General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Other Side Of Joe Biden
Rarely do I watch Joe Biden give a speech or an interview without looking for some evidence, in his eyes or the lines of his face, of the fact that he lost half of his young family when he was 30 years old. It is inconceivable to me, always has been, but especially in the years since I became a father. For all his goofballism, Biden has gone through a crucible that I cannot imagine. And he did so when he was 30, an adult, already deeply invested in the life he was building.
Thats not to diminish the tragedies that children endure. But at 30 years old to lose your wife and baby daughter, to almost lose your two toddler sons, and to somehow carry on? It truly baffles me. I know everyone says you do what you have to do. But thats not really true. You dont. You could curl up in the fetal position, if not literally then emotionally, and shrivel up. Im more certain that thats what I would do than I am confident I would find a way to persevere. But Biden has been through it. Hes seen hell and been back.
That he served his entire 36-year Senate career after that searing experience in December 1972, shortly after winning election, and then went on to become vice president, adds some drama to the story, I suppose. But for me the emotional highlight is just him getting out of bed the next day, and the day after that, and the one after that.
Which brings me to Joe Bidens speech today in Shanksville, Penn., commemorating the victims of Sept. 11, 2001. The speech is marvelously and sensitively written. But rendered by Biden, drawing on his own life experience, in rhetorical ways that are not ostentatious and which dont try to elevate his own story above those of the victims families, it packs a wallop that still makes me cut him a lot of slack for his sometime inexplicable goofiness.
From the transcript provided by the White House:
( Reading this speech from his perspective added another dimension to him and to this anniversary.)
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/2012/09/the_other_side_of_joe_biden.php
I don't think people realize what he has survived. It is amazing in a way that he has accomplished what he has. Whatever other characteristics Biden has, resilience, empathy, and courage are there in spades.
ananda
(28,856 posts)And he's a good person.
davidpdx
(22,000 posts)I'd like to meet him someday. He is a true statesmen.
loyalsister
(13,390 posts)His honesty and empathy are amazing.