Yes, We Can Do Something (Introduction)

Over the years since the Sandy Hook school shooting, I've had many conversations with friends the 'gun problem' we have. 

What gun problem, you ask? 

The mass shooting problem, which happens with an alarming (if statistically insignificant) frequency in our country, at schools and grocery stores and movieplexes and abortion clinics and religious services (of all faiths) and Walmarts and restaurants and music festivals and office holiday parties and social clubs and community centers and nightclubs and, well, you get the drift. They happen everywhere and anywhere, in America - and they don't happen in other countries. 

Some of our conversations got a little contentious; after all, folks argued, and still argue, that we don't have a gun problem. Rather, we have a:

• lack of church attendance problem;
• a violent video game problem;
• a mental health problem;
• a criminal problem;
• a lack of respect problem;
• a missing father problem;
• a bad parent problem;
• a bullying problem; 
• a lack of prayer in school problem; 
• a lack of good guys with a gun problem; and more. 

My friends and I were able to give up our entrenched positions and work together to come up with things that might have a positive impact this issue; that's something that the people we elect to make to do this kind of stuff seem incapable of doing.

When they try to 'do something,' it seems that every conversation begins - and ends - with banning 'assault' weapons, changing the background check process, and implementing so-called red flag laws. Those are worthwhile changes, which they've tried several times, to no avail. And, they're trying again, now that a bunch of little children have been murdered at a school. Again. 

When they start in the same place every single time, knowing that there is virtually no chance of success, it makes me wonder why they do that, and what goal they're trying to accomplish. Whether it's the Dems or the Republicans, 

• Are they really trying to achieve consensus on meaningful legislation, or are they trying to make a point, or to convince us that at least they're trying?
• Do they really think the 2nd Amendment is the be-all and end-all?
• Are they really trying to protect Americans from danger, or are they trying to protect their own longevity in office?
• Are they really so short-sighted as to think there are only three options here?
• Is their loyalty to their PACs and super-donors and the lobbyists, or to the people of this country?
• Do they really believe that doing nothing is better than working together?

Regular readers of veritable pastiche are familiar with my lack of affection for most politicians, particularly those in the Senate, where legislation goes to die. I'm sick of partisan nonsense, of the do-nothingness that we often witness. 

 You may also know that I've written about gun safety or the lack thereof, all too often over the years. You can read those posts here, if you want to get your feet wet. 

And you are invited to stick around for, and chime in on, the posts in this Yes, We Can Do Something series; they summarize (and augment) the recommendations I've batted around with my friends over the years.

One more thing - you may be wondering about the 'And Now for Something Completely Different' meme that accompanies these posts. I included that because what we need now, if we're to accomplish anything at all, is just that: something completely different. 

• It's time for partisan, entrenched positions to be set aside for the greater good. 

• It's time for legislators to stop worrying about their next election, and start worrying about making it harder for Americans to be victimized by their countrymen in these heinous acts of gun violence. 

• It's time to stop deflecting the conversation away from mass shootings by pointing to gang-infested cities and saying "gun control doesn't work." 

• It's time to stop saying that risk is so low, we don't need to worry about it, and to stop making the argument that there are lots of other things that kill and injure more children than school shootings. 

• It's time to find common ground, no matter how hard it is to do that. 

It is time for something completely different. And frankly, if my friends and I can do it, it's long past time for the people we pay to do this to get to work. 

If they need some recommendations, I've got a bunch of them. First up? Guns and ammo, in Part 1. 

I hope you'll stick around.

In Case You Missed it (v92)

Last week was a busy one here at veritable pastiche. Here's a recap of our seven posts, ICYMI. 

Things kicked off with the Part 1 of my series Yes, We Can Do Something, which I introduced at the end of the week before last. The series is about the things we can do, if we wanted to, about gun safety and gun control.  

Part 1 deals with the first half of the 2nd Amendment, and ways to create the well-regulated militia our founders mentioned. I don't propose banning guns, but I do recommend enhanced background checks, waiting periods, licensing requirements, new excise taxes, and training. 

• Mandatory education and training must be provided before every gun purchase or transfer is completed. The training must be specific to the gun, and include all aspects of gun ownership (carrying, transporting, using, and storing the gun and ammunition, etc.). The training must also include reports of gun owners hurting themselves or others, such as when kids and parents accidentally kill children, and accidental shootings in the leg, in the head, in the head, in the testicles, in the testicles, in the testicles, in the penis, in the foot, taking a selfie, defending a Muslim-free gun store, trying out his new holster, in the girlfriend, in the girlfriend, in the girlfriend, etc. It must also include video impact statements from survivors and from families of victims of mass shootings. Proof of successful completion of the training must be documented as part of the sale or transfer transaction. 

I know it sounds silly, but if we don't teach them the dangers of their toys, they could end up like the people they're going to learn about. 

Next up? Your regular visit to the Sunday School classrooms, where my attention was on the politicians who represent Uvalde, including Valde County Commissioner Ronald Garza; he was with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation. 

He talked about the stuff making the news - the timeline(s), and the confusion on why folks didn't go in. He talked about the families and about the school building itself, where his dad was a teacher. And, there was this part, too.

Garza knows the family of the shooter, and said he has "no indication" as to any motive. He described the family as one that "value(s) church, they value hard work, known them for many years- great grandparents, grandparents, uncles, aunts." He also said what happened shouldn't be a reflection on the family.

You know, we raise our children, and we try to raise them in the right way. But - but sometimes our children have different thoughts, have different attitudes, personalities, but we do the best we can.

His pain was palpable, as should be ours. 

Part 2 of the Yes, We Can Do Something series came next; this part deals with gun crimes and punishment. I included some changes not directly related to school shootings, because Republicans, like Texans Gov. Greg Abbott and Sen. Ted Cruz, like to talk about strict gun laws in Chicago whenever there's a mass shooting in their state. 

In addition to requiring mandatory minimum penalties for using a gun in a crime, which must be served - in full - before the sentence for the overarching crime is service, I proposed the following: 

• Require mandatory prosecution for holding or hiding a gun in order to protect another person from being charged with a gun crime. 

• Require mandatory prosecution when guns are found improperly secured or transported, such as during TSA checks, law enforcement stops, etc.

• Categorize all crimes in which a gun was used as 'non-bailable' federal offenses, and carve gun legislation out of the filibuster.

That last part would be fun, right? Treating gun crimes with the same level of importance as they do SCOTUS justices? 

Moving on to your Sunday School Extra Credit, we caught up with Rep. Dan Crenshaw. He doesn't represent Uvalde in Congress, but he's a Texan, so he got front-and-center treatment in the State of the Union classroom.

They talked about things we can do, such as universal background checks, which he opposes, and closing the gun show loophole, which he denies exists, and opposes, and red flag laws, which he opposes. On a national law 

You know, it's funny... You would think, from the trolls on the Internet, that I'm the number one advocate for red flag laws. That's a bit of a myth perpetuated by my own side. Now, truthfully, I think there's a lot of problems with red flag laws, especially at a national level.

He mentioned that "criminal law" should be decided at the local and state level, but "you have to look at these and wonder what the actual purpose is." 

And what about a red flag law in Texas? Um, that's also a 'no.'

and here's why, because what we are essentially trying to do with a red flag law is enforce the law before the law has been broken. And that's a really difficult thing to do. It's difficult to assess whether somebody is a threat. Now, if they're such a threat they're threatening somebody with a weapon already, well, then they have already broken the law, so why do you need this other law? That's the question that I think critics rightfully ask about these things.

More on Crenshaw in a minute.

In my Wondering on Wednesday musings, I focused on a post that popped up in my social media memories, one in which I compared my gardening to the gardening that Republicans have been doing, for years. 

Look at all the time they've spent - years, when you think about it - sowing seeds. Seeds of doubt. Seeds of hate. Seeds of fear. Seeds of anger. Seeds of rage. Seeds of control. Seeds of division. Seeds of conspiracy...

They're gardeners, carefully tending their crops, nurturing their harvest, and reaping the rewards.

 They're gardeners. Just like me.

Well, not just like me; I tend different crops, as I describe in the post. 

My wondering? Why has so little changed, with me or with them. I'm frustrated, still, and they're entrenched, still, 

And I wonder, is there a master gardener with the skills to guide us out of this mess, and help us achieve a more suitable design? Or, worse - are we stuck here?

Who is that gardener? It's easy to tell who it's not, that's for sure.

Remember Crenshaw and his lead-in to the red flag law conversation? I invited you to belly on up to the Sidebar for a deeper dive into that. Here's what he told Dana Bash.

You would think, from the trolls on the Internet, that I'm the number one advocate for red flag laws. That's a bit of a myth perpetuated by my own side. Now, truthfully, I think there's a lot of problems with red flag laws, especially at a national level.

What's up with his comment about Internet trolls? What would make them think he favors red flag laws? If I had to hazard a guess, it'd be because they found the found the tweets he sent in 2019, after the mass shooting in Dayton, OH, which was just a day after the mass shooting at an El Paso Walmart. Take a look.

"I supported them before I was against them," or something like that.  I also explored the TAPS Act in the post.

And finally, it was TGIF time - and after a lot of heavy lifting during the week, I chose to do an all 'good week' post. Here's one item that made the cut.

Keeping both oars in the water, there's a non-profit that's turning mining pollution into pigments that are used in paint. Rural Action, based in Ohio, works "to create environmental change in rural Appalachian communities." Contaminated water is collected, then a base and oxygen are added, creating pigments that are being used to make paint. You can see some of the artwork created with the paints here. This isn't 'new' news, but it's new to me and it's pretty cool.

I'll be back tomorrow with your Sunday School - we've got some pretty cool stuff of our own to do today. I'll have more for you in the Yes, We Can Do Something series this week, too. 

In Case You Missed It (v91)

Here's your recap of last week's posts, in case you missed anything.

A couple of former Defense types were in the Sunday School classrooms. On This Week with George Stephanopoulos, Martha Raddatz had former Joint Chiefs chair Adm. Mike Mullen, while Margaret Brennan had former Defense Secretary Robert Gates on Face the Nation. Here's a bit of that interview.

On the expansion of NATO, with Finland and Sweden applying to join the alliance, Gates gives Vladimir Putin a lot of credit.

...it's an amazing thing he's done because he's -- he's gotten Sweden to abandon 200 years of neutrality... one of his many huge miscalculations in invading Ukraine is he has dramatically changed the geostrategic posture of western Europe... 

Later in the interview, Brennan asked Gates about the threat of 'polarization' here, 

which Gates has said was our "biggest threat." He hasn't seen a whole lot of improvement, although "there is one glimmer of hope," thanks to Xi and Putin - and it extends beyond the situation in Ukraine.

They've actually brought Republicans and Democrats together on Capitol Hill, and with the administration.... so maybe that's a foundation. Maybe there's a way to build on that. And, who knows, if you begin to get it in national security policy, maybe you can get it in some other places.

National Economic Director and Chief Word Salad Spinner Brian Deese was on Fox News Sunday with Martha McCollum; have fun with that one.

In your Extra Credit, we listened in with Brennan as she interviewed Florida Man Sen. Rick Scott and NY's Rep. Hakeem Jeffries; the two are leaders in their respective chamber's efforts to elect more members of their party.  

Brennan had fun trying to get Scott to explain why, if inflation is the biggest issue in the 2022 midterms, the Rs are spending so much time "relitigating 2020.".

Scott said people care that this election will be '"fair and their votes are not going to be diluted," and hope the Rs will make that happen. He also said that people "want to know what happened, why it happened" in 2020.

Well, they want to know -- they want to know that -- exactly what happened, if -- were there problems, exactly what happened. They'd like to know that. But, also, they're -- you know, they also want to make sure we win in '22. So, they -- they want to make sure that we're going to make sure their vote's not diluted. So, I think you have to -- you have to talk about making sure people understand what happened in 2020, but also make sure you know -- they know that you're going to focus on making sure that 2022 is a -- is a fair election.

Got it? It's all about making sure things are surely made sure by making sure of being sure. That's what they want. Without saying a darn thing. As long as you're talking about 2020, I guess. But not about all the fraud committed by Rs. Don't mention that. They surely don't want to know anything about that, for sure. 

And don't miss his dodging of addressing white supremacy; that was a good one, too.

All the Wondering on Wednesday was about how we can so readily legislate our way into the fray on some issues, but we're unable or unwilling to do a damn thing about mass murder.  Here's a sampling.

• I wonder how it is that we can so quickly and easily pass new laws protecting people from sign-waving, chalk-wielding protestors but there's nothing we can do about mass murder...

• I wonder how it is that we can so quickly and easily pass new laws confining women inside their state borders, to prevent them from seeking medical care in another state, but there's nothing we can do about mass murder...

• I wonder how it is that we can so quickly and easily pass new laws preventing parents from providing loving care to their children, but there's nothing we can do about mass murder...

Last week's TGIF was a tough one; it was hard not to focus on the latest mass shooting at Robb Elementary school in Uvalde, TX, even as we continue to come to grips with the murder of 10 people at a Buffalo, NY grocery store. 

Instead of my usual good week/bad week lists, I used 'expectations met' and 'not met.' Here are a couple of things that made the first of those lists.

• Everyone who said that we need to re-implement the assault weapons ban, as if this shooting, in a state where the governor was embarrassed that residents weren't purchasing enough guns, in a state has no license/no training open carry, is the one that matters enough to get entrenched opponents of anything resembling a ban on any gun to swing over to the other side. 
• President Biden finally signing an Executive Order on police reform, knowing as he did so that it didn't go far enough, and correctly placing the blame on elected officials who refused to work together on legislation. The EO was announced on the second anniversary of the murder of George Floyd.

And finally, on Saturday, I launched the first in a series of posts about gun safety called Yes, We Can Do Something. The series recaps recommendations friends and I have developed over years of talking about these events, or that have been suggested by other people, and that beyond the obvious (and nearly impossible to achieve) "ban assault weapons" cry we hear after every one of these horrific incidents.  

Here's an excerpt from the Introduction to the series.

My friends and I were able to give up our entrenched positions and work together to come up with things that might have a positive impact this issue; that's something that the people we elect to make to do this kind of stuff seem incapable of doing.

When they try to 'do something,' it seems that every conversation begins - and ends - with banning 'assault' weapons, changing the background check process, and implementing so-called red flag laws. Those are worthwhile changes, which they've tried several times, to no avail. And, they're trying again, now that a bunch of little children have been murdered at a school. Again. 

When they start in the same place every single time, knowing that there is virtually no chance of success, it makes me wonder why they do that, and what goal they're trying to accomplish.

And, a personal note. Last week, veritable pastiche passed the 146,000 page-view threshold. Thanks for reading, and for your comments and messages over the years. I appreciate you.

I'll be back with the next installment in the gun safety series, and for Sunday School.

Sunday School 4/24/22

Here's a recap from my stroll around the Sunday School classrooms.  

Christine Lagarde, president of the European Central Bank, talked with Margaret Brennan on Face the Nation, and the first topic was inflation. Which, in case people haven't noticed, is a global problem, not simply a "Joe Biden did this" gas-pump-sticker problem. 

Lagarde has suggested she'd wait a while before raising interest rates, noting that she and the Fed "share the same resolve" - taming inflation - but they're "facing a different beast." She said that energy prices account for 50% of the inflation in Europe.

If I raise interest rates today, it is not going to bring the price of energy down... So, we will be interrupting the purchases of assets in the course of the third quarter. High probability that we do so early in the third quarter. And then we will look at interest rates and how — and by how much - we hike them. But we have to be data-dependent because of the sources of inflation that we have at the moment.

She said her bank's mandate is restoring price stability at around 2%, but they have to act in a "sufficiently well-sequenced, well-calibrated for us in Europe, gradual way" to not cause a recession. And, she said, they have to do things "in a sufficiently smart and subtle way" to achieve their goals, including reducing the flow of money that allows Russia to continue the war against Ukraine. 

That includes sanctions, cutting off their access to SWIFT, seizing assets from Russian oligarch, and so on. That said, 

If we were to take abrupt measures that would induce an increase of the price of oil or gas around the world, from which the Russians would eventually benefit, then that would not be the right policy move.

Europe has adopted a compete boycott of Russian coal, and there's "a lot of work going on concerning oil, concerning gas, and, you know, there will be more stories to tell a bit later on."

Brennan noted there's a bit of debate here that the government bears some blame for inflation, including $6T in COVID stimulus, a third of which went out "on President Biden’s watch last spring when the economy was already recovering." Noting "Europe didn’t spend like this," she wondered if our path exacerbated inflation.

Lagarde said Europe put "half as much" as the US on stimulus; rather, the focus was "predominantly on keeping the jobs, not necessarily sending the checks." That's not the same as what's going on here.

And the current situation you have in the labor market here in the US is clearly contributing to possible strong inflation and second-round effect, where prices go up, wages go up, short supply of labor, wages continue to go up, and that feeds back into prices. That’s one of the differences between our two economies.

Lagarde said we're in a "difficult moment, but it’s one where a very interesting phenomena developed." She explained that Russia's attack on Ukraine "has produced three key results."

... it has resurrected NATO. It has united the Europeans more than ever. And it has strengthened a nation, Ukraine. The price of that is terrible. The death, the destruction, the devastation, and we are all concerned and all want to help. But this is quite an interesting development. And we have to be united and resolved to actually address the situation together because there has to be solidarity.

Another well-known woman was in the classrooms yesterday: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D -I'm a Progressive Capitalist, not a Socialist Like Bernie), who talked with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press. Warren had an op-ed in the NY Times, which Welker quoted in part.

Democrats cannot bow to the wisdom of out of touch consultants who recommended we simply tout our accomplishments. Instead, Democrats need to deliver more of the president's agenda, or else we will not be in the majority much longer.

Warren also said that, even though Dems hold both houses of Congress, "Republican senators and broken institutions have blocked" a lot of the progress the Dems promised during the 2020 campaign. Welker asked her to explain that; here's Warren's answer.

Look, my point is not to look in the rear-view mirror. My point is to say we've got nearly 200 days left between now and the election. 

And she went on to talk about what families are facing: which groceries to send back, unaffordable student loan repayments, inflation (food, gas), and said 

Democrats ran and always run on trying to make government work for working people. We've got nearly 200 days left. That's what we need to put our energy on. If we don't, then we haven't been there. So that's what we need to do.

Welker circled back around to one of the Dems who is blocking his party's agenda: Sen. Joe Manchin (D- I'm a Coal Farmer, Dammit!) and his position that he'll support big legislation solely if it addresses climate change, prescription costs, and reducing the deficit - nothing else. Welker wondered if Warren could support a package like that. 

Ignoring the question, Warren focused on her agenda: attacking inflation by bringing down costs for families by making childcare more affordable so millions of women can go back to work and that increases our capacity and helps drive down inflation (I paraphrased her). 

Welker tried again, this time naming Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (D-Roadblocks Are My Favorite Kind of Infrastructure), who agrees with Manchin; Warren's wish list would add to the deficit and make inflation worse. Welker asked again if Warren could go along with the three-issues-only bill - and Warren added more things to her 200-day to do list.

So, the point I'm trying to make is that we need to do more. Yes, we need to do climate change. Yes, we need to do prescription drugs. And we need to make sure that we're paying for it by making sure that giant corporations that make billions of dollars in profits and pay nothing in taxes are actually paying a minimum tax – and yes, Amazon, I'm looking at you in that one – and other corporations. Look, we need to also authorize the FTC so they can go after companies that are price gouging. And we need to remember that it's not only what Congress can do. It's also what the administration can do.

And that's where she said, "Mr. President, today would be a great day to cancel $50,000 in student loan debt for tens of millions of people across this country."

My point is that we have nearly 200 days. And not just one negotiation going on. We should have multiple negotiations going on. There is a lot we can deliver for American families. And we need to make that happen.

Welker said that "two Obama-era economists" have said extending the moratorium on loan repayment "during this kind of inflation" is both regressive and inflation-inflating. Warren disagrees. 

No, actually not paying student loan debts has already been baked in. But what matters is how we're going to be out there helping millions of American people. You know, keep in mind, 40% of the folks who have student loan debt do not have a college diploma. These are people who tried, but life happened... But now, they earn what a high school grad earns and they are trying to manage college level debt...It is the job of Democrats, it is the job of the party in power to help make people's lives better. We can do that. And the president can do that one all by himself.

She did answer one question, firmly and repeatedly.

I'm not running for president in 2024. I'm running for Senate. President Biden is running for re-election in 2024 - and I'm supporting him. You can ask it any way you want, but I'm going to say the same thing. President Biden is running in 2024 and I'm supporting him. Cheerfully.

Finally (and I'm not sure why), Welker asked if Warren was satisfied with the administration's handling of the decision ending the mask mandate on public transportation, including the appeal. Warren said the appeal is about looking forward and ensuring the CDC can implement decisions to protect public health, whether it's COVID or something else down the road.

Sadly, neither mentioned how confused people were, seemingly not knowing the difference between state and federal mandates, and how people didn't realize that wearing their mask until they were at their final destination, where they could get familiar with any applicable state or local regulations, made sense. And yes, that sounds judgmental, but based on last week's reporting, it seems necessary. 

FYI, when you come to class, if you want to wear a mask, you're free to do so. You're also free to not wear one, because we're an online educational institution. 

See you around campus. 

Sunday School 3/1/20

I've got Dem presidential candidates wandering all over the lecture halls today - a couple of them making more than one appearance - and we've also got the COVID-19  Task Force members all over the place, too. 

Per my plan of featuring the candidates front and center, I'll cover them today and the other guys in an Extra Credit post. 

Let's start with Margaret Brennan's conversation with That Guy From Vermont on CBS' Face the Nation. 

On whether South Carolina might be an indicator of his prospects there and whether Papa Joe Biden will pose a real challenge there?

... I think based on the polling, we're doing pretty well in Virginia. I think we've got a shot in North Carolina. All I can say is the issues that we are talking about and that is health care as a human right, raising the minimum wage to a living wage, dealing forcefully with the existential threat of climate change. Those are ideas, Margaret, that I think are resonating all across this country. I think we have an excellent chance to do well on Tuesday and to win the Democratic nomination.

On any advantage he's going to get from his $46M haul in February?

... it is not only the amount of money that we raised, and that is a phenomenal amount, it's how we raised it. We don't have a super PAC like Joe Biden. I don't go to rich people's homes like Joe Biden. I think Joe has contributions for more than 40 billionaires. What we have done is received more campaign contributions from more Americans than any candidate in the history of the United States, averaging eighteen dollars and 50 cents. This is a campaign of working people and by working people... But we have enough money now not only to take us through Super Tuesday, but take us through the entire process fueled by the contributions of working class people all across this country.

On whether he'd really turn down Michael Bloomberg's financial help come the general election?

Well, look, Mr. Bloomberg is free to do anything he can with his 60 billion dollars, and that's legal. All I can say is at this point, we are confident that we can receive the kind of campaign funding that we need from working-class and middle-class people, that we don't have to be beholden to any powerful special interests...he has the right to do anything he wants. Right now, we are confident... based on the fundraising that we are doing, is that we can beat Trump. 

On whether he's the best person, as a Democratic Socialist and someone who is constantly criticizing the Democratic Party and the Democratic establishment, to unify the Dems and beat Trump?

...I'm a member of the Democratic leadership. I've been in the Democratic caucus from...virtually my first day back in Congress 30 years ago ... But we will win because we have an agenda that speaks to independents, to Democrats, and to more than a few Republicans. Look, we are living at a time when the American people are sick and tired of the kind of income and wealth inequality that exists in America. All over this country, Margaret... you got millions of people are working 11, 12 bucks an hour. They can't afford childcare. They can't afford healthcare. They're scared to death about their retirement. They want a government that represents them, not just billionaire campaign contributors. That's how you win. You put together that coalition, multi-generational, multi-racial. That is what we're doing. No campaign out there has a stronger grassroots movement than we do. That's how you beat Trump. 

On the COVID-19 virus and whether it's safe out there in California and can he still hold his rallies?

...I mean, that's a very fair question. And my campaign has spoken to public health officials on that issue. And right now, we are planning to do rallies not only in California, but in Utah, Minnesota and other states around the country.

On there being any political cost to "sparring with" AIPAC (the pro-Israel lobby) and being told he's not welcome in Israel by their ambassador to the UN? 

...they have a lot of money. They have a lot of power. Look, I'm Jewish and I'm very proud of my Jewish heritage... I am not in- anti-Israel. I will do everything I can to protect the independence and the security and the freedom of the Israeli people. But what we need in this country is a foreign policy that not only protects Israel, but deals with the suffering of the Palestinian people as well. You've got 70 percent youth unemployment in Gaza. People can't even leave that district, that area, major, major crises... So, I am pro-Israel. I am pro-Palestinian. I want to bring people together to finally achieve peace in that region.

And on the Taliban deal?  

Well, I don't have enough details... and that peace agreement, needless to say, is going to have to go through the Afghan government. We don't know what's going to happen. One of the difficulties, to be very honest, Margaret, in dealing with Trump, it is very hard to believe anything that he says, whether it's the coronavirus, whether what's going on in Afghanistan... It is my view that we've got to end endless wars, that when we have five hundred thousand people in America sleeping out on the street and people can't afford health care, we got to invest in this country, not in endless wars.

Moving on, let's sit in on Papa Joe Biden's conversation with the eponymous host on ABC's This Week with George Stephanopoulos. George didn't waste any time.

On whether the Dems will lose in November if TGFV gets the nomination?

... he'll have great trouble bringing along other senators, keeping the House of Representatives, leading back the Senate and down ballot initiatives. So I -- I think -- I think it is a stark choice. And it's not about whether or not we restore the soul of the Democratic Party, it's about restoring the soul and unite this country, the whole country. And I think -- I think I can do that.

On whether TGFV will likely have a big delegate lead after Super Tuesday?

...he, obviously, is outspending 10-1 or beyond that...but I think it's more -- as much the message in what we stand for and what we're going to do and the idea that, you know, Bernie is going to be able to win these -- he could win California, whoever the Democrat is I think will win California in a general election, but we still have (to) come along and win the Senate. We have to win in North Carolina and we have to win in Georgia, we have to win in Texas, Florida, et cetera. So I think that -- and I do very well in those states as well and I haven't been able to spend the kind of money he has or put together the organization, although we did very well last night. So far this month we've raised -- which for us is a lot of money, about -- I guess it's close to $18 million. We raised $5 million just from the win last night in a 24 hour period overnight. And so I think things are beginning to move.

On where he can win on Tuesday?

... in the upcoming states. I think we can win most of the southern states. We're in contention, including in Texas. It's going to be very hard to make up the ground in California, but I think we can make up a lot of ground in California in three days and -- so I feel good about where it goes. And Super Tuesday's not the end. It's only the beginning. We're about even on delegates right now. We have more popular votes thus far than Sanders does and I feel good about going to places where I've always had significant support from the people who make up the Democratic electorate.

On Rep. Jim Clyburn's comment about changes coming to Biden's campaign, and letting people "mishandle" the campaign?

Well, there's a lot of changes coming. This is, as you know, from your past experience years ago, this is a matter of addition, not subtraction. And so we're attracting more and more people, we're adding more competent people, additional people who are very competent. I feel good about the top part of my campaign. We've had some difficulties across the board in terms of field organization. That's getting better... We can always improve. And I can improve as well. 

On whether not having an endorsement from Barack Obama is hurting, and is it time for Obama to make an endorsement?

No, it isn't hurting me and I don't think it's time...Look -- remember, George, the first thing that everybody said when I announced, the opposition, the Democratic opposition said, "well, Biden feels entitled because he's vice president." Imagine had the president endorsed me, it would have been, "well, Biden's entitled because it -- he think -- he thinks he's entitled because of the president's endorsement." The president and I are close friends. I -- and I have no doubt when I win this nomination he will be out there full bore for me.

On why the candidate with the most pledged delegates come convention time shouldn't be the nominee?

For the same reason he didn't think when Hillary had the most pledged delegates that she should be the nominee. The process is laid out. I find -- you know, don't you find, George, that, you know, that there's not a lot of consistency coming out of some of these campaigns...all of a sudden he's had an epiphany. You know, look, I -- I say what I mean, I mean what I say, I say it and I stay with it. I think the process is laid out. We should go with the process. But I'm not even certain he's going to go into the -- into this convention with the most delegates.

On the argument for him to be the nominee if he's in second place and the superdelegates have to make the decision?

Because I can win and I can bring along Democratic victories up and down the slate... I can win the United States Senate at the top of the ticket...I can increase the number in the House... I can win in places where I don't think Bernie can win in a general election... But most people I know, whether they are -- are -- quote, establishment Democrats or just people concerned about making sure that we not only beat Donald Trump but have enough votes in the House and Senate to pass progressive legislation, like I proposed, know that we have to do better... up and down the ladder in terms of state and local races...(in 2018) I went into 24 states, purple states, for over 65 candidates. They wanted me in...They were asking me to come in. I don't know that they asked Bernie. They may have. I doubt it.

On how the response to the coronavirus would be different if he were president?

It would have been fundamentally different... look, right now you have this president, hasn't allowed his scientists to speak, number one. He has the vice president speaking, not the scientists who know what they're talking about, like Fauci.

Number two, they haven't even prepared a test kit to determine whether or not anybody has the virus. They're not even available. They say now they'll be available in -- in -- by the end of the week or next week. They haven't set up a pattern in how to proceed. They don't -- they -- they've cut the funding for the CDC. They've cut the -- the Centers for Disease Control. They've cut the funding for -- they've tried to cut the funding for NIH, the National Institute of Health. They have eliminated the office we set up -- we set up in the president's office to deal with pandemic diseases. This has been outrageous the way they proceeded. They should let the scientists speak.

... Look, this is about knowing where it is, who has it, and how to deal with it. And I see -- I see no preparedness other than a political talking point, putting someone in charge who is not a scientist and not -- and muzzling the scientist.

And finally, let's check in with Chuck Todd and Mayor Pete on Meet the Press, where the first question was on where his campaign stands now.

We knew South Carolina was going to be a challenging state. We competed hard there, but nothing can take away from Vice President Biden's commanding victory, and I congratulate him on that. I think the most important thing right now is to look at what we can do to make sure that we put forward a campaign that is going to end the Trump presidency because everywhere I go, Americans are focused on ensuring that we not only get better policies, that we turn the page on all of the things that this president is doing and has done to our country, to our democracy, but also that we turn the page on the tone in our politics and that we move on from this divisive and toxic season in American public life...

On whether there's a point where he has to look and say he and Biden have the same message, but Biden's winning?

Well, there's certainly that overlap there. We also, obviously, represent a different style and approach in many ways. But what I'll say is that call to decency, I think, is something that is very strong in our party right now. And it's what we need in our country right now. We cannot go on like this with a politics of being at each other's throats. And part of how I believe our campaign has been able to beat the odds and defy all of the expectations is that our message of belonging is one that has resonated across the country...

On black voters taking a second look at him, and how he continues to struggle with people of color?

...there's no question that the Vice President had a commanding lead with black voters in South Carolina. And that bar of earning the trust of voters of color right now, that bar is high for a reason, especially when you're talking about black voters in the south. That is a hard-won vote,... often, that access was brought about within living memory. I understand why that bar is so high. I'm humbled by the challenge and have continued to focus on making sure I present not just our policy ideas, but what this campaign is about in a way that can reach out to black voters and to voters across the board.

On if he had won the DNC chair, what message would he be giving himself as a candidate about doing what's best for the party? 

...every day I'm getting up, looking at how we can do what's best for the party. It's why we got into this race in the first place, the belief that a different kind of message and a different kind of messenger could rally people together... And every day we're in this campaign is a day that we've reached the conclusion that pushing forward is the best thing that we can do for the country and for the party.

On what 'success' would be on Super Tuesday?

Well, we believe that there are places from coast to coast, in districts across different states, where our message is resonating particularly well. We'll be looking at the math as we continue to push and make the most of the resources that we have... You wouldn't always know it from looking at the outcomes in Washington, but right now the American people are already with us. What's going to be needed is a message, a messenger, and the leadership to make sure that those priorities are met. And I find that true in the reddest of states and on the coast as well.

On whether there's a Super Tuesday result that would change his outlook on the campaign?

Every single day, yes, we do a lot of math on this campaign. And so we'll be assessing at every turn not only what the right answer is for the campaign, but making sure that every step we take is in the best interest of the party and that goal of making sure we defeat Donald Trump because our country can't take four more years of this.

So there you have it -- three of the four remaining men in the race; the two women were not in the classrooms today. 

Also of note? 

• Tom Steyer suspended his campaign Saturday night, seeing no path to victory. 
• Twitter was trending this morning with #DropOutAmy, #DropoutWarren, #WarrenDropOut and #DropOutPete. 
• But the 'drop out' hashtag with the most hits, by far? #DropOutBernie, with over 54K mentions, compared to less than 5K for each of the others.

See you around campus - and if you're in a Super Tuesday state and eligible to vote, please do so. 

Merry Christmas, Boy Scouts

Unedited, but with some emphasis added, the honorary president of the Boy Scouts of America addresses his troops (as shared by the White House press office). 

6:32 PM

Thank you, everybody. Thank you very much. (Applause.) I am thrilled to be here. Thrilled.(Applause.) And if you think that was an easy trip, you’re wrong, but I am thrilled -- 19th Boy Scout Jamboree -- wow -- and to address such a tremendous group.  Boy, you have a lot of people here. The press will say it’s about 200 people. (Laughter.) It looks like about 45,000 people. You set a record today. (Applause.) You set a record. That’s a great honor, believe me.  

Tonight, we put aside all of the policy fights in Washington, D.C. -- you’ve been hearing about with the fake news and all of that. (Applause.) We’re going to put that aside. And instead we’re going to talk about success, about how all of you amazing young Scouts can achieve your dreams. What to think of -- what I’ve been thinking about -- you want to achieve your dreams. I said, who the hell wants to speak about politics when I’m in front of the Boy Scouts? Right? (Applause.)  

There are many great honors that come with the job of being President of the United States, but looking out at this incredible gathering of mostly young patriots -- mostly young -- I’m especially proud to speak to you as the honorary President of the Boy Scouts of America. (Applause.)  

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

You are the young people of character and integrity who will serve as leaders in our communities, and uphold the sacred values of our nation.

I want to thank Boy Scouts President Randall Stephenson, Chief Scout Executive Michael Surbaugh, Jamboree Chairman Ralph de la Vega, and the thousands of volunteers who have made this a life-changing experience for all of you, and when they asked me to be here I said absolutely, yes. (Applause.)  

Finally, and we can’t forget these people, I especially want to salute the moms and the dads and troop leaders who are here tonight. (Applause.) Thank you for making scouting possible. Thank you, mom and dad -- troop leaders.  

When you volunteer for the Boy Scouts, you are not only shaping young lives, you are shaping the future of America. (Applause.) The United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts. (Applause.) No better. The values, traditions, and skills you learn here will serve you throughout your lives, and just as importantly they will serve your families, your cities, and in the future and in the present, will serve your country. (Applause.) The Scouts believe in putting America first.(Applause.)  

You know, I go to Washington and I see all these politicians, and I see the swamp. And it’s not a good place. In fact today I said we ought to change it from the word swamp to the word cesspool or, perhaps, to the word sewer. But it’s not good. Not good. (Applause.) And I see what’s going on, and believe me I’d much rather be with you.  That I can tell you. (Applause.)

I’ll tell you the reason that I love this and the reason that I really wanted to be here is because as President, I rely on former Boy Scouts every single day, and so do the American people. It’s amazing how many Boy Scouts we have at the highest level of our great government. Many of my top advisors in the White House were Scouts. Ten members of my cabinet were Scouts. Can you believe that? Ten. (Applause.)  

Secretary of State Rex Tillerson is not only a Boy Scout, he’s your former national president. (Applause.)  

The Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence -- good guy -- was a Scout, and it meant so much to him. (Applause.) Some of you here tonight might even have camped out in this yard when Mike was the governor of Indiana, but the scouting was very, very important. And by the way, where are our Indiana Scouts tonight? (Applause.) I wonder if the television cameras will follow you. They don’t like doing that when they see these massive crowds. They don’t like doing that. Hi, folks. (Applause.) A lot of love in this big, beautiful place. A lot of love, and a lot of love for our country. There’s a lot of love for our country.  

Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke is here tonight. Come here, Ryan. (Applause.) Ryan is an Eagle Scout from Big Sky Country in Montana. (Applause.) Pretty good. And by the way, he is doing a fantastic job. He makes sure that we leave our national parks and federal lands better than we found them, in the best Scouting tradition. So thank you very much, Ryan. (Applause.) 

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, of Texas, an Eagle Scout from the Great State. (Applause.)  The first time he came to the national jamboree was in 1964. He was very young then. And Rick told me just a little while ago, it totally changed his life. So, Rick, thank you very much for being here. And we're doing a lot with energy. (Applause.) 

And very soon, Rick, we will be an energy exporter. Isn’t that nice -- an energy exporter? (Applause.) In other words we’ll be selling our energy instead of buying it from everybody all over the globe. So that's good. (Applause.) We will be energy dominant. And I’ll tell you what, the folks in West Virginia who were so nice to me, boy, have we kept our promise. We are going on and on.  So we love West Virginia. We want to thank you.  

Where’s West Virginia by the way? (Applause.) Thank you.  

Secretary Tom Price is also here. Today Dr. Price still lives the Scout Oath, helping to keep millions of Americans strong and healthy as our Secretary of Health and Human Services. And he’s doing a great job. And hopefully, he’s going to get the votes tomorrow to start our path toward killing this horrible thing known as Obamacare that's really hurting us, folks. (Applause.)  

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

By the way, you going to get the votes? He better get them. He better get them. Oh, he better -- otherwise, I’ll say, Tom, you're fired. I’ll get somebody. (Applause.) 

He better get Senator Capito to vote for it. You got to get the other senators to vote for it. It’s time. After seven years of saying repeal and replace Obamacare, we have a chance to now do it. They better do it. Hopefully they’ll do it. 

As we can see just by looking at our government, in America, Scouts lead the way. And another thing I’ve noticed -- and I’ve noticed it all my life -- there is a tremendous spirit with being a Scout, more so than almost anything I can think of. So whatever is going on, keep doing it. It’s incredible to watch. Believe me. (Applause.)  

Each of these leaders will tell you that their road to American success -- and you have to understand, their American success, and they are a great, great story was paved with the patriotic American values as traditions they learned in the Boy Scouts. And some day, many years from now, when you look back on all of the adventures in your lives, you will be able to say the same: I got my start as a Scout just like these incredibly great people that are doing such a good job for our country. So that's going to happen.  (Applause.) 

Boy Scout values are American values, and great Boy Scouts become great, great Americans. As the Scout Law says: “A Scout is trustworthy, loyal” -- we could use some more loyalty, I will tell you that.  

AUDIENCE:  “helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient, cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean, and reverent.”  (Applause.)

That was very impressive. (Laughter.) You've heard that before.  

But here you learn the rewards of hard work and perseverance. Never ever give up, never quit. Persevere. Never, ever quit.

You learn the satisfaction of building a roaring campfire, reaching a mountain summit, or earning a merit badge after mastering a certain skill. There’s no better feeling than an achievement that you’ve earned with your own sweat, tears, resolve, hard work. There’s nothing like it.  Do you agree with that?  

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

I’m waving to people back there so small I can't even see them. Man, this is a lot of people. Turn those cameras back there, please. That is so incredible.By the way, what do you think the chances are that this incredible, massive crowd, record-setting is going to be shown on television tonight? One percent or zero? (Applause.)

The fake media will say: President Trump -- and you know what this is -- President Trump spoke before a small crowd of Boy Scouts today.

That's some -- that is some crowd. (Applause.)  

Fake media. Fake news. Thank you. And I’m honored by that, by the way, all of you people they can't even see you. So thank you  I hope you can hear. 

Through scouting you also learn to believe in yourselves -- so important -- to have confidence in your ability, and to take responsibility for your own life. When you face down new challenges, and you will have plenty of them, develop talents you never thought possible, and lead your teammates through daring trials, you discover that you can handle anything. And you learn it by being a scout. It’s great. (Applause.) 

You can do anything. You can be anything you want to be. But in order to succeed, you must find out what you love to do. You have to find your passion. No matter what they tell you -- if you don't -- I love you, too. I don't know. It’s a nice guy. (Applause.) Hey, what am I going to do? He sounds like a nice person. He, he, he, he. Thank you. I do.  I do love you.  

AUDIENCE:  We love Trump!  We love Trump!  We love Trump!

By the way, just a question, did President Obama ever come to a jamboree?  

AUDIENCE:  No!  

And we’ll be back. We’ll be back. The answer is no, but we’ll be back.

In life, in order to be successful, and you people are well on the road to success, you have to find out what makes you excited. What makes you want to get up each morning and go to work? You have to find it.

If you love what you do and dedicate yourself to your work, then you will gain momentum, and look -- you have to, you need to. The word momentum -- you will gain that momentum, and each success will create another success. The word momentum.  

I’ll tell you a story that’s very interesting for me when I was young. There was a man named William Levitt -- Levittowns, you have some here, you have some in different states. Anybody ever hear of Levittown? (Applause.) And he was a very successful man. He was a homebuilder -- became an unbelievable success, and got more and more successful. And he built homes, and at night he’d go to these major sites with teams of people and he’d scour the sites for nails and sawdust and small pieces of wood. And they’d clean the site so when the workers came in the next morning, the sites would be spotless and clean, and he did it properly. And he did this for 20 years, and then he was offered a lot of money for his company.  

And he sold his company for a tremendous amount of money. At the time especially -- this was a long time ago -- sold his company for a tremendous amount of money. And he went out and bought a big yacht, and he had a very interesting life. I won’t go any more than that because you’re Boy Scouts, so I’m not going to tell you what he did.

AUDIENCE:  Booo -- 

 Should I tell you? Should I tell you?  

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

Oh, you’re Boy Scouts, but you know life. You know life. So -- look at you. Who would think this is the Boy Scouts, right?  

So he had a very, very interesting life, and the company that bought his company was a big conglomerate. And they didn’t know anything about building homes, and they didn’t know anything about picking up the nails and the sawdust and selling it -- and the scraps of wood. This was a big conglomerate based in New York City, and after about a ten year period they were losing a lot with it. It didn’t mean anything to them, and they couldn’t sell it.  

So they called William Levitt up and they said, would you like to buy back your company, and he said yes, I would. He so badly wanted it, he got bored with this life of yachts and sailing and all of the things he did in the south of France and other places. You won’t get bored, right?  You know, truthfully, you’re workers. You’ll get bored too. Believe me. (Applause.) Of course, having a good few years like that isn’t so bad. (Applause.) But what happened is he bought back his company, and he bought back a lot of empty land. And he worked hard in getting it zoning, and he worked hard on starting to develop.  

And in the end he failed, and he failed badly. Lost all of his money. He went personally bankrupt, and he was now much older. And I saw him at a cocktail party, and it was very sad because the hottest people in New York were at this party.  it was the party of Steve Ross who was one of the great people -- he came up and discovered -- really founded -- Time Warner, and he was a great guy. He had a lot of successful people at the party. 
 
And I was doing well so I got invited to the party. I was very young, and I go in -- but I’m in the real estate business -- and I see 100 people, some of whom I recognize and they’re big in the entertainment business. And I see, sitting in the corner, was a little old man who was all by himself. Nobody was talking to him. I immediately recognized that that man was the once great William Levitt of Levittown, and I immediately went over -- I wanted to talk to him more than the Hollywood show business communications people.  

So I went over and talked to him, and I said, Mr. Levitt, I’m Donald Trump. He said I know. I said, Mr. Levitt, how are you doing? He goes, not well, not well at all. And I knew that, but he said not well at all. And he explained what was happening and how bad it has been and how hard it has been. And I said what exactly happened?  Why did this happen to you? You’re one of the greats ever in our industry. Why did this happen to you? And he said, Donald, I lost my momentum. I lost my momentum. A word you never hear when you’re talking about success. When some of these guys that never made ten cents, they’re on television giving you things about how you’re going to be successful, and the only thing they ever did was a book and a tape. 

But I’ll tell you, it was very sad, and I never forgot that moment. And I thought about it, and it’s exactly true. He lost his momentum. Meaning, he took this period of time off long -- years -- and then when he got back, he didn’t have that same momentum. In life, I always tell this to people, you have to know whether or not you continue to have the momentum, and if you don’t have it that’s okay. Because you’re going to go on and you’re going to learn and you’re going to do things that are great. But you have to know about the word momentum.  

But the big thing: Never quit. Never give up. Do something you love. When you do something you love -- as a Scout I see that you love it. But when you do something that you love you’ll never fail. What you’re going to do is give it a shot again and again and again. You’re ultimately going to be successful, and remember this, you’re not working. Because when you’re doing something that you love like I do -- of course I love my business, but this is a little bit different. Who thought this was going to happen? We’re having a good time. We’re doing a good job. (Applause.) Doing a good job. But when you do something that you love, remember this, it’s not work. 

So you’ll work 24/7, you’re going to work all the time, and at the end of a year you’re not really working. You don’t think of it as work. When you’re not doing something that you like or when you’re forced in to do something that you really don’t like, that’s called work. And it’s hard work and tedious work.  

So as much as you can, do something that you love. Work hard, and never ever give up, and you’re going to be tremendously successful. Tremendously successful. (Applause.) 

Now with that, I have to tell you our economy is doing great. Our stock market has picked up -- since the election November 8th. Do we remember that date? (Applause.) Was that a beautiful date? (Applause.) What a date. Do you remember that famous night on television, November 8th, where they said -- these dishonest people -- where they said there is no path to victory for Donald Trump? They forgot about the forgotten people. By the way, they're not forgetting about the forgotten people anymore. They're going crazy trying to figure it out. But I told them, far too late. It’s far too late.

But do you remember that incredible night with the maps and the Republicans are red and the Democrats are blue, and that map was so red, it was unbelievable, and they didn't know what to say?  (Applause.) 

And you know we have a tremendous disadvantage in the Electoral College -- popular vote is much easier. Because New York, California, Illinois -- you have to practically run the East Coast. And we did. We won Florida. We won South Carolina. We won North Carolina. We won Pennsylvania.  (Applause.)  

We won and won. So when they said, there is no way to victory, there is no way to 270.  I went to Maine four times because it’s one vote, and we won. But we won -- one vote.  I went there because I kept hearing we're at 269. But then Wisconsin came in.  Many, many years -- Michigan came in.  

And we worked hard there. My opponent didn't work hard there because she was told -

AUDIENCE:  Booo!

She was told she was going to win Michigan, and I said, well, wait a minute, the car industry is moving to Mexico. Why is she going to move -- she’s there. Why are they allowing it to move?

And by the way, do you see those car industry -- do you see what’s happening, how they're coming back to Michigan? They're coming back to Ohio. They're starting to peel back in. (Applause.) 

And we go to Wisconsin -- now, Wisconsin hadn’t been won in many, many years by a Republican. But we go to Wisconsin, and we had tremendous crowds. And I’d leave these massive crowds. I’d say, why are we going to lose this state?

The polls -- that's also fake news. They're fake polls. But the polls are saying -- but we won Wisconsin. (Applause.) So I have to tell you what we did, in all fairness, is an unbelievable tribute to you and all of the other millions and millions of people that came out and voted for Make America Great Again. (Applause.) 

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

And I’ll tell you what, we are, indeed, making America great again. What’s going on is incredible. (Applause.) 

We had the best jobs report in 16 years. The stock market on a daily basis is hitting an all-time high. We're going to be bringing back very soon trillions of dollars from companies that can't get their money back into this country, and that money is going to be used to help rebuild America. We're doing things that nobody ever thought was possible.

And we've just started. It’s just the beginning. Believe me. (Applause.) 

In the Boy Scouts you learn right from wrong, correct?  

AUDIENCE:  Yes!

You learn to contribute to your communities, to take pride in your nation, and to seek out opportunities to serve. You pledge to help other people at all times. (Applause.) 

In the Scout Oath, you pledge on your honor to do your best and to do your duty to God and your country. (Applause.) 

And by the way, under the Trump administration, you’ll be saying, merry Christmas again when you go shopping. Believe me. Merry Christmas. (Applause.) 

They've been downplaying that little, beautiful phrase. You're going to be saying, merry Christmas again, folks. (Applause.) 

But the words duty, country, and God are beautiful words. In other words, basically what you're doing is you're pledging to be a great American patriot  (Applause.) 

For more than a century that is exactly what our Boy Scouts have been. Last year you gave more than 15 million hours of service to helping people in your communities. (Applause.) 

Incredible. That's an incredible stat.  

All of you here tonight will contribute more than 100,000 hours of service by the end of this jamboree -- 100,000. (Applause.) 

When natural disaster strikes, when people face hardship, when the beauty and glory of our outdoor spaces must be restored and taken care of, America turns to the Boy Scouts because we know that the Boy Scouts never, ever, ever let us down. (Applause.) 

Just like you know you can count on me, we know we can count on you because we know the values that you live by. (Applause.) 

Your values are the same values that have always kept America strong, proud, and free. And by the way, do you see the billions and billions and billions of additional money that we're putting back into our military?  Billions of dollars. (Applause.) New planes, new ships, great equipment for our people that are so great to us. We love our vets.  We love our soldiers. And we love our police, by the way. Firemen, police -- we love our police. (Applause.)  Those are all special people. Uniformed services. 

Two days ago, I traveled to Norfolk, Virginia to commission an American aircraft carrier into the fleet of the United States Navy. (Applause.) It’s the newest, largest, and most advanced aircraft carrier anywhere in the world, and it’s named for an Eagle Scout, the USS Gerald R. Ford. (Applause.) Everywhere it sails, that great Scout’s name will be feared and revered, because that ship will be a symbol of American power, prestige, and strength. (Applause.) 

Our nation honors President Gerald R. Ford today because he lived his life the scouting way. Boy Scouts celebrate American patriots, especially the brave members of our armed forces. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you. (Applause.) 

American hearts are warmed every year when we read about Boy Scouts placing thousands and thousands of flags next to veterans’ gravesites all across the country. By honoring our heroes, you help to ensure that their memory never, ever dies. You should take great pride in the example you set for every citizen of our country to follow. (Applause.) 

Generations of American Boy Scouts have sworn the same oath and lived according to same law. You inherit a noble American tradition, and as you embark on your lives, never cease to be proud of who you are and the principles you hold dear and stand by.  Wear your values as your badge of honor. What you've done, few have done before you. What you've done is incredible. What you've done is admired by all. So I want to congratulate you, Boy Scouts. (Applause.) 

Let your scouting oath guide your path from this day forward. Remember your duty. Honor your history. Take care of the people God put into your life, and love and cherish your great country. (Applause.) 

You are very special people. You're special in the lives of America. You're special to me. But if you do what we say, I promise you that you will live scouting’s adventure every single day of your life, and you will win, win, win and help people in doing so. (Applause.) 

Your lives will have meaning and purpose and joy. You will become leaders, and you will inspire others to achieve the dreams they once thought were totally impossible, things that you said could never, ever happen are already happening for you. And if you do these things -- and if you refuse to give in to doubt or to fear -- then you will help to make America great again. You will be proud of yourself, be proud of the uniform you wear, and be proud of the country you love. (Applause.) 

AUDIENCE:  USA!  USA!  USA!

And never, ever forget, America is proud of you. (Applause.) 

This is a very, very special occasion for me. I’ve known so many Scouts over the years. Winners. I’ve known so many great people. They've been taught so well, and they love their heritage. But this is very special for me. And I just want to end by saying very importantly: God bless you. God bless the Boy Scouts. God bless the United States of America.  

Go out. Have a great time in life. Compete and go out and show me that there is nobody -- nobody -- like a Boy Scout.

Thank you very much, everybody. Thank you very much. Thank you. Thank you very much. (Applause.) 

END
7:10 P.M. EDT