For there is always light. Thread #123 is belong to President Biden

[PerkingFaintly]

"For there is always light
If only we're brave enough to see it
If only we're brave enough to be it."

— Amanda Gorman, 20 Jan 2021, inauguration of President Joe R Biden

Moving on from the Trump threads, last one here:

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4141056-Its-officially-time-to-say-ta-ta-to-Trump-its-inauguration-day-trump-122

Well Biden is in, so no more blaming it on trump, everything from now on is down to him.

So if Biden can't actually find all the children that were separated from their parents by the Trump government and reunite them, it's down to Biden?

If they find that any of those children were taken by traffickers it's down to Biden?

When (not if) covid deaths in the US exceed half a million - it's down to Biden?

rock on.

I loathe the concept of Self ID and regard trans men in women' s sport as cheats

I absolutely agree with this. I just do not think this executive order provides a blanket approval for self ID and access to women's sport/women's spaces. There needs to be some nuanced thinking and planning around this everywhere to ensure women have safe spaces and protection whilst also not tarring every transwoman with the 'must be a predatory male looking to invade' brush. All the transwomen I know personally (and there are quite a few) are nothing like that, and they get so much hate from women it just isn't real. Or acceptable.

And as I said above, there is much good in this executive order in terms of protection against discrimination by (mostly) so-called Christians.

Rachel Levine's appointment is possibly a concern
but TBH she has been doing a good job in PA and will be worrying much more about COVID
and
as a Trans doctor might just have an understanding of Chromosome biology.

If the EO means that homophobic attacks in red states can be better prosecuted
then it will be for the good.

I loathe the concept of Self ID and regard trans men in women' s sport as cheats

I don't get this - the usual stance on MN is that trans men are women (not my view) so why would a trans man be a cheat if they are on the women's team?
So you're saying that trans men should be in the mens races?
Trans women can compete in women's teams then with no problem too if that's the case

@gwenneh

Our appt is this morning. We're sort of holding our breaths and probably will be until the shot's in our arms. Good luck and fingers crossed for yours.

You know, I actually feel a sort of void in my 'worry-spot'. You know, that constant little 'hum' that reminds you that you need to be worrying. I was worried about why I wasn't so worried, then I remembered that Trump's gone so that worry is gone, too. I'm sure I'll find something to replace it with.

"Second Gentleman" ?

Odd tiniest piece of history to be seeing made before your eyes.

I guess it works in symmetry with the other appellations. But would it make the partner of a female POTUS "First gentleman" ? Kind a weird quasi Victorian or even Georgian sound to it ...

Also known as FGOTUS

Here is the latest QAnon/cult followers theory. Try not to laugh...

Sounds like something an FBI mole would disseminate to appease the nutters.

@DuncinToffee

Also known as FGOTUS

Is it just me who reads that acroynm and FGS pops into my head?

Not just you, RTB...

I doubt it Red

I don’t think Trump accepted responsibility for any of the mistakes, cockups, disasters and faux pas he made during his tenure.

He was however absolutely willing to accept responsibility for all the good stuff that came out of the presidency before him, like the improved economy and lower jobless rates; he claimed those for himself.

DGRossetti
"Second Gentleman" ?
Odd tiniest piece of history to be seeing made before your eyes.
I guess it works in symmetry with the other appellations. But would it make the partner of a female POTUS "First gentleman" ? Kind a weird quasi Victorian or even Georgian sound to it ...

Male partners of female monarchs are more likely to be called either "the Duke of Somewhere" or "the Prince consort". So Victorian is easy, because Albert was Prince Consort.

The wives of the various Georges were called "the Queen Consort".

No first or second has ever needed to be involved; the "consort" title has been in place since about Ælfthryth in 973. (She was the first king's wife who was actually crowned, I think.)

Ah yeah typical run on blaming Trump for rest of the 4yrs sure go on, carry on.

If the states ballsed up their vaccination strategies then you cant blame republicans plenty of democrat states who have messed up.

Oh and when whatever women's rights left have now gone and this has a negative effect who will you blame...or sorry I know your answer will be Trump lmao

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Mind you FLOTUS always makes me think of floating things...
Which isn't good either.

Sorry.

RedToothBrush
"Also known as FGOTUS"
Is it just me who reads that acroynm and FGS pops into my head?

It came across as "forgotus" to me.

Amazing you eveb defend Biden and those who were in tears when he was inaugurated. And now he is removing womens rights and you still defend him.

Shame on you!

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Didn't stay up for the whole of the concert. I was getting a bit depressed by the Covid restrictions. Made me realise how much performers need an audience and multiple lighting crews. Not so bad for Bon Jovi in Florida, but poor Brucie was left shivering all on his own in the dark at the Lincoln Memorial. He was wearing gloves up till the moment he started playing. Garth Brooks fell a bit flat when he asked the audience to sing-along with the last verse. Dead silence. Everyone muffled by masks, too far apart for togetherness.

Thinking back, the most joyful parts of the day were when there was human contact, hugging and mingling as in the Biden and Harris families walking down to the White House and the balcony appearances looked good. Must catch up with the fireworks.

I think abortion/planned parenthood is going to be a bigger issue than trans rights. There was a question at the press conference from someone asking what Biden was planning to do about restoring funding withdrawn from women's health agencies overseas. Jen finished her non-committal reply by reminding the reporter that President Biden is a devout Catholic.

Oh where are those pro trump riots? Ah that's because it anti goverment riots taking place.

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I think abortion/planned parenthood is going to be a bigger issue than trans rights. There was a question at the press conference from someone asking what Biden was planning to do about restoring funding withdrawn from women's health agencies overseas. Jen finished her non-committal reply by reminding the reporter that President Biden is a devout Catholic.
On teh other hand the current Pope is from Argentina - a country that just legalised abortion
and nominally Catholic countries like Italy have some of the the lowest birth rates in the world.

Contraception, maternal health care, nursery education and abortion
all tie into the BLM / equality / opportunity agenda

so I think that Trump's loading of the Supreme court may not make much of a difference to the national mood.

What did I miss concert/late night wise?
I was going to stay up but I fell asleep
Katy Perry was there, some fireworks and Tom Hanks according to telly this morning?

It may be that the most actually important EO Biden signed of the seventeen comes under "Ethics"

"Requires executive branch appointees to sign an ethics pledge barring them from acting in personal interest and requiring them to uphold the independence of the Department of Justice."

The question though is, what will the penalties be for failure to stick to that? Do executive branch appointees who can be proved to be acting out of self interest get anything other than removed from their jobs?

President Biden's use of Oval Office decor from previous administrations is not really down to his frugality; it's normal practice. There is not enough time to have new curtains, rug, sofas, etc. made by the inauguration of a new president so the incoming administration gets to choose from what is in storage from previous administrations or they just use what their predecessor had.

President Biden will have funds to redecorate (mainly curtains, sofas, the two Gainsborough style aka "Martha Washington" chairs, and the rug) at some point during his term. Of course, he may choose not to do it, but he can if he wants to.