It is the longest day of the year in the northern hemisphere, and President Joe Biden will spend a fair part of the summer in his beloved Delaware, at Rehoboth Beach.
It’s an Atlantic Coast playground where much of Washington decamps to cool out in July and August.
However, in Washington, it is hot and the temperature is rising.
At 150 days in office, Biden has secured a complete victory on his first priorities: ending the pandemic and economic recovery.
Without any Republican votes in Congress, the American Rescue Plan was enacted and is doing its job.
Close to 70 per cent of the country will be at least partially vaccinated by Independence Day on July 4. The economy and jobs are coming back strongly, with growth forecast above 5 per cent this year.
It was with these winds at his back that Biden could meet with 30 allies in Europe, including Australia.
American allies renewed their support for US, carrying Western power into summit with Putin last week.
Biden outlined issues where the two countries could work through tough problems, such as Russia-based cyber attacks on US infrastructure; leave no doubt that the US would respond fully if provoked by Russian behaviour; and reaffirm core US values of democracy and human rights to Putin.
By all measures, Biden achieved what he wanted to accomplish.
In the United States, it is the height of the baseball season in America, so let’s do some inside baseball analysis:
Biden returned to Washington at the next critical juncture of his presidency: to win approval in Congress of multitrillion dollar program to rebus the country and provide economic security – in education and health and opportunity – for American families.
With his decades of service in Congress, Biden wants to see whether he can do at least some of this important work in the way he prefers to do it: with bipartisan cooperation.
And that effort is underway. At the same time, he wants to hold all his Democrats together – and he needs virtually every Democratic vote in the House and Senate to win floor votes.
This is unfolding on two tracks. A smaller joint bill with some Republicans on “basic” infrastructure: roads, bridges, broadband. About a trillion dollars, and Biden wants it paid for without new taxes or user fees on the middle class.
This package may get there. We will know in the next week or so if the talks are successful.
If a deal is reached, perhaps 15 Republicans can join with most Democrats to pass it in the Senate.
However this smaller package hardly meets the ambitious program Biden and Democrats want given the urgency of the country’s needs. So, a parallel mega-bill of perhaps $5 trillion will get underway.
The test for that package is whether Democrats will hold united against withering Republican attacks on a “radical, socialist, extremist” program of “tax and spend” that will bankrupt the country.
If these scenarios play out with Biden victories, there will be some earnest rebuilding of infrastructure across the country. And people will see that things are getting better. And that will paty political dividends for Biden.
If the bipartisan talks fail, and Democrats cannot maintain the unity required to see the mega-Biden program through, then Biden’s legislative program comes to a griding halt.
That would have the most profound consequences for how much President Biden can indeed accomplish in these first four years. A home run? Or three strikes and you’re out?
Bruce Wolpe is a Ticker News US political contributor. He’s a Senior Fellow at the US Studies Centre and has worked with Democrats in Congress during President Barack Obama's first term, and on the staff of Prime Minister Julia Gillard. He has also served as the former PM's chief of staff.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has reassured passengers following a series of incidents involving the carrier’s aircraft.
Amid growing safety concerns, CEO Kirby has stated that thorough investigations are underway to determine the root causes of the incidents and to implement necessary changes to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
The questions remains, will the public’s trust in the airline be restored and how effective are United’s safety protocols and training programs? #TICKER TODAY #featured
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has moved to reassure passengers following a series of incidents involving the carrier’s aircraft, ranging from engine and structural issues to a wheel falling off during takeoff.
In a letter addressed to United customers, Kirby emphasized the airline’s commitment to safety and pledged to thoroughly investigate each incident.
“Safety is our highest priority and is at the center of everything we do,” Kirby stated in the letter.
“Unfortunately, in the past few weeks, our airline has experienced a number of incidents that are reminders of the importance of safety.”
The incidents, which occurred on both Boeing and Airbus planes, were all unrelated but have raised concerns about safety standards within the airline industry.
Kirby acknowledged the seriousness of the incidents and emphasized that they have prompted United to intensify its focus on safety protocols.
Recent incidents
Among the recent incidents cited by Kirby were a Boeing 777 forced to return to Sydney midflight due to a hydraulic leak, an Airbus A320 making an emergency landing in Los Angeles due to reported hydraulics issues, and a Boeing 737 veering onto the grass after landing at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston.
Additionally, a Boeing 777-200 bound for Japan experienced a tire loss shortly after takeoff from San Francisco, and a flight from Houston to Fort Myers, Florida, had to make an emergency landing due to an engine issue, with flames seen spewing from one of the engines in a video captured by a passenger.
In February, a Boeing 757 operated by United diverted to address an issue with the wing slat, prompting concerns from passengers about the integrity of the aircraft.
United Airlines is currently conducting a comprehensive review of each incident to gain insights into what happened and to inform safety training and procedures across all employee groups.
Kirby announced plans to provide pilots with an extra day of in-person training starting in May and to implement a centralized training curriculum for new-hire maintenance technicians. Additionally, the airline is dedicating more resources to supplier network management.
Confusion and criticism erupted among shoppers in response to the latest offering from fashion brand Free People, as they unveiled their “micro shorts” collection on Instagram earlier this month.
The controversial post, featuring a series of images showcasing the ultra-short denim shorts, sparked a wave of bemusement and disapproval from Instagram users.
“We are wearing micro shorts this season. Link in bio to shop the styles,” read the caption accompanying the post.
However, instead of sparking excitement for the upcoming season, the micro shorts received a barrage of mocking comments, with many expressing bewilderment at the impracticality and extreme tightness of the garments.
Comedian Nicole Aimèe Schreiber quipped, “If you look closely enough, you can see her ovary release an egg,” while fellow comedian Ellen Skrmetti simply stated, “No ma’am…no ma’am.”
Lifestyle blogger Lee Anne Benjamin concurred, stating, “Ya it’s gunna be a no for me dawg,” echoing the sentiments of many who felt the micro shorts were simply too extreme for everyday wear.
Among the chorus of disapproval was Andrea Allen, founder of Deliciously Fit N Healthy, who said, “Who is ‘WE’? We are not. Leave the micro anything for the baby section at target. Bring back adult size clothes!!!”
Similar sentiments were echoed by social media influencer Mandi Lidgard, who humorously remarked, “Nothing like a good ol jean diaper.”
Micro bottoms
The Free People website currently features a range of “micro bottoms” products, including pants, shorts, skirts, and jumpsuits, with sizes ranging from XS to XL and prices spanning from $30 to approximately $400.
Interestingly, the trend of “micro shorts” for men gained traction in 2021, with predictions of their popularity among fitness enthusiasts during the summer months.