoy protest in Washington DC flops as no-one shows up – Organisers had expected thousands of people to attend Freedom Convoy event, The Independent, Graeme Massie (Los Angeles), Mar 1, 2022
That video is very Spinal Tap:
MONDAY: FREDOM CONVOY AND PUPPET SHOW
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:38 AM on March 2, 2022 [9 favorites]
That video is very Spinal Tap:
MONDAY: FREDOM CONVOY AND PUPPET SHOW
posted by ricochet biscuit at 5:38 AM on March 2, 2022 [9 favorites]
Question for anyone feeling left behind by the ending of mask mandates: what would help you feel not left behind? Continued masking, or is there something else that would help?
I ask because the models are showing masking is not having a significant impact on preventing the spread of COVID in communities where vaccination rates are high enough. So here in WA the models show we could stop masking today, but apparently FL should keep masking. Or so I hear from a friend who works in the infectious disease field.
posted by keep_evolving at 6:26 AM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
I ask because the models are showing masking is not having a significant impact on preventing the spread of COVID in communities where vaccination rates are high enough. So here in WA the models show we could stop masking today, but apparently FL should keep masking. Or so I hear from a friend who works in the infectious disease field.
posted by keep_evolving at 6:26 AM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
why i do believe that is transportation secretary pete buttigieg.Colbert stole your joke!
posted by Rhaomi at 4:35 on March 2
posted by quinndexter at 6:45 AM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Question for anyone feeling left behind by the ending of mask mandates: what would help you feel not left behind?
Oh, oh, I can help! Let's see if we can find the answer to your question right there in your comment!!!
...masking is not having a significant impact on preventing the spread of COVID in communities where vaccination rates are high enough. So here in WA the models show we could stop masking today, but apparently FL should keep masking.
There you go! There's the answer! WA is not the country! I know it must seem like it to a denizen of a fine, fine place like WA, but it's not the whole entire freaking USA, actually. Actually, FL is part of the country, toooooo! And masking is very much helpful in places where vaccination rates are not high enough.
If you take a stroll over to the CDC's helpful website, you can input your county and see what color it is. Green, because you live in WA, whip off your mask and head to Applebee's. Yellow, probably okay but maybe don't go to the movies, yet. Orange, because you live in motherscratching "buck the CDC" FL, keep your goddamn mask on when you're indoors around a bunch of people because my parents are in their 80s with comorbidities thank you very much. For parts of the country that are not WA, it would be awesome if the CDC had made relaxing the mandates contingent on vaccination rates. Unfortunately the CDC did not do that so the grocery stores, banks, libraries, yadda are full of the unvaccinated unmasked, which makes life less safe for vulnerable people.
posted by Don Pepino at 7:11 AM on March 2, 2022 [14 favorites]
Oh, oh, I can help! Let's see if we can find the answer to your question right there in your comment!!!
...masking is not having a significant impact on preventing the spread of COVID in communities where vaccination rates are high enough. So here in WA the models show we could stop masking today, but apparently FL should keep masking.
There you go! There's the answer! WA is not the country! I know it must seem like it to a denizen of a fine, fine place like WA, but it's not the whole entire freaking USA, actually. Actually, FL is part of the country, toooooo! And masking is very much helpful in places where vaccination rates are not high enough.
If you take a stroll over to the CDC's helpful website, you can input your county and see what color it is. Green, because you live in WA, whip off your mask and head to Applebee's. Yellow, probably okay but maybe don't go to the movies, yet. Orange, because you live in motherscratching "buck the CDC" FL, keep your goddamn mask on when you're indoors around a bunch of people because my parents are in their 80s with comorbidities thank you very much. For parts of the country that are not WA, it would be awesome if the CDC had made relaxing the mandates contingent on vaccination rates. Unfortunately the CDC did not do that so the grocery stores, banks, libraries, yadda are full of the unvaccinated unmasked, which makes life less safe for vulnerable people.
posted by Don Pepino at 7:11 AM on March 2, 2022 [14 favorites]
It's an airborne virus. The only way to stop it from reproducing is to stop giving it chances to reproduce. Letting people walk around spewing out particles & picking them up is allowing unlimited opportunity for the virus to reproduce. That's the opposite of what we want. It's not that complicated.
posted by bleep at 7:22 AM on March 2, 2022 [16 favorites]
posted by bleep at 7:22 AM on March 2, 2022 [16 favorites]
Here are some ways that the US government could support people who are immunocompromised, just off the top of my head:
Make it easier for us to get remote jobs. Make it easier for us to get on disability. Universal healthcare of some sort would be nice, but that's a given. Make it easier to get antibody titers tested to see just how immunocompromised we are, and work on making those tests more accurate. For those of us in public-facing jobs like teaching, have workplaces make accommodations. Better sources of information for immunocompromised people would be great; at the moment I'm not sure if I'm supposed to get a fourth shot, and I don't know where to go for guidance on that.
And I don't know, stores could re-implement those early-morning mask-only hours for immunocompromised people that were around early in the pandemic, those were nice. The government could start mailing out the free masks instead of keeping them in pharmacies, that's like a cruel joke. Maybe a public service announcement campaign to raise awareness of the ridiculous maze of land mines that normal life has suddenly become for anyone without a functional immune system, and a serious push for universal vaccination.
I posted an article from the Atlantic about the subject a couple of weeks ago, and the thread that resulted was pretty illuminating, I'd recommend it. As the article states, we're talking about over seven million Americans, and the state of the union address just kind of handwaved us all away. To quote floweredfish from that thread, "I just want a tiny ounce of compassion."
posted by MrVisible at 7:26 AM on March 2, 2022 [22 favorites]
Make it easier for us to get remote jobs. Make it easier for us to get on disability. Universal healthcare of some sort would be nice, but that's a given. Make it easier to get antibody titers tested to see just how immunocompromised we are, and work on making those tests more accurate. For those of us in public-facing jobs like teaching, have workplaces make accommodations. Better sources of information for immunocompromised people would be great; at the moment I'm not sure if I'm supposed to get a fourth shot, and I don't know where to go for guidance on that.
And I don't know, stores could re-implement those early-morning mask-only hours for immunocompromised people that were around early in the pandemic, those were nice. The government could start mailing out the free masks instead of keeping them in pharmacies, that's like a cruel joke. Maybe a public service announcement campaign to raise awareness of the ridiculous maze of land mines that normal life has suddenly become for anyone without a functional immune system, and a serious push for universal vaccination.
I posted an article from the Atlantic about the subject a couple of weeks ago, and the thread that resulted was pretty illuminating, I'd recommend it. As the article states, we're talking about over seven million Americans, and the state of the union address just kind of handwaved us all away. To quote floweredfish from that thread, "I just want a tiny ounce of compassion."
posted by MrVisible at 7:26 AM on March 2, 2022 [22 favorites]
They say "Iowa nice" like being polite but minding your own fucking business is bad.
posted by wellifyouinsist at 8:04 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 8:04 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
"I will always have your back so that our young transgender people can reach their God-given potential"
Frankly, I doubt it. What's Joe's plan to combat what's going on in Texas? Not to mention the other states gearing up for similar moves against trans people.
posted by shanek at 8:11 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
Frankly, I doubt it. What's Joe's plan to combat what's going on in Texas? Not to mention the other states gearing up for similar moves against trans people.
posted by shanek at 8:11 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
The "fund the police" is a slap in the face to the activists trying to stop Black people from being murdered. It was a disgusting thing for him to say. I don't care about any political strategy.
posted by wellifyouinsist at 8:13 AM on March 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
posted by wellifyouinsist at 8:13 AM on March 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
> Here are some ways that the US government could support people who are immunocompromised, just off the top of my head:
I've got one more addition to the list: don't use Soviet-style propaganda tactics to minimize the current risk.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:19 AM on March 2, 2022 [6 favorites]
I've got one more addition to the list: don't use Soviet-style propaganda tactics to minimize the current risk.
posted by tonycpsu at 8:19 AM on March 2, 2022 [6 favorites]
Isn’t there a song explaining “Iowa nice“ in Iowan Meredith Willson’s The Music Man?
posted by elphaba at 8:25 AM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by elphaba at 8:25 AM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
"I will always have your back so that our young transgender people can reach their God-given potential"
he had trans people's back last year too and i'm trying to think of actual, tangible things that aren't allowing trans people to die for their country instead of being murdered by it or small, incremental, and toothless steps to defend trans people from exterminationist policies and the abrogation of liberty occurring right now
posted by i used to be someone else at 8:36 AM on March 2, 2022 [7 favorites]
he had trans people's back last year too and i'm trying to think of actual, tangible things that aren't allowing trans people to die for their country instead of being murdered by it or small, incremental, and toothless steps to defend trans people from exterminationist policies and the abrogation of liberty occurring right now
posted by i used to be someone else at 8:36 AM on March 2, 2022 [7 favorites]
The "fund the police" is a slap in the face to the activists trying to stop Black people from being murdered. It was a disgusting thing for him to say. I don't care about any political strategy.
Yup. Also, I promise you that the fabled "median voter" doesn't give a shit about an off-handed line in the State of the Union. You know who does give a shit? Everyone on your side whose efforts you're betraying by saying that. Oh, and the Black people being murdered by the police whose funding you're exhorting.
It's an awful and unconscionable thing to say and denotes an awful and predictable strategy for the midterms. Stand by your own fucking party base for fucking once.
posted by Gadarene at 8:37 AM on March 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
Yup. Also, I promise you that the fabled "median voter" doesn't give a shit about an off-handed line in the State of the Union. You know who does give a shit? Everyone on your side whose efforts you're betraying by saying that. Oh, and the Black people being murdered by the police whose funding you're exhorting.
It's an awful and unconscionable thing to say and denotes an awful and predictable strategy for the midterms. Stand by your own fucking party base for fucking once.
posted by Gadarene at 8:37 AM on March 2, 2022 [17 favorites]
And as I anticipate the good ol' response of "progressives aren't part of the party base and it's more important to capture Jack and Jill Racist than to actually use this pulpit to take a nuanced stance educating people on the manifold ways the current carceral and police state is wildly destructive to this nation," I won't be returning to this thread.
posted by Gadarene at 8:40 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by Gadarene at 8:40 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
It's interesting that Biden's team tweeted all the major points of the SOTU address to the @POTUS account in real time.
The first social media State of the Union?
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:53 AM on March 2, 2022
The first social media State of the Union?
posted by JoeZydeco at 8:53 AM on March 2, 2022
People are starting to share that screenshot of Lauren Boebert and Marjorie Taylor Greene heckling Biden.
I put my own spin on it because it needed to exist.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:14 AM on March 2, 2022 [23 favorites]
I put my own spin on it because it needed to exist.
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 9:14 AM on March 2, 2022 [23 favorites]
It was a decent speech. Not great. Not bad. Not inspiring. Not depressing. Just okay.
I could go into the usual hot takes--BBB, covid, "fund the police", Manchin, Trump--but I feel like a child complaining to their parents for not providing, even though I love them and I know it's not really their fault that they can't provide.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:06 AM on March 2, 2022
I could go into the usual hot takes--BBB, covid, "fund the police", Manchin, Trump--but I feel like a child complaining to their parents for not providing, even though I love them and I know it's not really their fault that they can't provide.
posted by RonButNotStupid at 10:06 AM on March 2, 2022
After four years of "dog whistles interspersed with ineptitude" I am quite content with "just okay".
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:09 AM on March 2, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by EmpressCallipygos at 10:09 AM on March 2, 2022 [9 favorites]
"Fund the police"? I wouldn't really expect much less than naked white supremacy at a State of the Union, especially from someone who built his career on the violence of mass incarceration, but it's still disgusting.
posted by dusty potato at 11:15 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
posted by dusty potato at 11:15 AM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
I know the CDC has been a horrorshow all throughout the pandemic, but let's not pretend that states are following their guidelines. In fact it seems that the CDC is aligning itself to fit what the states are already doing in some sort of weird compromise.
posted by meowzilla at 11:32 AM on March 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
posted by meowzilla at 11:32 AM on March 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
As someone who lives in a progressive city with organized crime and juvenile gun violence, where residents in some majority Black neighborhoods live in daily fear of ending up the unintended victim of a stray bullet because too many people only seem to know how to solve problems with guns, and popular anti-police rhetoric and lack of funding has left the police department frequently demoralized, understaffed, and unable to sufficiently respond to or deal with much of our crime... I don't have a problem with what Biden said about police funding, reform, and accountability. And I don't think he was just trying to appeal to "median voters" or racists when he said it.
posted by wondermouse at 11:40 AM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
posted by wondermouse at 11:40 AM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
Every government function is understaffed, underfunded and demoralized. Why does it only matter that the guys who can kill with impunity are sad. I read don't care what they have to say. Fund schools, fund health, fund housing, and there will be fewer problems that even involve guns.
posted by bleep at 11:46 AM on March 2, 2022 [10 favorites]
posted by bleep at 11:46 AM on March 2, 2022 [10 favorites]
Fund the police. :(
That was to defang Republican attacks for the midterms. Only cities and municipalities can fund or defund the police. I don't love that he said that, but the median voter is unfortunately pro-police.
"Fund the police"? I wouldn't really expect much less than naked white supremacy at a State of the Union, especially from someone who built his career on the violence of mass incarceration, but it's still disgusting.
Vast majorities of Americans, including Democrats and black people, oppose defunding the police.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:03 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
That was to defang Republican attacks for the midterms. Only cities and municipalities can fund or defund the police. I don't love that he said that, but the median voter is unfortunately pro-police.
"Fund the police"? I wouldn't really expect much less than naked white supremacy at a State of the Union, especially from someone who built his career on the violence of mass incarceration, but it's still disgusting.
Vast majorities of Americans, including Democrats and black people, oppose defunding the police.
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:03 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Here's an example of mindlessly negative false-balance media coverage of the SOTU, from the NY Times.
Seems like Biden is bedeviled by an endless onslaught of this kind of stupidity, even from the "liberal" media. Is it any wonder his ratings are as low as they are?
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:09 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Seems like Biden is bedeviled by an endless onslaught of this kind of stupidity, even from the "liberal" media. Is it any wonder his ratings are as low as they are?
posted by Artifice_Eternity at 12:09 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
More people might well support defunding the police after social services and other community programs are better funded so that they can respond to crisis situations, some of the better departments decide to use them to handle calls, and they show an alternative actually working at scale.
posted by wierdo at 12:11 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by wierdo at 12:11 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
Do the people who don't support "defund the police" have any clue what the movement is even about? I sincerely doubt it.
The president shouldn't be pandering to racists. What's next, he'll say "all lives matter?"
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:15 PM on March 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
The president shouldn't be pandering to racists. What's next, he'll say "all lives matter?"
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:15 PM on March 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
I am all-in for police reform (de-militarize, end qualified immunity, de-incentivize pointless/racist traffic stops, end for-profit prisons, etc), but “Defund” is a non-starter and a political liability and sooner we put it to bed the better. I promise you I am not a bigot, a white nationalist, a “shit-stain centrist” or any of the other epithets likely to be aimed at me for typing this. I want a fair and just multiracial democracy as much as anyone in this thread. “Defund” was a tactical mistake that right-wingers will be milking for years if not decades.
posted by ducky l'orange at 12:24 PM on March 2, 2022 [24 favorites]
posted by ducky l'orange at 12:24 PM on March 2, 2022 [24 favorites]
using the right words or tone has never stopped the right from lying about actual good ideas so a big shrug on that from me
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:27 PM on March 2, 2022 [9 favorites]
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:27 PM on March 2, 2022 [9 favorites]
No the vast majority of people don't understand "Defund the police" and it's a dumb catchphrase to describe what we want to actually happen and it is killing actual acceptance of what police reform needs to actually look like for it to be even remotely possible.
So can we not make this entire conversation about three words in the entire speech?
The president shouldn't be pandering to racists
I think that's a bit of a stretch. You even just said the majority don't have a clue what "defund the police" is about... so it's not like saying "Fund the Police" is solely an appeal to the racists. I wish he hadn't have said those words but Biden is not and never will be a super progressive President but he's also not in any way the worst person who could be in that position right now.
posted by cirhosis at 12:33 PM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
So can we not make this entire conversation about three words in the entire speech?
The president shouldn't be pandering to racists
I think that's a bit of a stretch. You even just said the majority don't have a clue what "defund the police" is about... so it's not like saying "Fund the Police" is solely an appeal to the racists. I wish he hadn't have said those words but Biden is not and never will be a super progressive President but he's also not in any way the worst person who could be in that position right now.
posted by cirhosis at 12:33 PM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
It was compromise phrasing to begin with. The compromise seems to have pretty clearly been rejected, so it's time to go back to the previous goal.
posted by CrystalDave at 12:36 PM on March 2, 2022
posted by CrystalDave at 12:36 PM on March 2, 2022
I can't see it any other way than a direct rebuttal to "defund the police." "Fund the police" speaks directly to people who don't care to find out what "defund" actually means so it's functionally the same for me.
Uhhh talk about another part of the speech then. It's okay for us to comment about any part of it.
I'm also allowed to dislike things Biden does and says without it having to be said that there could be a worse guy in charge. Well aware.
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:37 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Uhhh talk about another part of the speech then. It's okay for us to comment about any part of it.
I'm also allowed to dislike things Biden does and says without it having to be said that there could be a worse guy in charge. Well aware.
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:37 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
tiny frying pan, I'm sorry if it feels like a direct comment only on you I didn't really mean that but it totally was so my apology. Just going through the thread it really has become these three words really are most of what's getting talked about.
posted by cirhosis at 12:54 PM on March 2, 2022
posted by cirhosis at 12:54 PM on March 2, 2022
I don't have a problem with what Biden said about police funding, reform, and accountability. And I don't think he was just trying to appeal to "median voters" or racists when he said it.
Absolutely appealing to “median voters” - what else would he be doing? You are correct that this category is not just white, though. And I don’t really mean to imply that a “median voter” is a fixed thing exactly, so much as voters on average are pretty jittery about things like apparent post-pandemic crime bumps and right-wing branding thereof
I can't see it any other way than a direct rebuttal to "defund the police."
which branding is more explicitly what he’s trying to rebut. It’s the worst kind of reactive pivot, but that’s politics.
posted by atoxyl at 12:57 PM on March 2, 2022
Absolutely appealing to “median voters” - what else would he be doing? You are correct that this category is not just white, though. And I don’t really mean to imply that a “median voter” is a fixed thing exactly, so much as voters on average are pretty jittery about things like apparent post-pandemic crime bumps and right-wing branding thereof
I can't see it any other way than a direct rebuttal to "defund the police."
which branding is more explicitly what he’s trying to rebut. It’s the worst kind of reactive pivot, but that’s politics.
posted by atoxyl at 12:57 PM on March 2, 2022
What I worry about, again as someone who lives in a progressive city with a reputation of having high crime and a struggling police department, is that the defund the police rhetoric goes so far while so many people see their cities terrorized by career criminals, that we end up voting an awful "law & order" candidate into a position of power who, aside from yes wanting to fund the police, holds many more onerous views.
So I think it is important for prominent Democrats to voice support for police funding and reform and accountability like Biden did. Most of us want to feel safe in our communities, just as we do not want police to feel like they can get away with shooting innocent people for no good reason.
posted by wondermouse at 12:57 PM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
So I think it is important for prominent Democrats to voice support for police funding and reform and accountability like Biden did. Most of us want to feel safe in our communities, just as we do not want police to feel like they can get away with shooting innocent people for no good reason.
posted by wondermouse at 12:57 PM on March 2, 2022 [5 favorites]
I don't think that saying stop talking about (thing) is as effective as talking about (another thing entirely.)
Apology accepted, let's talk about another part.
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:59 PM on March 2, 2022
Apology accepted, let's talk about another part.
posted by tiny frying pan at 12:59 PM on March 2, 2022
I dunno. Two steps backward and one step forward doesn't really make me feel content. It's obviously much better than a further step backward, but I'd really prefer actual progress instead of minor course correction.
I was not expecting much from the guy who during the campaign said
So imagine my surprise when, after the intro about Ukraine, I heard:
...And then he used it to immediately pivot into 'how about that economy, tho! Jobs, amirite?' Because of course he would.
So many jobs! But how many pay a living wage? How many are full time? How many provide adequate benefits? How many allow for a healthy work/life balance? How many will grant you the ability to eventually afford a house? How many have high turnover rates? How many contribute to chronic burnout? How many are being worked by people who already have another job? How many are being worked by teachers?
And as far as I can tell, that was the only time he mentioned housing in the address, aside from a nebulous promise of "more affordable housing," which I distinctly recall being promised by Obama back in 2008, but who's counting? When are we going to get around to actually addressing it? Or is it something we can just keep acknowledging and campaigning on without fixing? How long can we kick these cans down the road?
We've been talking about a $15 minimum wage since, what, 2014? Am I not supposed to notice that with inflation that'd be closer to $18 in today's money? Maybe a few years from now, when it's worth even less, we might actually get it.
But yay jobs!
And from there it was pretty much what I'd come to expect.
It was nice to hear him acknowledge, in part:
-Shit is rough out here
-Trickle-down economics is bullshit
-$15 minimum wage (which is still not a living wage)
-American infrastructure is crumbling
-The climate crisis
-Holy shit inflation
-The housing crisis, kinda
-Insulin costs are outrageous (so too the American healthcare industry as a whole)
-Trans folks exist, deal with it
It was nice not to hear overt or thinly veiled bigotry, xenophobia, sexism, or racism for a change. It was nice to have some topics of concern at least acknowledged. But, y'know, acta non verba.
But it's still two steps backward and one step forward, and it didn't really make me feel less jaded, hopeless, or disaffected.
posted by rustybullrake at 1:41 PM on March 2, 2022 [14 favorites]
I was not expecting much from the guy who during the campaign said
"The younger generation now tells me how tough things are. Give me a break. No, no, I have no empathy for it. Give me a break."For context, I am a jaded working-class millennial.
So imagine my surprise when, after the intro about Ukraine, I heard:
"And so many families are living paycheck to paycheck, struggling to keep up with the rising cost of food, gas, housing, and so much more.""Oh shit," I said aloud. I had not expected this. He had my full attention. I turned bodily toward the screen, eager to hear how these problems would be addressed.
...And then he used it to immediately pivot into 'how about that economy, tho! Jobs, amirite?' Because of course he would.
So many jobs! But how many pay a living wage? How many are full time? How many provide adequate benefits? How many allow for a healthy work/life balance? How many will grant you the ability to eventually afford a house? How many have high turnover rates? How many contribute to chronic burnout? How many are being worked by people who already have another job? How many are being worked by teachers?
And as far as I can tell, that was the only time he mentioned housing in the address, aside from a nebulous promise of "more affordable housing," which I distinctly recall being promised by Obama back in 2008, but who's counting? When are we going to get around to actually addressing it? Or is it something we can just keep acknowledging and campaigning on without fixing? How long can we kick these cans down the road?
We've been talking about a $15 minimum wage since, what, 2014? Am I not supposed to notice that with inflation that'd be closer to $18 in today's money? Maybe a few years from now, when it's worth even less, we might actually get it.
But yay jobs!
And from there it was pretty much what I'd come to expect.
"I’m a capitalist..."Jesus Christ. I was half expecting to hear some form of "no one wants to work anymore."
"...get back to work."
"It’s time for Americans to get back to work ... return to the office."
"The vast majority of federal workers will once again work in person."
"...most Americans can remove their masks, return to work..."
"...hire more police..."Jesus Christ. I understand that the argument can be made that "fund the police with the resources and training they need" is a way to gently redirect the monocle-popping "defund the police" into something more palatable for my boomer parents, but it was still disheartening to hear in a SOTU address.
"...FUND the police..."
It was nice to hear him acknowledge, in part:
-Shit is rough out here
-Trickle-down economics is bullshit
-$15 minimum wage (which is still not a living wage)
-American infrastructure is crumbling
-The climate crisis
-Holy shit inflation
-The housing crisis, kinda
-Insulin costs are outrageous (so too the American healthcare industry as a whole)
-Trans folks exist, deal with it
It was nice not to hear overt or thinly veiled bigotry, xenophobia, sexism, or racism for a change. It was nice to have some topics of concern at least acknowledged. But, y'know, acta non verba.
But it's still two steps backward and one step forward, and it didn't really make me feel less jaded, hopeless, or disaffected.
posted by rustybullrake at 1:41 PM on March 2, 2022 [14 favorites]
-The housing crisis, kinda
The best things to fix the housing crisis at the Federal Level would be to repeal the Faircloth Act, then increase public housing funding, and to loosen lending standards for housing.
The Faircloth Act sets a maximum number of public housing units in the US, and hasn't been updated in a very long time so that maximum is really low. Most states could build more (if they wanted to, because they aren't at limits) but a few are at the Faircloth maximums.
AOC and a few others (mostly progressive democrats) have brought up appealing the Faircloth Ammendment, but it's not gone anywhere.
Losening lending standards: mortgage originations by credit score from the New York Fed 4Q 2021. Look at this chart. $1.1 trillion in mortgage lending in 2021 per quarter (I think I'm reading that right) - $900b for people with credit scores greater than 760 out of 800. That's rich people. It gets worse. The next $100b is for 720-760. That leaves only $200b for those with credit scores below that. That's a huge problem.
The same chart also has historical data. It used to be equally as much in $$, but far more even between scores. Middle class people have been shut out of buying homes by Federal Lending Standards.
Both Democrats and Republicans both run on 'being tough on banks', which basically implies tight lending standards, like we have. Nobody is going to change this. Not Progressive Democrats, not centrists, not Republicans.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:32 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
The best things to fix the housing crisis at the Federal Level would be to repeal the Faircloth Act, then increase public housing funding, and to loosen lending standards for housing.
The Faircloth Act sets a maximum number of public housing units in the US, and hasn't been updated in a very long time so that maximum is really low. Most states could build more (if they wanted to, because they aren't at limits) but a few are at the Faircloth maximums.
AOC and a few others (mostly progressive democrats) have brought up appealing the Faircloth Ammendment, but it's not gone anywhere.
Losening lending standards: mortgage originations by credit score from the New York Fed 4Q 2021. Look at this chart. $1.1 trillion in mortgage lending in 2021 per quarter (I think I'm reading that right) - $900b for people with credit scores greater than 760 out of 800. That's rich people. It gets worse. The next $100b is for 720-760. That leaves only $200b for those with credit scores below that. That's a huge problem.
The same chart also has historical data. It used to be equally as much in $$, but far more even between scores. Middle class people have been shut out of buying homes by Federal Lending Standards.
Both Democrats and Republicans both run on 'being tough on banks', which basically implies tight lending standards, like we have. Nobody is going to change this. Not Progressive Democrats, not centrists, not Republicans.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:32 PM on March 2, 2022 [3 favorites]
Check out auto loans (a few charts down) for the equity differences. The government wants you to be able to buy a car, even if you are poor.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:35 PM on March 2, 2022
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:35 PM on March 2, 2022
"Defund the police" should never have been the phrase. Rebuild or restore or redo...any of these are better, but they don't really convey the righteous anger of the BLM movement. And the anger is righteous.
posted by zardoz at 3:39 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by zardoz at 3:39 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
Disband and destroy the police.
The institution is inherently racist and rotten.
Legalize guns in black hands and let us regulate our own communities.
posted by yonega at 3:52 PM on March 2, 2022
The institution is inherently racist and rotten.
Legalize guns in black hands and let us regulate our own communities.
posted by yonega at 3:52 PM on March 2, 2022
"Defund the police" should never have been the phrase. Rebuild or restore or redo...any of these are better, but they don't really convey the righteous anger of the BLM movement. And the anger is righteous.
May I suggest the classic, "Fuck Tha Police"?
posted by mikelieman at 4:02 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
May I suggest the classic, "Fuck Tha Police"?
posted by mikelieman at 4:02 PM on March 2, 2022 [2 favorites]
Clap clap clap clap clap clap clap…
posted by BlunderingArtist at 4:23 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by BlunderingArtist at 4:23 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
We tried “Fuck the Police” back in the late 80’s and it didn’t work very well.
I’m surprised “De-Fuck the Police” hasn’t gotten more traction since it’s a pro-reform message that still let’s people say “Fuck.”
posted by ducky l'orange at 5:53 PM on March 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
I’m surprised “De-Fuck the Police” hasn’t gotten more traction since it’s a pro-reform message that still let’s people say “Fuck.”
posted by ducky l'orange at 5:53 PM on March 2, 2022 [4 favorites]
Y'know, I'm not easy on the Biden administration, but I'll give him this, the response I'm seeing to Texas's gender-affirming care fuckery looks like solidly Doing Something.
posted by CrystalDave at 7:01 PM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
Huge response from the Biden administration on Texas taking trans kids from supportive parents. There's too much for one tweet but...I'll leave it to people more familiar than I to parse out how much teeth this has, or how his statement in full rings true or not; but I'll give props where it's due.
- Office of Civil Rights will make contact with parents/defend them
- Children's Bureau contradicts Texas CPS
- HHS demands HIPAA be followed
Biden releases a strong statement along with the OCR guidance. Links to follow. It's clear that the administration is putting its full muscle behind attacking the Texas law.
The Children's Bureau releases guidance marked today that must be followed by all contractors and CPS agencies or else risk funding.
This is a comprehensive, multi-pronged attack at the Texas law from several different angles from the federal government.
Here is the statement from HHS, which joins the fray.
So we have 3 federal agencies taking action in Texas... Office of Civil Rights, Health and Human Services, and the Children's Bureau.
Biden is fully able to gum up the works, heavily, in states that are targeting trans kids. Up until now, his administration has not done so.
That seems like it is changing tonight.
I have been very critical of inaction from the administration.
I have to give credit tonight.
[...]
One of the more interesting angles in all of this is the use of title II of the ADA. Intersectionality matters and we must support ALL marginalized people. The victories in one area can help win victories in others.
In this case, we have the disability community to thank.
posted by CrystalDave at 7:01 PM on March 2, 2022 [8 favorites]
I know the speech is mainly a performance geared at a domestic audience, but it's not as if the broadcast stops at the border. As a Canadian, it feels as if Biden was giving his trading partners a giant middle finger. Forget the trade deals and the integrated auto and manufacturing and mining industries. USA, USA. Buy American! America first!
We really don't need allies or partners like that, Joe.
posted by sardonyx at 8:04 PM on March 2, 2022
We really don't need allies or partners like that, Joe.
posted by sardonyx at 8:04 PM on March 2, 2022
I know what you're feeling sardonyx, but most Americans think of certain brands as 'buy American' without much further consideration about where the actual manufacturing happens.
If you told them that their Dodge Chargers & Caravans, Chrysler 300s and Pacificas, etc. were keeping folks employed in Ontario, they'd shrug and say 'well that's fine too'.
It's just a catchier and less complicated slogan than "If you can't buy American, how about a Civic or a Rav4 - that's buying Canadian!"
posted by bartleby at 8:31 PM on March 2, 2022
If you told them that their Dodge Chargers & Caravans, Chrysler 300s and Pacificas, etc. were keeping folks employed in Ontario, they'd shrug and say 'well that's fine too'.
It's just a catchier and less complicated slogan than "If you can't buy American, how about a Civic or a Rav4 - that's buying Canadian!"
posted by bartleby at 8:31 PM on March 2, 2022
While it may just be patriotic rhetoric to Americans, the threat of those kinds of policies is real to Canadians--and to Mexicans for that matter.
The EV situation, for one, has been simmering for months. This is ramps it back up again.
Then add in concerns about mining and metal refining--especially so-called "critical minerals" and other manufacturing sectors--and your so-called "domestic" policy and nationalist cheerleading is threatening your neighbours' actual jobs and economies and continent-wide supply chains.
It may just be words and slogans to Americans, but those living beside the U. S. A. know that when your country's politicians blow off hot air, that means major storms are heading our way, so it's time to start restocking the existing storm shelters and building new ones. We know that while your politicians may be happy talking, they certainly aren't interested in listening, especially if the people pleading for them to listen are foreigners with concerns who can't vote for them or fund their re-election campaigns.
posted by sardonyx at 8:47 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
The EV situation, for one, has been simmering for months. This is ramps it back up again.
Then add in concerns about mining and metal refining--especially so-called "critical minerals" and other manufacturing sectors--and your so-called "domestic" policy and nationalist cheerleading is threatening your neighbours' actual jobs and economies and continent-wide supply chains.
It may just be words and slogans to Americans, but those living beside the U. S. A. know that when your country's politicians blow off hot air, that means major storms are heading our way, so it's time to start restocking the existing storm shelters and building new ones. We know that while your politicians may be happy talking, they certainly aren't interested in listening, especially if the people pleading for them to listen are foreigners with concerns who can't vote for them or fund their re-election campaigns.
posted by sardonyx at 8:47 PM on March 2, 2022 [1 favorite]
This is truly excellent and worth reading: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/03/02/opinion/biden-black-voter.html
I wish Biden and his advisors would read it and, having read it, care.
posted by Gadarene at 10:21 AM on March 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
I wish Biden and his advisors would read it and, having read it, care.
posted by Gadarene at 10:21 AM on March 3, 2022 [1 favorite]
This Huffpost article about Jimmie Kimmel's monologue about whom he calls the Congressdemons heckling President Biden links to a very interesting NY Post article about the rap sheets of Mr. and Congressdemon Boeberts. In: WHOA!!!
posted by y2karl at 10:25 AM on March 3, 2022
posted by y2karl at 10:25 AM on March 3, 2022
people with credit scores greater than 760 out of 800. That's rich people.
No, it isn’t. This is wrongheaded analysis of the first degree. I’m solidly middle class, and only recently (in the last three years) stopped living paycheck to paycheck and working two jobs. My credit score has *never* dipped below 760 in 25 years.
I have privilege, but I am not, and have never been, “rich”. Good credit scores have nothing at all to do with wealth; indeed, my highest credit scores have come when I was leveraged to the limit. Always paying on time, of course.
posted by rocketman at 5:01 PM on March 3, 2022 [7 favorites]
No, it isn’t. This is wrongheaded analysis of the first degree. I’m solidly middle class, and only recently (in the last three years) stopped living paycheck to paycheck and working two jobs. My credit score has *never* dipped below 760 in 25 years.
I have privilege, but I am not, and have never been, “rich”. Good credit scores have nothing at all to do with wealth; indeed, my highest credit scores have come when I was leveraged to the limit. Always paying on time, of course.
posted by rocketman at 5:01 PM on March 3, 2022 [7 favorites]
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Rhaomi in the running for "most depressing MF post".
posted by curious nu at 6:10 PM on March 1, 2022 [27 favorites]