Opinion
By Steve Nicklas, 3-11-24
Joe Biden’s awkward gaffes can draw laughs, like offbeat comedy. But not this time.
There was nothing humorous about the president mispronouncing the first name of former University of Georgia student Laken Riley during the State of the Union address Thursday. It was “pathetic,” in the words of Riley’s mother.
Riley’s name will forever be synonymous with the horrors of illegal migration. The wholesome 22-year-old nursing student (at Augusta University) was allegedly murdered Feb. 22 by an illegal migrant, during a morning jog in Athens. She aspired to be a nurse to help people.
When Biden appeared Saturday for an “exclusive” MSNBC interview, you hoped it was to apologize to the Riley family. For pronouncing Riley’s name as “Lincoln,” not Laken. (Lincoln Riley is a football coach.)
Instead, Biden apologized to the illegal migrant. The words on the screen proclaimed: “Biden regrets calling alleged murderer ‘an illegal’ during SOTU.”
He then doubled down, with his own words. During the interview, Biden said he should have called Venezuelan Jose Antonio Ibarra undocumented, not illegal. Out of apparent respect.
“I’m not going to treat any of these people with disrespect,” Biden said. “Look, they built the country. They’re the reason our economy is growing.”
In a contrast as stark as the town of Starke, presidential contender Donald Trump met with the Riley family at his rally in Georgia over the weekend. Out of apparent sympathy.
Trump regularly criticizes Biden’s handling of the southern border. But even the outspoken Trump has no words to describe the rationale behind open borders. And the sympathy given to illegals by the Biden administration.
“Is this country going crazy, or what?” Trump asked.
Ironically, Biden didn’t plan to recognize Riley during his speech. However, Marjorie Taylor Greene forced his hand. The fiery Georgia congresswoman had handed Biden a pin with Riley’s photo on it. And Greene wore a “Say Her Name” shirt.
Biden doubled down again. While Riley may have been killed by an illegal, many more people are killed by legal residents, Biden said. Now that’s compassion.
If any awards are to be given after the dark, testy speech, one should go to House Speaker Mike Johnson. For staying awake, probably from contorting his face into expressions of displeasure.
Johnson’s faces provided entertainment, at least. Later, Johnson had sharp words for Biden’s misguided apology. “What an embarrassment,” Johnson said.
In the latest attempt at craziness, Democrats want to refer to illegals (presumably their new voters) as neighbors, or newcomers. Not illegals, or aliens.
There is a substantial cost to this. Not only to lives, but to taxpayers. An estimated $400 billion will be spent this year on housing, food, healthcare, policing, etc. of illegals.
Yet unrecognized and ignored in these trying times, we have a legal immigration system. But why go through the travails of the legal route? The illegal route seems quicker, easier.
Steve Nicklas is the managing partner of Nicklas Wealth Management in Fernandina Beach. He is also an award-winning columnist. His columns regularly appear in weekly newspapers in Northeast Florida and in Southeast Georgia, and on his website at www.SteveNicklasMarketplace.com. He has published a book, “All About Money,” of his favorite columns from the past 20 years. The book is available on Amazon. He has also done financial reports for area radio stations and for National Public Radio in Jacksonville. He can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 904-753-0236.
The views expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal Florida.
