Good morning. I’m trying to figure out what to call this. Morning shots? Morning takes? Dailies? I mean, it’s a ‘Big Waste of Time’. Let’s start the morning off with some music. It seems like a good morning for Filter’s ‘Take a Picture’
Inauguration Day
I tried to wait a few days to let my overall view of the inauguration sink in.
President Donald Trump’s second inaugural address, delivered on January 20, 2025, was met with mixed reactions and criticism for several reasons which I’ll lay out below:
Tone and Content
Trump’s speech was characterized by a grim portrayal of America, which some found to be at odds with the traditional optimism of inaugural addresses. Instead of focusing on unity and hope, Trump painted a bleak picture of the country he was inheriting, describing it as a “failed nation”. This approach diverged from the customary themes of inaugural speeches, which typically aim to inspire and unite the nation.
Divisive Rhetoric
Rather than attempting to bridge political divides, Trump’s speech continued to employ divisive language. He criticized past leadership, implying corruption and incompetence without directly naming his predecessor or other politicians. This approach may have alienated a significant portion of the population and failed to address the need for national unity.
Lack of Specific Vision
While Trump made sweeping promises about ushering in a “golden age of America,” his speech was light on specific policy details or a clear vision for the future. The vagueness of his promises and the hyperbolic nature of his statements (“greater, stronger, and far more exceptional than ever before”) contributed to the speech feeling flat and uninspiring. There were no details on what was going to make this happen or how. I’ve been saying to all the MAGA: America has always been great.
Repetition of Campaign Themes
Instead of offering a fresh perspective for his second term, Trump largely repeated themes from his campaign rallies. This recycling of familiar talking points may have made the speech feel stale and lacking in new inspiration for those who had followed his campaign closely.
Focus on Controversial Policies
Trump’s emphasis on controversial policies, such as declaring a national energy emergency, promoting fossil fuels, and promising mass deportations, may have overshadowed any attempts at inspiration. These divisive topics likely resonated with his base but failed to provide a unifying message for the broader American public.
A slight highlight is all of the talk about George Bush’s expression.
The Evening….
Lots of jokes have circulated of Milania not wanting to kiss him. You tell me from the video.
After the inauguration, there was a dance and a cake-cutting ceremony. We won’t even get into how weird that got. But, then he wanted to thank all of those most important to him. Short video below.
January 6th
The pardoning of individuals who violently attacked police officers during the January 6th Capitol riot exposes a glaring hypocrisy. For years, many politicians and supporters championed the slogan “Back the Blue” and criticized those who questioned law enforcement. Yet, when it came to the officers who bravely defended the Capitol on that fateful day, facing brutal assaults and sustaining severe injuries, that support seemingly evaporated. The decision to pardon those who committed these violent acts against law enforcement not only undermines the sacrifices made by the officers but also sends a troubling message that assaulting police is acceptable under certain political circumstances. This stark contradiction between rhetoric and action raises serious questions about the true nature of support for law enforcement and the selective application of justice based on political affiliations.
There are some Republicans with integrity. Those that will call it out.
Another officer speaks out.
Lastly….
I’m heading to watch the Farmers Golf Tournament with some friends. It’s one of the events I look forward to most all year. Friends, brews (I’m taking a golf tournament reprieve from my dry January), and golf—what could go wrong?
An excellent story is this guy, Calvin McCall—San Diego native, who we’ll be following.
