Joe Biden gave an important speech Thursday at the dedication of a library named after John McCain, but I wonder how many of the millions of people who needed to hear it were listening.
The president spoke of the threats facing American democracy not from abroad but right here at home.
He accurately identified the MAGA wing of the Republican Party as an extremist movement based on authoritarian, not democratic principles. He recounted the statements by Trump and his supporters that foretell an end to democracy if they become the law of the land.
Biden’s words were forceful but his delivery was flawed. He undermined his message by repeatedly noting that his comments weren’t “hyperbole.” Overuse of a word like that is never a good idea.
He spoke the truth but stylistically he blew it, and that’s a pity. Because his warning was most certainly not hyperbole.
***
Not everything in politics is political; some things are personal. Both Cindy McCain and Joe Biden broke down as they recalled their feelings for John McCain, who died five years ago from brain cancer.
Until yesterday, it was not widely known publicly that it was Biden who introduced the McCains to each other at a reception in Hawaii. As Senators in different parties, the men forged a friendship and working relationship based on mutual respect for their differences.
How much we could use that kind of civility in politics now…
HEADLINES:
Sen. Dianne Feinstein, a trailblazer in U.S. politics and the longest-serving woman in the Senate, dies at 90 (NBC)
Biden previews 2024 message by warning that Trump’s movement is a threat to American democracy (CNN)
Biden impeachment inquiry: Democrats say GOP doing Trump's bidding (ABC)
AOC accuses Republicans of fabricating Biden impeachment evidence (Guardian)
Shutdown odds grow as Senate, House advance separate spending plans (Reuters)
U.S. government starts notifying federal employees a shutdown may be imminent (WP)
How a government shutdown could cause chaos at airports (CBS)
Democrats dismiss McCarthy calls for Biden to deal on government shutdown (The Hill)
Suicide bombings rip through two mosques in Pakistan, killing at least 57 (Reuters)
Will a Judge’s Fraud Ruling Dismantle Trump’s New York Empire? (NYT)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom signs law to raise minimum wage for fast food workers to $20 per hour (AP)
Gen. Mark Milley, the outgoing chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said he is taking appropriate measures to ensure his safety after Trump suggested he is a traitor who deserves to be executed. [HuffPost]
The embarrassing GOP debate was a race to the bottom for the Republican Party (The Hill)
Donald Trump skipped the GOP debate again. This time, his rivals took him on directly (AP)
Suicide ‘everywhere’ among Afghan women, UN official tells Security Council (SCMP)
Taiwan unveiled its first domestically developed submarine, though it won't enter service for another two years. (Reuters)
Scientists spotted the deepest-living octopus in the sea. Researchers released video of one swimming off the Hawaiian coast this month. (WP)
How a Tiny Crew Struck a Blow Against China With a Wooden Boat and a Knife (WSJ)
In favour of simple writing (Economist)
Flying over Sanibel Island one year after Hurricane Ian provides dramatic views (FMNP)
ChatGPT users can now browse internet, OpenAI says (Reuters)
Mark Zuckerberg reveals Meta AI chatbot, his answer to ChatGPT (Cointelegraph)
Amazon launches its Bedrock generative AI service in general availability (TC)
CIA’s AI director says the new tech is our biggest threat, and resource (Politico)
Rethinking the Luddites in the Age of A.I. (New Yorker)
Tech bros like OpenAI's Sam Altman keep obsessing about replacing the 'median human' with AI (Insider)
Hollywood Writers Reached an AI Deal That Will Rewrite History (Wired)
Why the AI Race Is Getting Weird (The Information)
Will AI kill our creativity? It could – if we don’t start to value and protect the traits that make us human (The Conversation)
Cities across Northern California are turning to A.I. chatbots to answer residents’ questions and take in service requests about issues like potholes and graffiti (SFC)
Generation Derek: Born Between 5:04 And 5:05 P.M. On April 9, 1980, Meet The Generation That’s Just One Guy (The Onion)
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