A darker State of the Union
Regarding “Editorial: Biden ditches teleprompter, finds groove in State of the Union,” (Feb. 8): I must have been watching a different State of the Union than the one described in the editorial. We reached record inflation and record national debt. There is a looming threat of World War III. There was collusion between mainstream media, Big Tech, the FBI and the Department of Justice. Some of our schools are teaching critical race theory, and we have drag queen “storytimes.” Chinese spy balloons have traversed our country. And on and on.
President Joe Biden said that “we’re going to need oil for at least another decade.” Really? He shuts down pipelines, makes it almost impossible to drill and now says we need oil for at least 10 more years.
Does he have a clue how long it takes or how much money it costs to build a refinery? If you were running one of these companies, would you invest millions or billions of dollars if you knew you only had 10 more years?
And talking about breaking decorum — what about Nancy Pelosi tearing up President Donald Trump’s State of the Union speech?
The editorial was a complete 180 from reality.
H. Dan Miller, Houston
Regarding “Biden in State of Union exhorts Congress: ‘Finish the job’,” (Feb. 6): The Associated Press lead article on Wednesday’s front page fails to capture the tone and substance of President Biden’s address and Congress’ response. The mood of the president was relaxed and upbeat, and his audience was largely respectful and responsive to his report of initiatives and achievements during his first two years in office. Speaker Kevin McCarthy often joined in the applause and called down hecklers who interrupted the address, but the president politely and enthusiastically engaged them and seemed to enjoy the back and forth. Persons in the news and their families were invited to the address and were warmly received by the body. The president’s performance belied his age and quieted the noise that he is too old and lacks the vigor to inspire and lead our nation.
H. Clay Moore, Dickinson
If confusion and lies are Biden’s “groove,” it only confirms who many already see as a fool who’s in over his head, and we’re in worse trouble than we thought. The editorial says, “Count us among those Americans who have been dubious about our octogenarian president’s plan to seek a second term. After Tuesday night’s State of the Union, count us among those who are happy to stand corrected.” The Chronicle has never seemed truly “dubious” about a second Biden term. Before the speech, it seems only gushing praise of Biden appeared in your paper, and I suspect we’ll see even more of it now. If one confusing speech with exaggerated claims is all it takes to bring the Chronicle to phony claims of awakening and repentance, you come cheap.
J. Jones, La Porte
While most of us are fully aware of how, during a State of the Union address, the opposing party is usually sulking and refuses to applaud even the most minor of topics, the absolute ignorance, disrespect and childishness displayed by the majority of those Republicans present is astonishing to say the least. While today’s Republican Party seems to be filled with election deniers and other assorted conspiracy theorists, I really wonder, is there anyone out there who is proud to say they are a Republican? Pat Reagin, Montgomery
Marjorie Taylor Green’s behavior and wardrobe choice were more suitable to ESPN’s “Friday Night Fights” or an episode of “WrestleMania.” If I were her mother, I would get out my wooden spoon, give her a few whacks and then send her to her room for at least a week. What happened to common decency?
Barbara Quattro, Houston
I love it. Biden appealed to the GOP to help “rebuild” the economy after he helped break it. What chutzpah.
Jon Elmendorf, Houston
While I could spend considerable time refuting most of what our president said, the most important question is: Are you better off than you were two years ago? Brian Binash, Houston