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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsJoe Biden: "The reason I went home every night was I needed my children more than they needed me"
May 17, 2015Remarks by the Vice President at Yale University Class Day
Yale University
New Haven, Connecticut
2:55 P.M. EDT
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The incredible bond I have with my children is the gift Im not sure I would have had, had I not been through what I went through. Who knows whether I would have been able to appreciate at that moment in my life, the heady moment in my life, what my first obligation was.
So I began to commute -- never intending to stay in Washington. And that's the Gods truth. I was supposed to be sworn in with everyone else that year in 73, but I wouldnt go down. So Mansfield thought Id change my mind and not come, and he sent up the secretary of the Senate to swear me in, in the hospital room with my children.
And I began to commute thinking I was only going to stay a little while -- four hours a day, every day -- from Washington to Wilmington, which Ive done for over 37 years. I did it because I wanted to be able to kiss them goodnight and kiss them in the morning the next day. No, Ozzie and Harriet breakfast or great familial thing, just climb in bed with them. Because I came to realize that a child can hold an important thought, something they want to say to their mom and dad, maybe for 12 or 24 hours, and then its gone. And when its gone, its gone. And it all adds up.
But looking back on it, the truth be told, the real reason I went home every night was that I needed my children more than they needed me. Some at the time wrote and suggested that Biden can't be a serious national figure. If he was, hed stay in Washington more, attend to more important events. Its obvious hes not serious. He goes home after the last vote.
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https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2015/05/17/remarks-vice-president-yale-university-class-day
Fred Sanders
(23,946 posts)I do not think the mass media can wrap it's collective mind around the concept of "love", except as a marketing tool.
And what role can a mass media devoid of love offer to the nation?
War, fear, ignorance, lies, paranoia, avarice, greed, jealously.....everything not love.
Shame how many buy into it too.
calimary
(80,693 posts)That's the word that comes to mind when I think of him. He is very dear. What a dear man. And you're correct. It isn't valued. Now it's far more important to be the most bombastic or the biggest bullshitter or the best-connected or the richest or the best conniver or the biggest wheeler-dealer or the most clever liar and cheat. I wonder how many people heard about dennis hastert, for example, and even held a little admiration for him for how long he was able to keep it all secret (because the REAL crime here is getting found out, getting CAUGHT). That's what gets the attention and the admiration and the repeated validation in THIS particular world. And it's just a damn shame.
I love Joe Biden. He's so genuine, so open, so one-of-us. I think it's called "authenticity." And he has it. As 3catwoman3 says - "he's the real deal." And he's a wonderful, devoted dad. His kids have gotta know how much they're loved - especially as they've grown up.
I wish he did not have this kind of sadness in his life. NO parent should have to bury their child.
Volaris
(10,260 posts)It's not hate per se, but...
I actually think the effect might be worse. Outright, externalitzed hatred can be gone to battle with rather easily.
the absence of love, on the other hand is very easily dismissed as not only the status quo, but someone else's problem.
It's a subtle, and much colder distinction.
Octafish
(55,745 posts)What an incredible human being.
Thank you for posting this, kpete.
Jefferson23
(30,099 posts)3catwoman3
(23,812 posts)...country has. He is the real deal, and a BFD as well. What a great dad.
niyad
(112,432 posts)with his children, and criticizes women for not spending time with them.
riqster
(13,986 posts)truebrit71
(20,805 posts)I'm fairly sure it would crush me...
Raine1967
(11,589 posts)knowing that he was facing the reality that his sone would soon be dying, to go forward with this was amazing. Let me conclude with this.
And as your parents will understand, my dads definition of success is when you look at your son and daughter and realize they turned out better than you, and they did. But youll have opportunities. Make the most of them and follow your heart. You have the intellectual horsepower to make things better in the world around you.
Youre also part of the most tolerant generation in history. I got roundly criticized because I could not remain quiet anymore about gay marriage. The one thing I was certain of is all of your generation was way beyond that point. (Applause.)
mother earth
(6,002 posts)loss.
midnight
(26,624 posts)joeybee12
(56,177 posts)And I'm sure he knew at the time that Beau wuld be leaving him soon...I hope memories of those times are a comfort for him.
DawgHouse
(4,019 posts)tblue
(16,350 posts)Look at the Bushes and the Cheneys and the Palins. Then look at the Bidens. Why do the worst things happen to the best people??!!! Hadn't Joe Biden already buried enough loved ones?
Oh Joe! I'm so sorry.