No, I Won't Be Reading "Original Sin"

Here's Why

No, I will not be reading Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s book Original Sin about Biden’s decline and his no good, very bad decision to run for reelection.

I’m not not reading it because I don’t think it’s true. (Yes, I realize I used a lot of negatives in that sentence but I’m really tired today and let’s just go with it, shall we?) I have no doubt Biden was not sharp enough to run again. He was and is still on his game some of the time. But he definitely was no longer consistent. His heart was in the right place but that’s not enough for the very big job of being President.

And yes, those closest to him told him what he wanted to hear and didn’t tell the American people what we needed to hear.

I’m sure the book is well-documented and well-written, but it’s a hard pass for me.

I am reading enough these days. In fact, my reading plate is quite full. I read about what’s going on in the current Administration. And how it’s illegal and immoral. I read about the things I can do to help in the quest to change what’s going on. I read about history and the (bad) ways in which we are repeating it. I write my little heart out here on Substack about the people who are being hurt by the cruelty of the Administration.

I strongly feel that while we don’t (and shouldn’t) need to cover up the enabling and hubris of what happened, I also feel like at this point in the program, it’s simply not constructive.

I’d rather Tapper had written about how we can get out of this mess. Or the corruption that’s been going on with the current Administration. The grift, the lies, the lack of adherence to the Constitution. Not because it’s right-wing corruption but because it’s what is happening now. While our country is in grave danger, we don’t have the luxury of focusing on the past and rehashing the should’ves, could’ves, would’ves. Could we possibly save that for when *CF Trump is gone?

When that glorious day arrives, talk all you want about what went wrong and how it should never be allowed to happen again. Biden had pledged to be a “bridge” president and he 100% should’ve stuck to that promise. Yes, there I am with a should’ve. But his unwillingness to call it a day, to head into the sunset, was his and possibly our country’s, undoing. A tale as old as time. It’s so hard to say, “I’m done.” Maybe the hardest thing ever. Which is why so many people falter at that last big career decision. Like RBG. Biden’s sin wasn’t all that original. Nor was the sin of the people around him. But that doesn’t make it right. Would’ve, could’ve, should’ve.

Right now, we need to work on would, can, should. Those are the books and Substacks on which we need to concentrate. And when I do have a little free time, I want to read or watch something that’s going to make me laugh or at least smile. And I’m pretty certain Original Sin is not it.

I’m guessing the Trump Administration won’t be putting Tapper’s book on the banned list. In fact, I’m sure they are loving it. I would say “it’s a free country and luckily we can read whatever we want” but that’s no longer true.

Right now, let’s look ahead. And when we’ve fixed this bloody mess, then let’s circle back to discuss. Kk?

*Convicted Felon