PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN before joint session of Congress to deliver the State of the Union address. At left is Vice President Kamala Harris; at right it Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (C-SPAN photo).

President Joe Biden gave what’s been described as a “fiery” and “energetic” State of the Union address on Thursday, seeking counter criticisms about his age and to heap criticism on former president Donald Trump without mentioning him by name.

“The issue facing how our nation isn’t how old we are, it’s how old our ideas are,” said Biden.  Addressing young Americans, he said. “I see a future where we save the planet from the climate crisis and our country from gun violence.”

One possible stumble was the use of the term “illegal aliens,” since many prefer the term “undocumented workers.”

Biden claimed credit for lower unemployment and cuts in the federal deficit.

The Republican reply was delivered by Alabama Sen. Katie Britt, speaking from her kitchen, “President Biden just doesn’t get it. He’s out of touch,” she said.

U.S. will bring aid to Gaza refugees

American planes began making airdrops of supplies over the Gaza Strip on Thursday, as plans for a military operation that would bring food and other aid to civilians trapped by the war between Hamas militants and Israeli forces began.

The project would involve a floating pier from which food, fuel and medical supplies would be brought to keep famine from spreading through the beleaguered people there.

Under the plan – said to be approved by Israel – no American troops would be on the ground in Gaza, but naval and air personnel would be involved in moving the relief supplies to the pier. 

Weather: TGI Sunny Friday

A rare day of sunshine is forecast for Friday for our West Orange County area. The daytime high is expected to be 69 with an overnight low of 49. Saturday will be slightly warmer at 70 (50) but with partly cloudy skies through Monday. Temps on Sunday and Monday should be highs of 67 and 66 and lows of 51 and 53.

Sports: Lakers wasted a big lead, lose

In a game that the Los Angeles Lakers needed to keep momentum toward a playoff spot, they jumped out to a 19-point lead on Wednesday night and then collapsed, losing 130-120 to the Sacramento Kings at home.

LeBron James scored 31 points, but left the game in the fourth quarter with a sore ankle.

The Lakers (34-30) are next in action on Friday, hosting the Milwaukee Bucks (41-22).