Quote for the Day…

So, on this night, in our 245th year as a nation, I have come to report on the State of the Union. And my report is this: the State of the Union is strong—because you, the American people, are strong. We are stronger today than we were a year ago. And we will be stronger a year from now than we are today. Now is our moment to meet and overcome the challenges of our time. And we will, as one people. One America. The United States of America. – President Joe Biden

In today’s column, I take a quick look at these people/issues:

• State of the Union
• Greg and the Lion
• The Western Word Poll

STATE OF THE UNION:

It seemed like it would be a typical partisan night, but at the beginning of his speech, President Joe Biden received applause and standing ovations from both sides of the aisle.

The subject was Ukraine and Vladimir Putin.

I have always had a problem with Presidents telegraphing what they won’t do when it comes to conflicts.

Biden said, “Our forces are not going to Europe to fight in Ukraine, but to defend our NATO Allies – in the event that Putin decides to keep moving west.”

I believe you never let your enemy know what you won’t do. Keep them guessing.

Then the topic turned to COVID-19 and there were still some moments of bipartisanship, but they were waning.

Then Biden mentioned the American Rescue Plan and the partisanship came back in and that was about it.

There were some other topics of agreement, like capping the cost of insulin at $35 a month, and to not “Defund” the police, but to “Fund” the police with the resources and training they need to protect communities. They also agreed on fighting the opioid epidemic, support of veterans, and fighting cancer.

Biden mentioned banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, repealing the liability shield for gun manufacturers, but I doubt we see any legislation dealing with gun control happen.

Biden went off his prepared remarks with this:

“Talk to most responsible gun owners and hunters — they’ll tell you there’s no possible justification for having a hundred rounds in a weapon. What, do you think deer are wearing Kevlar vests?”

I’m not a constitutional scholar, but I don’t think the Second Amendment mentions deer. It does say, “A well-regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”

That does not mean I think everyone should be able to own tanks and rockets, but we should understand the Second Amendment.

One nice thing is that Biden announced that if you already ordered free COVID tests, you can order more from covidtests.gov starting next week.

Something that I think is ridiculous is that three Democrats (besides Biden) were giving responses to the SOTU. (Source) I believe a couple of Republicans did it years ago when George W. Bush was President – it was stupid then.

It shows a lack of unity.

You can read the SOTU speech HERE.

GREG AND THE LION:

The Washington Post ran a story on March 1 reporting that on public land north of Yellowstone National Park late last year, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte (R) shot and killed a mountain lion that was being monitored by National Park Service staff, after hunting dogs had chased it up a tree.

This happened on December 28. I am not sure I saw any articles about it until now.

Gianforte and his friends say it was all done legally. Others don’t agree.

You can read the article by clicking HERE (paywall?) and draw your conclusion.

THE WESTERN WORD POLL:

On Friday, President Joe Biden nominated Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson to Serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court. (Source)

Today’s poll question asks, “Would you vote to confirm Ketanji Brown Jackson to serve as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court?”

The results will be released on Thursday.

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