President Biden Calls for Unity, Civility, and Truth in his Inaugural Address

 In sharp contrast to Donald Trump's American Carnage Inaugural Address, President Joe Biden, the 15th former Vice President to rise to the Presidency, called for unity, civility, and truth in his first remarks as Nations' New Chief Executive to the American People.

Please click here to read a transcript of the speech.

[caption id="attachment_103550" align="alignnone" width="311"] Photo from Boston 25 News[/caption]

Among the notable excerpts of the new President's address were:

• "This is democracy’s day, a day of history and hope, of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew, and America has risen to the challenge. Today we celebrate the triumph, not of a candidate, but of a cause, the cause of democracy. The people, the will of the people, has been heard, and the will of the people has been heeded. We’ve learned again that democracy is precious. Democracy is fragile. And at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed."

 

• "But the American story depends not on any one of us, not on some of us, but on all of us, on we the people, who seek a more perfect union. This is a great nation. We are good people. And over the centuries, through storm and strife, in peace and in war, we’ve come so far, but we still have far to go. We’ll press forward with speed and urgency, for we have much to do in this winter of peril and significant possibilities. Much to repair, much to restore, much to heal, much to build, and much to gain. Few people in our nation’s history have been more challenged or found a time more challenging or difficult than the time we’re in now. Once in a century virus, it silently stalks the country. It’s taken as many lives in one year as America lost in all of World War II. Millions of jobs have been lost. Hundreds of thousands of businesses closed. A cry for racial justice some 400 years in the making moves us. The dream of justice for all will be deferred no longer. A cry for survival comes from planet itself. A cry that can’t be any more desperate or any more clear, and now arise political extremism, white supremacy, domestic terrorism that we must confront and we will defeat."
• "To overcome these challenges, to restore the soul and secure the future of America requires so much more than words and requires the most elusive of all things in a democracy, unity. Unity."
• "History, faith and reason show the way, the way of unity. We can see each other, not as adversaries, but as neighbors. We can treat each other with dignity and respect. We can join forces, stop the shouting and lower the temperature. For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury. No progress, only exhausting outrage. No nation, only a state of chaos. This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge and unity is the path forward. And we must meet this moment as the United States of America. If we do that, I guarantee you we will not fail. We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we’ve acted together."
• "Recent weeks and months have taught us a painful lesson. There is truth and there are lies. Lies told for power and for profit. Each of us has the duty and responsibility as citizens, as Americans, and especially as leaders, leaders who have pledged to honor our constitution and protect our nation, to defend the truth and defeat the lies."
• "We must end this uncivil war that pits red against blue, rural versus urban, conservative versus liberal. We can do this, if we open our souls instead of hardening our hearts. If we show a little tolerance and humility. And if we’re willing to stand in the other person’s shoes, as my mom would say, just for a moment, stand in their shoes. Because here’s the thing about life. There’s no counting for what fate will deal you. Some days when you need a hand, or other days when we’re called to lend a hand. That’s how it has to be. That’s what we do for one another. And if we are this way, our country will be stronger, more prosperous, more ready for the future."
• "My fellow Americans, in the work ahead of us, we’re going to need each other. We need all our strength to persevere through this dark winter. We’re entering what may be the toughest and deadliest period of the virus. We must set aside politics and finally face this pandemic as one nation. One nation."
• "My first act as President, I’d like to ask you to join me in a moment of silent prayer to remember all those who we lost this past year to the pandemic, those 400,000 fellow Americans, moms, dads, husband, wives, daughters, sons, coworkers. We will honor them by becoming the people and the nation we know we can and should be. Let’s say a silent prayer for those who lost their lives and for those left behind and for our country. Amen."
•  "My fellow Americans, I close the day where I began, with a sacred oath, before God and all of you. I give you my word, I will always level with you. I will defend the constitution. I’ll defend our democracy. I’ll defend America. And I will give all, all of you, keep everything I do in your service, thinking not of power, but of possibility, the public good. Together, we shall write an American story of hope, not fear, of unity, not division, of light, not darkness, a story of decency and dignity, love and healing, greatness and goodness." 

Lincoln once said, "A house divided against itself can not stand."

Those words were true when Lincoln said them in 1858 and the themes of that speech were largely reaffirmed by President Biden in his inaugural address to the American People.

The country can not move forward without unity of spirit among its people, civility towards those who are different or do not share the same views, and a dedication to subscribing to actual facts and truths.

President Biden struck the right notes in his first speech to the American People.

It is a good start to what will hopefully be a pleasant return to the American Ideal and Dream for the country and the people.