On the Unfailing Charm of Joe Biden's Pointing
I am about to take every single hope I have for the future and I'm going to tie them around Joe Biden's imperturbable index finger. Every single hope. His finger can take it.
It should be noted that the large majority of my hope for the future rests in how amazing the Black Panther movie is going to be. But no matter. Joe Biden is taking care of that, too. This movie is going to be on point.
President Obama thanked Vice President Biden during the final moments of his farewell address and Biden responded in the most Biden way possible.
This. GIF. Is. LYFE.
Sorry for screaming but that right there is an exclamation point.
Everything about this makes me happy. I love how much Obama and Biden love each other. That point is shorthand for "Your name is the password to half my accounts." I love how self-effacing Biden is. Finger guns mean "Aw shucks (but also thanks)" in hand jive. And I love how weird it is. It is wonderful but it is also awkward and strange and I'm 100 percent obsessed with it now and forever.
Honestly, I don't know why I ever use any other gestures. I'm giving everyone the finger from now on. (I may be using that phrase wrong. Who knows?) No more waving for me. You see me in the street: Pow! You're getting a point!
I love this picture because you can see he's got a point in the holster, just waiting to make your day.
I'm legit going to incorporate pointing into everything I do.
Bailiff: Place your hand on this Bible.
Me: How about I just point at you and make everyone feel really great?
Judge: Case dismissed! Who wants ice cream?
Vice President Joe Biden at the end of President Obama's speech is giving peak "It's all good" vibes. Even though you know damn well Joe Biden has never said the phrase "It's all good." Convincingly.
I cannot get enough of this gesture. I have so many questions about it. For instance, why and what for? There has never been a more superfluous and yet totally necessary gesture.
Joe Biden is literally always trying to point us in the direction of the nearest Amtrak station.
And you know what? I'm going to go! One ticket to Point Pleasant, please!
I am so here for the point. It is the ultimate combination of chill and no chill. It's your dad saying "See ya later, kiddo" as he drops you off at camp and also your BFF Cool Aparna welcoming you to "The Best Bunkhouse Ever™" all wrapped up in one finger-gun salute. It's doing the most while doing the least.
Not to put too fine a point on it but Biden's pointing is on point. Have I reached the point of no return?
I'll close with this (my final point):
More than anything, Biden's muted gesture is an inspiration point. Joe-Bi Wan Kenobi isn't our only hope, but he's an integral part of a hope-filled era. His jolly demeanor, boiled down to one jaunty finger, is a signal that everything is going to be just fine. Not since E.T. has a single digit been so magical.
Do I belabor the point?
Point taken.
In the end, this is what we have: a beautiful final address by one of history's greatest orators-a speech that I would have preferred go on a little longer longer, like four years, or eight, or until I am dead; a world that has changed for the better; and a simple, charming gesture of good faith, and good vibes, and gratitude.
This was a high point.
Follow R. Eric Thomas on Twitter.
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