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Wednesday, January 20, 2021
The Historical Inauguration of Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
Sunday, November 8, 2020
Biden & Harris: A Victory for the Ages
Joe Biden Has labored long and diligently for this nation; locally, in the senate, as Vice President and resulting in today’s vote count he has been elected President of the United States of America. This is no small feat. He and his running mate; Kamala Harris have prevailed against tremendous opposition and what some would call impossible odds. By the grace of God, Almighty the election was decided by the American citizens, America’s diverse populous.
To paraphrase a lyric from a popular nineteen sixties radio song. “The dark days are done and the bright days are here.” The meaning being that Biden wants to reunify the country and work across the aisle with Republicans as one nation; “neither Red nor Blue; but as one.” The realities are Biden will not solve all of the nation’s problems; no administration can do the impossible. In light of this the Bidden administration will give all their heart and being to a glorious quest of righting many of the nation’s ills and paving a better future. Biden is in certain ways the embodiment of the legendary literary character Don Quixote. The spirit of that great novelized figure has been missing in our contemporary world order and dealings with all aspects of life.
The road to
success has not been a straight or easy path. He has faced personal losses and
hardships while he has yet to succumb to total defeat. In the words of his colleague
and supporter Jim Clyburn; “Biden never learned to stay down; he always rises
to the occasion. His losses become
opportunity for growth while always fighting the good fight.”
As a woman of color, mixed race and the daughter of immigrants’ Kamala Harris; in the minds of many, would never rise to the office of Vice President. She has defied the odds and made history. She will prove to be an excellent choice as she works with Joe Biden in the best interest of all citizens.
I write this blog on the day of the announcement of the Democratic candidate’s victory; following the counting of an enormous number of citizens turning out as early voters, on November third and equally many more voting by mail in ballots. It has been cause for an abundantly protracted amount of time of counting of ballots. In spite of this there is the presence of peaceful gatherings in the streets and avenues of America. There is a new optimism and hope. There is also relief and tears of comfort and consolation. The nation will be made whole.
Biden and Harris have since spoken from Delaware to a large receptive crowd of well-wishers, supporters and the press. Their speeches were hopeful, powerful, and informative and stuck the right opening tone for what is to be the Biden era. Following Harris’s acceptance speech and introduction Biden burst onto the stage in a full trot/sprint showing the strength and vigor of a man energetic and excited about taking on the job of Commander and Chief of a Great Nation, the strongest in the world, the United States of America. Fire Works, music and reveling followed; again making for a sense of truth, beauty and optimism.
Congratulations President-Elect Joe Biden; Congratulations Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris. We love you both! We look forward to the next four years. We wish you every success!
Sunday, August 23, 2020
When The White House Went Dark
Metaphorically and philosophically the White House and nation went dark in a somewhat gradual and very real moral way when Mr. Trump was sworn into office January 1st 2016. His presidential lies, half-truths and fabrications began with Trump disputing the crowd size of his inauguration over President Obama’s. He declared war on the press calling all reportage that painted him in a bad light or was contrary to his twisted narratives “Fake News.” He extended his ire to his own intelligence community and the FBI. He was out of the blocks with a vengeance and there was no “Honey Moon” for “Mr. Trump,”
Friday, November 9, 2012
President Barack Obama Reelected
There were also good opportunities within the course of things as citizens had opportunities to meet and see the candidates and their surrogates in the flesh. A personal favorite was a last minute rally featuring former President Bill Clinton at Patrick Henry High School in Salem Virginia. I attended with my cousin and a little over twenty-two hundred others. I was amazed at the number of Romney bumper stickers in the parking lot. (There were zero hecklers in attendance.) Clinton was insightful, charming and funny. He is an amazing speaker, a tremendous public servant and ultimately a great man. We enjoyed it! (John McCain was in the area that same evening. He attracted about three hundred supporters.)
Another related event I attended was the opening of Melissa Ichiuji’s “Fair Game” exhibition at Galerie Lareuse in Georgetown (Washington, DC.) Melissa’s primary medium is stitched fabric. She is becoming increasingly famous for her provocative dolls and figures. She utilized her considerable artistic skills to create charactures, stuffed heads mounted like trophies on the gallery walls. Her subjects/victims were the participants of both sides of the election. She uncannily and deftly satirized in much the spirit of Daumier the likenesses of Herman Cain, Paul Ryan and Ron Paul. Obama, Romney and their wives were included among the trophies. The Obama piece was met with such controversy that Sarah Palin (who is little known for her art world interests) has since purchased it.
I was able to enter the fray in many discussions on my job and through social media. Along with face to face discussions I created a number of graphics and cartoons for display, inspiration and humor. Many are featured here as illustrations. Obama’s acceptance speech was expectedly eloquent, heartfelt, touching and rousing. The President is gifted as much as he is the nation’s gift. Hope has been revived for many as some seem to be slipping deeper into delusion and dismay as a result of their shock and disbelief of the election results. Time and realization should bring them around and back to some sense of reality. We (the Obama supporters) will enjoy this brief season of happiness and satisfaction. This is the kind of moment we wish for; a spirit of co-operation and shared purpose that could last for months; possibly years. We can dream.