It is time to pass the torch
I wrote this 724 days ago:
Call it a national catastrophe, not a re-match
American politics has become a proving ground for the proposition that malice, incompetence, corruption, dishonesty, extremism and weirdness are the rocket fuel for success. What were once disqualifying vices have become the golden gate to power, fame and fortune within a broken society where conflict and contempt are billion dollar industries.
There are now 130 days until the election, and 58 days until the Democratic National Convention.
I share with you John McCain’s concession speech, written by Mark Salter. Here it is in video form:
This is an important moment for America.
America.
The United States of America.
The country must come first. President Biden’s ambitions for more time are understandable, but irrelevant.
Here is what Dr. King said about longevity:
Like anybody, I would like to live a long life—longevity has its place. But I'm not concerned about that now. I just want to do God's will…. And so I'm happy tonight; I'm not worried about anything; I'm not fearing any man…I’ve been to the mountaintop.
Donald Trump must be stopped. He is an immense threat towards peace, prosperity and justice. What he stands for is monstrous and dangerous. His lying during the debate was sociopathic and pathological, but it didn’t matter. Only one thing did, and it cannot be unseen. All the king’s horses and all the king’s men could not put Humpty Dumpty together again.
The Democratic Party has time and a last chance to change course before plowing into the iceberg at full speed. Should the choice be to remain on course, full steam ahead, the result will be a sinking and tragedy. Trumpism consumed the Republican Party, and now it is positioned to destroy the Democratic Party.
Joe Biden’s legacy is on the line. Should he decide to hold his party and nation hostage for power, he will be remembered as a contemptible and tragic figure, which will be a tragedy because a good man will be stripped of his dignity, honor, achievements and decency. The loss caused by his ego will be the only bitter remnant from his life of public service.
Watching the debate last night was like watching Muhammad Ali fight in the 1980s. Sad is the only word I can think of to describe it. I don’t mean sad in the typical snarky political sense, but rather, genuinely sad. It was awful to watch an American president in such a condition.
Defeating Trump is more important than maintaining Joe Biden as the nominee or his feelings.
He will lose to Trump. That cannot be wished away.
The crisis is real.
The danger is real.
Joe Biden lost his presidency last night, but because it happened in June, it does not mean that Trump will win. It just means that the game is over. It’s time to change the rules and start a new one. Politics isn’t a game, and it isn’t fair, so anything goes.
It is time for Joe Biden to begin the preparations necessary to put the country first. They will require him to say the following:
I will not accept my party’s nomination for a second term.
They will be the words of a patriot. Their absence will be the death rattle of, not just Biden’s legacy and presidency, but American liberty at the edge of 250 years of our independence.
The time for bluster, cheap talk, empty promises, vacuous soundbites and all manner of bullshittery is over now. Things are as they are, and events must be met head on where they are.
It is time to pass the torch.
This is too far, Steve.
I’m not giving up.
I’m with Newsome and what he said afterward in response to all the gloom and doom.
For 50 years this man has been a dedicated patriot. He had our back and now we need to have his. There is more to him, his cabinet, the healing they have accomplished and their plans to continue. No one said this was going to be easy, so it’s time to buck up and march forward.
Meanwhile, sorry to say, but I’m putting your negativity away for awhile.
I think everyone needs to calm down from last night’s disappointment before make decisions on what to do.