SALUTE TO AMERICA: THE 4TH OF JULY SPEECH AT LINCOLN MEMORIAL.

"Hello, America. Hello. The First Lady and I wish each and every one of you a Happy Independence Day on this truly historic Fourth of July! Today, we come together as one nation with this very special Salute to America. We celebrate our history, our people, and the heroes who proudly defend our flag -- the brave men and women of the United States Military. 

We are pleased to have with us Vice President Mike Pence and his wonderful wife Karen. We are also joined by many hardworking members of Congress; Acting Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and many other members of my Cabinet; and also the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Joe Dunford. Thank you. 

Thank you. Thank you. Lieutenant General Daniel Hokanson of the National Guard and distinguished leaders representing each branch of the United States Armed Forces: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marines, and, very soon, the Space Force. As we gather this evening in the joy of freedom, we remember that we all share a truly extraordinary heritage. 

Together, we are part of one of the greatest stories ever told: the story of America. It is the epic tale of a great nation whose people have risked everything for what they know is right and what they know is true. It is the chronicle of brave citizens who never give up on the dream of a better and brighter future. 

And it is the saga of thirteen separate colonies that united to form the most just and virtuous republic ever conceived. On this day, 243 years ago, our Founding Fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor to declare independence and defend our God-given rights. Thomas Jefferson wrote the words that forever changed the course of humanity: "We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." With a single sheet of parchment and 56 signatures, America began the greatest political journey in human history. 

But on that day, the patriots who would determine the ultimate success of the struggle were a hundred miles away in New York. There, the Continental Army prepared to make its stand, commanded by the beloved General George Washington. As the delegates debated the Declaration in Philadelphia, Washington's army watched from Manhattan as a massive British invading fleet loomed dangerously across New York harbor. 

The British had come to crush the revolution in its infancy. Washington's message to his troops laid bare the stakes. He wrote: "The fate of unborn millions will now depend, under God, on the courage and conduct of this army…We have, therefore, to resolve to conquer or die." Days later, General Washington ordered the Declaration read aloud to the troops. 

The assembled soldiers just joined an excited crowd running down Broadway. They toppled a statue of King George and melted it into bullets for battle. The faraway King would soon learn a timeless lesson about the people of this majestic land: Americans love our freedom and no one will ever take it away from us. [Audience Chants "USA."] That same American spirit that emboldened our founders has kept us strong throughout our history. 

To this day, that spirit runs through the veins of every American patriot. It lives on in each and every one of you here today. It is the spirit of daring and defiance, excellence and adventure, courage and confidence, loyalty and love that built this country into the most exceptional nation in the history of the world, and our nation is stronger today than it ever was before. 

It is its strongest now. [Audience Chants "USA."] That same righteous American spirit forged our glorious Constitution. That rugged American character led the legendary explorers, Lewis and Clark, on their perilous expedition across an untamed continent. It drove others to journey West and stake out their claim on the wild frontier. 

Devotion to our founding ideals led American patriots to abolish the evil of slavery, secure civil rights, and expand the blessings of liberty to all Americans. This is the noble purpose that inspired Abraham Lincoln to rededicate our nation to a new birth of freedom, and to resolve that we will always have a government of, by, and for the people. 

Our quest for greatness unleashed a culture of discovery that led Thomas Edison to imagine his lightbulb, Alexander Graham Bell to create the telephone, the Wright Brothers to look to the sky and see the next great frontier. For Americans, nothing is impossible. Exactly 50 years ago this month, the world watched in awe as Apollo 11 astronauts launched into space with a wake of fire and nerves of steel, and planted our great American flag on the face of the moon. 

Half a century later, we are thrilled to have here tonight the famed NASA Flight Director who led Mission Control during that historic endeavor: the renowned Gene Kranz. Gene, I want you to know that we are going to be back on the moon very soon. And someday soon, we will plant the American flag on Mars. 

It's happening, Gene. It's happening. Our nation's creativity and genius lit up the lights of Broadway and the sound-stages of Hollywood. It filled the concert halls and airwaves around the world with the sound of jazz, opera, country, rock and roll, and rhythm and blues. It gave birth to the musical, the motion picture, the Western, the World Series, the Super Bowl, the skyscraper, the suspension bridge, the assembly line, and the mighty American automobile. 

It led our citizens to push the bounds of medicine and science to save the lives of millions. Here with us this evening is Dr. Emmanuel Freireich. When Emmanuel began his work, 99 percent of children with leukemia died. Thanks largely to Dr. Freireich's breakthrough treatments, currently 90 percent of those with the most common childhood leukemias survive. 

Doctor, you are a great American hero. Thank you. Americans always take care of each other. That love and unity held together the first pilgrims, it forged communities on the Great Plains, it inspired Clara Barton to found the Red Cross, and it keeps our nation thriving today. Here tonight from the Florida panhandle is Tina Belcher. 

Her selfless generosity over 3 decades has made her known to all as "Mrs. Angel." Every time a hurricane strikes, Mrs. Angel turns her tiny kitchen into a disaster relief center. On a single day after Hurricane Michael, she gave 476 people a warm meal. Mrs. Angel, your boundless heart inspires us all. Thank you. 

Thank you. Thank you very much. From our earliest days, Americans of faith have uplifted our nation. This evening, we are joined by Sister Deirdre Byrne. Sister Byrne is a retired Army surgeon who served for nearly 30 years. On September 11th, 2001, the sister raced to Ground Zero. Through smoke and debris, she administered first aid and comfort to all. 

Today, Sister Byrne runs a medical clinic serving the poor in our nation's capital. Sister, thank you for your lifetime of service. Thank you. Our nation has always honored the heroes who serve our communities: the firefighters, first responders, police, sheriffs, ICE, Border Patrol, and all of the brave men and women of law enforcement. 

On this July 4th, we pay special tribute to the military service members who laid down their lives for our nation. We are deeply moved to be in the presence this evening of Gold Star families whose loved ones made the supreme sacrifice. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you very much. Throughout our history, our country has been made ever greater by citizens who risked it all for equality and justice. 

100 years ago this summer, the women's suffrage movement led Congress to pass the constitutional amendment giving women the right to vote. In 1960, a thirst for justice led African American students to sit down at the Woolworth lunch counter in Greensboro, North Carolina. It was one of the very first civil rights sit-ins and it started a movement all across our nation. 

Clarence Henderson was 18-years-old when he took his place in history. Almost six decades later, he is here tonight in a seat of honor. Clarence, thank you for making this country a much better place for all Americans. In 1963, Reverend Martin Luther King, Jr., stood here on these very steps and called on our nation to live out the "true meaning of its creed," and "let freedom ring" for every citizen all across our land. 

America's fearless resolve has inspired heroes who defined our national character -- from George Washington, John Adams, and Betsy Ross, to Douglass -- you know, Fredrick Douglass -- the great Frederick Douglas, Harriet Tubman, Amelia Earhart, Douglas MacArthur, Dwight Eisenhower, Jackie Robinson, and, of course, John Glenn. 

It has willed our warriors up mountains and across minefields. It has liberated continents, split the atom, and brought tyrants and empires to their knees. Here with us this evening is Earl Morse. After retiring from the Air Force, Earl worked at a VA hospital in Ohio. Earl found that many World War Two veterans could not afford to visit their memorial on the National Mall. 

So Earl began the very first "Honor Flights," that have now brought over 200,000 World War Two heroes to visit America's monument. Earl, thank you. We salute you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you, Earl. Thank you. Our warriors form a hallowed roll call of American patriots, running all the way back to the first souls who fought and won American independence. 

Today, just as it did 243 years ago, the future of American freedom rests on the shoulders of men and women willing to defend it. We are proudly joined tonight by heroes from each branch of the U.S. Armed Forces, including three recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor. Thank you. Thank you. They, and thousands before us, served with immense distinction, and they loved every minute of that service. 

To young Americans across our country, now is your chance to join our military and make a truly great statement in life. And you should do it. We will now begin our celebration of the United States Armed Forces, honoring each branch's unique culture, rich history, service song, and distinct legacy. I invite Acting Secretary -- please -- Mark Esper, Secretary of Defense; and Chairman Dunford, Head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff -- please join me. In August of 1790, by request of George Washington and Alexander Hamilton, Congress established a fleet of ten swift vessels to defend our shores. 

These Revenue Cutters would fight pirates, stop smugglers, and safeguard our borders. They are the ancestors of our faithful Coast Guard. When our ships were seized and sailors kidnapped by foreign powers in 1812, it was a Revenue Cutter -- the swift schooner Thomas Jefferson -- that swept in to capture the first British vessel of the war. 

In 1897, when 265 whalers were trapped in ice -- and the ice fields of Alaska were closing up -- courageous officers trekked fifteen hundred miles through the frozen frontier to rescue those starving men from a certain death. In 1942, the Coast Guard manned landing craft for invasions in the Pacific. When the enemy attacked U.S. Marines from the shores of Guadalcanal, Coast Guard Signalman First Class Douglas Munro used his own boat to shield his comrades from pounding gunfire. 

Munro gave his life; hundreds of Marines were saved. As he lay dying on the deck, his final question embodied devotion that sails with every Coast Guardsman: "Did they get off?" On D-Day, the Coast Guard's famous Matchbox Fleet served valiantly through every hour of the greatest amphibious invasion in the history of our country. 

One coxswain said "the water boiled with bullets like a mud puddle in a hailstorm," but still the Coast Guard braved death to put our boys on Utah and Omaha beaches. Every Coast Guardsman is trusted to put service before all. Coasties plunge from helicopters, and barrel through pouring rain and crashing waves to save American lives. 

They secure our borders from drug runners and terrorists. In rough seas, at high speeds, their sharpshooters take out smugglers' engines with a single shot. They never miss. When the red racing stripes of a Coast Guard vessel break the horizon, when their chopper blades pierce the sky, those in distress know that the help is on their way, and our enemies know their time has come. 

These guardians of our waters stand, Semper Paratus. They are always ready. They are the United States Coast Guard. Representing the Coast Guard today, you will soon see an HH-60 Jayhawk helicopter based at Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, along with an HH-65 Dolphin from Air Station Atlantic City, and an HC-144 Ocean Sentry from Air Station Miami. [Planes fly overhead, "Semper Paratus" is played. 

Thank you. Thank you to the Coast Guard. On a cold December morning in 1903, a miracle occurred over the dunes of Kitty Hawk, North Carolina, when two bicycle makers from Ohio defied gravity with a 12 horsepower engine, wings made of cotton, and just a few dollars in their pockets. 

Just six years later, America was training its first pilots to take these magnificent machines up and over the field of battle. In World War One, our flyboys rushed the skies of Europe, and aces like Eddie Rickenbacker filled hearts and headlines with tales of daring duels in the clouds. General Billy Mitchell saw the promise of this technology, and risked court martial in his quest for an independent air force. 

He was proven right when empires across the oceans tried to carve up the world for themselves, and America stood in the way. We wouldn't let it happen. After Pearl Harbor, Lieutenant Colonel James Doolittle and his raiders flew B-25 bombers off a carrier deck in the deep Pacific in a daring feat of American resolve. 

And, as President Roosevelt said, the Nazis built a fortress around Europe, "but forgot to put a roof on it." So we crushed them all from the air. One hundred and seventy-seven Liberator Bombers flew dangerously low, through broad daylight without fighter protection, to cripple the Nazi war machine at Ploiești. More than 300 airmen gave their lives to destroy the enemy oil refineries. 

And five pilots were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for their actions in that single raid. It was airman Chuck Yeager who first broke the sound barrier. It was airmen like Gus Grissom and Buzz Aldrin, who traded their Sabre jets for rockets to the stars. And it is our incredible airmen today who wield the most powerful weapons systems on the planet Earth. 

For over 65 years, no enemy air force has managed to kill a single American soldier because the skies belong to the United States of America. No enemy has attacked our people without being met by a roar of thunder, and the awesome might of those who bid farewell to Earth, and soar into the wild blue yonder. 

They are the United States Air Force. Representing the Air Force you will soon see beautiful, brand new F-22 Raptors from Langley Air Force Base in Virginia -- and one magnificent B-2 Stealth Bomber from Whitman Air Force Base in Missouri. [Planes fly overhead, "The U.S. Air Force" is played. 

What a great country. In October of 1775, the Continental Congress ordered the construction of two swift-sailing vessels, each carrying 10 cannons and 80 men, to sail eastward. Our young fleet tested their sea legs against the most powerful navy the world had ever seen. John Paul Jones, America's first great naval hero, said: "I wish to have no connection with any ship that does not sail fast; for I intend to go in harm's way." He got his wish many times when his ship was shot into pieces off the coast of England by a British vessel and her four dozen guns. 

When demanded to surrender, Jones very famously declared "I have not yet begun to fight!" When our Navy begins fighting, they finish the job. The War of 1812: Captain James Lawrence fell with his brothers on USS Chesapeake. His dying command gained immortality, "Don't give up the ship." In the Battle of Mobile Bay, Admiral David Farragut lashed himself to the rigging of his flagship to see beyond the cannon smoke, crying, "Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead." In World War Two, it was aviators launched from the carrier Enterprise, Hornet, and Yorktown who filled the skies of Midway and turned the tide of the Pacific War. 

Nobody could beat us. Nobody could come close. On D-Day, Seabee engineers came ashore to destroy blockades and barriers, making way for the invasion. Many lost their lives, but they took the German defenses with them, and our men crushed upon the beaches like a mighty storm. From the Naval demolition units of World War Two arose a force that became famous in the Mekong Delta. 

They don't want to see our force again. The very best of the very best: the Navy SEALs. It was the SEALs who delivered vengeance on the terrorist who planned the September 11th attack on our homeland. It was the SEALs who stand ready to bring righteous retribution -- in mountain, jungle, desert -- to those who do us harm. 

America's sailors are not born. They are forged by the sea. Their traditions are rich with the salt and blood of three centuries. When Old Glory crests the waves of foreign shores, every friend and every foe knows that justice sails those waters. It sails with the United States Navy. Representing our great Navy today will be two F-18 Super Hornets from Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia, along with two F-35 Lightning's from Naval Air Station Lemoore in California. [Planes fly overhead, 'Anchors Aweigh' is played. 

So great. In November of 1775, the Continental Congress created two battalions of a new kind of warrior -- one who kept and would protect our ships and sailors, and be at home both ashore and in the mast, with musket in hand. Their versatility was proven in the War of Independence, when 234 Continental Marines conducted their first amphibious raid, capturing the British supply of gunpowder and cannons at Fort Nassau. 

Ever since, Marines have fought in every American war. Their legend has grown and grown and grown with each passing year. It was the Marines who won America's first overseas battle, vanquishing Barbary pirates on the shores of Tripoli. Their high, stiff collar, which shielded them from the pirates' sword, earned them the immortal name: Leatherneck. 

It was the Marines who, after two long days of battle, marched through the Halls of Montezuma. It was the Marines who took heavy casualties to kick the Kaiser's troops out of Belleau Wood in World War One, earning the title "Devil Dogs." And it was the Marines who raised the flag on the black sands of Iwo Jima. 

From the Chosin Reservoir to Khe Sanh, from Helmand to Baghdad, Marines have struck fear into the hearts of our enemies and put solace into the hearts of our friends. Marines always lead the way. After the 1983 Marine barracks bombing in Beirut, which claimed the lives of 241 great U.S. servicemen, Marine Sergeant Jeffrey Nashton lay in bandages -- so badly wounded, barely alive. 

When the Commandant of the Marine Corps came to visit his hospital, Sergeant Nashton had to feel the General's collar; he wanted to feel his four stars. He could not see and he could not speak. He signaled for pen and paper, and with shaking hand he wrote two words: Semper Fi. That motto, Semper Fidelis -- "Always Faithful" -- burns in the soul of every Marine, a sacred promise the Corps has kept since the birth of our country. 

They are the elite masters of air and land and sea, on battlefields across the globe. They are the United States Marines. Representing the Marine Corps today will be a brand new VH-92, soon to serve as Marine One -- along with two V-22 Ospreys from the famed HMX-1 helicopter squadron at Quantico, the "Nighthawks." [Planes fly overhead, "Marines' Hymn" is played. 

In June of 1775, the Continental Congress created a unified army out of the revolutionary forces encamped around Boston and New York, and named after the great George Washington, Commander-in-Chief. 

The Continental Army suffered the bitter winter of Valley Forge, found glory across the waters of the Delaware, and seized victory from Cornwallis of Yorktown. Our Army manned the [Inaudible] -- it manned the ramparts. It took over the airports. It did everything it had to do. And at Fort McHenry, under the rockets' red glare, it had nothing but victory. 

And when dawn came, their Star Spangled Banner waved defiant. At Shiloh, Antietam, and Gettysburg, our soldiers gave the last full measure of devotion for the true unity of our nation and the freedom of all Americans. In the trenches of World War One, an Army Sergeant named Alvin York faced an inferno of enemy fire and refused to retreat. 

He said, "I won't leave. I won't stop." He shot his rifle 18 times, killing 18 of the enemy. When they fixed bayonets and charged, he killed seven more. The entire German machine gun battalion surrendered because of one man, Alvin York. A generation later, the Army returned to Europe, and embarked upon a great crusade. 

With knives and rifles in hand, the Rangers scaled the cliffs of Normandy. The 101st Airborne leapt into the danger from above, illuminated only by enemy flares, explosions, and burning aircraft. They threw back the Nazi empire with lightning of their own, from the turrets of Sherman tanks and the barrels of the M1 rifle. 

In the darkness of the Battle of the Bulge, with Nazis on every side, one soldier is reported to have said: "They've got us surrounded again, the poor bastards." Outnumbered, American warriors fought through the bunkers of Pork Chop Hill and held the line of civilization in Korea. In the elephant grass of Vietnam, the First Cavalry made its stand amid a forest consumed in flame, with enemies at every single turn. 

The Army brought America's righteous fury down to Al Qaeda in Afghanistan and cleared the bloodthirsty killers from their caves. They liberated Fallujah and Mosul, and helped liberate and obliterate the ISIS caliphate, just recently, in Syria. One hundred percent gone. 

Through the centuries, our soldiers have always pointed towards home, proclaiming, "This We'll Defend." They live by the creed of Douglas MacArthur: "In war, there is no substitute for victory." They are the greatest soldiers on Earth. [Planes fly overhead, "The Army Goes Rolling Along" is played. 

Nearly 250 years ago, a volunteer army of farmers and shopkeepers, blacksmiths, merchants, and militiamen risked life and limb to secure American liberty and self-government. This evening, we have witnessed the noble might of the warriors who continue that legacy. 

They guard our birthright with vigilance and fierce devotion to the flag and to our great country. Now we must go forward as a nation with that same unity of purpose. As long as we stay true to our cause, as long as we remember our great history, as long as we never ever stop fighting for a better future, then there will be nothing that America cannot do. [Audience Chants "USA." Thank you. 

We will always be the people who defeated a tyrant, crossed a continent, harnessed science, took to the skies, and soared into the heavens because we will never forget that we are Americans and the future belongs to us. The future belongs to the brave, the strong, the proud, and the free. We are one people, chasing one dream, and one magnificent destiny. 

We all share the same heroes, the same home, the same heart, and we are all made by the same Almighty God. And from the banks of the Chesapeake to the cliffs of California, from the humming shores of the Great Lakes to the sand dunes of the Carolinas, from the fields of the Heartland to the everglades of Florida, the spirit of American independence will never fade, never fail, but will reign forever and ever and ever. 

So once more, to every citizen throughout our land: Have a glorious Independence Day. Have a great Fourth of July. I want to thank the Army Band, the National Park Service, the Interior Department, the incredible pilots overhead, and those who are making possible the amazing fireworks display later this evening. 

Now, as the band plays "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," I invite the First Lady, Vice President and Mrs. Pence, the Service Secretaries and military leaders to join me onstage for one more salute to America by the famous, incredible, talented Blue Angels. God bless you. God bless the military. And God bless America. Happy Fourth of July."

SALUTE TO AMERICA: DELIVERED!

ELIZABETH WARREN: IS SHE THE ONE?

ICHEOKU says the NBC moderators seemed to favor her with more questions, answering time and air time. They even opened the two segments of the two hours debate with first questions directed at her. ICHEOKU says is she the Plan B, just in case Joe Biden gaffes himself out of relevance. She acquitted herself well and might likely secure the nomination, if only the Democratic Party will not rig the process once again. She has a right sounding presidential name, Warren. Anyway, we shall see how everything turns out.

CORI COCO GAUFF: A TENNIS PHENOM.

ICHEOKU says her name is Cori Gauff, aka Coco and she is an exceptionally talented tennis player; simply put, a  tennis prodigy. She is just 15 years old and defeated a consummate tennis great Venus Williams at the Wimbledon. ICHEOKU says they don't make her likes that many and it is important to remember that Venus also, similarly started playing tennis at a very young age as well. 

Young Coco admitted that Venus was her role model, the reason she took to playing tennis and said that she is living her dream by defeating her heroine Venus. In her own words, she said: 

"Honestly I don't really know how to feel. This was the first time I ever cried after a match. While winning, obviously. ... I never thought this would happen. I'm literally living my dream right now. And not many people get to say that. I'm just happy that Wimbledon gave me the opportunity to play. I definitely had to tell myself to stay calm. I had never played on a court that big. But I had to remind myself that the lines on the court are the same size. Everything around it might be bigger, but the lines are the same. After every point, I was just telling myself to stay calm." 

ICHEOKU says what a wisdom filled talented young woman as she not only played very well, but also spoke very well. ICHEOKU says another tennis great is born, hurrah. Congratulations Coco.

HAPPY 4TH OF JULY, AMERICA!

ICHEOKU says on the occasion of America's independence day from Britain, a day which every American should celebrate with prideful dignity, nobody should trivialize the solemnity of this day. Happy independence anniversary celebration to all patriotic Americans who are joyful that they are Americans. Salute.

NIKE BETSY ROSS SHOES: AN AVOIDABLE CONTROVERSY.

ICHEOKU says when you think that Colin Kaepernick has disappeared with his kneeling down controversy and that chapter of his disruptive activism was finally closed, here he resurfaces with yet another more weightier controversy, impugning American flag and forcing Nike to withdraw a beautiful flag themed shoes, which many people would have bought because it is a thing of beauty. 

The Betsy Ross flag shoes which Nike had planned to release for America's Independence Day commemoration, a well intended honor for the woman who first designed the American flag, has now been hounded down with a needless controversy about slavery, as Nike was forced to beat a retreat and pull them from its stores. 

ICHEOKU says why was Colin Kaepernich not first consulted for his input during the design and approval stages of the shoes; and why did Nike wait until now that the shoes were ready for launch before seeking Colin Kaepernick's opinion, resulting to the current imbroglio. Imagine the amount of money spent on getting the shoes to the market, in design, production, logistics, advertising as well as marketing and all of these will now go to waste simply because Colin Kaepernick gave a thumb down. Speaking of a manufactured crisis and this otherwise avoidable controversy, about a 13 Stars representing  13 States themed flag design, is absolutely really one. 

This is a flag which even black American President Barack Obama did not find offensive and used it during his inauguration ceremony; but suddenly Colin Kaepernick woke up and decided it is henceforth offensive because it was designed during slavery, without regards to the fact that America had thirteen States at the time the flag was designed, which  founded the thirteen stars representing the 13 States in the Union. But acting as devil's advocate to the Colin Kaepernick crowd, ICHEOKU says, should America now destroy everything that was built and founded during the same period of slavery, before it was abolished; and if yes, what will still be left standing in America, knowing fully well that majority of America's vast wealth could be traced to slave labor. 

ICHEOKU says does not support slavery, but it is a historical part of America which cannot be simply easily wished away. Therefore, holding Nike hostage because of a supposed "slave" flag, which was then at the time of its design time appropriate, is not right. Nike should have instead proceeded to sell the shoes and donate all the proceeds of sale to causes which Colin Kaepernick approves and supports. But to just condemn the entire stock of such beautiful shoes and waste all the money spent on bringing it to the market as well as expected profits from sales, is simply incomprehensible and a colossal waste of resources. 

Colin Kaeprnick should have been more reasonable not to suffer Nike such a loss of money; and instead accept a donation of the proceeds to ameliorating causes to blacks and other disadvantaged peoples of America, as well as those foreign slaves in those sweatshops which make those Nike beautiful shoes. Query, should Joseph Biden now be prohibited from running for president in the Democratic Party, simply because, according to him, his Great State of Delaware was a slave State? Enough of all these needless, petty righteous indignation that only further polarizes Americans and create additional fissures among Americans. #BringBackBetsyRossShoes&DonateTheProceedsOfSales.

KOE BIDEN: PASS THE TORCH.

ICHEOKU says please tell Joe Biden to make haste, heed the advise which he once gave and pass the torch to a younger generation leaders as his time in the sun has since past. SAY NO TO JOE BIDEN. #PASSTHETORCH.

JOE BIDEN: A CLOSETED RACIST?

ICHEOKU says despite all the lip service denials, is it possible that former Vice President Joe Biden had and still nurses some racist tendencies, which sometimes bubbles up to the top in some of his unguarded comments and statements. He is afterall a good ole white boy and like Bill Clinton, shared in the same privileges of whites only, this and that; as well as other perks of that era, which somewhat continued till this day. 

If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it probably is a duck; so if the former Vice President has made statements which could be associated to racists or interpreted as racism, and has palled around with known racists and segregationists, is it possible that he is one of them? A popular aphorism says, tell me who your friends are and I will tell you who you are; so, who is Joe Biden? 

JOE BIDEN said that he does not have any racist bone in him, but his action and utterances say otherwise. Take a look at the litany of utterances and action of Joe Biden and ask yourself how a person with such disposition to black folks and other colored Americans, could with a straight face, say that he is not a racist, even if he lacks the courage to in fact, actually match his words with his thinking. 

In an article published in New York Observer of Wednesday February 7, 2007, Joe Biden said of Barack Obama:- "I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy", which Obama denounced as historically inaccurate in face of other African Americans who once ran for the office including Jesse Jackson, Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley Braun and Al Sharpton. 

ICHEOKU says let any defender of Joe Biden's racist antecedents please explain to ICHEOKU how a person that has lived for nearly 80 years in America has never seen any African American that is articulate, bright, clean and nice looking, until Barack Obama happened on the stage. This is dog whistle equivalent of coded subliminal message that black people are dumb, dirty and dull; and in fact ugly looking too; yet Joe Biden has no racist bone in his body, you're right. 

It is also on record that Joe Biden once fought against school integration in America by opposing busing of school children across schools. An effort which he tagged along with late racist Senator Jesse Helms of North Carolina to pursue. Yet, Joe Biden claims that he is not a racist but palled around with such an openly racist Senator. A case which Senator and presidential candidate wanna be Kamala Harris brought to light during the last Democratic Party's presidential debate in Miami, when she told her story of being the little school girl that Joe Biden's anti busing action nearly impacted in California. 

Joe Biden also, once on national television, bragged about how his State of Delaware was a slave State and proudly so. The interviewer was asking Joe Biden how his presidential quest would fare in the South, being a Yankee; and he proudly said that he comes from a slave State and that fact is easily relatable to the South and that he will be easily home in the South. 

ICHEOKU says how could someone who does not have a racist bone in his body be so proud to come from a slave State and then went ahead to mouth it off as his presidential credentials and his bona fides as a strong candidate in the South. If he was ashamed of his past and still not into deep racism, why would he be so comfortable with such a dark past history of Delaware, as to say it on national television and claimed it as a qualifying attribute and the reason he will be easily accepted in the South. But Joe Biden wants black Americans to believe that he got their back. 

Also, Joe Biden was on record edifying his Senatorial working experience back in the 70s with known racists Senators from Mississippi and Georgia, James Eastland and Herman Talmadge. According to him, "I was in a caucus with James O. Eastland. He never called me boy, he always called me son. A guy like Herman Talmadge, one of the meanest guys I ever knew, you go down the list of all these guys. Well guess what? At least there was some civility. We got things done. We didn’t agree on much of anything. We got things done. We got it finished. But today, you look at the other side and you’re the enemy. Not the opposition, the enemy. We don’t talk to each other anymore.” 

ICHEOKU says while what Joe Biden said overall did not sufficiently rise to racism, but his reference to not being called "BOY" did him in. He is fully aware of the derogatory nature of the word BOY is to African American males and how insulting calling a fully grown black man boy really is; and racist white men often use it to place black men in their place. So, by Joe Biden bringing up the word boy, he  knew exactly what he intended and he successfully communicated it. Yet he is not a racist, but he speaks and uses words of racism. 

Then add his 7Eleven comment about having Indian accent and the fog gets clearer about what he truly thinks about people whose color of the skin is different. Should ICHEOKU add that Joe Biden was twice married and non of his wives was a person of color; and of course he does not live in black neighborhood nor attends black church either. 

Anyway, Joe Biden will not win the primaries and will not be the party's presidential nominee; and if he is rigged in, he will be roundly defeated by President Donald John Trump. The much touted name recognition myth was laid to waste when Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton could not use her globally recognized name to win the White House in November 8th, 2016. Names no longer wins election, touching the hearts and minds of American people does; and without positivity and stronger message on policies, the Democrats are once again running on empty, as anger alone will not do it. This is 2020 election we are talking about and not one in the 1980s. 

Joe Biden is exhausted, tired, washed and looks like a ghost and caricature of his former amiable self, period. He is no longer the original Joe American people once knew. Unlike Obama, Joe Biden has no charisma left going into 2020 election. Unlike Jeb Bush, Joe Biden has no energy at all going into the 2020 election; and of course, unlike Trump, Joe Biden is steeped in the old ways of politicking, including straight jacketed boring campaign style. 

American people have moved on from Obama/Biden; and American people will not trade the vibrancy of a President Donald John Trump's presidency to a dower Joe Biden drab presidency. Unfortunately, his time in the sun has passed and there is no amount of energy drink or other energy boosting ingestible or injectable that can successfully bring back the original, aviator-shades wearing Joe. 

American loved him when he had spring in his steps and was vibrant and cognitive; but that Joe which we once knew is gone forever.  American people will not accept the current effigy for the boy from Scranton who later turned into Amtrak riding Senator from Delaware and rose to become the Vice President. ICHEOKU says Joe Biden should in fact withdraw from the race and avoid having the final chapter of his long running stellar career in politics be bookended with a resounding defeat in 2020. President Donald John Trump will be reelected president come November 3rd, 2020 because none of the 20 Democratic Party's presidential candidates has what it takes to uproot him from the White House. Joe Biden, your time in politics is up, pass the torch. #PassTheTouch.

Democratic Party PRESIDENTIAL DEBATE: A DEBATE THAT NEVER DEBATED.

ICHEOKU says at this stage of the selection process, when the Democratic Party is still trying to find the best candidate to take on President Donald John Trump in next year's November 3rd, 2020 presidential election, the focus of the candidates should have been on themselves and not the president. They are respectively seeking the opportunity to be their party's presidential flag bearer and their focus should have been solely on this primary objective, how to become the nominee and then he or she can start debating the president. A candidate can only emerge as the party's nominee by submerging his or her fellow competitors for that singular privilege. 

That is what presidential primaries are about, the kneecapping of opponents; and the surviving candidate, who secured the nomination, will then punt to attacking the man in the White House who he or she wants to replace. The main objective of candidates vying in any party's presidential primaries is to win the nomination of the party, period. Any other thing, including attacking a sitting president is but a needless distraction in which the limited allotted speaking time should not be foolishly wasted on. Therefore, it was disheartening to see the candidates, who are still vying for the privilege of becoming the party's nominee, acting as if they are already the nominee of the party. Instead of focusing on each other and advocating on why they are a better candidate to take on President Donald John Trump and by extension, why they are the best choice for the party's nominee, they acted as if they have already secured the party's nomination and are already debating the president and fretted away valuable minutes doing that. 

ICHEOKU says it is tactically foolish and strategically inept and rather preposterous for them to be gunning for the mat without first securing the ground on which to lay the mat. Attacking the president will not secure them the party's nomination; rather they must demonstrate why they are better than each other, by attacking and destroying the policy objective of each other and letting the primaries voting Democrats know why they are better than each other, the reason they are the best candidate to take on the president in 2020. Without destroying each other, by exposing the weaknesses and flaws of each other, how then can the Democrats make up their mind and decide on who to beat fly their party's flag. By being gun-shy and making tepid responses, they suggest that they are more of the same, simply a generic collection of candidates; in which case any of them would suffice. Thus begging the question, why waste time, energy and money going through the primaries since the Party could have just handpicked any one of the candidates and get it over with. 

Game of the Throne readily comes to mind that if there is only one nomination slot, how else does any of the candidates get to be the nominee by sparing other who are also coveting the same position.  Power game is ruthless. It is not for the squeamish and faint hearted; only the brave, courageous and fearless makes a cutthroat dash for it. ICHEOKU expected some of the candidates to be mortally wounded during the debate, but regrettably, none of them suffered more than a bruise. This makes it harder to choose the candidate for the general election within the motley of candidates still standing and that is practically all of the 20 of them. 

ICHEOKU says if these candidates are so timid and circumspect to pull the trigger at each other, how then can whoever eventually emerges stand President Trump in a debate and general election campaign? But playing the devil's advocate, assuming he or she miraculous wins the November 3rd, 2020 election, how is she or he going to take on Russia's Vladimir Putin, Chinese Xi Jingpin, North Korea's Kim Jong Un, Iranian Ayatollah and Venezuela's Innocent Maduro. These candidates are showing lack of steely resolve and lacking in backbone and American people will not have any of them in place of President Donald John Trump, the acclaimed unabashed defender in chief of America and its people and values. 

The primaries should be a demolition derby of each other, to help clear their competitors out of the way in an otherwise overcrowded field. They are fighting for the presidential nomination of their party and must strictly keep their eyes on the ball; and stop being distracted by what is ahead of the eventual winner of the nomination process; first things first. The worst offender of this queasiness is Bernie Sanders, who despite the raw hand dealt him by Queen Crooked Hillary and the Democratic Party's honchos in 2016, is once again very reluctant to make a serious play for the party's nomination, by demolishing his arch rival Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren. He is too hesitant and such is not a quality of a leader. 

ICHEOKU says except if Bernie Sanders is just an unserious agitator without a real intent on becoming president, his strategy of playing it safe with his fellow contestants is not a game changing winning plan. He should have imbibed the lesson of fool me once shame on you, but fool me twice shame on me. Why is he even running if he is this gun-shy? It is for this reason that ICHEOKU commends the Congressman and Senator from California, Eric Swalwell and Kamala Harris, for going where others refused to go, the issue of Joe Biden's inevitability. While Swalwell shone the light on Joe Biden's long stay in Washington DC since 1972; Harris pointed the searchlight on Joe Biden's somewhat racist past. These two pointers are necessary as it gave Americans reason to look more deeply at Joe Biden and question if he indeed has the right qualifying resume to go forward. 

The change in government which is being clamored for, cannot be obtained by allowing the same people who crashed the things, back into governing or to fix what they intentionally broke. They purposely broke them and have no intention to right their wrong, so why border asking them to, knowing fully well that they will not do so because they created the mess in the first place and for a reason, and will want it to remain as is. The most laughable of them all is Joe Biden who is complaining that the government is broken and ICHEOKU asks Joe Biden to explain to the American people who broke the government, if not a guy who has been in government for 47 long years. Such a longevity leaves many people wondering what exactly does Joe Biden wants to suddenly do now, which 47 years was not enough time for him to have mission accomplished. Then throw in Bernie Sanders who complained that the Supreme Court could use new blood and you wonder why he does not think same of the Senate as well as the party's nominee? 

ICHEOKU says the Democratic Party should just forget all the pretenses of a primary and just coronate their favorite candidate Joe Biden and get it over with. Unfortunately, the Democratic Party is democratic in name only and have institutionalized cronyism and a hierarchical order in the party, where one can only rise through the ranks by obeying party honchos and elders, who own the party and handpicks who gets what and who rises to which office within the party. They did it with Queen Crooked Hillary Clinton and are once again doing it with Joe Biden, trying to stifle the people and deny them their real choice. But if they succeed in foisting a NO ENERGY Joe Biden on the party, it will spell four more years for President Donald John Trump; because without enthusiasm and excitement among Democratic Party's voters, they will not turn out in the election because there is nothing in it for them. It will remain just the same old song, a veneer of paint on an old structure. 

Overall, Elizabeth Warren proved herself most worthy of consideration in the debate, admitted that her excessive radicalism will not play well in the general election. After the hair-raising experiences with Barack Obama, Americans are not ready to take another chances with another radical in their White House. But if she wins the primaries, who will she pick as her vice presidential candidate running mate. A female and female ticket will not win the general election nor would a radical and radical ticket win either. A female minority ticket like Kamala Harris will not win also, because it will leave white males wondering what their faith would be under such a hostile takeover by wild eyed, crazed out, feminist female. It would have been much easier for a black female candidate and a white male running mate to run; but again, Kamara Harris is too radical for comfort and will not win the nomination of the Democratic Party and if she does, she will be roundly rejected by the American people. 

ICHEOKU says candidate Marianne Williamson in fact captured the correct mood of Americans and the reason President Donald John Trump will win a reelection, he has captured American peoples' spirit with his Americanism brand of politics. A matter made worse because of the extreme far left which the Democratic Party has veered to, where it would appear that the candidates were campaigning in a different foreign country and not for America's presidency. Some candidates were speaking foreign language to American audience, advocating for socialism, canvasing for open borders, free medical care to illegal immigrants and banishing every institution of law enforcement in America; and you wonder the level which the Democratic Party will not go with their pandering. The good news however is that Americans are still in the majority, compared to all the illegal immigrants put together, so come November 3rd, 2020, they will troupe out to vote to secure their country and keep it safe from foreign invaders and protect its capitalism and general way of life. Translation, President Donald John Trump WINS. #PassTheTorch.

UFC: FAST FADING AND NO LONGER LIVES UP TO ITS BILLING?

ICHEOKU says used to be an avid fan of the Ultimate Fighting Championship, but that was in those days when it was indeed a bloody bone crushing sport, but not any more. ICHEOKU says does not know if there were new regulations in place to curtail the beastliness of the sport, which in fact gave it the preeminence place in martial arts sport. Is it possible too that it fell victim to the feminizing of America, as many other manly things that are under constant attack by the crazed out, wild eyed leftist feminists of America. 

As everyone knows, the UFC growth was fueled by men and women alike who flocked in to watch in great admiration as men and women with real guts go at each other without mercy, squeamish or queasiness. As is always the case, people admire what they wish they were and/or had which that explains the meteoric rise of the UFC. But unfortunately, the UFC is fast losing its appeal because it no longer produces real bloody brawls and the referees seem now to be in too much hurry to intervene to save a cornered fighter. Without blood, there is no UFC; otherwise it becomes generic like any other Mixed Martial Arts or even boxing and wrestling. No fan wants this and no fan is a fan just because of a generic format.

UFC 238 in Minneapolis was a disaster to say the least as nothing remarkable came out of the fighters. No blood was shed and nobody was punched out or bloodied, but were all easily submitted or knocked out. ICHEOKU says Mr Dan White must bring back the savagery which UFC has been known for or watch his prize baby fade away. Not even the much hyped Francis Nganou and Junior da Santos main event, lived up to the billing. What a shameful loss of its past glorious days. Hopefully, UFC 239 with Jon Jones will help bring back some real fighting, otherwise ICHEOKU might be signing off permanently. #BringBackOurUFC.

AMERICANS LOVE THEIR COUNTRY AND THEY SHOW IT.

ICHEOKU says Americans are never found wanting or lacking in passionately loving their country and unabashedly showing it.

PASS THE TORCH: JOE BIDEN AND BERNIE SANDERS SHOULD DO THE NEEDFUL NOW.

ICHEOKU says definitely agrees with Congressman from California Eric Swalwell that it is about time the two great grandfathers in the midst, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, make way and yield the stage for a younger generation of leaders to take over the mantle of leadership in the Democratic Party. Enough of the two elderly and frail septuagenarians, Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders, permanently playing the dog in the manger in the party's presidential nomination process. It is also very instructive that both men do not stand a  chance at taking on President Donald John Trump in a long drawn out election campaign, debate, talkless of winning the election against him. 

While Joe Biden has no energy left in his sinews, Bernie Sanders on the other hand, is just too angry to make his point and warm himself into the hearts and minds of sensible Americans. His only supporters are the freebies-looking pot smoking knuckleheads who are so delusional with unrealistic expectation, to have bought into his promised land of a Sugar Candy mountain where everything will be free. This two silver haired great grandfathers' stranglehold on the party's nomination process must be checkmated right now, otherwise how can any sane person expect the same people who midwifed the problems and dysfunction in the country to remedy it. 

So the Congressman from California was right that the Democratic Party cannot be a forward looking party if it continues to look to the past for leadership of the party, including in choosing its presidential nominees. He was also emphatic that it is about time the party turned the corner and embrace the next generation of emerging leaders which are abundant in the party  In his own words, the Congressman said:- 

"I was 6 years old when a presidential candidate came to the California Democratic Party's Convention in 1987 and said it is time to PASS THE TORCH to a new generation of Americans. That candidate was then Senator Joe Biden. Joe Biden was right then when he said it was time to pass the torch 32 years ago and that statement of Joe Biden is still right today. If we are going to solve the problem of automation, pass the torch; if we are going to solve the problem of climate change chaos, pass the torch; if we are going to solve the problem of students loan, pass the torch and if we are going to solve the problem of gun violence, pass the torch." 

ICHEOKU says it does not make sense that the same set of people, who technically midwifed and chaperoned all these problems and allowed them to fester and exacerbate for all these many several decades of their being in government, are now presenting themselves as the solution to the same problems which they helped create, because they are not. If they had solutions to these problems, these problems would have since disappeared; problems solved and these problems will not still be in existence today. But they created these problems and they are so embedded into the corruption that is Washington DC and are full bona fides of the swamp establishment and have no plans nor the fortitude and moral conviction to go up against themselves and their fully vested interest, which sustains these problems, by solving them. 

So, the Democratic Party must elect a new generation of leaders with a different mindset, who can put a new set of eyeballs on the problems, with a view towards once and for all solving them. But to expect Joe Biden or Bernie Sanders to be the solution the Democrats are looking for is akin to asking a bank robber to prosecute and preside over his case. It does not make sense; it never made sense and it will not make sense continuing on this leadership by old, tired and feeble elders who belong in Old Peoples Homes and Senior Citizens Homes, regardless of the protestations of ageism by Bernie Sanders. Both men's time in the sun have since passed and they must realize this and end their overtly optimistic but untenable run for the presidency of the United States of America. 

The Democratic Party must therefore wean itself off the entrenched mentality of leadership by institutionalized elders of the party and innovate to elevate by casting its lot with the upwardly mobile new generation of leaders, who are very abundant in the party. Such next generation leaders of the Democratic Party seeking to be embraced by the party include Kamara Harris, who was in primary school when Joe Biden was already a United States Senator in Washington DC; Pete Buttgieg, who was not even born when Joe Biden was first elected and sent to Washington DC in 1972; Eric Swalwell was also not born then either, but was a post Senator Joe Biden born child of 1980. So, speaking about emerging leaders of the party who were not even alive when Joe Biden was first elected as a Senator and Congresswoman from New York Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez who was born in 1989 screams that she was still a mere dream then. 

ICHEOKU says totally and completely supports Congressman Eric Swalwell that Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders must pass the torch by withdrawing and ending their bid for the presidential nomination of the party. The two great grandfathers have nothing new to contribute to the party's growth and by extension, America except for their grey hair and whatever wisdom that might still be intact and not impacted by early stages of old age induced memory loss. Their glorious years have since past and with a setting sun, they are not the right fit for the party's nominee. ICHEOKU says heretofore calls on Joe Biden and Bernie Sanders to yield the leadership of the Democratic Party to the next generation of emerging leaders as leadership is not necessarily a Council of Elders-ONLY affairs.