Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

July 21, 2024

My Fellow Americans,

Over the past three and a half years, we have made great progress as a Nation.

Today, America has the strongest economy in the world. We've made historic investments in rebuilding our Nation, in lowering prescription drug costs for seniors, and in expanding affordable health care to a record number of Americans. We've provided critically needed care to a million veterans exposed to toxic substances. Passed the first gun safety law in 30 years. Appointed the first African American woman to the Supreme Court. And passed the most significant climate legislation in the history of the world. America has never been better positioned to lead than we are today.

I know none of this could have been done without

The speed of light is a constant; I rather like vanilla milk shakes.

I don't have them often, mind you. Heavy. But a couple of times a summer, especially if I've biked or walked a distance and can get a good one? Absolutely. In Pulp Fiction, Vincent makes a big deal about the Five Dollar Milk Shake. He didn't know if it was worth five dollars, but it was a pretty fuckin' good milk shake.

Thirty years later, five dollars

So, Alice Munro.

Recently-deceased Canadian literary icon, one of thirteen women to win the Nobel Prize for literature, and one of my personal literary inspirations. Also, since her youngest daughter published an essay, a controversial figure.

Scan a headline or whatever they call a Tweet these days and read no further—a practice which has helped destroy politics in democratic societies—and you'll get something like, "Alice Munro's daughter was sexually abused by her