If the Biden Administration’s obituary were written today, it might start like this: “He played with fire.”
It’s not that the politics of Joe Biden came as any big surprise. He was not Donald Trump, so check Box No. 1. And, although Biden used the COVID pandemic to avoid scrutiny from the media (a topic for another day), voters pretty much understood that Democrats have a certain approach to government and life. Republicans have another. There would be changes in electing Biden, but not life-altering changes.
Then, it all went downhill.
First and perhaps foremost, Team Biden fouled up the COVID response. They said they’d defeat the pandemic. In fact, Biden himself actually proclaimed he was defeated as of July 4, 2021, even as the Delta Variant surged through the country. It exposed him as a hopeful liar. More Americans have now died under Biden than Trump. The Biden response? Unpopular mandates throwing people out of work and students out of school if they don’t get the vaccination. His leadership has been anything but clear and inspiring.
On top of that comes inflation and a steep rise in gasoline and food prices. The woes of that are compounded by “supply chain” issues, translating into frightening shortages in goods and services.
So, here we sit. No longer talking about how the finer points of the Biden spin on the Democratic approach to government differs from the Trump approach.
We’re talking about real fear for what tomorrow may bring.
In the world of American politics, that’s playing with fire.
So, while it may be too early to definitively write the Biden Administration’s obituary, consider this a good first draft.
CRIME IN THE CITY
I had to laugh at the news that the city moms and dads of San Francisco are now holding hands with the tourism industry to offer a $100,000 reward for the arrest and conviction of smash-n-grab crimes. Here’s the silly part: The reward only kicks in if you can help prove that organized crime was behind a smash-n-grab.
What a pile of misdirection and malarkey.
The problem that jeopardizes residents and visitors in San Francisco isn’t the Tony Spilatro crowd. The problem is San Francisco’s elected District Attorney and his enablers, who think jailing petty criminals — like smash-n-grabbers — is somehow not doing real justice.
Until San Francisco changes that crazy idea, the city will always be a cesspool of petty crime.
As for the contention that organized crime is now into stealing suitcases out of the cars of tourists?
I’m not buying it.
WHAT I’M WATCHING
I caught the new Bond flick last week. My one word review: Meh.
It was almost as if the writers, the director and Craig himself were forced to make the movie against their will.
Very disappointed!
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“We refuse to become the vaccination police for any government” — In-N-Out’s legal department after San Francisco temporarily shut down their Wharf location on Oct. 14. (See story on Page A1.)
ONE MORE THING
— I’m not saying my mother orders too much from Amazon, but she just received a wedding invitation from one of their drivers.
— Marin weather went from 90 to 55 like it just saw a CHP trooper on the 101 in San Rafael.
— I once saw a little boy dressed like a pirate for Halloween. I asked, “Where are your buccaneers?” The little devil replied “Under my buccanhat!”
— If you use your GPS to drive to the cemetery, will it say: “You have reached your final destination.”
— Please share this picture to raise awareness of the plight of cats trapped in a folk music environment.
That’ll do for this week. Agree with me or no, thanks for reading. Until next time, be kind, laugh a little and always question authority.
(Sherman R. Frederick is an award-winning journalist and founder of Battle Born Media, a news-based media company dedicated to the preservation of community news. In California, Battle Born Media publishes the Novato Advance, San Rafael News-Pointer, Mill Valley Herald, Ross Valley Reporter, Twin City Times and the Sausalito Marin Scope. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@gmail.com.)
Dee Vela says
It is such a pleasure to read your column. It is about time that someone on our side tells it like it is. We need more of you to balance out all the liberal columns. Your sense of humor adds even more to your column. Thank you. Sherman.