The U.S. was once less mean, less vulgar, less angry, more generous, kind and gracious. Here's a speech the president might like to give.

“My Memory — and Yours”

Remarks by Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States

The White House, February 16, 2024

Check Against Delivery

My Fellow Americans,

I address you tonight on a matter of import and urgency. It is about memory, my memory.

To be direct, Robert Hur, the special counsel, says that I am “a sympathetic, elderly man with a poor memory.”

This has led my friends in the Republican Party, as well as some in my own party — and the media, too — to question my recall, my sharpness, even my fitness for this office.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

I am here this evening to tell you that they are wrong. My memory is fine.

Full disclosure: I am 81 years old. I can tell you, frankly, that I forget things. The other day, for example, I couldn’t remember where I left my reading glasses. I don’t recall names and places as easily as I did.

It has been this way for awhile. Forgetfulness comes with aging. Who over 60, though, doesn’t forget? We often remember things from 50 years ago but not five minutes ago.

But this is serious. Because of the special counsel’s declaration — a gratuitous, drive-by smear that has become all too common in today’s politics — you are wondering whether I am up to this job.

I am of an advanced age, yes, but here’s the deal: with age comes experience, reflection and insight. When you get to 80, you remember things, many things. Remembering who we were, as a country, in the face of the challenges of today, is critical.

I remember when the conversation in America was civil, decent and respectful. A member of congress would never have insulted the president during his State of the Union Address, as happened to President Barack Obama.

I remember when a president would never swear in public, as Donald Trump did in referring to other countries. Or when a president would never have said “there are good people on both sides” at the march in Charlottesville, when we all knew those marchers were racists, antisemites and white supremacists.

I remember when the House of Representatives treated impeachment as the most powerful instrument it could yield, which is why it was seldom used. Yet the other day Congressional Republicans impeached the Secretary of Homeland Security, a Jewish-American whose family fled Cuba. There was no evidence — none — of “high crimes and misdemeanours.” That impeachment of a cabinet secretary hasn’t happened in nearly 150 years, and it was clearly a partisan hit job, which will be dismissed by the Senate.

I remember when a president, or former president, revered NATO. I will even admit to being alive when it was created in 1949 (though, contrary to popular belief, I wasn’t there, at age six.)

I remember an America that was the proud leader of the free world. I remember John K. Kennedy in Berlin, and Ronald Reagan there, too, affirming our commitment to that brave, embattled city in the Cold War.

I don’t remember a former president and prospective president ever encouraging our enemy — Russia or anyone else — to attack our allies, as Mr. Trump has. Breathtaking.

I remember when parties worked together. It was midwestern Republicans, for example, who were critical in passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which southern Democrats opposed.

I remember when Marco Rubio, Lindsey Graham, Elise Stefanik, J.D. Vance and many others criticized Mr. Trump, yet are now his champions. It’s a funny old world, isn’t it?

I remember when we read newspapers and watched television and believed things were true, sharing a common set of facts even if we disagreed on their interpretation.

I remember when we agreed that slavery caused the Civil War, that books shouldn’t be banned, that women should have access to abortion and Blacks should have the unfettered right to vote.

My fellow Americans, I remember when we were less mean, less vulgar, less angry, more generous, kind, and gracious.

I hope you will remember, that, too, and that you will take comfort in memory, as I do, to recall the people we were — and we can be again.

Andrew Cohen is a journalist, commentator and author of Two Days in June: John F. Kennedy and the 48 Hours That Made History.

Postmedia is committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion and encourage all readers to share their views on our articles. Comments may take up to an hour for moderation before appearing on the site. We ask you to keep your comments relevant and respectful. We have enabled email notifications—you will now receive an email if you receive a reply to your comment, there is an update to a comment thread you follow or if a user you follow comments. Visit our Community Guidelines for more information and details on how to adjust your email settings.

QOSHE - Cohen: Joe Biden's 'memory' problems — or America's amnesia? - Andrew Cohen
menu_open
Columnists Actual . Favourites . Archive
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close
Aa Aa Aa
- A +

Cohen: Joe Biden's 'memory' problems — or America's amnesia?

14 0
14.02.2024

The U.S. was once less mean, less vulgar, less angry, more generous, kind and gracious. Here's a speech the president might like to give.

“My Memory — and Yours”

Remarks by Joseph R. Biden, President of the United States

The White House, February 16, 2024

Check Against Delivery

My Fellow Americans,

I address you tonight on a matter of import and urgency. It is about memory, my memory.

To be direct, Robert Hur, the special counsel, says that I am “a sympathetic, elderly man with a poor memory.”

This has led my friends in the Republican Party, as well as some in my own party — and the media, too — to question my recall, my sharpness, even my fitness for this office.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

I am here this evening to tell you that they are wrong. My memory is fine.

Full disclosure: I am 81 years old. I can tell you, frankly, that I forget things. The other day, for example, I couldn’t remember where I left my reading glasses. I don’t recall names and places as easily as I did.

It has been this way for awhile.........

© Ottawa Citizen


Get it on Google Play