Readers respond to last week’s Feedback Friday topic, which was:
President Biden’s Address to the Nation
Last week, President Joe Biden delivered a primetime televised address to our nation from Philadelphia, the theme of which White House officials characterized as “the battle for the soul of the nation.” During his speech the president discussed “how our rights and freedoms are still under attack…[and made] clear who is fighting for those rights, fighting for those freedoms, and fighting for our democracy,” according to the White House. Blaming conservatives and more specifically Trump-influenced extremism for the “attacks on democracy,” however, does beg the question if the President’s address did more to divide our nation or rally it together?
What do you think of last week's Presidential address and his characterization of threats to our nation’s democracy?
Here’s what you said:
"President" Biden does nothing but but embarrass this country and destroy it one day at a time. By calling out a group and mis-representing what it stands for is just causing more divide. Biden and his administration ironically are the ones that are attacking our countries democracy. THEY are the ones causing divide. THEY are the ones that are making Americans suffer at their hand. THEY are the ones that are tarnishing the soul of the nation by their corruptness.
Jill Hannon, Annapolis
I believe President Biden was trying to alert us to a clear and present danger to our country and our constitution. The far-right MAGA group are intent on establishing an unassailable grip on our elections and our freedoms, in an all-out power grab, with Trump the driving force behind it. If they are not stopped, we will evolve into anarchy within a few short years. We need more speeches like this from responsible leaders in both parties, before it's too late.
Al DiCenso, Easton
I thought that the president should have made this speech much sooner. I thought he did an excellent and courageous job of it. My only concern is that when he said that we must "fight" for our rights, it might have been misunderstood by the extremists as the same sort of rhetoric that Trump used when he exhorted them to march on the Capitol on 1/6. Of course, Mr. Biden told us the way to fight was to "vote, vote, vote." However, extremists will hear what they want to hear.
Paula McDermott, Severna Park
It was horrible! He is dividing this Nation more and more!!!! God help us!
Sandra Wieland, Easton
Unfortunately it was accurate and timely.
Susan Hale, Stevensville
Trump is the main person dividing the country!
Biden is correct.
I pray that people will see this & what could happen if Trump & cronies get their way!
Carolyn Councell, Pasadena
It was a much needed speech and excellent covering many critical issues!!
Joan Arnold, Annapolis
In light of so much confusion over facts, I think anyone can understand at least these few simple facts. The Hunter Biden laptop is real. Who lied to you about it for a year and a half? Who censored that story when it was so obviously not Russian disinformation? Trump was impeached over a bogus Russian collusion narrative which was traced back to the Clinton campaign. What else do you need to know to figure out who is threatening this country?
Julia Jones, Edgewater
This speech was not what I had hoped for. It was more of a campaign speech than a unifying speech. MAGA was mentioned numerous times as an undesirable element within our country without one mention of the radical left. This seemed to be decisive to me. No solutions for the division between the right and the left political forces in out country were presented. The President did make a point to say that there are moderate republicans (I cannot remember his precise wording), however he never pointed to the damaging effects of the policies that have been instituted by the politicians on the left. I have faith that we as a nation will work through our differences - - but it will take a leader who respects all law abiding Americans, the laws of our land, and the protections of our freedom. Now where might he or she be?
Regina Warren, Arnold
He's a fantastic projectionist. He chooses to classify his fellow countrymen as political secessionists, using terminology that is more appropriate for his party. They are the ones that have created violent unrest for years but classify that unrest as peaceful voicing of their justified opinions. He said he was going to be a great unifier but proved that he is nothing but divisive. Holy unacceptable behavior of accusing the other party of being "forces", and doing all this standing in front of military personnel. That speech marked a moment as dark for this country as Hitler's speeches in the 1930s. We need to get back to civility.
R G, Easton
President Biden is absolutely correct. With their lies about the 2020 election results and the difficulties thrown at many folks wanting to vote, the MAGA Republicans are working hard to crush our democracy. Freedoms Americans have cherished for decades are being banished. It's shameful.
Mimi Armstrong, Riva
Sounds like a fascist manifesto where the federal government controls every breath we are allowed to take.
Melvin Kelly, Severn
I was saddened to see such a display from the leader of our nation. Evidently President Biden thinks former President Trumps playbook was so good as to be mimicked and even exploited.While accusing Republicans of extremes, this speech presents Democrats as the most extreme and most controlling of the parties before us. Fear-mongering is not new but to this extreme is an embarrassment to our democratic process. THIS is a threat to democracy- when opposing ideas can no longer be considered or discussed we have entered the most dangerous of times. I have proudly voted Democrat in the past but I am embarrassed by the lack of dignity and respect.
Donna Lucas, Annapolis
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