Biden Bits: “Good News”…

Biden Tweets Logo. Image by Lenny Ghoul.

President Biden’s public schedule for *Thursday (05/18/2023):

*Schedule note–President Biden is overseas all times are D.C., times, not his current location times.*

2:00 AMThe President receives the Presidential Daily Briefing
Closed Press
3:00 AMOut-of-Town Pool Call Time
Out-of-Town Pool
3:05 AM Official ScheduleThe President arrives to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Open Press
3:20 AM Official ScheduleThe President greets troops stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni
Open Press
4:05 AM Official ScheduleThe President departs Hiroshima Heliport Landing Zone, Hiroshima, Japan en route to Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
Out-of-Town Pool
4:40 AM Official ScheduleThe President arrives to the Rihga Royal Hotel Hiroshima, Hiroshima, Japan
Out-of-Town Pool
5:00 AM Official ScheduleThe President participates in a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan
Out-of-Town Pool Spray

Japan Visit Tweets

From Thursday…

President Biden and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan offered remarks prior to their bilateral meeting. The transcript is provided by the White House; the YouTube is provided by Reuters (it’s 16 minutes and 56 seconds long. The remarks begin at the 4 minute and 8 second mark and conclude at the 8 minute and 8 second mark).

Prime Minister Kishida Fumio:

(As interpreted.)  Joe, the last time we met in person was in January upon my visit to the U.S.  And it is indeed a great pleasure to see you again in person and especially to welcome you, Joe, here in my hometown.

The Japan-U.S. alliance is the very foundation of peace and security in the Indo-Pacific.  Japan and the United States have a strong relationship not only in the area of security, we have close and strong cooperation in all areas.  We very much welcome that the cooperation has evolved by leaps and bounds. 

Here in Hiroshima, the U.S. company Micron is engaged in leading semiconductor research, development, and manufacturing.  And this is a great case of Japan-U.S. semiconductor cooperation, and Japanese government will continue to support Micron’s efforts.

And based upon our vision to develop an ecosystem for innovation and startups in deep tech as we plan to create a global startup campus in central Tokyo, joint study with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — the MIT, one of the leading universities of the United States — has commenced.  By gaining cooperation from the United States, we will materialize such vision.

Today, Joe and I will go over what we intend to discuss at the G7 Hiroshima Summit and engage in last-minute coordination.  And at the summit, I am confident that the G7 will demonstrate our unwavering will to uphold free and open international order based on the rule of law — a concept that we both share.

White House.gov. 05/18/2023.

President Biden:

Well, Mr. President [Prime Minister], it’s wonderful to see you again and here in your own hometown.  The — and thank you for hosting the G7 Summit here. 

Under Japan’s leadership, we’ve already delivered progress on the G7 agenda this year.  And I’m looking forward to our meetings in the days ahead.

As you said back in January when you were at the White House, I think the quote is: We face the most — one of the most complex environments in recent history — security environments.  And I couldn’t agree with you more.

But I’m proud that the United States and Japan are facing it together.  And, you know, we stand up for the shared values, including supporting the brave people of Ukraine as they defend their sovereign territory and holding Russia accountable for its brutal aggression.

And we’re tracking the global challenges — from strengthening our community and our commitment to nuclear nonproliferation, to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific.  That’s at the heart of all this.

And, you know, we’re — it seems to me we’re — we’re deepening our cooperation on emerging technologies, including — including new partnerships between the United States and Japanese companies and, as you mentioned, universities as well in area- — in areas like quantum computing and semiconductors.  And I want to thank you for Japan’s commitment to increase investment in these areas.

The bottom line, Mr. Prime Minister, is that when our countries stand together, we stand stronger.  And I believe the whole world is safer when we do.

So, thank you again for having me here today.  And we look forward to the next several days.

White House.gov. 05/18/2023.

The White House posted the following meeting readout:

President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met with Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan in Hiroshima today to advance cooperation on a range of security, economic, and regional issues.  He underscored that the U.S.-Japan Alliance is the cornerstone of regional peace and prosperity, and reaffirmed the U.S. extended deterrence commitment using the full range of U.S. capabilities.  Both leaders discussed ways to further strengthen defense cooperation, building on Japan’s revised strategy documents and increased defense investments. 

They also addressed efforts to bolster economic cooperation, including through negotiations on the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), the promotion of clean and secure energy, and the establishment of diverse and resilient critical minerals supply chains.  The leaders highlighted their deepening cooperation on emerging technology, including the finalization of a memorandum of cooperation on education and technology and the launching of new partnerships between U.S. and Japanese companies and universities, including the University of Chicago and Purdue University, in areas like quantum computing and semiconductors.  The President thanked the Prime Minister for Japan’s commitment to increase investment in these areas.  

Both leaders affirmed their resolve to continue supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russia’s brutal and unlawful invasion, and committed to work closely together to address regional security challenges, including the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s (DPRK) nuclear and ballistic missile programs and coercive behavior by the People’s Republic of China that runs counter to international law. The President reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to the immediate resolution of the abductions issue.  The two leaders underscored their opposition to any attempts to change the status quo by force, and reiterated their resolve to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. They also reaffirmed their support for ASEAN centrality, and emphasized the importance of increasing multilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, particularly with the Republic of Korea (ROK), the Quad nations including Australia and India, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific Islands.  The President commended Prime Minister Kishida on his courageous efforts to improve bilateral ties with the ROK, which will contribute to greater regional stability and prosperity.

The two leaders committed to continue deepening the bilateral relationship to advance their shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.  The President said he looked forward to a productive G7 Summit under Japan’s leadership.

White House.gov. 05/18/2023.

Medal of Valor Tweet

From Wednesday…

The Medal of Valor ceremony YouTube is 29 minutes and 41 seconds long. His full remarks can be found here. I posted a list of the recipients names in Wednesday’s Biden Bits.


The Economy/Debt Ceiling/You Know the Drill Tweets

From Wednesday…

Remarks by President Biden on Preventing a First-Ever Government Default (05/17/2023).

The video clip is 39 seconds long.

President Biden:

And before I leave, I wanted to say a word about the status of negotiations with the Congressional leaders.  We had a productive meeting yesterday and — with all four leaders of the Congress.
 
It was civil and respectful.  And everyone came to the meeting, I think, in good faith.
 
I’m confident that we’ll get the agreement on the budget, that America will not default.  And every leader in the room understands the consequences if we fail to pay our bills.  And it would be catastrophic for the — for the American economy and the American people if we didn’t pay our bills.

[snip]

And we’re going to continue these discussions with Congressional leaders in the coming days until we reach an agreement.  And I’ll have more to say about that on Sunday, when I’m going to have a press conference on this issue.

[snip]

I made clear that — and I’ll say it again: America is not a deadbeat nation.  We pay our bills.

The nation has never defaulted on its debt, and it never will.

White House.gov. 05/17/2023.

White House Jewish American Heritage Month Celebration

From Wednesday…

The YouTube for the celebration is 37 minutes and 29 seconds long. Their full remarks can be found here.


International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia Tweet

From Wednesday…

His full statement:

Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity and equality—no matter whom they love, or how they identify. On the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, and Transphobia, we reaffirm our commitment to this ongoing work and stand with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex (LGBTQI+) people around the world.

More than 30 years ago today, thanks to the tireless advocacy of LGBTQI+ activists the World Health Organization took the long overdue step of declassifying ‘homosexuality’ as a mental health disorder. Since then, we’ve seen real progress—including a powerful movement for LGBTQI+ liberation, more protections for LGBTQI+ people, and more spaces that recognize and affirm that our diversity is our strength. But sadly, we continue to see reminders of how much work remains. More than 60 countries still criminalize homosexuality and some are considering even more draconian anti-LGBTQI+ legislation. Some governments continue to classify LGBTQI+ individuals as having a medical disorder or permit the use of so-called “conversion therapy”—a dangerous and discredited practice that blatantly violates human rights and causes significant harm, including high rates of suicide-related thoughts and behaviors among LGBTQI+ youth. And right here at home, violent attacks on LGBTQI+ individuals and community spaces have risen dramatically, and more than 600 hateful laws have been introduced this year targeting the LGBTQI+ community, particularly youth.

That is why, during my first month in office, I signed a Presidential Memorandum on Advancing the Human Rights of LGBTQI+ Persons Around the World to combat criminalization, protect vulnerable LGBTQI+ refugees, and build international coalitions to fight against discrimination. Last June, I signed an Executive Order directing my Administration to work to prevent the use of so-called “conversion therapy” in the United States and around the world.  We have also launched a new Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gender-Based Violence Globally to ensure that our efforts to confront the scourge of gender-based violence addresses the unique risks and barriers for LGBTQI+ people. And, my Administration continues to engage with governments, faith leaders, families, and communities around the globe to protect and promote respect for human rights—including LGBTQI+ rights.

Here at home, we’ve also worked to advance equality and equity for LGBTQI+ Americans. On my first day in office, I signed an Executive Order to strengthen civil rights protections for LGBTQI+ citizens in housing, health care, education, the criminal justice system, and more. We have made strides in ensuring that transgender and non-binary Americans can access accurate federal IDs and vital government services—from emergency homeless shelters to Social Security benefits. The Department of Justice is responding to discriminatory state laws that violate the rights and freedoms of LGBTQI+ youth and their families. And, I am proud to have appointed a historic number of proud LGBTQI+ public servants, including the first openly gay person to serve as a Cabinet Secretary, the first two openly transgender Americans to ever be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, and the first openly lesbian American to achieve the rank of Ambassador.

All of us have a responsibility to speak out and stand up against hate and violence in any form. When the rights of any group or individual are under attack, it endangers our own freedom, and the freedom of people everywhere. So today, let us join together across our country—and around the world—to stand with the LGBTQI+ community. Let us renew our work to combat homophobia, biphobia, and transphobia—and put an end to the harmful violence and discrimination that stems from it.

White House.gov. 05/17/2023.

This is an Open Thread.

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About Tiff 2521 Articles
Member of the Free Press who is politically homeless and a political junkie.