Never Again

More Nostalgia for Normalcy

I Once more, a step back to less than 2 months ago, a respite from the unfaithful, unserious, treacherous mainstream press. It’s slightly gauzy, especially when touching briefly about my own experiences as a child, but then, I am purposely tying the present and past together. And as I did when I was very young, I’m squinting into an imagined future, this time looking for the continuation of this 250 year old experiment.

Finding comfort in America’s traditional respect and honor for the men and women who fought and served during both wartime and peace, I turn towards President Biden and the 80-year Anniversary of D-Day where he again gained back respect of our NATO allies who, after the betrayal of the former President, indeed an entire U.S. political party, simply have no reason for trusting America again.

A recording of the entire speech is below, but I wanted to focus on the ending. As we have seen our institutions infiltrated by Republican rot I’m quite afraid American democracy is already lost and I’m simply in denial. Regardless, I’m bound to fight as there’s no other option. There will never be another choice, another doctrine, another philosophy, another country, not for me.

So understand, I despise all bullies. I only hope that my efforts along with every likeminded person will make a difference, will we again pass this test for the ages. As my grandparents passed this test before me.

Excerpt from Remarks by President Biden Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of D-Day | Collevile-sur-Mer, France

To surrender to bullies, to bow down to dictators is simply unthinkable. 

In their generation, in their hour of trial, the Allied forces of D-Day did their duty.  Now the question for us is: In our hour of trial, will we do ours?

We’re living in a time when democracy is more at risk across the world than at any point since the end of the World War Two — since these beaches were stormed in 1944. 

Now, we have to ask ourselves: Will we stand against tyranny, against evil, against crushing brutality of the iron fist? 

Will we stand for freedom?  Will we defend democracy?  Will we stand together?  (Applause.)

My answer is yes.  And it only can be yes.  (Applause.)

We’re not far off from the time when the last living voices of those who fought and bled on D-Day will no longer be with us.  So, we have a special obligation.  We cannot let what happened here be lost in the silence of the years to come.  We must remember it, must honor it, and live it. 

And we must remember: The fact that they were heroes here that day does not absolve us from what we have to do today. 

Democracy is never guaranteed.  Every generation must preserve it, defend it, and fight for it.  That’s the test of the ages. 

In memory of those who fought here, died here, literally saved the world here, let us be worthy of their sacrifice.  Let us be the generation that when history is written about our time — in 10, 20, 30, 50, 80 years from now — it will be said: When the moment came, we met the moment.  We stood strong.  Our alliances were made stronger.  And we saved democracy in our time as well. 

Thank you very much. 

And may God bless you all.  And may God protect our troops.

Thank you.  (Applause.) 

Lazy prodemocracy pundits bemoaned President Biden’s less than rockstar performance.

The President, however, was appropriately reserved and appropriately stated democracies are threatened across the globe today. He was a normal, stable, sane, patriotic American President who I admire as a leader and as a person.

Joe Biden is the normal President the world is praying America reelects.

In stark contrast, on the 80-year Anniversary of D-Day, soon-to-be convicted felon Donald Trump was sleeping and farting during his criminal trial in Manhattan and whining to the press about the unfairness of it all, his victimized act an absolute affront to those who served and defeated fascism, especially those who payed for our current freedoms with their lives. We can never repay their sacrifice and their family’s sacrifice for such a tremendous loss.

In Memoriam

This Nostalgia for Normalcy is dedicated to my father’s parents, Salvatore and Francis Vitale. My grandfather fought in WWII and returned home to raise a family in what was then a small suburb next to Piedmont Park in Atlanta. He and my grandmother were working middle class and raised three children. I could not be more proud of them both, cliche it may be, but truly they were made of sterner material than many of us today. Though, as their first grandchild, they were delighted with my very existence, my grandfather walking quietly and patiently with me from playground to playground in Piedmont Park for hours, my grandmother teaching me how to shuffle cards, and play Crazy Eights, Gin Rummy, Blackjack and a little Poker on their porch. Both taking me to many bingo games at the local Knights of Columbus. It was a different time, but they were soft with me and I always knew I was loved.

Thank you for your patience with this piece. My devotion to our democracy is traceable from several memorable events in my life, but it began with Salvatore and Francis Vitale. I wish I could thank them today. I that I knew then what they fiercely protected me from, the knowledge that democracy is fragile and we have to intentionally protect it everyday.

President Biden’s full speech on May 6, 2024 Colleville-sur-Mer, France