An inflection point in history

Created
Sat, 21/10/2023 - 00:00
Updated
Sat, 21/10/2023 - 00:00
But not just in foreign affairs Joe Biden’s Oval Office speech Thursday night is yet another example of how his life and his faith have shaped him. This is not going to be an apologia for his failings, but rather a review of whether, despite Americans’ chest-thumping about their faith, they really mean what they say. Biden does. “Biden’s throwback, almost corny optimisim about the country he’s spent his life serving feels authentic. When he says he’s not kidding, he’s not kidding,” I wrote just yesterday. When he said last night, “We’re facing an inflection point in history,” he says it with an almost George Bailey sincerity. He emphasized “the humanity of innocent Palestinians who only want to live in peace and have an opportunity.” Biden called out recent waves of antisemitism and Islamophobia at home. We can’t stand by and stand silent when this happens. We must without equivocation denounce antisemitism. We must also without equivocation denounce Islamophobia. And to all you hurting, those of you who are hurting, I want you to know I see you. You belong. And I want to say this to you: You’re all America. You’re all America. Biden drew a quick parallel between Russian atrocities in Bucha, Ukraine and Hamas butchery in Israel. He spent much of his brief address reminding Americans, members of Congress, and NATO allies that their interests and security are bound up with Ukraine’s as well as with non-NATO Israel’s. American leadership is what holds the world together. American…