Divine Delusions: Biden Awaits Heavenly Signal as Trump Survives Assassination Attempt

The Unending Wait for a Heavenly Signal to Step Down

President Joe Biden remains steadfast in his decision to stay in the 2024 presidential race, declaring he will only step down if directed by "the Lord Almighty," despite growing concerns about his age and cognitive abilities. This unwavering commitment contrasts sharply with the recent assassination attempt on Donald Trump, highlighting the unpredictable nature of political fate and the perils of awaiting divine intervention. Reflecting on historical and familial lessons, I underscore the importance of knowing when to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders.

"I would not run if I were not in good health," President Joe Biden defiantly told George Stephanopoulos in a recent interview. When pressed on what it would take for him to withdraw from the 2024 presidential race, Biden boldly declared he would only step aside if "the Lord Almighty" directed him to do so. As the nation grapples with mounting concerns over the 81-year-old president's fitness for office, one can't help but wonder: Is Biden waiting for a sign that may never come?

"The Lord moves in mysterious ways." Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

Or is Biden (and Democrats) flirting with fate. I recall concerns of some family, friends and colleagues who felt then President Donald Trump would be easily re-elected for a second term.

My father, Rev. Franklin Shines, Sr., the pastor of Zion Hill Church in Florida, reminded us, "The Lord moves in mysterious ways." Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. So be careful what you say, President Biden.

Biden's steadfast commitment to leading the nation, even in the face of growing opposition from within his own party, brings to mind the legacies of great leaders who knew when to invest in the next generation. My own family's history offers a poignant parallel – a story of visionaries who recognized the importance of passing the torch and nurturing future success.

Be Careful What You Wish For

Be careful what you wish for, President Biden. The Almighty has a track record of shaking things up in unexpected ways. Just ask Donald Trump, whose seemingly unshakable presidency was upended by the COVID-19 pandemic—a crisis that some viewed as a divine reckoning. And last night' s assassination attempt left Trump with an ear wound just inches from a fatal shot—a stark reminder that the whims of fate can turn on a dime. It's a cautionary tale about invoking the will of the heavens in political decisions.

Meat Loaf's "Paradise by the Dashboard Light" lyrics, "I would love you to the end of time," with its poignant depiction of a man trapped by his promises, waiting for the end of time for release, resonates eerily with Biden's declaration. The song's protagonist finds himself swearing eternal love, only to later plead for the end of time to escape his fate. It's a stark reminder of the consequences of binding oneself to an irrevocable commitment, waiting for divine intervention to bring an end to an untenable situation.

Similarly, Biden's vow to remain unless divinely instructed to step down creates a scenario where he might find himself trapped, much like the protagonist in Meat Loaf's song. As concerns about his cognitive abilities and age mount, the nation waits, perhaps indefinitely, for a heavenly signal that may never arrive.

So now, in the theater of American politics, we watch as President Biden, like Meat Loaf's character, might be praying for the end of time—a divine nod—to resolve the tension of his vow. The Almighty's silence, juxtaposed with the recent assassination attempt on Trump, could well leave him, and the nation, in a prolonged state of anticipation, caught between mortal decision-making and the elusive whisper of divine will.

General Richard Clark Departs at the Top of His Game

Last night, Carson Field, a reporter for The Gazette, a Colorado Springs Pulitzer Prize-winning journal established in 1872, reported that Lt. General Richard Clark was inducted into the 2024 Colorado Springs Hall of Fame. As a cadet, Clark was the upperclassman of Bradford "BJ" Shwedo (Former Director for Command, Control, Communications and Computers (C4)/Cyber, Chief Information Officer, Joint Staff, J6, the Pentagon and Current Director of the Institute for Future Conflict), Brig General David "Stilly" Stilwell (F-16 fighter pilot, Deputy Director for Politico-Military Affairs for Asia, Joint Staff, the Pentagon and Institute for Future Conflict) and me.

As General Clark rose through the ranks, he consistently supported and mentored others, including BJ, Stilly, and me for the Stroud Family's documentary, "Running to Harvard."

When Clark had the foresight to recognize the importance of AI before it became a buzzword, he founded the Institute for Future Conflict and brought on Shwedo as its director. Stilwell followed shortly thereafter.

When I left the US Air Force after 11 years of active duty service (and later five years of reserve duty), I was shocked at how little corporate America and many small and medium businesses invested in training, developing others, and conducting succession planning. Looking back on my time in service, I realized that more than seven years of my 11 years of active duty were spent in pilot training, technical training, and graduate and undergraduate studies.

During my senior year Political Science class at USAFA, I had to write a paper on how I believed Reagan's SDI program would be used. My academic advisor and Management professor, Kevin Davis, who attended Harvard and knew Bill Gates, urged me to reach out to the program's director. With much trepidation, I finally picked up the phone and dialed (yes, we dialed on phones back then). Nearly 30 minutes later, I hung up the phone, having just spoken with someone who would have one of the most profound impacts on history.

When forced to leave the cockpit due to a degenerative spinal disc ailment, the military sent me to graduate school and retrained me in Industrial Engineering and Applied Statistics as a member of the Management Engineering Team. They then put me in touch with Motorola University. Individuals like Dr. Mikel J. Harry (former US Marine), who co-created Six Sigma with Bill Smith at Motorola, became my mentor, taking me under his wing to teach me advanced applied statistics to help improve an organization's quality, innovation, and productivity.

The Legacy of Leadership: A Family Perspective

My great-grandfather, Reverend Kimball Dolphus (KD) Stroud, was born into slavery on a Texas plantation. At 19, with the help of the former slaveowner, he and his family moved to Indian Territory, now known as Oklahoma. Despite humble beginnings, KD's thirst for knowledge and commitment to progress led him to pick cotton to fund his and his sister Irene's education at Langston University – an institution he helped establish.

KD's impact extended far beyond education. As a Territorial Delegate for the Republican Party – then the party of Lincoln who had emancipated his family – he embodied the spirit of civic engagement. A true polymath, KD studied law and theology while self-teaching science, math, and literature. His dedication to learning and progress didn't end with his own achievements; he passed on his knowledge to his eleven children, instilling in them the value of education and public service.

This investment in the next generation bore fruit. KD's oldest child and daughter, Kimbal Stroud Goffman, carried on his legacy of intellectual pursuits, publishing an article titled "Black Pride" in The Atlantic in February 1939. The torch of progress, lit by KD, continued to burn brightly through successive generations.

My great-uncle, Kelley Dolphus Stroud, further exemplified this legacy of excellence and forward-thinking. A Phi Beta Kappa scholar-athlete and 1928 Olympic hopeful, Kelley graduated at the top of his class in Political Science from Colorado College. He then earned a Rosenwald Fellowship to the University of Mexico in Mexico City to complete his Master's Thesis on the History of Blacks in the Americas—in Spanish. His work as a promoter for the Black Baseball League and as the owner, coach, and promoter of The Black Giants team allowed him to become a pioneer in opening international sport competition between Mexico and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), demonstrating a commitment to breaking down barriers and fostering international cooperation.

The Voice of Colorado

The story of leadership and progress in my family continued with my maternal grandfather, Tandy Stroud, the first person of color to publish a newspaper in the Rocky Mountain region. A World War II veteran and statistician, he aptly named his publication "The Voice of Colorado." Through its pages, he focused on family, community, and national and global politics, becoming a respected voice in the state's discourse.

His influence extended beyond Colorado's borders. Speaking at the Young Republican convention before the President, he played a role in shaping anti-lynching legislation, demonstrating the power of principled leadership to effect real change.

The Intersection of Business, Technology, and Politics

As I reflect on my family's legacy, I'm struck by how deeply politics is woven into our history. My uncle, Joseph Stroud, often emphasized the importance of maintaining connections with Washington D.C. As a television broadcasting and telecom titan, he traveled aboard Air Force One and met with President Bill Clinton in the White House, embodying the intersection of business, technology, and politics that has come to define our modern era.

Connecting the Historical and Modern Context

Today, as we witness the unfolding drama of President Biden's struggle to maintain his grip on power, I can't help but draw parallels to the lessons of my family's history and my military experience. The current political climate is rife with concerns about Biden's age and cognitive health. Reports from various reputable sources, including The Wall Street Journal and The New York Times, are questioning Biden's viability for another term.

The pressure within the Democratic Party for Biden to step aside in favor of a new leader is mounting. In a private meeting of senior House Democrats, several attendees, including Representatives Jerry Nadler, Adam Smith, and Jim Himes, expressed their belief that Biden should exit the race. This growing chorus of dissent within his own ranks echoes a truth that great leaders throughout history have recognized: there comes a time when the greatest act of leadership is to step aside.

The Importance of Recognizing When to Step Aside

My great-grandfather, KD Stroud, understood this principle well. By investing in the education and development of his children and community, he ensured that his legacy would continue long after he was gone. The result? Five generations of success in the Stroud family of Colorado, each building upon the foundations laid by those who came before.

President Biden now faces a similar crossroads. The legacy of true leadership is not just about holding onto power but knowing when to pass the baton. As the challenges facing our nation grow increasingly complex, we need leadership that can meet the moment with vigor, clarity, and vision.

In a world where the pace of change is accelerating, the ability to adapt and evolve is crucial. My family's journey from slavery to success over five generations is a reminder of the power of embracing change and investing in the future. It's a lesson that our current political leadership would do well to heed.

As we look to the future of our nation, we must ask ourselves: Are we best served by leaders who cling to power, waiting for divine intervention to tell them when to step down? Or do we need leaders who, like the visionaries in the military and my family's history, recognize when it's time to make way for the next generation?

The clock is ticking, and the stakes are high. It's time for President Biden to look not to the heavens for a sign, but to the ground beneath his feet, where the tremors of change are growing stronger by the day. The greatest leaders in history are remembered not just for what they achieved while in power, but for how gracefully they stepped aside to allow new ideas and energy to flourish.

In the end, the true measure of a leader's legacy is not the length of their tenure, but the strength of the foundation they leave for those who follow. As my family's history shows, when leaders invest in the future and know when to pass the torch, the results can echo through generations. It's a lesson that President Biden, and indeed all of us, would do well to remember.