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:
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!
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!
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.
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.
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."
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.
Mitch McConnell is clearly incapacitated for his duties
Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg should have retired while Obama was President!
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!
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!
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.
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.
If this were President Biden the gop would have impeachment hearings well underway
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.
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.
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."
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.