Trump shows the worst attributes of old age: forgetfulness, confusion, rigid thinking, unwillingness and/or inability to learn new information, stubbornness, the inability to change and develop new perspectives.
Biden shows the best attributes of old age: wisdom, a deep understanding of people and the world based on decades of learning about them, deep empathy for all, and a solid commitment to doing what’s best for our country. Biden is truly a wise Elder. Our country and the world urgently need him. Trump is emotionally and cognitively immature. He brings out the worst elements in people and reinforces them. Trump is a serious danger to our country and the world.
I'll recycle a comment I made just yesterday in response to a piece that claimed Biden's news conference showed a "lack of energy." Replace "lack of energy" with "too old:"
What does Biden have to do to avoid the accusation "lack of energy," when what's >really< happening is that he keeps things "low key" instead of unhinged ranting and raving? Ride out on a goddam unicycle dressed like Harpo and honking a horn while tweaking women's bottoms ‽
From my perspective, I have no doubt Biden knows and understands his own frailty, while being wise enough to appoint the best, most alert, and knowledgeable advisors - after all, presidents have close advisors; they're called "the cabinet" - to help him sort things out. Moreover, he'll >actually< listen to and be influenced by them! Their job will be to ensure Biden is kept abreast of breaking developments, give their best advice on what to do about those developments, and won't fear telling him when they think he's wrong, while generally helping him stay on track.
Compare that with ol' Tovarich МАГАт, who has promised to hire moron advisors, will tell his advisors what he conjures the breaking developments to be, will tell them what they'll advise, and who will live in constant terror they may inadvertently contradict him or give him information he didn't tell them to give!
And yes, the situation in the Levant is horrific. Want to stop the violence? Tell Hamas to come out of the tunnel fortifications they built under Palestinian hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods - that were so designed to use the Palestinian citizenry as a mass human shield fortification - throw their arms down, surrender to the Israeli, and allow the Israeli to take possession of their arsenal of missiles and other offensive weapons strategically protected by their human shield. That'll stop it all on a dime. So quit bleatin' about carnage that goes way beyond Israeli conscienceless action. There's ample consciencelessness to go around to all interested parties - running all the way from the Levant to Tehran to the Kremlin. And for those who wish to attack my position, let me refer you to the first sentence of this paragraph to have a reread. I'll not change a word of it. And you can jolly-well cram any ad homonym attacks you may contemplate leveling against me right back up your stinking backsides if you don't like it. Am I clear about that ‽ Yes I am!
Speaking of a conscienceless Kremlin, what about Ukraine ‽ Also, I hear tell Tovarich МАГАт Tucker is finally showing himself for the "Manchurian Entertainer" he's >always< been! Some goddam patriot!
Carmen, I was hoping for a 'Sorry Tucker you cannot leave Russia now. We believe you are a spy' and it would be quite fitting to see him under the jurisdiction of the Russian 'legal' system. Oh be still my heart!
They should include several senators and congressmen while they're at it! Oh no! Woe is me! It may appear I'm being friggin' political! HORSE$#!7 !!!!!!!!!!!
You certainly are missing something. The comment is dripping with sarcasm - >and< the goddam truth. No. I have absolutely no illusions about Hammas actions. Neither am I any fan of Israel, much less the pack of opportunistic $#!7s governing it. Further, I have no use for the "church state" by any other name or religion. I just get goddam sick and tired of folks bleating about the Palestinians as if Biden launched the goddam 10/7 attack. I get goddam sick and tired of >all< blame being leveled at Israel as if they were the ones who launched the attack on themselves and are the only ones spilling Palestinian blood, while the spillage of Palestinian blood is the >whole< Hammas strategy and those goddam geniuses in Tel Aviv moronically played right into it! And worse, >everybody< damn well knows it! I get goddam sick of the way attention gets diverted >away< from those who initiated the carnage, safely protected in their underground fortifications beneath the Palestinians they use ruthlessly as a goddam human shield. I get goddam sick of the lack of "theater vision" of the conflict and all its ramifications. And finally, I get goddam sick of all eyes being on the Levant, distracted from the original conflict, the Kremlin invasion of Ukraine.
Je suis d'accord - I agree. I can't bear to think of a world led by Trump/the USA. Last time I looked, the USA is still the world leader. Its social, economic and cultural values hold great sway.
In Asian cultures age is considered a sign of wisdom. We would do well to learn from the East than produced Confucius, Lao Tse, (whose wisdom was broadcast in the tv show Kung Fu)
Excellent point! Thank you for bringing this up. The US acts like an ignorant teenager with its inability to consider anyone over thirty as worthwhile.
If Biden is so wise, why is our most visible and often first response to a problem to send in the military? That only seems to make the conflict worse. In this I am not saying Trump is better, he is not. The problems we face globally are not going to be solved using a military option. I fully agree with you about Trump, and Biden shows better judgement with internal affairs than he does internationally.
I think it's perhaps because of the American mindset, we are a very warlike people, if you are honest. Whenever we have a problem the solution is a "war"! War on poverty, drugs, obesity, etc. That's why we spend so much on the military, that and the fact that we also believe the more obscene the profits, the better some company is, so we pay three times as much for the war equipment.
I have said before, in 1964 Pres Johnson declared war on poverty. In 2024 the House declared war on the poor. Military wars are the most persistent cause of poverty.
"Poverty is the worst form of violence" Mahatma Gandhi
I agree, America is a very “war centric” country, but perhaps it has more to do with money and power than anything else. Humans are very tribalistic and if you look back at our history virtually every world dominating culture has been war centric. It’s our nature, unfortunately. I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Sadly.
That's what I mean when I talk about humans being like chimpanses, or basic primates. I'm sure America was greatest when we had the war heros coming back - Trump's (MAGA) selling point. Too bad we don't have a real problem to rally around (like when the water level rises 3 or more feet). 🐒
So true. (Poor senator McCain). The master-of-manipulation knows how to trick people who have allegiance to our military - I wish our fellow citizens could see it.
He wants them to shot citizens for him. Kiss his ring, etc. since he is king. Everyone should be faithful and do as he says...even if they go to jail or die. Yet he can not back them.
Wayne Teal, I don't see the first main response to send in the military as an individual failing, but instead as a common human flaw, a result of thousands of years of conditioning, especially among men. Rather than reacting to violence with violence, I would have preferred specialized teams tracking down the culprits and taking them to be tried in an international court of justice, as the main response. But, knowing our human history of strong conditioning, I accept that many of us are not there yet, not conscious enough yet.
I do believe though, that the more-than-likely increasing violence in our nation and around world and the suffering it induces in us as victims and witnesses will cause more of us to become conscious to our flawed conditioning. So, I have hope that more of us will see that violence in response to violence only gets you more violence. (Of course, I am not talking about imminent threat where someone is before you and it is them or you, in which case violence is the only option.)
I completely agree with you that this is a terrible strategy. I suspect the problem is political. If he didn’t send in the military he’d never be re-elected, nor would any potential president be elected. This knee-jerk reaction has been standard since the beginning. After 9/11 I was gobsmacked that no one sat down and tried to find out why we’d been attacked before striking back. As another commenter pointed out, this is the American mindset and it’s killing us and everyone else.
...and yet, when we are dealing with certain types of dysfunctional world leaders who are only too willing to use violence as a tool and don't care about the damage it inflicts, our only choice (since we do not yet have Start Trek phasers we can set to "stun") is to use means strong enough to stop them. This, of necessity, sometimes includes violence. The question is balance. How do we stop others who are doing violence from continuing to do so without becoming exactly the people we are trying to stop? The failure to mount a strong enough response means they are able to conquer the world and subject everyone to their own violent means and methods at will.
Yes, it does seem like we are locked into a cycle of violence. Someone has to break the cycle, which might mean taking a loss and choosing to respond differently. We also are not guilt free. The cycle of violence in the middle east started with colonial era appropriation of Arab and Palestinian territory, which included Israeli occupation of Palestine in 1947, and our overthrown of a democratically elected government in Iran in favor of a oil-enriched despot to the benefit of British and American oil companies. "We have met the enemy and he is us." If we refuse to change, then who?
In case you hadn't noticed, this is the nature of humans as they currently exist on this planet. No one (not even you) is blameless, certainly not the Palestinians nor the Israelis, nor any of the nations which ruled the area throughout its history going back before Abraham. Don't forget that according to the Bible, Adam and Eve had two sons, and even in that very first generation, one of them killed the other. But if no one exerts the strength needed to stop the violence, on both sides, they will just grind each other down until the entire area is an utter wasteland. If the Israelis keep this up, it's likely only a matter of time before someone nukes Tel aviv. Perhaps we should stop this all, even if military force and/or violence are required, before that happens.
Did I miss something? Where has Biden sent the military? OK, perhaps into the Red Sea to keep the shipping lanes clear, but it seems to me he's been pretty conservative.
No, you are not missing anything. Biden does not send troops, certainly not like George Bush II did, but he does send weapons. That is his mistake. Negotiate before sending the weapons. This is certainly true with Israel. It is hard to know how hard they tried with Putin. A lot of the blame for that one goes to Trump, who seems to greenlight Putin for anything and everything.
@Wayne. In a world that has discovered "non-State actors" and which sees those countries who are enemies of the West funding and encouraging violent groups to attack Western property and people, are you suggesting that USA is starting wars on its own initiative? It is much more complicated than just asking our side to put down its arms. We'd all be Russians right now if we had taken that approach to the Soviet Union.
The European money (less than what was in Biden's bill that the US House won't even discuss) for Ukraine is now going to the people - food, hospitals, etc. The US money is needed for military materials needed to win. Putin makes it clear that if he wins by negotiation with Trump or militarily he will keep going to take all of Ukraine and keep moving west. Putin will win with the help of US enemies which will change the world as we know it, if we don't do something to stop him. The GOP appears to want that.
The “Levant” ? I have not heard that part of the world so described since “Lawrence of Arabia “. Sort of like many Catholic charities calling Israel. Gaza and Palestine “ The Holy Land “. Let ‘s deal in political realities and not memories.
Bettina us absolutely right and, further, Biden is not Russia’s puppet and he knows what America’s place needs to be in the world order as opposed to alienating our Allies.
Tfg has been cruel and incompetent his whole life, regardless of his age. He's the one the media should be analyzing, but he always, always, always, is given a pass.
Spot on. Trump has no platform for the good of the country or the rest of the free world. It's strictly about revenge, hate, get even, control and keeping himself out of prison. Unlike Biden who takes his role and duties as POTUS very seriously, Trump could give a damn about anything but himself. Between not knowing who he's running against half the time, confusing Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi and not recognizing the woman he claims he never met thinking she was his ex wife, his cognitive decline makes him even more dangerous and unfit for the role he so desperately seeks.
"wisdom, a deep understanding of people and the world based on decades of learning about them, deep empathy for all, and a solid commitment to doing what’s best for our country." I believe that the real problem is that such a huge swath of our country (including many white nationalist Christians) don't value these things any longer. We are a government of the people, by the people, for the people, When many of those people have no problem voting for a rapist, the outcome will not be good. We focus on Trump so much, but the real problem is many of the American people. Our fate lies in their hands - but also in ours.
“ If there’s any silver lining in this dark cloud, it’s that perhaps MAGA has finally revealed itself too fully. One can dream, but perhaps targeting the world’s most popular pop star can at last help expose what the nation’s political observers have long known: MAGA isn’t just deeply angry, it’s become deeply weird.”
Here is the thing: President Biden is 80 but he is also sharp and fit.
Donald Trump is 77, unhealthy, aging badly, and with clear signs of moderate dementia. And, oh yeah, he is a malignant narcissist and a fascist to boot.
It is possible that if you get your news from big media you would not realize this. Even sources considered “fair”, “unbiased” and mainstream.
They get it completely backwards. And THAT is our big problem, not the president’s actual mental health or accomplishments.
We must start to push back HARD with the truth whenever they mention President Biden’s age or mental acuity.
We need some hard core memes and pre written posts to blast out when needed.
Good point, Annabel. Biden's age is an asset because he has decades of experience with domestic issues and foreign policy.
With Trump, his age in not an asset because his decades of experience is exclusively in NY-NJ real estate. His experience gives him a edge building Casinos and gambling with property, but that's it. He's been sued in court over 2000 times. This proves he doesn't work with people in good faith. His experiences have led him to court more than anyone. Why are people surprised he found his way back to court as President?
I used to work with someone who drew the difference between two people with ten years’ experience. One had ten years of experience and the other had one year ten times.
The more Biden is in denial, the more the age issue remains the lead story. Need to move on.
All politics is local. The lead story in the "New Castle News is "Trump tells NRA members 'no one will lay a finger on your firearms' if he returns to the White House." Guns are more important in flyover country.
In the Miami Herald, "Biden administration refutes Cuba’s claim that the U.S. ‘supports’ Miami ‘terrorists’".
Above the fold the NYT lead is : Terrified Gazans Await an Israeli Advance in the City They Fled To.
We have an opportunity to go on offense: Channel Taylor Swift!
If you wish a newspaper that is unbiased, and fair let me suggest a daily published within walking distance of my apartment in Boston.
It's called The Christian Science Monitor.. It has been published for over a century, won 8 Pulitzer Prizes, has never been sued for libel. If you wish to read a paper read by the leaders of he world, Presidents, Premiers, Prime Ministers, and probably Popes, read it.
I should add I am not a Christian Scientist but then neither are most of their readers.
Here’s what really has me confused. After Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on classified documents that President Biden had in his possession and not having enough evidence to prosecute but also included derogatory statements about his memory.
Trump’s follow up to that was, "The Biden documents case is 100 times different and more severe than mine," Trump said in Truth Social post. "I did nothing wrong... What Biden did is outrageously criminal."
This from a man who stole classified documents, shared classified documents, hid classified documents, refused to turnover classified documents, and lied about everything regarding classified documents!
Trump is what my mom calls CREEP AND CRUD!! How the hell can anyone of decency even think about voting for this idiot!
Merrick Garland chose to release the report in its entirety. He did not have to do that. Hur did not label the document for public viewing. The onus is on Garland. Again a huge disappointment.
That’s a good point however my point was that this Reprehensible Party, that call themselves patriotic, do nothing to help their president govern the country! They continue to stoke the flames that the election was stolen and Trump is the real president. These people are traitors to the constitution and the country!!
Since the beginning it always looked as if Garland was working for Trump. Waiting 3 years to start the process to hold him accountable is outrageous! Now he’s put the nail in the coffin by allowing release of the report with personal commentary by MAGA elected prosecutor.
I disagree. “But the media ran not with the official takeaway of the investigation—that Biden had not committed a crime—or with a reflection on the accuracy or partisan reason for Hur’s commentary, but with Hur’s insinuations.” And that is all most people are seeing and hearing.
Keith, he definitely got it backwards!! I find it so hard to believe that the little orange man does not believe he did anything wrong! That, to me, shows trump's dementia is getting worse. He cannot look at both cases and see how vastly different they are and know without a doubt that stealing, sharing, hiding and lying about classified documents is criminal!! I can't help but wonder, does he know or are the ones around him feeding this information to him because he really doesn't understand.
I think Trump has had this denial syndrome since childhood - “ I didn’t do anything wrong “ - as he was kicked out of elementary private school for hitting his teacher or probably even worse disciplinary problems and sent to military academy. He’s a sociopath with big denial issues.
Trump always projects. He looks at his worst deeds and tells everyone his opponent did it far worse. It's one of his tactics. Unfortunately, millions of people and the republican party accept whatever he says.
Peggy - Trump is a student of Roy Cohen's. His skills are as dark as they come. And you never yield, ever. Just multiply the lies - it's that simple and that dark. The exact opposite to Biden.
Indeed! Me, neither. (The first time I ever saw Trump and his family, I took one look and said to myself, "Oh, Dear God, here comes the Mafia!" And I'm afraid I was right.)
He does seem to try and replicate the old style mafia with his threats thinly veiled and his ability to get others to do his dirty work! Let's hope there will be some accountability for the little orange man soon!
He has never believed he has been wrong and never believes he needs forgiveness. I always wonder, who really got the degree from Wharton? Who did he pay to do the work & take the tests. How much has it devalued that diploma for everyone else?
MAgA lies ...are beyond Propaganda! Only Brainwashed Cult Members could say Trumps statements are valid! If Trump said drink cyanide laced Kool Aid I think a majority of the MAGABILLIES would do it
When we consider Joe Biden, a major factor we must take into account is the amount of tragedy this man has suffered in his life. Very few people lose a wife, several children, and whatever else... he has overcome incredible losses and sufferings, yet emerges as a strong man. He is olderly, he does walk a bit stiffly, he overcame a stammer when young... but none of this affects his intelligence, his decency, and his patriotism. The latter three are qualities that are totally absent in Trump and his entire family... and by default questionable in many of the empty maga-heads. For example, when Joe Biden talks about the three service members recently killed, you can see the suffering in his features... it is genuine. Dump is just a fake human bean to be flushed down the toilet of worthlessness. The sooner, the better for all of us.
Very powerful and true words, John!! President Biden has suffered tragedy and that is why he relates to families who have lost someone. He has empathy and compassion. What does trump have? "Get over it!" How disgusting!
I always tell people: "Look at the candidates personal lives. See what tragedies they have endured and how they have suffered and gained strength from that suffering. That creates empathy." Vote for people who have suffered and triumphed. The only thing Trump has ever suffered is that Daddy didn't love him. That makes narcissists.
It’s a little too late to be asking this question. We are electing a president “up in years” with all the political and life experience that comes with that reality. But he is not alone. And who he brings with him to the table is as important as concerns about his age.
SCP, yes, lest we forget the former guy campaigning on, I will have the very best people. Yes, he had the very best corrupt, against the many, only for the few, people. He forgot those adjectives.
With ought listening to the podcast, the question seems wrong.
The questions is not how old he is, but he have the ability to use the vast poser of the USA for good. So far, he has. I do not approve of everything he has done, or that has happened while he was POTUS but overall it is much better than it could have been.
With that I am going back to sleep. hopefully with good dreams, and hopefully with some short term memory being turned into long term memory.
Biden has done a great job this term, considering he had to herd MAGAs. Honestly, they’re both old and forgetful, but only one is a fascist. That said, shouldn’t we get a new set from time to time? Or at least one new one? The DNC hasn’t bothered with a primary - again - so we’re just supposed to take what they give us and like it. I understand this shit from MAGA, but from the Democrats it’s absolutely absurd, not to mention undemocratic. Just because the incumbent has always been the candidate doesn’t mean we always have to do it that way, does it?
The question of President Biden's age has been offered. Is the man too old? My answer to that is "Too old for what." Our founding fathers all wore white wigs. These men were trying to appear as if they had reached an age that would reflect a degree of intelligence that time had given them. Yes, Joe is older than most, but the question remains, can he do the job this country is asking of him. President Biden has beaten Trump previously and there is no one waiting in the wings that has a chance against that man. As long as Joe draws breath, he out classes Trump.
Biden is too old, Biden 's memory is a negative, Biden is simply out of touch with what is going on in this country. So why in the Hell would we, as a progressive society, vote for him a second time? Because he and Kamala are more than capable of getting the job done, besides look at the alternative. It would be fitting if all Democrats were allowed to vote twice and the Republicans weren't allowed to vote at all. Then the upcoming election might find a path to a happy ending.
Linda--To start Hur was appointed by "Trump" in 2018. they have a connection. everything that appears in his report is politically slanted to tarnish the Biden image.
After all the antics of the GOP this term, I don't understand how the majority of them are not voted out! Most of the serious and honest Republicans are retiring or choosing not to run again.
If I performed my job as miserably as the Republicans have I would have been fired a long time ago. We hire (elect) these people to work for us. Why is it that when they refuse to do their jobs they get to keep them? Yeah, I know the answer, but Oregon just passed a law that does not allow elected officials who refuse to show up and do their job to run for reelection. Our current congress only passed 27 bills this year. That’s not doing your job.
Paula, there was a time when the GOP actually worked together with the Democrats to find the best path forward to pass legislature that benefited everyone. The party began to change with the likes of Newt Gingrich, Ronald Reagan and others. You are right, now they are the party of the rich and powerful. The party of greed and overwhelming need to stay in power no matter what and to hell with the majority of American citizens. They do not know what their constituents really want only what trump and the far right want. It's a shame really because conservative republicans need politicians that listen to them and work with Democrats to get them what they want.
I don’t think President Biden is forgetful. Trump shows significant signs of neurological and psychological ill health, When I was young and couldn’t remember a name, or called someone by the wrong name, or misspoke, it was just considered human. Now I am supposed to say it is a senior moment? I think age discrimination is the last area where discrimination, not questioning our preconceived notions is still allowed. From Heather Cox Richardsons article,
“There are few secrets in [Washington], and if Joe Biden acted like Hur says, we would all know. Biden meets with dozens of people daily—staffers, members of Congress, CEOs, labor officials, foreign leaders, and military and intelligence officials…. If Biden was regularly misremembering obvious pieces of information or making other mistakes that suggested he was not up to the job, it would be in the press. Washington is not capable of keeping something like that secret.". I for one am tired of listening to Bidens age and Trumps being compared, like apples and rotten eggs. Hope you enjoy this article
You’re right, Linda. Even a friend of mine who’s 73 just said no one over 70 should be allowed to run. Say what? People seem to accept age discrimination without question. It’s time they woke up.
Let's be honest. The Dem Party has got some problems. But their problems pale in comparison to the new Trump Party. So grit your teeth and get through 2024 with Biden and work for better times.
I don't care about the age of candidates. But if your energy policy is summed up as "drill baby drill," either you do not understand proven science, OR you do not choose good sources to make important decisions. Either way, it's a dereliction of duty to protect ALL Americans and future generations.
And if you say "drill baby drill," with gleam in your eye, knowing full well that wildfires are raging more than ever, floods and hurricanes are stronger than ever, and Alaska is melting from the extreme heat, either you're completely out of your mind, OR you have a great plan to ensure the apocalypse, OR BOTH the former and the latter are true.
While it is true that trump would be worse, I find that President Biden is still sharp as a tack. He works hard, has a fantastic team that gets things done, and continues to do his best for the country and ALL Americans. Age is just a number. As I advance in years, I find that even though I may have a few aches and pains, I still have energy, drive, ambition, and some intelligence (I didn't ever have a lot!). The media uses age against President Biden whenever they can but refuse to point out that trump is definitely NOT aging gracefully!! Trump's repeated gaffs, memory loss, and ignorance on subjects of great importance are not proclaimed nearly as much as they go after President Biden for any perceived gaff! I just want to say it over and over and over, our country needs a president that is in a word 'presidential'. Someone who knows how to work with other countries to keep the world from spiraling out of control. Someone who loves this country and wants to help every single citizen in it. Someone who understands diplomacy, courtesy, and uses proper etiquette. President Biden has been amazing these last four years and he will be just as amazing the next four. trump does not display any of the traits I have described as making a good president. He is boorish, rude, vengeful, and orange!!
Peggy Freeman, excellent comprehensive look at President Biden's strengths! And I see much of the media criticism as ageist tropes, of course only aimed at Biden. I am curious if there are any countries where ageism isn't so prolific, where generally the wisdom and dignity of elders is sacred, as it should be.
M Tree, I believe the eastern cultures revere their elderly and bow to their wisdom and knowledge. I'm afraid here in America we old people are considered a burden on society. I find that the older generation are considered to be mentally deficient, scatter-brained, and unable to think clearly. It's sad really when you think about it. Some of us have been around a while and have really good ideas, but unfortunately, no one seems to want to listen to them!
Peggy Freeman, I agree. I love the song, "Glory" that John Legend and Common performed for the movie, Selma. In it Common raps the words, "No one can win the war individually, it takes the wisdom of the elders and young people's energy." That is how I feel too. To move us (our nation, world) forward to a better place, we need to know this.
Sure some young people have wisdom too, but we can't forget the vast, mostly neglected by society, wisdom of elders. And it is wise to remind ourselves, many of the young who are wise gained their wisdom from elders. But just us talking about it, already lifts up that truth so that more may become aware. Let us honestly see everyone's gifts.
Peggy Freeman, to help move us forward to see the value in the wisdom of elders, a few years ago, I intentionally stopped using any of the common words (elderly, old, senior), etc.) to describe elders and try to only use the word elder/s.
Mr. Biden is a normal human being who occasionally does what we all do, and that is to trip over word or to misspeak. Aside from that, Mr. Biden has a speech impediment that may require additional concentration to make sure he’s getting his words right. in addition to that, he has one of the most stressful, high-pressure, demanding jobs on the planet.
It is sad that many people are clamoring to shame him in his humanity, and want to see him fall flat on his face, and fail miserably at his job, the one in which he is more concerned about the good of the many rather than the good of the few.
Irrevelent and still sharp. Whatever detriment he may have mentally, the President is a team of both the White House and Cabinet. That team has delivered the best Presidency, economy and all indicators of national performance in years no matter how many fact-free negatives Trump and his Trumpets in Congress may choose to lie about and the Press give unchecked equal time.
This is just more dirty tricks from the MAGA Rethuglican side. I hate to even look at the headlines anymore but I do because of the danger those people present to our democracy. And "people" was the politest word I could think of to say. But I have my doubts.
Trump shows the worst attributes of old age: forgetfulness, confusion, rigid thinking, unwillingness and/or inability to learn new information, stubbornness, the inability to change and develop new perspectives.
Biden shows the best attributes of old age: wisdom, a deep understanding of people and the world based on decades of learning about them, deep empathy for all, and a solid commitment to doing what’s best for our country. Biden is truly a wise Elder. Our country and the world urgently need him. Trump is emotionally and cognitively immature. He brings out the worst elements in people and reinforces them. Trump is a serious danger to our country and the world.
I'll recycle a comment I made just yesterday in response to a piece that claimed Biden's news conference showed a "lack of energy." Replace "lack of energy" with "too old:"
What does Biden have to do to avoid the accusation "lack of energy," when what's >really< happening is that he keeps things "low key" instead of unhinged ranting and raving? Ride out on a goddam unicycle dressed like Harpo and honking a horn while tweaking women's bottoms ‽
From my perspective, I have no doubt Biden knows and understands his own frailty, while being wise enough to appoint the best, most alert, and knowledgeable advisors - after all, presidents have close advisors; they're called "the cabinet" - to help him sort things out. Moreover, he'll >actually< listen to and be influenced by them! Their job will be to ensure Biden is kept abreast of breaking developments, give their best advice on what to do about those developments, and won't fear telling him when they think he's wrong, while generally helping him stay on track.
Compare that with ol' Tovarich МАГАт, who has promised to hire moron advisors, will tell his advisors what he conjures the breaking developments to be, will tell them what they'll advise, and who will live in constant terror they may inadvertently contradict him or give him information he didn't tell them to give!
And yes, the situation in the Levant is horrific. Want to stop the violence? Tell Hamas to come out of the tunnel fortifications they built under Palestinian hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods - that were so designed to use the Palestinian citizenry as a mass human shield fortification - throw their arms down, surrender to the Israeli, and allow the Israeli to take possession of their arsenal of missiles and other offensive weapons strategically protected by their human shield. That'll stop it all on a dime. So quit bleatin' about carnage that goes way beyond Israeli conscienceless action. There's ample consciencelessness to go around to all interested parties - running all the way from the Levant to Tehran to the Kremlin. And for those who wish to attack my position, let me refer you to the first sentence of this paragraph to have a reread. I'll not change a word of it. And you can jolly-well cram any ad homonym attacks you may contemplate leveling against me right back up your stinking backsides if you don't like it. Am I clear about that ‽ Yes I am!
Speaking of a conscienceless Kremlin, what about Ukraine ‽ Also, I hear tell Tovarich МАГАт Tucker is finally showing himself for the "Manchurian Entertainer" he's >always< been! Some goddam patriot!
Tovarich Tucker is consorting with the enemy. INS should bar his re-entry into the USA!
Carmen, I was hoping for a 'Sorry Tucker you cannot leave Russia now. We believe you are a spy' and it would be quite fitting to see him under the jurisdiction of the Russian 'legal' system. Oh be still my heart!
Tovarich Tucker would probably crumble to pieces after just one week enjoying Putin's special "hospitality."
If only! As you say, be still my heart!
👍
In my dreams
👍
Putin made some fun of him and his attempt to join the CIA.
🤣
👍
They should go a lot further than that. There should be a complete investigation potentially leading to indictment for treason.
👍
They should include several senators and congressmen while they're at it! Oh no! Woe is me! It may appear I'm being friggin' political! HORSE$#!7 !!!!!!!!!!!
Why do you think Hamas will just surrender, D? Am I missing something?
You certainly are missing something. The comment is dripping with sarcasm - >and< the goddam truth. No. I have absolutely no illusions about Hammas actions. Neither am I any fan of Israel, much less the pack of opportunistic $#!7s governing it. Further, I have no use for the "church state" by any other name or religion. I just get goddam sick and tired of folks bleating about the Palestinians as if Biden launched the goddam 10/7 attack. I get goddam sick and tired of >all< blame being leveled at Israel as if they were the ones who launched the attack on themselves and are the only ones spilling Palestinian blood, while the spillage of Palestinian blood is the >whole< Hammas strategy and those goddam geniuses in Tel Aviv moronically played right into it! And worse, >everybody< damn well knows it! I get goddam sick of the way attention gets diverted >away< from those who initiated the carnage, safely protected in their underground fortifications beneath the Palestinians they use ruthlessly as a goddam human shield. I get goddam sick of the lack of "theater vision" of the conflict and all its ramifications. And finally, I get goddam sick of all eyes being on the Levant, distracted from the original conflict, the Kremlin invasion of Ukraine.
BTW: WHAT OF UKRAINE ‽
What of Ukraine indeed. It’s all connected, isn’t it?
Any blame at all for crushing thousands of people?
Everyone involved, especially those not having the wits to realize they're being played.
Very well put
Je suis d'accord - I agree. I can't bear to think of a world led by Trump/the USA. Last time I looked, the USA is still the world leader. Its social, economic and cultural values hold great sway.
Beautifully said, Bettina!!
In Asian cultures age is considered a sign of wisdom. We would do well to learn from the East than produced Confucius, Lao Tse, (whose wisdom was broadcast in the tv show Kung Fu)
etc.
Excellent point! Thank you for bringing this up. The US acts like an ignorant teenager with its inability to consider anyone over thirty as worthwhile.
And First Nations cultures…
If Biden is so wise, why is our most visible and often first response to a problem to send in the military? That only seems to make the conflict worse. In this I am not saying Trump is better, he is not. The problems we face globally are not going to be solved using a military option. I fully agree with you about Trump, and Biden shows better judgement with internal affairs than he does internationally.
I think it's perhaps because of the American mindset, we are a very warlike people, if you are honest. Whenever we have a problem the solution is a "war"! War on poverty, drugs, obesity, etc. That's why we spend so much on the military, that and the fact that we also believe the more obscene the profits, the better some company is, so we pay three times as much for the war equipment.
I have said before, in 1964 Pres Johnson declared war on poverty. In 2024 the House declared war on the poor. Military wars are the most persistent cause of poverty.
"Poverty is the worst form of violence" Mahatma Gandhi
I agree, America is a very “war centric” country, but perhaps it has more to do with money and power than anything else. Humans are very tribalistic and if you look back at our history virtually every world dominating culture has been war centric. It’s our nature, unfortunately. I don’t see it changing anytime soon. Sadly.
That's what I mean when I talk about humans being like chimpanses, or basic primates. I'm sure America was greatest when we had the war heros coming back - Trump's (MAGA) selling point. Too bad we don't have a real problem to rally around (like when the water level rises 3 or more feet). 🐒
Trump hates soldiers. All he does is insult them.
So true. (Poor senator McCain). The master-of-manipulation knows how to trick people who have allegiance to our military - I wish our fellow citizens could see it.
He wants them to shot citizens for him. Kiss his ring, etc. since he is king. Everyone should be faithful and do as he says...even if they go to jail or die. Yet he can not back them.
Funny thing about that. It only works in one direction.
Wayne Teal, I don't see the first main response to send in the military as an individual failing, but instead as a common human flaw, a result of thousands of years of conditioning, especially among men. Rather than reacting to violence with violence, I would have preferred specialized teams tracking down the culprits and taking them to be tried in an international court of justice, as the main response. But, knowing our human history of strong conditioning, I accept that many of us are not there yet, not conscious enough yet.
I do believe though, that the more-than-likely increasing violence in our nation and around world and the suffering it induces in us as victims and witnesses will cause more of us to become conscious to our flawed conditioning. So, I have hope that more of us will see that violence in response to violence only gets you more violence. (Of course, I am not talking about imminent threat where someone is before you and it is them or you, in which case violence is the only option.)
I completely agree with you that this is a terrible strategy. I suspect the problem is political. If he didn’t send in the military he’d never be re-elected, nor would any potential president be elected. This knee-jerk reaction has been standard since the beginning. After 9/11 I was gobsmacked that no one sat down and tried to find out why we’d been attacked before striking back. As another commenter pointed out, this is the American mindset and it’s killing us and everyone else.
...and yet, when we are dealing with certain types of dysfunctional world leaders who are only too willing to use violence as a tool and don't care about the damage it inflicts, our only choice (since we do not yet have Start Trek phasers we can set to "stun") is to use means strong enough to stop them. This, of necessity, sometimes includes violence. The question is balance. How do we stop others who are doing violence from continuing to do so without becoming exactly the people we are trying to stop? The failure to mount a strong enough response means they are able to conquer the world and subject everyone to their own violent means and methods at will.
Yes, it does seem like we are locked into a cycle of violence. Someone has to break the cycle, which might mean taking a loss and choosing to respond differently. We also are not guilt free. The cycle of violence in the middle east started with colonial era appropriation of Arab and Palestinian territory, which included Israeli occupation of Palestine in 1947, and our overthrown of a democratically elected government in Iran in favor of a oil-enriched despot to the benefit of British and American oil companies. "We have met the enemy and he is us." If we refuse to change, then who?
In case you hadn't noticed, this is the nature of humans as they currently exist on this planet. No one (not even you) is blameless, certainly not the Palestinians nor the Israelis, nor any of the nations which ruled the area throughout its history going back before Abraham. Don't forget that according to the Bible, Adam and Eve had two sons, and even in that very first generation, one of them killed the other. But if no one exerts the strength needed to stop the violence, on both sides, they will just grind each other down until the entire area is an utter wasteland. If the Israelis keep this up, it's likely only a matter of time before someone nukes Tel aviv. Perhaps we should stop this all, even if military force and/or violence are required, before that happens.
Colonial era appropriation. The QAnon version.
Did I miss something? Where has Biden sent the military? OK, perhaps into the Red Sea to keep the shipping lanes clear, but it seems to me he's been pretty conservative.
No, you are not missing anything. Biden does not send troops, certainly not like George Bush II did, but he does send weapons. That is his mistake. Negotiate before sending the weapons. This is certainly true with Israel. It is hard to know how hard they tried with Putin. A lot of the blame for that one goes to Trump, who seems to greenlight Putin for anything and everything.
@Wayne. In a world that has discovered "non-State actors" and which sees those countries who are enemies of the West funding and encouraging violent groups to attack Western property and people, are you suggesting that USA is starting wars on its own initiative? It is much more complicated than just asking our side to put down its arms. We'd all be Russians right now if we had taken that approach to the Soviet Union.
The European money (less than what was in Biden's bill that the US House won't even discuss) for Ukraine is now going to the people - food, hospitals, etc. The US money is needed for military materials needed to win. Putin makes it clear that if he wins by negotiation with Trump or militarily he will keep going to take all of Ukraine and keep moving west. Putin will win with the help of US enemies which will change the world as we know it, if we don't do something to stop him. The GOP appears to want that.
The “Levant” ? I have not heard that part of the world so described since “Lawrence of Arabia “. Sort of like many Catholic charities calling Israel. Gaza and Palestine “ The Holy Land “. Let ‘s deal in political realities and not memories.
God doesn't do politics or this land is yours or mine. Jews can worship all over the world...and do. They don't go away if Israel does.
Bettina us absolutely right and, further, Biden is not Russia’s puppet and he knows what America’s place needs to be in the world order as opposed to alienating our Allies.
If Trump wins, how long will it be before the Orange Puppet decides to replace his puppeteer in the Kremlin?
As the Boss sang: "Poor man wants to be rich, rich man wants to be king, king ain't satisfied 'til he rules everything."
Trump is no match for Putin. If he tried he’d be squashed like a fly.
Which could mean the final world war. I hope it would be more like two snakes eating each other head to tail.
I have a hard time believing it will come to that. Trump loves Putin too much. Or fears him.
shudder the thought tfg should ever be in such a position
I completely agree with you, Betina. Sadly, however, I think that you are preaching to the choir.
Tht’s OK Joe…we talk to others!
Exactly right. Bunkerboy NEVER grew up after being a toddler. His fellow career criminal daddy, Freddy, taught him that.
Tfg has been cruel and incompetent his whole life, regardless of his age. He's the one the media should be analyzing, but he always, always, always, is given a pass.
Spot on. Trump has no platform for the good of the country or the rest of the free world. It's strictly about revenge, hate, get even, control and keeping himself out of prison. Unlike Biden who takes his role and duties as POTUS very seriously, Trump could give a damn about anything but himself. Between not knowing who he's running against half the time, confusing Nikki Haley with Nancy Pelosi and not recognizing the woman he claims he never met thinking she was his ex wife, his cognitive decline makes him even more dangerous and unfit for the role he so desperately seeks.
I suspect Trump has always demonstrated those qualities. Age has nothing to do with it.
Beautifully said!
Bettina, perfectly summed up. Thank you!
"wisdom, a deep understanding of people and the world based on decades of learning about them, deep empathy for all, and a solid commitment to doing what’s best for our country." I believe that the real problem is that such a huge swath of our country (including many white nationalist Christians) don't value these things any longer. We are a government of the people, by the people, for the people, When many of those people have no problem voting for a rapist, the outcome will not be good. We focus on Trump so much, but the real problem is many of the American people. Our fate lies in their hands - but also in ours.
You are so very correct. Thank you for finding that in my head!! :D
Biden’s cognitive power is evident in his achievements both domestically and internationally; and by the fact he engages openly with the press.
Yeah but the big story is the Super Bowl.
https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/taylor-swift-gop-attacks-biden/
Taylor Swift May Yet Save Joe Biden
“ If there’s any silver lining in this dark cloud, it’s that perhaps MAGA has finally revealed itself too fully. One can dream, but perhaps targeting the world’s most popular pop star can at last help expose what the nation’s political observers have long known: MAGA isn’t just deeply angry, it’s become deeply weird.”
Agree too we need to focus on ABORTION.
Don't forget about Billie Eilish and practically all younger entertainers.
Ha ha ha ha!
Here is the thing: President Biden is 80 but he is also sharp and fit.
Donald Trump is 77, unhealthy, aging badly, and with clear signs of moderate dementia. And, oh yeah, he is a malignant narcissist and a fascist to boot.
It is possible that if you get your news from big media you would not realize this. Even sources considered “fair”, “unbiased” and mainstream.
They get it completely backwards. And THAT is our big problem, not the president’s actual mental health or accomplishments.
We must start to push back HARD with the truth whenever they mention President Biden’s age or mental acuity.
We need some hard core memes and pre written posts to blast out when needed.
Good point, Annabel. Biden's age is an asset because he has decades of experience with domestic issues and foreign policy.
With Trump, his age in not an asset because his decades of experience is exclusively in NY-NJ real estate. His experience gives him a edge building Casinos and gambling with property, but that's it. He's been sued in court over 2000 times. This proves he doesn't work with people in good faith. His experiences have led him to court more than anyone. Why are people surprised he found his way back to court as President?
Danny: Age as an asset. I love it. How do we get that message to Joe.
I used to work with someone who drew the difference between two people with ten years’ experience. One had ten years of experience and the other had one year ten times.
The more Biden is in denial, the more the age issue remains the lead story. Need to move on.
All politics is local. The lead story in the "New Castle News is "Trump tells NRA members 'no one will lay a finger on your firearms' if he returns to the White House." Guns are more important in flyover country.
In the Miami Herald, "Biden administration refutes Cuba’s claim that the U.S. ‘supports’ Miami ‘terrorists’".
Above the fold the NYT lead is : Terrified Gazans Await an Israeli Advance in the City They Fled To.
We have an opportunity to go on offense: Channel Taylor Swift!
Channel Taylor Swift!!
If you wish a newspaper that is unbiased, and fair let me suggest a daily published within walking distance of my apartment in Boston.
It's called The Christian Science Monitor.. It has been published for over a century, won 8 Pulitzer Prizes, has never been sued for libel. If you wish to read a paper read by the leaders of he world, Presidents, Premiers, Prime Ministers, and probably Popes, read it.
I should add I am not a Christian Scientist but then neither are most of their readers.
Big media... If you mean Fox you are correct. Mainstream does do a lot of soft pedaling. But if you look the information is there.
and therein lies the problem.
Here’s what really has me confused. After Special Counsel Robert Hur’s report on classified documents that President Biden had in his possession and not having enough evidence to prosecute but also included derogatory statements about his memory.
Trump’s follow up to that was, "The Biden documents case is 100 times different and more severe than mine," Trump said in Truth Social post. "I did nothing wrong... What Biden did is outrageously criminal."
This from a man who stole classified documents, shared classified documents, hid classified documents, refused to turnover classified documents, and lied about everything regarding classified documents!
Trump is what my mom calls CREEP AND CRUD!! How the hell can anyone of decency even think about voting for this idiot!
Merrick Garland chose to release the report in its entirety. He did not have to do that. Hur did not label the document for public viewing. The onus is on Garland. Again a huge disappointment.
That’s a good point however my point was that this Reprehensible Party, that call themselves patriotic, do nothing to help their president govern the country! They continue to stoke the flames that the election was stolen and Trump is the real president. These people are traitors to the constitution and the country!!
If Trump is the real president he’s had his two terms and cannot run again. Can’t have it both ways.
Keith, without a shred of doubt, they are traitors. And trump was found guilty of rape. What’s not to admire! 🤦🏻
Since the beginning it always looked as if Garland was working for Trump. Waiting 3 years to start the process to hold him accountable is outrageous! Now he’s put the nail in the coffin by allowing release of the report with personal commentary by MAGA elected prosecutor.
IMarlo, I am glad Garland released the entire report. It shows that Biden answered with great clarity and memory of facts from years ago, that he simply did not see any relevance of discussing his son, I shows that this was clearly a cruel hit and run tactic backed by Trump like verbiage to try and hurt President Biden for political gain. I think you might like to read https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-9-2024?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=20533&post_id=141546464&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=f14pb&utm_medium=email
I disagree. “But the media ran not with the official takeaway of the investigation—that Biden had not committed a crime—or with a reflection on the accuracy or partisan reason for Hur’s commentary, but with Hur’s insinuations.” And that is all most people are seeing and hearing.
Marlo, I fully agree. Once again Garland fails!
Keith, he definitely got it backwards!! I find it so hard to believe that the little orange man does not believe he did anything wrong! That, to me, shows trump's dementia is getting worse. He cannot look at both cases and see how vastly different they are and know without a doubt that stealing, sharing, hiding and lying about classified documents is criminal!! I can't help but wonder, does he know or are the ones around him feeding this information to him because he really doesn't understand.
I've always said those documents were Trump's retirement fund!
Probably so, Wendy, but will he even remember or know who he sold them to?
Peggy - ask Jared, he carried the bag from saudi arabia.
I don't think that matters to him as long as he has money coming in. That's HIS king!
I think Trump has had this denial syndrome since childhood - “ I didn’t do anything wrong “ - as he was kicked out of elementary private school for hitting his teacher or probably even worse disciplinary problems and sent to military academy. He’s a sociopath with big denial issues.
Susan, I believe he took after his father who was also a sociopath.
Trump always projects. He looks at his worst deeds and tells everyone his opponent did it far worse. It's one of his tactics. Unfortunately, millions of people and the republican party accept whatever he says.
so true....
Peggy - Trump is a student of Roy Cohen's. His skills are as dark as they come. And you never yield, ever. Just multiply the lies - it's that simple and that dark. The exact opposite to Biden.
And that right there, Lark, is the reason I would never ever vote for the little orange man!!
Indeed! Me, neither. (The first time I ever saw Trump and his family, I took one look and said to myself, "Oh, Dear God, here comes the Mafia!" And I'm afraid I was right.)
He does seem to try and replicate the old style mafia with his threats thinly veiled and his ability to get others to do his dirty work! Let's hope there will be some accountability for the little orange man soon!
Oh he knows what he did. Peggy. He’ll never admit it though.
He has never believed he has been wrong and never believes he needs forgiveness. I always wonder, who really got the degree from Wharton? Who did he pay to do the work & take the tests. How much has it devalued that diploma for everyone else?
Those are questions worth pondering!
MAgA lies ...are beyond Propaganda! Only Brainwashed Cult Members could say Trumps statements are valid! If Trump said drink cyanide laced Kool Aid I think a majority of the MAGABILLIES would do it
Brent. Hmmm. There's a thought. 🤔
You absolutely right. That’s because they believe Trump is their Savior sent by God.
He makes them feel good.
If Trump gets to be a dictator they won't feel that way. Little he cares they love him or not.
When we consider Joe Biden, a major factor we must take into account is the amount of tragedy this man has suffered in his life. Very few people lose a wife, several children, and whatever else... he has overcome incredible losses and sufferings, yet emerges as a strong man. He is olderly, he does walk a bit stiffly, he overcame a stammer when young... but none of this affects his intelligence, his decency, and his patriotism. The latter three are qualities that are totally absent in Trump and his entire family... and by default questionable in many of the empty maga-heads. For example, when Joe Biden talks about the three service members recently killed, you can see the suffering in his features... it is genuine. Dump is just a fake human bean to be flushed down the toilet of worthlessness. The sooner, the better for all of us.
Very powerful and true words, John!! President Biden has suffered tragedy and that is why he relates to families who have lost someone. He has empathy and compassion. What does trump have? "Get over it!" How disgusting!
I always tell people: "Look at the candidates personal lives. See what tragedies they have endured and how they have suffered and gained strength from that suffering. That creates empathy." Vote for people who have suffered and triumphed. The only thing Trump has ever suffered is that Daddy didn't love him. That makes narcissists.
John , I agree and I think his losses have made him stronger and wiser, This is not a man who will send young men and women to war easily.
To be clear: the issue isn’t either man’s age, it’s the bald attempt of a corrupt functionary to curry favor with an amoral tyrant.
Biden has gravitas. No one else does regardless of age.
I thought Dick Cheney had killed off any positive connotations of that word.
It’s a little too late to be asking this question. We are electing a president “up in years” with all the political and life experience that comes with that reality. But he is not alone. And who he brings with him to the table is as important as concerns about his age.
SCP, yes, lest we forget the former guy campaigning on, I will have the very best people. Yes, he had the very best corrupt, against the many, only for the few, people. He forgot those adjectives.
Sigh
I should be sleeping.
With ought listening to the podcast, the question seems wrong.
The questions is not how old he is, but he have the ability to use the vast poser of the USA for good. So far, he has. I do not approve of everything he has done, or that has happened while he was POTUS but overall it is much better than it could have been.
With that I am going back to sleep. hopefully with good dreams, and hopefully with some short term memory being turned into long term memory.
Biden has done a great job this term, considering he had to herd MAGAs. Honestly, they’re both old and forgetful, but only one is a fascist. That said, shouldn’t we get a new set from time to time? Or at least one new one? The DNC hasn’t bothered with a primary - again - so we’re just supposed to take what they give us and like it. I understand this shit from MAGA, but from the Democrats it’s absolutely absurd, not to mention undemocratic. Just because the incumbent has always been the candidate doesn’t mean we always have to do it that way, does it?
The question of President Biden's age has been offered. Is the man too old? My answer to that is "Too old for what." Our founding fathers all wore white wigs. These men were trying to appear as if they had reached an age that would reflect a degree of intelligence that time had given them. Yes, Joe is older than most, but the question remains, can he do the job this country is asking of him. President Biden has beaten Trump previously and there is no one waiting in the wings that has a chance against that man. As long as Joe draws breath, he out classes Trump.
Yes!
Peggy --Don't say that, the last time a woman said that to me I had to get a divorce to fix it.
Hahahahaha! Thanks, Donald, a great laugh to start out my day!!
Peggy--Stay tuned --I'll do my very best to give you one on a daily basis.
Thanks, Donald! Much appreciated! I find if I start my day off with a laugh, the rest of the day is great!!
Biden is too old, Biden 's memory is a negative, Biden is simply out of touch with what is going on in this country. So why in the Hell would we, as a progressive society, vote for him a second time? Because he and Kamala are more than capable of getting the job done, besides look at the alternative. It would be fitting if all Democrats were allowed to vote twice and the Republicans weren't allowed to vote at all. Then the upcoming election might find a path to a happy ending.
Donald, please read this article and see if you still hold the same opinion
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-9-2024?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=20533&post_id=141546464&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=f14pb&utm_medium=email
In boxing they would call that a blow below the belt. But what did they expect frankly?
Linda--To start Hur was appointed by "Trump" in 2018. they have a connection. everything that appears in his report is politically slanted to tarnish the Biden image.
Domald. ???? the article is pro Biden, anti Hur and the press
Linda--I've been having vision problems and using this small screen doesn't help either. I'm sorry but I couldn't read all of the article.
Great point
Susan,--- it seems funny now, but it wasn't back then.
Maybe so. But not this time.
These are the candidates we have. Pick one.
The young will come to power in time. Meanwhile we must vote in 2024 and Biden is the candidate.
After all the antics of the GOP this term, I don't understand how the majority of them are not voted out! Most of the serious and honest Republicans are retiring or choosing not to run again.
If I performed my job as miserably as the Republicans have I would have been fired a long time ago. We hire (elect) these people to work for us. Why is it that when they refuse to do their jobs they get to keep them? Yeah, I know the answer, but Oregon just passed a law that does not allow elected officials who refuse to show up and do their job to run for reelection. Our current congress only passed 27 bills this year. That’s not doing your job.
That's true, Wendy. I'm afraid the grand old party is gone for good.
They were never so grand, Peggy. They’ve always been the party of the rich and powerful.
Paula, there was a time when the GOP actually worked together with the Democrats to find the best path forward to pass legislature that benefited everyone. The party began to change with the likes of Newt Gingrich, Ronald Reagan and others. You are right, now they are the party of the rich and powerful. The party of greed and overwhelming need to stay in power no matter what and to hell with the majority of American citizens. They do not know what their constituents really want only what trump and the far right want. It's a shame really because conservative republicans need politicians that listen to them and work with Democrats to get them what they want.
Because good information is not getting to many voters, especially in rural areas. It's not just that, but it's a big part of it.
I don’t think President Biden is forgetful. Trump shows significant signs of neurological and psychological ill health, When I was young and couldn’t remember a name, or called someone by the wrong name, or misspoke, it was just considered human. Now I am supposed to say it is a senior moment? I think age discrimination is the last area where discrimination, not questioning our preconceived notions is still allowed. From Heather Cox Richardsons article,
“There are few secrets in [Washington], and if Joe Biden acted like Hur says, we would all know. Biden meets with dozens of people daily—staffers, members of Congress, CEOs, labor officials, foreign leaders, and military and intelligence officials…. If Biden was regularly misremembering obvious pieces of information or making other mistakes that suggested he was not up to the job, it would be in the press. Washington is not capable of keeping something like that secret.". I for one am tired of listening to Bidens age and Trumps being compared, like apples and rotten eggs. Hope you enjoy this article
https://heathercoxrichardson.substack.com/p/february-9-2024?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=20533&post_id=141546464&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=true&r=f14pb&utm_medium=email
You’re right, Linda. Even a friend of mine who’s 73 just said no one over 70 should be allowed to run. Say what? People seem to accept age discrimination without question. It’s time they woke up.
thanks.
Let's be honest. The Dem Party has got some problems. But their problems pale in comparison to the new Trump Party. So grit your teeth and get through 2024 with Biden and work for better times.
I don't care about the age of candidates. But if your energy policy is summed up as "drill baby drill," either you do not understand proven science, OR you do not choose good sources to make important decisions. Either way, it's a dereliction of duty to protect ALL Americans and future generations.
And if you say "drill baby drill," with gleam in your eye, knowing full well that wildfires are raging more than ever, floods and hurricanes are stronger than ever, and Alaska is melting from the extreme heat, either you're completely out of your mind, OR you have a great plan to ensure the apocalypse, OR BOTH the former and the latter are true.
Let's go, Chiefs!
While it is true that trump would be worse, I find that President Biden is still sharp as a tack. He works hard, has a fantastic team that gets things done, and continues to do his best for the country and ALL Americans. Age is just a number. As I advance in years, I find that even though I may have a few aches and pains, I still have energy, drive, ambition, and some intelligence (I didn't ever have a lot!). The media uses age against President Biden whenever they can but refuse to point out that trump is definitely NOT aging gracefully!! Trump's repeated gaffs, memory loss, and ignorance on subjects of great importance are not proclaimed nearly as much as they go after President Biden for any perceived gaff! I just want to say it over and over and over, our country needs a president that is in a word 'presidential'. Someone who knows how to work with other countries to keep the world from spiraling out of control. Someone who loves this country and wants to help every single citizen in it. Someone who understands diplomacy, courtesy, and uses proper etiquette. President Biden has been amazing these last four years and he will be just as amazing the next four. trump does not display any of the traits I have described as making a good president. He is boorish, rude, vengeful, and orange!!
Peggy Freeman, excellent comprehensive look at President Biden's strengths! And I see much of the media criticism as ageist tropes, of course only aimed at Biden. I am curious if there are any countries where ageism isn't so prolific, where generally the wisdom and dignity of elders is sacred, as it should be.
M Tree, I believe the eastern cultures revere their elderly and bow to their wisdom and knowledge. I'm afraid here in America we old people are considered a burden on society. I find that the older generation are considered to be mentally deficient, scatter-brained, and unable to think clearly. It's sad really when you think about it. Some of us have been around a while and have really good ideas, but unfortunately, no one seems to want to listen to them!
Peggy Freeman, I agree. I love the song, "Glory" that John Legend and Common performed for the movie, Selma. In it Common raps the words, "No one can win the war individually, it takes the wisdom of the elders and young people's energy." That is how I feel too. To move us (our nation, world) forward to a better place, we need to know this.
Sure some young people have wisdom too, but we can't forget the vast, mostly neglected by society, wisdom of elders. And it is wise to remind ourselves, many of the young who are wise gained their wisdom from elders. But just us talking about it, already lifts up that truth so that more may become aware. Let us honestly see everyone's gifts.
Beautifully said, M Tree! I had to look up that song and in complete agreement!
Peggy Freeman, to help move us forward to see the value in the wisdom of elders, a few years ago, I intentionally stopped using any of the common words (elderly, old, senior), etc.) to describe elders and try to only use the word elder/s.
That is nice, M Tree! I wish others shared your view.
I think you’re very intelligent, Peggy. Don’t put yourself down.
Thank you, Paula! Sweet words and I appreciate them.
Very well said! Thank you!
How many times did Trump play golf while he was in office?
More times than he worked to get things done for the American people!! Hahahahaha! That was a trick question, right?
Mr. Biden is a normal human being who occasionally does what we all do, and that is to trip over word or to misspeak. Aside from that, Mr. Biden has a speech impediment that may require additional concentration to make sure he’s getting his words right. in addition to that, he has one of the most stressful, high-pressure, demanding jobs on the planet.
It is sad that many people are clamoring to shame him in his humanity, and want to see him fall flat on his face, and fail miserably at his job, the one in which he is more concerned about the good of the many rather than the good of the few.
Crazy vs. elderly? I'll take elderly. Biden may be slow to answer questions, but his core is solid. He knows right from wrong....
Irrevelent and still sharp. Whatever detriment he may have mentally, the President is a team of both the White House and Cabinet. That team has delivered the best Presidency, economy and all indicators of national performance in years no matter how many fact-free negatives Trump and his Trumpets in Congress may choose to lie about and the Press give unchecked equal time.
This is just more dirty tricks from the MAGA Rethuglican side. I hate to even look at the headlines anymore but I do because of the danger those people present to our democracy. And "people" was the politest word I could think of to say. But I have my doubts.