I listened carefully to President Biden’s speech from the Oval Office tonight [October 19, 2023]. To the extent that he called for Congress to provide funding so that the U.S. could serve as the “arsenal of democracy” for Ukraine and Israel, it was an excellent speech.
Near the end of his speech, the President also importantly stated:
“Time is of the essence. I know we have our divisions at home. We have to get past them.
“We can't let petty partisan petty politics get in the way of the responsibilities of a great nation.
“We cannot and will not let terrorists like Hamas and Putin win. I refuse to let that happen.
“In moments like these we have to remember who we are. We're the United States of America, and there's nothing, nothing beyond our capacity if we do it together.”
I also fully agree with that. So, what are the main causes of our divisions?
There are no matters that have divided the country more than:
• The two impeachments of President Trump;
• The bringing of criminal charges against President Trump and his supporters;
• The charges that Hunter Biden has been guilty of taking Ukrainian, Russian and Chinese monies.
• The charge that Ukrainian, Russian and Chinese monies have been funneled to President Biden, and that he is “corrupt.”
The “vitriol” (to use President Biden’s word) that had resulted from the accusations and counter-accusations has made it impossible for Republicans and Democrats in Washington to work together to solve the real problems of the country.
President Biden has to power the put an end to this division, vitriol and hatred that have crippled the House and the Senate for the past six years, and to “bind up” or least try to “bind up” the nation’s political wounds. He should use his constitutional powers to put an end to the above diversions. He should do what Lincoln wanted to do after the Civil War, and what President Andrew Johnson actually did. USE THE PARDON POWER!
If he is serious in wanting a united country, and Congressmen and Senators who can work together, now is the time to:
• Fully pardon former-President Trump and all those in his administration for any and all crimes they committed, or arguably committed, during the 2016 campaign through the end of President Trump’s term of President, including claims arising out of the so-called insurrection, and the mishandling of classified documents.
• He should also pardon himself and his son, Hunter, for any and all crimes they committed, or arguably committed, during the years of the Obama, Trump and Biden administrations, including claims for the mishandling of classified documents,
The choice is clear: Continue to snipe across the aisle or work across it.
First Published in the Moline Dispatch and Rock Island Argus on October 23, 2023.
Copyright 2023, John Donald O'Shea
Copyright 2023, John Donald O'Shea
