WASHINGTON, March 1: In a remarkable achievement in Joe Biden's one year of
presidency, the Democrats and the Republicans came together in the US Capitol to support the Ukrainians when the President exhorted them in
his State of the Union address on Tuesday night to unite against the assault
on the freedom and democracy of the east European country. He received a bipartisan
standing ovation.
A President who has been harping on reconciliation with the Opposition Republicans
amidst unprecedented violence and rivalries post-election, found the change
in the mood of the lawmakers quite encouraging. He spoke of the emergence of
a united Western alliance against the invading Russians from an earlier skepticism
among the Europeans. He spoke of the success of the heavy sanctions in hobbling
Russian economy and the need to check President Vladimir Putin's aggression
from spilling over.
"Let each of us here tonight in this chamber, if you’re able to stand, stand
and send an unmistakable signal to Ukraine and to the world," the President
said. They did.
However, he said, “Let me be clear — our forces are not engaged and will not
engage in the conflict with Russian forces in Ukraine.” American troops were
deployed to Europe not to fight in Ukraine, “but to defend our NATO allies in
the event that Putin decides to keep moving west.” “For that purpose, we have
mobilized American ground forces, air squadrons, ship deployments to protect
NATO countries including Poland, Romania, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia,” he
added.
To concerned Americans he said, "I know news about what is happening can seem
alarming to all Americans. What I want you to know, we're going to be okay.
We're going to be okay."
Biden began his address by calling out the Russian President. "Six days ago,
Russia's Vladimir Putin sought to shake the very foundations of the free world.
Thinking he could make it bend to his menacing ways. But he badly miscalculated.
He thought he could roll into Ukraine and the world would roll over. Instead,
he met with a wall of strength he never anticipated or imagined. He met the
Ukrainian people."
"Putin is now isolated from the world more than he has ever been," he said.
Biden said: “Throughout our history we’ve learned this lesson – when dictators
do not pay a price for their aggression, they cause more chaos. They keep moving.
And, the costs and threats to America and the world keep rising.”
He turned to domestic issues like inflation and the fight against the pandemic.
He talked of plans to address inflation by reinvesting in manufacturing capacity,
speeding supply chains and help in childcare and eldercare. “Too many families
are struggling to keep up with the bills. Inflation is robbing them of the gains
they might otherwise feel. I get it. That’s why my top priority is getting prices
under control,” Biden said.
Biden came to the House chamber without wearing a mask, in recognition of the
receding covid pandemic and subsequent return of normal economic activities.
Ukrainian ambassador Oksana Markarova was seen with first lady Jill Biden in
the gallery. In a personal aside, Biden made a reference to his late son Beau,
a veteran who died from brain cancer.
According to an AP poll, Biden's rating is currently down to 55% from an earlier
60% with the slump in economy following the pandemic. However, he was optimistic
that more people have got jobs now than a year ago, a majority of Americans
now vaccinated and the economy recovering fast. He said the administration is
launching a “test to treat” initiative to provide free anti-viral pills at pharmacies
to those who test covid positive.
Biden said, “I have come to report on the state of the Union. And my report
is this: The state of the Union is strong, because you, the American people,
are strong. We are stronger today than we were a year ago. And we will be stronger
a year from now than we are today.” He spoke of last year's $1.2 trillion bipartisan
infrastructure investment and the massive social spending package. He said child
tax credit proposals and lower child care costs will give relief to people in
the midst of a price rise. He also listed plans to lower health care costs.
He also referred to issues of voting rights and gun violence.
Presenting the Republican response, Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds said “Even before
taking the oath of office, the President said that he wanted to make America
respected around the world again, and to unite us here. He’s failed on both
fronts.”
Vice President Kamala Harris and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi sat behind the
President during his speech.
Kamala Harris briefly told reporters at the Capitol, "We stand with Ukraine."
A CNN poll after the speech found most viewers had a positive response.
Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson, who opened a new chapter in
space age last month by launching the first manned private flight
to the edge of space, flying in his own spaceplane, has
invited everyone to join his expedition of space travel and
experience the thrill of totally losing your weight (BMI = 0) and enjoy
the mind-blowing sight of the earth's curvatures from the orbit far above: 
Can we ask the vaccinator, "Do you pull back the plunger and
then push the vaccine? Do you Aspirate?" When the vaccination
for covid started there were reports of worrisome incidents of
adverse events post immunisation, the serious complaints being
non-specific blood clots. These related to viral vector vaccines of
human and non-human source: AstraZeneca and Janssen. How
did it happen. There are various views. But here is a suggestion
how simply it can be prevented. 
While the rationalists debunk the episode as a ploy to make up for
the losses in offerings during the corona lockdown, the believers
stick to their claim, they have seen it after all! The claim of
Shankaralinga temple resembles the miracle of Ganesha drinking
milk in Delhi way back in 1995. Although they belong to two
different branches of science. 
A pair of socks gifted to her by her niece displayed on her legs has done
the job for Gumball Poodle. The demand for 'Future is Female' is
skyrocketing indeed. What more could one ask for?
