President Joe Biden’s farewell address to the nation & (what I guess) the whole world ...

The final Speech in the President's office. It is called the Oval Office because its shape is inspired by a ceremonial hall used by George Washington. And his speech was outstanding and heartbreaking. Let me tell you about the feelings hearing the speech of the 46th President from the USA - step by step!

These are truly turbulent times. Wars, hostile conquests, announcements by heads of state to annex other countries, just like that, migrations on a massive scale, fires, floods, hostage-taking, devastation. And Corona was just 2 years ago with consequences for many without much hope of improvement. Oh my God.

And then this, there are still things that really move. So Joe Biden’s Farewell Adress yesterday. The President of the USA speaks to his people, to the world and also to you, to me. His words are moving, I have listened to his speech 3 times.

Here is the link to his full speech - https://youtu.be/T8vmhmilluM?si=mB4P5_3lzaXVklyx

The president speaks calmly. Something one would have wished for more often in many places over the past four years. But his words conquer your soul, soft and gentle, but extremely haunting, admonishing that we must stand up for democracy.

In the very beginning of his speech Joe Biden mentioned the Statue of Liberty. Officially called Liberty Enlightening the World, also Lady Liberty (in French La Liberté éclairant le monde).

Not by accident: This neoclassical colossal statue created by Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi between New York City and Jersey City ist he most known statement for freedom and wisdom! She was inaugurated on October 28, 1886. She was ?a gift from France to the United States. And why that? Because democracy & freedom belongs together - like ebony & ivory, well described by Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney.

Ebony and ivory live together in perfect harmony. Side by side on my piano keyboard, oh Lord, why don't we?

The statue has been part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument since 1924 and has been classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1984. Continuing with words full of hope Joe crosses over the values of democracy, human dignity, the principle of fairness, the correctness of judiciary and the independence of the press. Yes he underlignes that checks & balances are not always perfect - but they still do work. That is what it is all about. And at one point he says:

?We the people!“

"We all know that people are the same whereever you go

There is good and bad in ev'ryone

We learn to live, when we learn to give

Each other what we need to survive, together alive“

(Stevie & Paul composed that beautiful song 1982)

The President goes his way clearly and pretty smooth coming to the end with a strong rest of his hope. And then Joe Biden shows one of the biggest risks today.

The concentration of power by huge tech companies. And the President emphasizes what many people (should) know:

An oligarchy is growing!

Yes and of course, many people don't even realize that. But why is it that way going? I mean, the people who actually vote for the oligarchs and think they are looking after their interests that is probably completely wrong. Isn’t it obvious?

If you listen carefully, that's what Joe Biden is saying. Let's hope for the best and trust that the American democracy, despite all the people Donald Trump has now locked into the systems, will survive the next four years. Joe Biden is counting on the people in the country who not only believe in the good, but are also committed to it. And he is counting on everyone of us.

Going back to the above mentioned statue, who (please not which or witch) depicts the robed figure of Libertas, the Roman goddess of liberty.

Standing on a massive pedestal, the figure made of a copper shell on a steel frame holds up a gilded torch with her right hand and holds a tabula ansata with the date of the American Declaration of Independence in her left hand.

Lets believe in that – please!

There is a broken chain lying at her feet. The statue is considered a symbol of freedom and is one of the best-known symbols of the United States. Believe it!

That's what we also need to focus on in Germany.

What do you think? Joe Biden's speech from yesterday is really impressive. And some of it sent shivers down my spine. But I am still confident! That the Statue of Liberty will help the americans and us believing in freedom is not in vain.

Liberty Enlightening the World - Lady Liberty.

Thank you Joe!