JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC

With tears in my eyes and sniffles in my nose, I watched President Elect Joe Biden and Vice President Elect Kamala Harris introduce their first group of proposed cabinet members today.

The tears welled up because, for the first time in four years, we saw a group of seasoned, honest professionals pledging to work tirelessly in the interests of the American public, not in the interests of a corrupt and insatiable egotist.

The tears came not only from joy but also from relief, as the mind’s eye could see the biggest ship of fools ever assembled — bearing people masquerading as national leaders — fading off the horizon.

I presume many of you did not get to watch this entire event, which lasted about 40 minutes. It was the most riveting TV I have seen in a long time, and I want you to hear some of the inspirational, reaffirming words that each nominee uttered.

The overall theme, as commentators described it afterward, was a transition from America First to America Is Back. Not an America with eyes fixed on its navel but an America that has been, and at long last again promises to be, a force for good and a model for the entire world.

Now, listen to what these very impressive people had to say…

Tony Blinken, 58, nominee for Secretary of State

My late stepfather, Samuel Pisar, survived the Holocaust after four years in concentration camps. At the end of the war, he made a break from the death march, into the woods in Bavaria. From his hiding place, he heard a deep, rumbling sound. It was a tank. But instead of the Iron Cross, he saw painted on its side a five-pointed, white star. He ran to the tank; the hatch opened; an African-American G.I. looked down at him. He got down on his knees and said the only three words he knew in English that his mother had taught him before the war: God bless America. That’s who we are; that’s what America represents to the world.

Alejandro Mayorkas, 61, nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security

The Department of Homeland Security has a noble mission: To help keep us safe and to advance our proud history as a country of welcome…For 12 years, I had the privilege to stand in a federal courthouse and announce, “Alejandro Mayorkas, on behalf of the United States of America.” The words “on behalf of the United States of America” meant everything to me and to my parents, whom I think of today and every day. My father and mother brought me to this country (from Cuba) to escape communism. They cherished our democracy and were intensely proud to become United States citizens, as was I. I’ve carried that pride throughout my nearly 20 years of government service and throughout my life.

My parents are not here to see this day. Mr. President Elect, Madam Vice President Elect, please know that I will work day and night in the service of our nation to ably lead the men and women of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and to bring honor to my parents and to the trust you have placed in me to carry your vision forward.

Avril Haines, 51, nominee for Director of National Intelligence

I know, Mr. President Elect and Madam Vice President Elect that you selected us not to serve you but to serve on behalf of the American people, to help advance our security, our prosperity, our values…Mr. President Elect, you know that I have never shied away from speaking truth to power, and that will be my charge as Director of National Intelligence.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, 68, nominee to be Ambassador to the United Nations

In the years that I have worked in government, I’m always struck by how, only in America, would we be where we are: where life can be hard and cruel but there’s hope in the struggle; (where) there is promise in our dreams; where you learn to believe in yourself and that anything is possible…My parents had very little back in Louisiana, where I grew up. But they gave me and my siblings everything they had, and I know how proud they would be of this day.

Jake Sullivan, 44, nominee for Natoional Security Advisor

Mr. President Elect, I pledge to you and to the American people that I will work relentlessly in service of the mission you have given us — to keep our country and our people safe, to advance our national interests and to defend our values. I pledge to the exceptional national security team you see behind me and to the brilliant and diverse career professionals across our government that I will manage a humane and vigorous decision-making process that honors their work.

John Kerry, 76, climate envoy

Mr. President Elect, I will do all in my power to live up to your expectations and to this moment for our country and for the world…To end this (climate) crisis the whole world must come together. At the global meeting in Glasgow one year from now, all nations must raise ambition together or we will all fail together. And failure is not an option…President Elect Joe Biden is determined to seize the future now and leave a healing planet to future generations. President Joe Biden will trust in God, and he will also trust in science to guide our work on earth to protect God’s creation….I look forward to getting to work.

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With this group — assuming the U.S. Senate approves of their nominations — we can trust that the public interest will come before anyone’s personal agenda. Once again, well-intentioned, good people are about to be in charge of the nation’s destiny. It’s a great day to be an American.