Soon, the city of New Orleans will be subjected to the appearance of President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden. They aim to insert themselves amid the survivors and community members still reeling from the horrifying incident on Bourbon Street. It’s curious how the Biden administration endeavors to act ‘presidential’ in times of tragedy, but tends to fall short at other times. Their visit, set for Monday, was broadcasted by the White House this past Friday morning.
Despite the hollow gestures planned next week, more questions than answers remain about this ghastly attack. The incident saw a white truck viciously ploughing its way through innocent crowds during the early morning hours of New Year’s Day on Bourbon Street. The toll from this hideous act stands at 14 lives lost and countless more haunted by the unforgettable chaos.
This brutal act was orchestrated by one Shamsud-Din Jabbar, who was subsequently neutralized by the New Orleans Police Department. Following his rampage, Jabbar crashed into a boom lift, resulting in a swift end to his turmoil. Amid the aftermath, it becomes apparent that the nation’s security needs to be tightened rather than hosting orchestrated sympathy visits.
U.S. Representative Troy Carter, a Democrat from New Orleans, expressed his unusual gratitude for the Bidens’ planned visit. Apparently, he envisions spending valuable time alongside the Bidens, visiting the families of victims while processing the horrifying incident that shook the community and the nation. One would wonder, though, whether the representative’s attentions wouldn’t be better spent on fortifying the community’s preparedness against such acts in the future.
The President, who has been rather slow in reacting to the the Bourbon Street attack, finally managed to address the public on Wednesday evening. Curiously enough, he informed the public about Jabbar’s social media activities prior to the attack, suggesting that he was driven by extremist ideologies linked to ISIS. Couldn’t more have been done to preemptively address such potential threats?
In his ill-timed praise of the city, President Biden uttered words which begged disbelief: ‘The spirit of New Orleans will never, never, never be defeated.’ Nice words, but what is the plan to ensure such an attack doesn’t occur again? He went on to extol New Orleans for its uniqueness, charm, and joy, but his words fall flat in the light of the recent tragedy.
He continued his seemingly tone-deaf address by asserting that people all around the globe admire New Orleans for its rich history, vibrant culture, and, above all, its people. Yet, one can’t help but ask: were his comments designed to show solidarity or merely a token effort to placate a grieving city?
Biden’s last foray into New Orleans was back in August, where he gave a speech concerning cancer research at Tulane University. An important topic, no doubt, but his ability to relocate focus back onto himself amidst calamity leaves a rather sour aftertaste. His administration has been noted for such grandstanding before, and this latest incident does little to dispel this perception.
Perhaps it’s time for those in power to prioritize the wellbeing of the nation and its people over political grandstanding. The announcement of the White House visit, hastily set for Monday, highlights a discernible pattern: a reactivity to disaster rather than the leadership and preventative measures necessary to avert these tragedies from unfolding in the first place.
Platitudes and meaningless rhetoric do nothing to heal the wounds of those who have experienced such a traumatic event firsthand. Yet, the Biden administration appears to bank on these expressions of false sympathy, replacing practical action with pointless visits and half-hearted condolences. The harsh reality is that our administration needs to act, not merely react – indeed, they should have acted long before such a tragedy had an opportunity to occur.
The President’s responses to the incident reveal an administration more comfortable basking in the spotlight than making tough and unpopular decisions. Rather than rushing to reassure a grieving city and nation, could the focus instead be shifted towards tangible measures necessary to prevent such wanton destruction in the future?
The Democrats, including the likes of Representative Carter, are quick to express gratitude for such hollow gestures as presidential visits. But what tangible action will follow? Will they advocate for more robust defense methods, stricter laws, and comprehensive security strategies to safeguard the life and liberty of American citizens?
Biden and Harris tend to position themselves as empathetic leaders but seldom translate their posture into effectual action. Their track record thus far serves as a stark reminder that platitudes and commiserations aren’t enough. The nation needs proactive measures, concrete plans, and tangible contributions to ensure tragedies like the Bourbon Street incident are avoided in the future.
In conclusion, the upcoming New Orleans visit by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden does little more than spotlight their penchant for reactive grandstanding. Rather than focusing on the tragedy, could the administration be better served by committing to preemptive strategies for safeguarding the nation and its citizens? After all, reactive consolation will never suffice for the loss of one life, let alone fourteen.