Yesterday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell had a health scare during a press conference. I react to this incident, including how older senators like McConnell and Dianne Feinstein have led to an apathetic country, leaving fertile ground for an authoritarian like Donald Trump:
She was hoping to retire under a Democratic Senate, she knew what would happen, so she tried to make it throu a Trump presidency. Sadly she didn’t but only by months, thus Amy Coney Island.
Perhaps you do not recall the nomination for Merrick Garland in February 2016, that Mitch McConnell would not even interview. She was hoping to survive a one term Trump presidency, rather than be replaced by a Trump nominee. And it would have been Trump’s choice and the Dems that finally gained Senate control in 2020 would not have had a chance to not confirm as they would not be inducted into the Senatr until January of 2021.
RGB was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2009; known to be one of the deadliest types possible. Democrats had control of the Senate until the 2014 election. Her sense of entitlement prevented her from making the smart, forward-thinking decision that a less egotistical person would have made. Maybe you should take a look at this: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/us/politics/rbg-retirement-obama.html.
Thank you for your clarification on timing. I believe she felt it important to stay due to the possibility of losing The Affordable Care Act. Don’t know for a fact but that was something that was on the plates. Once we were into 2012, it became even more of a threat. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. She did her best by us. God Bless her!
What is glaring is this: term limits MUST be instated for Supreme Court justices for reasons you suggest (and more). Also, the obvious disparity of media coverage, had this incident occurred to Biden, or any other Democrat, - the GOP would be all over this like they were with Dianne Feinstein, and Biden falling off his bike. The GOP and media are playing this WAY down!
Their should be an age limit on Senators, Congresspeople + Judges - SCOTUS or otherwise. Having a bunch of geriatrics being pushed in wheelchairs or picked up off of the ground is no way to run a country. 70 years old or if your term is still going, then at the end of your term. Mandatory retirement. Enjoy the rest of your life and get some youth into the system.
Perhaps instead of an age limit, we have term limits, or a brain MRI. I am 82 this next month and I know that my mind is still keen but not keen enough to be the President or a senator (or even a congresswomen). Still, we must remember that all of those serving have a support staff for almost every issue that can come up - well except for trash issues.
I agree that this country is run by old men who refuse to admit the truth and refuse to give the reins over to young ideas. This also includes many from the GOP Freedom whatevers who want to see the demise of Democracy in our country. The elders like Mitch McConnell are not responding with vigor about several important issues facing our country, i.e., blocking the promotions of our military, putting our National Security at risk and making our country vulnerable to anything, approval of the military budget, inflation and the fact that the GOP is wasting tax payer money on useless hearings and investigations. It’s time for younger people to run this nation who have the same conviction to save our democracy!
Yep, there are just not enough in congress like Mitt Romney around to stand up to Trump. Actually, only Chris Christie is laying down criticism right now! All others are hiding under a box
All the Republicans eventually cave in and support Donald, even if they haven't at first. I would suspect they are just grand standing, or he finds a way to bkackmail them.
This is unfortunate from a health prospective. Mitch’s GOP colleagues obviously support their leader no matter his age and health. Contrast this with the GOP criticism of President Biden’s age, and he is heavily criticized for and his occasional stutter that he has had since childhood. The GOP and their supporters see Biden as too old yet he and Mitch are about the same age.
President Biden is a master of diplomacy with a wealth of domestic and worldly experience. He helped to save our Democracy, see us through a pandemic, and to build our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Wisdom is important!
You said it much better than I did., Lisa. Please let me add to your thoughts….. It makes me so angry when I hear and read, “He’s too old”. When one considers where we were when he took office, the executive branch in a state of chaos and confusion following four years of neglect, corruption and desecration and in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could have stepped into that mess and succeeded in restoring the integrity of the executive branch half as well he has without those years of experience on his side. Are there really so few who can see (low approval rating) how lucky we are that President Biden was willing to take on the job? How did we get to the point that we fail to see that what is not ideal is still pretty damn good? We’re being totally unrealistic and, frankly, wrecklessly foolish. Wake up and get real. It’s not unrealistic or impractical to give him what he’s earned.
I 100% Agree! Biden, also, is running circles around many people half his age. He is a team player who knows how to get things done in the most challenging situations. We aren't out of this ongoing MAGA fascist movement -people just saying 'oh, how about this young person or that young person for POTUS' seem to have no idea of the mess we're in -and now emerging from, thanks to Biden and his team! Thanks :-)
The single good thing to come out of TFG's election is that it demonstrated how essential it is to have a POTUS with experience in navigating politics. Biden has that experience, hence far less chaos, more inspirational ideas and aspirations.
To judge from mush mouth Mitch's manner of speaking, this wasn't his first cerebrovascular accident. He's such an tenacious anti-democratic bastard that it wouldn't surprise me if he became the world's first brain in a jar. McConnell's idjit constituents would still send him back to the Senate, and his donors would still donate.
Some were lauding Biden for having called the vicious old turtle to inquire about his health. Of course he did. Biden's a decent man. But it will earn Biden no credit from MAGA. Its leader will see the gesture as a sign of weakness. When Mitch is shaking hands with Biden, he's putting a turd in Biden's pocket with the other, to wit, countenancing the dangerous and profoundly unpatriotic antics of Senator Tommy (LOL) TuberTown. If Mitch thought he could get away with it, he'd gladly shove any Democratic president into the path of an oncoming train.
I am sure he is getting the very best care available, far better than any Americans. Having said that, although I would like to, I won't allow myself to wish him ill, but a instead smooth recovery. Senator Feinstein should have retired probably five years ago. I have a lot of respect for her having known her before she got into politics, she was on the board of a hospital I worked at in SF. I am 89 yrs. old and extremely healthy and if one is around my age and healthy, I see no problem with them continuing, however I do believe one should not run again or they should retire when they know full well, their body and mind are telling them to do so, for the sake of our country.
Senator Feinstein's SF Office was at the McKesson Building 2 blocks away from my old Montgomery St Law Office. The Senator has rejected many honorable off ramps to the point of damaging her continuiency despite substantial local support in her times of need, medical and political. A Senate seat is not personal property nor a leverage point for a spouse's interests. .
Problem with Feinstein is that her mind is NOT telling her to resign. That's the whole problem. She's become so demented that she is clueless about what's happening. Very frightening to me, given that she's the "tie-breaker" on the Senate Judiciary Committee. No, there needs to be laws.
Superb -- and infuriating -- commentary about the incredible hypocrisy of the money-grubbing MSM. Thank you for this link. For better or for worse, I have no problem with profanity. (LOL)
I think I've seen a little bit of what he's written. Do you subscribe to his substack? YAY, JACK SMITH!!! I'm saving the 8:00 news for my dessert tonight! :-)
Seniors can and do provide experience and wisdom. I doubt that anyone could have performed as well as Nancy Pelosi or Joe Biden in these Trumpy times. They are national treasures. But at some point, there needs to be a reality check. The issue is creating a learning organization/system so that there is a skills transfer to the next generation before someone becomes incapacitated. I think Biden and Pelosi are preparing their successors to do the right things. Mitch McConnell appears to have a different agenda.
This is not about respecting someone's privacy. The issue here is honesty and transparency. Both McConnell and Feinstein have not been forthcoming or transparent about their condition and capacity to govern. I can sympathize/empathize and feel horrible about their circumstances, but as elected officials, they are obligated to to keep us informed.
“I react to this incident, including how older senators like McConnell and Dianne Feinstein have led to an apathetic country, leaving fertile ground for an authoritarian like Donald Trump.”
As if we wound up with Donald Trump because some of our elected leaders are really old and/or not fully functioning. It’s not like it isn’t true -- RBG, DiFi, possibly Mitch outlasting their capacity IS a problem, but that’s not why we’re at the brink of fascism. That is not what “led to an apathetic country.” The road to authoritarianism has been lovingly paved, bit by bit, ever since 1980. There are a number of factors at play in bringing us to this terrifying point and I know you know that. Oversimplifying by scapegoating the old people involved is just shitty.
Man, I know you must be bone weary, but still I expect better than this from you.
At 79 I sometimes "forget my words." But I don't just stop--just use "whatchamacallit" till the word I want returns. I compare this to wondering why you walked into the kitchen, which starts way earlier than "elderly."
He didn't "forget his words". He was either having a partial complex seizure (now called "focal seizure without awareness", which I suspect may be secondary to his recent concussion), or a TIA (transient ischemic attack). Both are neurologic situations which require IMMEDIATE medical evaluation and treatment. I couldn't believe that a repugnicant Senator who is an ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON "evaluated" itch for a couple of minutes, and then declared him "fine". That's the same as having a plumber telling you that everything is fine with your non-functioning heating system.
I agree with you but I will add another possible source of his focal seizure, that being a brain tumor, particularly in the left temporal region. I hope he has had an MRI done.
Yes, absolutely that is a possibility. The fact that he was walking down the hall, telling the press that he is "fine" (and the rest of the GQP echoing the same), makes me wonder if he's in denial and not getting care?
I've also read that it may have been a Petite Mal seizure. I'm sure McConnell knows he's not well but is hanging in the best he can anyway, wanting to live out his term.
sorry if I didn't make my point clear. I was trying to contrast what I and a lot of us elders experience and what he was going through. And I hope for his sake that he talked to a more competent doctor afterwards.
Please don't apologize! I'm 70, and what you are experiencing at 79, I'm already experiencing in spades. (I hate it! Do you?) I apologize for not recognizing the point you were making!
yeah, though annoying more than hatred. The damn word is hanging out there, taunting me, like a bug on the window that my cat can't reach taunts him. Eventually I swat it into shape.
I guess what I'm experiencing is more severe than lost words, which is why I hate it. I lose track of what I'm saying. If I move even slightly onto another track, what I originally was saying is GONE! You're right: the lost words are not so bad. (Love your image of your cat!)
I've always lost track of what I'm saying--since childhood. Something new comes to mind as I'm talking--a connection--and I veer off and can't remember what I was originally talking about. I don't think this is a factor of age; more a factor of a mind that makes connections all the time, often in unexpected ways. (If you're worried, see your doctor of course. )
Could we imagine the attention the media would give if President Biden did what Mitch McConnell did here? McConnell bears much of the blame as to what has happened to American democracy. Why? Every strongman like tRump must have enablers in order to take control. McConnell has proven that he is the one, a tRump enabler deluxe. And he has played a key role in weakening our democracy by fighting for dark money which we now are awash in.
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should have retired while Obama was President!
She was hoping to retire under a Democratic Senate, she knew what would happen, so she tried to make it throu a Trump presidency. Sadly she didn’t but only by months, thus Amy Coney Island.
Which is why she should have retired under Obama!
She clearly did not “do her best for us,” as MSC explains.
Perhaps you do not recall the nomination for Merrick Garland in February 2016, that Mitch McConnell would not even interview. She was hoping to survive a one term Trump presidency, rather than be replaced by a Trump nominee. And it would have been Trump’s choice and the Dems that finally gained Senate control in 2020 would not have had a chance to not confirm as they would not be inducted into the Senatr until January of 2021.
RGB was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2009; known to be one of the deadliest types possible. Democrats had control of the Senate until the 2014 election. Her sense of entitlement prevented her from making the smart, forward-thinking decision that a less egotistical person would have made. Maybe you should take a look at this: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/25/us/politics/rbg-retirement-obama.html.
Thank you for your clarification on timing. I believe she felt it important to stay due to the possibility of losing The Affordable Care Act. Don’t know for a fact but that was something that was on the plates. Once we were into 2012, it became even more of a threat. Shoulda, woulda, coulda. She did her best by us. God Bless her!
exactly, these days if you don't control it all, you lose. sadly. McConnel may be ill at the moment, but he has been a very evil politician
What is glaring is this: term limits MUST be instated for Supreme Court justices for reasons you suggest (and more). Also, the obvious disparity of media coverage, had this incident occurred to Biden, or any other Democrat, - the GOP would be all over this like they were with Dianne Feinstein, and Biden falling off his bike. The GOP and media are playing this WAY down!
Their should be an age limit on Senators, Congresspeople + Judges - SCOTUS or otherwise. Having a bunch of geriatrics being pushed in wheelchairs or picked up off of the ground is no way to run a country. 70 years old or if your term is still going, then at the end of your term. Mandatory retirement. Enjoy the rest of your life and get some youth into the system.
Not sure rolling the dice with Trump on the horizon is a good bet! But, we do need to have our government rejuvenated! No doubt!
Perhaps instead of an age limit, we have term limits, or a brain MRI. I am 82 this next month and I know that my mind is still keen but not keen enough to be the President or a senator (or even a congresswomen). Still, we must remember that all of those serving have a support staff for almost every issue that can come up - well except for trash issues.
I agree that this country is run by old men who refuse to admit the truth and refuse to give the reins over to young ideas. This also includes many from the GOP Freedom whatevers who want to see the demise of Democracy in our country. The elders like Mitch McConnell are not responding with vigor about several important issues facing our country, i.e., blocking the promotions of our military, putting our National Security at risk and making our country vulnerable to anything, approval of the military budget, inflation and the fact that the GOP is wasting tax payer money on useless hearings and investigations. It’s time for younger people to run this nation who have the same conviction to save our democracy!
Yep, there are just not enough in congress like Mitt Romney around to stand up to Trump. Actually, only Chris Christie is laying down criticism right now! All others are hiding under a box
Anthony, When Christie had a chance to make a difference in the past he stood by Trump. It is a little too late in my opinion.
They like having a "sandbox" on the Hill to play in.
All the Republicans eventually cave in and support Donald, even if they haven't at first. I would suspect they are just grand standing, or he finds a way to bkackmail them.
I always regret typos: why can't we edit here?
It’s the addiction to power to which these politicians and those who suck at the public teat are in thrall.
This is unfortunate from a health prospective. Mitch’s GOP colleagues obviously support their leader no matter his age and health. Contrast this with the GOP criticism of President Biden’s age, and he is heavily criticized for and his occasional stutter that he has had since childhood. The GOP and their supporters see Biden as too old yet he and Mitch are about the same age.
Maybe that was the whole point? If Mitch is failing, then maybe Biden..... I wouldn’t put it past them. New ideas are great, wisdom is better.
President Biden is a master of diplomacy with a wealth of domestic and worldly experience. He helped to save our Democracy, see us through a pandemic, and to build our economy from the bottom up and the middle out. Wisdom is important!
You said it much better than I did., Lisa. Please let me add to your thoughts….. It makes me so angry when I hear and read, “He’s too old”. When one considers where we were when he took office, the executive branch in a state of chaos and confusion following four years of neglect, corruption and desecration and in the midst of a worldwide pandemic, it’s hard to imagine how anyone could have stepped into that mess and succeeded in restoring the integrity of the executive branch half as well he has without those years of experience on his side. Are there really so few who can see (low approval rating) how lucky we are that President Biden was willing to take on the job? How did we get to the point that we fail to see that what is not ideal is still pretty damn good? We’re being totally unrealistic and, frankly, wrecklessly foolish. Wake up and get real. It’s not unrealistic or impractical to give him what he’s earned.
I 100% Agree! Biden, also, is running circles around many people half his age. He is a team player who knows how to get things done in the most challenging situations. We aren't out of this ongoing MAGA fascist movement -people just saying 'oh, how about this young person or that young person for POTUS' seem to have no idea of the mess we're in -and now emerging from, thanks to Biden and his team! Thanks :-)
You're only too old when you can't perform the job. President Biden is doing a masterful job.
Thanks Karyl. You make an interesting point.
The single good thing to come out of TFG's election is that it demonstrated how essential it is to have a POTUS with experience in navigating politics. Biden has that experience, hence far less chaos, more inspirational ideas and aspirations.
To judge from mush mouth Mitch's manner of speaking, this wasn't his first cerebrovascular accident. He's such an tenacious anti-democratic bastard that it wouldn't surprise me if he became the world's first brain in a jar. McConnell's idjit constituents would still send him back to the Senate, and his donors would still donate.
Some were lauding Biden for having called the vicious old turtle to inquire about his health. Of course he did. Biden's a decent man. But it will earn Biden no credit from MAGA. Its leader will see the gesture as a sign of weakness. When Mitch is shaking hands with Biden, he's putting a turd in Biden's pocket with the other, to wit, countenancing the dangerous and profoundly unpatriotic antics of Senator Tommy (LOL) TuberTown. If Mitch thought he could get away with it, he'd gladly shove any Democratic president into the path of an oncoming train.
He is a physical manifestation of the GOP illness
I am sure he is getting the very best care available, far better than any Americans. Having said that, although I would like to, I won't allow myself to wish him ill, but a instead smooth recovery. Senator Feinstein should have retired probably five years ago. I have a lot of respect for her having known her before she got into politics, she was on the board of a hospital I worked at in SF. I am 89 yrs. old and extremely healthy and if one is around my age and healthy, I see no problem with them continuing, however I do believe one should not run again or they should retire when they know full well, their body and mind are telling them to do so, for the sake of our country.
Senator Feinstein's SF Office was at the McKesson Building 2 blocks away from my old Montgomery St Law Office. The Senator has rejected many honorable off ramps to the point of damaging her continuiency despite substantial local support in her times of need, medical and political. A Senate seat is not personal property nor a leverage point for a spouse's interests. .
I agree with you COMPLETELY!
Problem with Feinstein is that her mind is NOT telling her to resign. That's the whole problem. She's become so demented that she is clueless about what's happening. Very frightening to me, given that she's the "tie-breaker" on the Senate Judiciary Committee. No, there needs to be laws.
Superb -- and infuriating -- commentary about the incredible hypocrisy of the money-grubbing MSM. Thank you for this link. For better or for worse, I have no problem with profanity. (LOL)
I think I've seen a little bit of what he's written. Do you subscribe to his substack? YAY, JACK SMITH!!! I'm saving the 8:00 news for my dessert tonight! :-)
I'm so much appreciating and enjoying the Tiedrich newsletters tonight and have subscribes. Thanks!
Don’t forget about Grassley from Iowa, another one that needs to head for the exit with McConnell & Feinstein.
If this were President Biden the gop would have impeachment hearings well underway
And they're trying to take that track again right now. I believe it was MTG who called for his impeachment the day after the inauguration!
Seniors can and do provide experience and wisdom. I doubt that anyone could have performed as well as Nancy Pelosi or Joe Biden in these Trumpy times. They are national treasures. But at some point, there needs to be a reality check. The issue is creating a learning organization/system so that there is a skills transfer to the next generation before someone becomes incapacitated. I think Biden and Pelosi are preparing their successors to do the right things. Mitch McConnell appears to have a different agenda.
This is not about respecting someone's privacy. The issue here is honesty and transparency. Both McConnell and Feinstein have not been forthcoming or transparent about their condition and capacity to govern. I can sympathize/empathize and feel horrible about their circumstances, but as elected officials, they are obligated to to keep us informed.
Obligated -- but NOT required.
Hold on! This statement is just WRONG:
“I react to this incident, including how older senators like McConnell and Dianne Feinstein have led to an apathetic country, leaving fertile ground for an authoritarian like Donald Trump.”
As if we wound up with Donald Trump because some of our elected leaders are really old and/or not fully functioning. It’s not like it isn’t true -- RBG, DiFi, possibly Mitch outlasting their capacity IS a problem, but that’s not why we’re at the brink of fascism. That is not what “led to an apathetic country.” The road to authoritarianism has been lovingly paved, bit by bit, ever since 1980. There are a number of factors at play in bringing us to this terrifying point and I know you know that. Oversimplifying by scapegoating the old people involved is just shitty.
Man, I know you must be bone weary, but still I expect better than this from you.
Yeah, that was a bit of a stretch.
At 79 I sometimes "forget my words." But I don't just stop--just use "whatchamacallit" till the word I want returns. I compare this to wondering why you walked into the kitchen, which starts way earlier than "elderly."
He didn't "forget his words". He was either having a partial complex seizure (now called "focal seizure without awareness", which I suspect may be secondary to his recent concussion), or a TIA (transient ischemic attack). Both are neurologic situations which require IMMEDIATE medical evaluation and treatment. I couldn't believe that a repugnicant Senator who is an ORTHOPEDIC SURGEON "evaluated" itch for a couple of minutes, and then declared him "fine". That's the same as having a plumber telling you that everything is fine with your non-functioning heating system.
I agree with you but I will add another possible source of his focal seizure, that being a brain tumor, particularly in the left temporal region. I hope he has had an MRI done.
Yes, absolutely that is a possibility. The fact that he was walking down the hall, telling the press that he is "fine" (and the rest of the GQP echoing the same), makes me wonder if he's in denial and not getting care?
I've also read that it may have been a Petite Mal seizure. I'm sure McConnell knows he's not well but is hanging in the best he can anyway, wanting to live out his term.
sorry if I didn't make my point clear. I was trying to contrast what I and a lot of us elders experience and what he was going through. And I hope for his sake that he talked to a more competent doctor afterwards.
Please don't apologize! I'm 70, and what you are experiencing at 79, I'm already experiencing in spades. (I hate it! Do you?) I apologize for not recognizing the point you were making!
yeah, though annoying more than hatred. The damn word is hanging out there, taunting me, like a bug on the window that my cat can't reach taunts him. Eventually I swat it into shape.
I can relate!
I have a great grandson who is autistic. I adopted and altered his phrase of "using my words" to "losing my words". That amuses him.
I guess what I'm experiencing is more severe than lost words, which is why I hate it. I lose track of what I'm saying. If I move even slightly onto another track, what I originally was saying is GONE! You're right: the lost words are not so bad. (Love your image of your cat!)
I've always lost track of what I'm saying--since childhood. Something new comes to mind as I'm talking--a connection--and I veer off and can't remember what I was originally talking about. I don't think this is a factor of age; more a factor of a mind that makes connections all the time, often in unexpected ways. (If you're worried, see your doctor of course. )
Sad. Clearly medical concerns must be addressed.
Term limits, anyone?
Could we imagine the attention the media would give if President Biden did what Mitch McConnell did here? McConnell bears much of the blame as to what has happened to American democracy. Why? Every strongman like tRump must have enablers in order to take control. McConnell has proven that he is the one, a tRump enabler deluxe. And he has played a key role in weakening our democracy by fighting for dark money which we now are awash in.