A month ago I turned 80 and I graduated from high school in 1961, the same year as our President. We both came from backgrounds at the lower end of the wealth-poverty continuum with my situation a little worse than his. By 1961 we were both neck and neck on that continuum because of some good fortune handed me. Then he pulled ahead of me early on and still. I am jealous and should be. Also I am annoyed whenever people talk of his age, the same as mine, because I feel and am told I am both physically and mentally much younger than my chronological 80 years may suggest. Given Mr. Biden’s accomplishments and what he is accomplishing and knowing how I act and feel, he is a young man in an older body. That is all and nothing less.
I'll differ with you slightly, Richard, regarding Mr. Biden being a young man in an older body. On the contrary, he has vast experience and deep wisdom which the young invariably lack.
I'm a year younger but I agree totally. If anyone is going to succumb to age it is trump. He already shows signs of cognitive confusion despite his stellar performance at remembering "person. woman, man, camera, TV."
At my last physical the nurse said "Now I'm going to say a phrase that I'll ask you to repeat later." I immediately said "person, woman, man, camera, TV." She cracked up.
Beautifully stated and hopeful. With the enhancement of Biden's decades of experience and solid moral core and caring for humanity as a real person, not just as our President, there is no more ideal candidate for that esteemed post.
As a person who also just recently made 80, I agree with you, Richard. There are many of our age who have the good fortune to be “young men in an old man’s body, as we see with President Biden.
What also is disconcerting is how and why people look for every nuanced reason to suggested that Biden does this or that when speaking. In fact, he is to be admired for having overcome his stuttering.
He is and will be our candidate. Let’s hold our heads high and celebrate his commitment to serve the people (all the people) of the United States of America.
An Alabama state legislator was quoted during the fight over doing the map the court ordered as saying if they got rid of one of "our own" in this case, it would happen again in Louisiana and "other places" and then "we'd never have the majority in Congress again." He flat out admitted exactly what you are saying here, Robert.
A TED talk I listened to a few years ago said that middle age now extends to 85. After all we are living longer and healthier lives. With advances in medicine, one is senior and active through one's seventies and eighties. On average, geriatric problems are delayed into the late eighties and nineties. Certainly many more people are living to a hundred! So, let's readjust our thinking about aging and about having a President who is in his eighties. People like hearing that middle age goes to 85 now. It is a great way to counter the negative thinking promoted by the GOP. Let's focus on Biden's strength of character and his vision and ability to make the lives of all the citizens of the US better. We need him to lead us with a Congress that will work with him to make this a more perfect Union with freedoms and well-being for all. We, the People, all of us getting older this time!
A while back, I decided to declare myself a Junior Senior. I then expanded the thought to age ranges: Junior Senior - 55-75; Middle Senior - 75-85; Senior Senior - 85 and up. Howzat?
I like this delineation! I'm just discouraged to hear that I am a Middle Senior. Though I have to admit that, at 77, my memory is not what it should be!
You really have to consider what PART of your memory is weaker. I'm 79. I forget names, but I always have. I search for words sometimes but they are not gone, they are hiding, and I know it and simply wait till the word clicks in (accompanied by thingamajig and whatsis as needed). I compare that to wondering why you walked into the kitchen. And THAT started in old-fashioned middle age, in my 40s.
On the other hand, I can remember details from news stories on issues from several years ago that are now relevant again, often better than younger people discussing the current phase of the issue.
So quite apart from whether Biden's hesitations result from his overcoming his stutter, I know EXACTLY where he is coming from. Much better he remember the arguments and details supporting his policies than the occasional word.
I seem to have the same memory weaknesses you do, Susan. It always amazes me that I can't "grab" words, but I can describe the words. I'm a young 73 and my husband is 81. I think we (as humans) think of many ages as old, but the closer you get to the age "old age" the more we realize that a physical age isn't what we think it is. My husband is in much better physical condition than I am and we laugh a lot about our memory idiosyncrasies.
I like to think of it as a lifetime of developing an excellent vocabulary. 😉 I always want the PRECISE word I mean, not all those sorta kinda ones, and the old brain just has to do a lot of rummaging.
The Alabama case: the second section of the 14 Amendment says that "when the right to vote at any election for ... Representatives in Congress ... is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged ... the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State." In other words, such contumacy should cost the state a couple of seats in the House (and also a couple of electoral votes).
I will be 80 on Sunday. Yes, my body is slower and I am prone to injury if I fall. But I know that Joe Biden -- like many elders in many contexts -- is wiser, emotionally stronger, and full of advantages that can only come with age. When the nature of the person is full of experience grounded in compassion, a deep spiritual concern for others, and support from like-minded allies, why be afraid? Ronald Reagan carried on long after he couldn't carry on. Youth is not a quality of its own. It's the person.
I was one of those who had hoped a younger, more charismatic Democrat would emerge as the nominee for president. The reason for that was my worry that the young people we NEED to vote might not show up at the voting booths. That should still be a concern. But two things have changed for me.
First, it's too late to consider another presidential candidate. Although the election is over a year away, the time has passed for a challenger in our party. So it's full speed ahead for Biden/Harris. They are very fine people. There is no other choice.
But second, and more importantly, I have been stunned, and thrilled by President Biden's performance in office. His approach to international relations should make us super proud. The manner in which he has remained on the sidelines as the DOJ pursues the forces of autocracy and treason is exemplary. His "Bidenomics" approach to our economy sounds more like Sanders/Warren than Obama/Clinton. This is a VERY good thing. And he has done more on the Climate Crisis than all his predecessors combined.
So what's next? Getting younger people to vote in numbers never thought possible. Let's get to Simon's 55%. And we should have the wind at our backs with the insane behavior of SCOTUS re: Dobbs. And the "Tuberville effect" on military oriented families should not be under estimated.
At face value, Republicans are doing everything they can to alienate the majority of Americans. In a fairly run election, they are running to lose.
Rich, you are only correct insofar as Democrats always worry about their candidate. But the reality is that Vice-President Harris is extraordinarily competent, and fully-qualified to become President if called upon to do so.
Keep in mind that Kamala Harris' career, up until 2017, was exclusively in the courtroom -- not in the legislature. She was San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General, where her competence and effectiveness were never in question.
The Senate is a drastically different environment, requiring her to gain an entirely new set of skills. There is a learning curve here, and nowhere better to learn than in the Biden White House. As others have pointed out, she now has the benefit of serious experience and a highly professional staff.
It's tiime to stop dredging up old campaign mishaps from years past and focus on the person Vice-President Harris is today. I for one am completely comfortable with the prospect of this extraordinarily capable woman becoming President. In fact, had Mr. Biden declined to run for re-election, I'd have voted for Ms. Harris without hesitation.
Hi Jerry. Yes, and to clarify what I meant really was not about me. If Kamala had become the default "front-runner" a different kind of panic, perhaps unwarranted, would have ensued about her electability. just as there is an overblown panic about Biden.
I do share some of these concerns, and while the pols are too early and perhaps flawed, they tell us something. And ultimately, I agree w Robert -- they are the candidates so its stop to stop whining and get into action,
Thank you as always, Robert! I would add to the discussion on Biden’s age that the fact that so many people are so ready to cite how old he is, is another example of how we get brainwashed and self-brainwash when we hear something repeated over and over. Remember “ Hillary is evil”. That appeared in common corners, all of a sudden and it turns out it was a phrase/idea injected into our minds by Russians and whoever else does messaging that twists our collective thought. Others are,” Democrats are Socialists”, “Blacks have thicker skulls”, “Democrats are weak on the Military”, etc. A message is sent out, media picks it up and mindlessly repeats and we start to believe it and repeat it ourselves.
My mom is going to be 97 in a few weeks. She is fragile in body but she is an artist and still draws and earns a good sum of our income. She’s way older than young Biden and I’d be a fool to take away her pencils!
"While sympathizing with the difficult spot in which Judge Chutkan finds herself," - the Judge is in a difficult spot only because we continue to treat the failed insurrectionist as an otherwise law abiding citizen instead of the bully and serial criminal that he is. We've already seen that when his bluff is called his followers by and large slink away and leave him hanging out alone in the spotlight. If Judge Chutkan follows up on the pretrial instructions and takes away his unlimited access to the media, there will be huffing and puffing but little, if any, meaningful action and we'll have taken one step closer to normal political and civil discourse.
Because he's white, arguably wealthy, politically influential and makes a ton of money for the media and both political parties. Other than that, he's just like the rest of us.
I hear your points, but I don't agree. I feel the judge is being careful because of the political situation, and not wanting to start a riot. That is still possible, though less likely since the Proud Boys' leader and other members have received significant jail sentences, even though we may agree that the sentences were too light. They, at least, are a deterrence to other potential rioters. Also, we do not yet know the result of Jack Smith's request for her to follow up on Trump's disobedience, have we? I truly don't know the answer to that!
We don't really differ a whole lot Kathleen. The political situation is a direct result of the points I made and the Judge is properly taking care to dot all the appropriate 'I's and cross the necessary 'T's. The chances of any riot have been diminishing steadily since the poor turnout for the first indictment and, while the possibility is always greater than zero, it's not substantial and, as Fani Willis has shown, proper preparations can and should be made to mitigate the impact of any attempted violence.
All that said, if the former president were a person of color, middle class or poorer, without political influence and not an effective generator of campaign donations or subscriptions, we wouldn't be hearing about him at all. He'd be in jail and we'd already know for how long.
How did the WSJ choose the 1500 voters it polled? Seems like that would make a big difference in the results. If chosen from WSJ readers, the polll would strong tend towards GOP.. Is the information about who they polled a black box and not obtainable?
I don't know if that information is available. Even if it were, I wouldn't trust it. The pollster is paid by a Trump PAC to make Trump look good. The poll should be ignored because the pollster is biased.
I so agree with your question!! I always yell at the TV and say,” You didn’t poll me!!”. I think pollls are a lot like tarot readings…people want to predict the future so they can feel safe and not have to think. It’s so dangerous to the mindset of a public who barely gets out to vote in the first place or often votes based on some flimsy poll and popularity contest.
Biden’s years of service in our government have made him the wisest and steadiest leader in a time when that is exactly what we need. I am so grateful that he is at the helm.
““Contumacy” is an archaic word used mainly in legal settings. It is defined as the “stubborn refusal to obey or comply with authority, especially a court order.” There are few occasions when “contumacious” is the appropriate adjective to describe an actor’s conduct, but it perfectly describes the conduct of both the Alabama legislature and defendant Donald Trump.“
Thank you, Robert, for my new vocabulary word! And again for your letter which gives me hope.
As to Twitter, I follow some people, and retweet but rarely post on my own. Elon Musk is another bullying crybaby child in an adult body. If the only people left on his platform were his “followers “ Twitter would lose much relevance. I think it’s time to happen.
I deleted my Twitter app. the day Musk took it over. He has fulfilled my concern about him being a bigoted White Supremacist antisemitic. I urge all readers to boycott Twitter and NEVER buy a Tesla. In addition, please be aware and read about the Republican Project 2025, a plan to replace current government workers and programs with conservative sycophants should they win in 2024.
I have absolutely no problem with your choices re. Musk, Dr. Z, and - for a really interesting overview of his devolution to being a 12-year-old bigot - check out the podcast on this page called "Elon Musk: Somebody That I Used To Know" by Kara Swisher. She's been a preeminent tech journalist/interviewer for thirty years whose once-interesting relationship with Musk has bottomed out - you might say predictably. This is a re-play of a Nov. 2022 episode of her podcast "On With Kara Swisher" and holds up well even with more recent Musk bad news. Her interlocutor is Nayeema Raza, one of her producers. Here's the link. The show is in the second box, below the introductory one: https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/on-with-kara-swisher
How are polls manipulated? How has Rupert Murdoch used his media empire to sway public opinion for his political causes and candidates in Australia, England and America? Why has the former Australian Prime Minister called Murdoch a 'cancer on democracy'? Check this relationship map. "Homer leads Presidential Polls: Unmasking the Fishy Side of Murdoch's Polls"
As Marshall McLuhan famously said, “ the medium is the message”. Different generations and different social classes use different mediums to communicate and use them differently.
If the pollsters call listed numbers (mostly landlines), they’ll get a certain demographic. If they have access to mobile phone numbers, another demographic. And what is the demographic of those who answer calls from unknown callers?
Polls done by email? Who has time in the first place and who responds to random polls or just trashes them? Social media? We all know how that can skew the results.
And what is the demographic of people like me, who will vote for Biden/Harris without hesitation, but will not answer my cellphone if the number is unknown? My outgoing message tells the caller to leave a message or I won't call back. No message, next step is to block the number. Few leave a message and they're rarely pollsters, sometimes recorded scams (blocked immediately), occasionally people I know but who didn't have my cell #.
“Voters who cite Biden’s age as the deciding factor are looking for an excuse to rationalize their vote for a twice-impeached, quadruple-indicted, coup-plotting, sexual abuser, compulsive liar, and serial cheater—on his taxes and his wives. In the face of those deficits, the best they can come up with is, ‘Biden’s too old’.”
Worth repeating.
And then adding,
“If Biden’s age is your only concern, where’s your concern about Mr. Trump’s age? I mean, the guy’s only 3 years younger than Biden and in horrible physical (as well as mental and emotional) shape than our current President who has accomplished more than several other Presidents combined.”
Thank you once again, Robert, for your calming and reasonable words. Unfortunately, the most vocal folks around me are lifelong progressives/liberals who would rather die than vote for DJT. But they complain about Biden’s age and “ability” (contrary to all evidence) constantly which gets on my last nerve. What’s more, the majority of them are very close to him in age and are highly competent--several still “working”! Looking for a good comeback to them, I remain your devoted fan.
Thank you for your comment, Jennifer! I don't have a good comeback for your progressive liberal friends. Sorry about that!
But like you, I also get annoyed by Democrats who complain about Biden's age. Especially when our whole democracy is hanging in the balance. Who's side are they on? And who can they point to who has even half the experience, wisdom and empathy that Biden has exhibited?
It reminds me of some of the young House Democrats jockeying to replace Nancy Pelosi at the beginning of Trump's "reign." By the end of her term, those same Democrats were eating crow and admiring what a masterful job Ms. Pelosi did handling her Congressional caucus and "our" new, reality show president. She was and is incredibly competent and smart.
The fact that any progressives complain about Biden's ability is startling, and frankly, ignorant in this day and age. They appear to be as blind about Biden as the MAGA cult is blind to TFG's evil and dangerous behavior. President Biden has done an AMAZINGLY great job for all Americans under horrible conditions. He's a national treasure for anyone who 1) values our democracy and 2) does not want the super rich to run this country while standing on the necks of the remaining majority of Americans.
If you had a sheet listing Biden's accomplishments next to a list of all the existential, corrupt and vicious damage Trump has done, (which Republicans consider "accomplishments"), I'd like to hear how your complaining, progressive friends would respond. I'd especially be interested to know what they think President Biden could have done better. When progressives complain about what they would have wanted Biden to do, or lament that we should have elected someone else, they are unfairly ignoring the reality of this president's circumstances. (The names Manchin and Sinema come to mind at a minimum.)
None of the past Democratic candidates would have beaten Trump or accomplished as much, let alone more, than Biden. They need to stop whining like children who have not received all the toys on their list and face reality. We are very fortunate to have Joe Biden as our president and will be very lucky if he wins another term.
Jennifer, I’ve had it with this attitude! And I let folks know it! I’m 62 and never better, sharper, more on top of it.
Biden out preforms folks younger than he is! It’s time we meet this whiny attitude head on: Joe’s accomplishments are outstanding! And that’s what we have to say! That, and
A month ago I turned 80 and I graduated from high school in 1961, the same year as our President. We both came from backgrounds at the lower end of the wealth-poverty continuum with my situation a little worse than his. By 1961 we were both neck and neck on that continuum because of some good fortune handed me. Then he pulled ahead of me early on and still. I am jealous and should be. Also I am annoyed whenever people talk of his age, the same as mine, because I feel and am told I am both physically and mentally much younger than my chronological 80 years may suggest. Given Mr. Biden’s accomplishments and what he is accomplishing and knowing how I act and feel, he is a young man in an older body. That is all and nothing less.
I'll differ with you slightly, Richard, regarding Mr. Biden being a young man in an older body. On the contrary, he has vast experience and deep wisdom which the young invariably lack.
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I'm a year younger but I agree totally. If anyone is going to succumb to age it is trump. He already shows signs of cognitive confusion despite his stellar performance at remembering "person. woman, man, camera, TV."
At my last physical the nurse said "Now I'm going to say a phrase that I'll ask you to repeat later." I immediately said "person, woman, man, camera, TV." She cracked up.
Thank you for this weigh-in, Richard. This is an important point.
Beautifully stated and hopeful. With the enhancement of Biden's decades of experience and solid moral core and caring for humanity as a real person, not just as our President, there is no more ideal candidate for that esteemed post.
As a person who also just recently made 80, I agree with you, Richard. There are many of our age who have the good fortune to be “young men in an old man’s body, as we see with President Biden.
What also is disconcerting is how and why people look for every nuanced reason to suggested that Biden does this or that when speaking. In fact, he is to be admired for having overcome his stuttering.
He is and will be our candidate. Let’s hold our heads high and celebrate his commitment to serve the people (all the people) of the United States of America.
Awesome, Richard!
Richard, you are so right!!
An Alabama state legislator was quoted during the fight over doing the map the court ordered as saying if they got rid of one of "our own" in this case, it would happen again in Louisiana and "other places" and then "we'd never have the majority in Congress again." He flat out admitted exactly what you are saying here, Robert.
They're not all stupid TC, just cowardly and the brighter ones can see that the light down the tunnel is a headlamp.
A TED talk I listened to a few years ago said that middle age now extends to 85. After all we are living longer and healthier lives. With advances in medicine, one is senior and active through one's seventies and eighties. On average, geriatric problems are delayed into the late eighties and nineties. Certainly many more people are living to a hundred! So, let's readjust our thinking about aging and about having a President who is in his eighties. People like hearing that middle age goes to 85 now. It is a great way to counter the negative thinking promoted by the GOP. Let's focus on Biden's strength of character and his vision and ability to make the lives of all the citizens of the US better. We need him to lead us with a Congress that will work with him to make this a more perfect Union with freedoms and well-being for all. We, the People, all of us getting older this time!
A while back, I decided to declare myself a Junior Senior. I then expanded the thought to age ranges: Junior Senior - 55-75; Middle Senior - 75-85; Senior Senior - 85 and up. Howzat?
Here's a piece I wrote about President Biden's age and alluding to the above: https://open.substack.com/pub/bobmorgan/p/age-of-reason
My mother always said "old is ten years beyond whatever you are."
Junior senior here - and that for another four years. I like the idea.
Middle senior here. Just look at what Joe Biden has accomplished in the past two years! Is age a problem here? NOPE
I like this delineation! I'm just discouraged to hear that I am a Middle Senior. Though I have to admit that, at 77, my memory is not what it should be!
You really have to consider what PART of your memory is weaker. I'm 79. I forget names, but I always have. I search for words sometimes but they are not gone, they are hiding, and I know it and simply wait till the word clicks in (accompanied by thingamajig and whatsis as needed). I compare that to wondering why you walked into the kitchen. And THAT started in old-fashioned middle age, in my 40s.
On the other hand, I can remember details from news stories on issues from several years ago that are now relevant again, often better than younger people discussing the current phase of the issue.
So quite apart from whether Biden's hesitations result from his overcoming his stutter, I know EXACTLY where he is coming from. Much better he remember the arguments and details supporting his policies than the occasional word.
I seem to have the same memory weaknesses you do, Susan. It always amazes me that I can't "grab" words, but I can describe the words. I'm a young 73 and my husband is 81. I think we (as humans) think of many ages as old, but the closer you get to the age "old age" the more we realize that a physical age isn't what we think it is. My husband is in much better physical condition than I am and we laugh a lot about our memory idiosyncrasies.
I like to think of it as a lifetime of developing an excellent vocabulary. 😉 I always want the PRECISE word I mean, not all those sorta kinda ones, and the old brain just has to do a lot of rummaging.
Ahhh! Great age clarification! I’m glad to be a Middle Senior, just like President Biden!!
Beautifully said, Cathy! And such important info to share.
Want to really look old? Dye your hair orange 😊
🙌
The Alabama case: the second section of the 14 Amendment says that "when the right to vote at any election for ... Representatives in Congress ... is denied to any of the male inhabitants of such State, being twenty-one years of age, and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged ... the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-one years of age in such State." In other words, such contumacy should cost the state a couple of seats in the House (and also a couple of electoral votes).
I will be 80 on Sunday. Yes, my body is slower and I am prone to injury if I fall. But I know that Joe Biden -- like many elders in many contexts -- is wiser, emotionally stronger, and full of advantages that can only come with age. When the nature of the person is full of experience grounded in compassion, a deep spiritual concern for others, and support from like-minded allies, why be afraid? Ronald Reagan carried on long after he couldn't carry on. Youth is not a quality of its own. It's the person.
Mazel tov!
🎂🥳🎉❣️
Actually, Janet, I guess it seems I am living long. Thanks for the good wishes!
I was one of those who had hoped a younger, more charismatic Democrat would emerge as the nominee for president. The reason for that was my worry that the young people we NEED to vote might not show up at the voting booths. That should still be a concern. But two things have changed for me.
First, it's too late to consider another presidential candidate. Although the election is over a year away, the time has passed for a challenger in our party. So it's full speed ahead for Biden/Harris. They are very fine people. There is no other choice.
But second, and more importantly, I have been stunned, and thrilled by President Biden's performance in office. His approach to international relations should make us super proud. The manner in which he has remained on the sidelines as the DOJ pursues the forces of autocracy and treason is exemplary. His "Bidenomics" approach to our economy sounds more like Sanders/Warren than Obama/Clinton. This is a VERY good thing. And he has done more on the Climate Crisis than all his predecessors combined.
So what's next? Getting younger people to vote in numbers never thought possible. Let's get to Simon's 55%. And we should have the wind at our backs with the insane behavior of SCOTUS re: Dobbs. And the "Tuberville effect" on military oriented families should not be under estimated.
At face value, Republicans are doing everything they can to alienate the majority of Americans. In a fairly run election, they are running to lose.
Thanks Bill. Also as one commentator pointed out, if Biden had stepped aside, Harris would be the front runner, which would also worry us!!
Rich, you are only correct insofar as Democrats always worry about their candidate. But the reality is that Vice-President Harris is extraordinarily competent, and fully-qualified to become President if called upon to do so.
Keep in mind that Kamala Harris' career, up until 2017, was exclusively in the courtroom -- not in the legislature. She was San Francisco District Attorney and California Attorney General, where her competence and effectiveness were never in question.
The Senate is a drastically different environment, requiring her to gain an entirely new set of skills. There is a learning curve here, and nowhere better to learn than in the Biden White House. As others have pointed out, she now has the benefit of serious experience and a highly professional staff.
It's tiime to stop dredging up old campaign mishaps from years past and focus on the person Vice-President Harris is today. I for one am completely comfortable with the prospect of this extraordinarily capable woman becoming President. In fact, had Mr. Biden declined to run for re-election, I'd have voted for Ms. Harris without hesitation.
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Hi Jerry. Yes, and to clarify what I meant really was not about me. If Kamala had become the default "front-runner" a different kind of panic, perhaps unwarranted, would have ensued about her electability. just as there is an overblown panic about Biden.
I do share some of these concerns, and while the pols are too early and perhaps flawed, they tell us something. And ultimately, I agree w Robert -- they are the candidates so its stop to stop whining and get into action,
Thank you as always, Robert! I would add to the discussion on Biden’s age that the fact that so many people are so ready to cite how old he is, is another example of how we get brainwashed and self-brainwash when we hear something repeated over and over. Remember “ Hillary is evil”. That appeared in common corners, all of a sudden and it turns out it was a phrase/idea injected into our minds by Russians and whoever else does messaging that twists our collective thought. Others are,” Democrats are Socialists”, “Blacks have thicker skulls”, “Democrats are weak on the Military”, etc. A message is sent out, media picks it up and mindlessly repeats and we start to believe it and repeat it ourselves.
My mom is going to be 97 in a few weeks. She is fragile in body but she is an artist and still draws and earns a good sum of our income. She’s way older than young Biden and I’d be a fool to take away her pencils!
Love that story! I'm 77 and I don't "earn" anything except Social Security! Good for her, and good for you for proclaiming her greatness!
"While sympathizing with the difficult spot in which Judge Chutkan finds herself," - the Judge is in a difficult spot only because we continue to treat the failed insurrectionist as an otherwise law abiding citizen instead of the bully and serial criminal that he is. We've already seen that when his bluff is called his followers by and large slink away and leave him hanging out alone in the spotlight. If Judge Chutkan follows up on the pretrial instructions and takes away his unlimited access to the media, there will be huffing and puffing but little, if any, meaningful action and we'll have taken one step closer to normal political and civil discourse.
Why isn’t he in jail where he has no access to the media, secret service issues or not!
Because he's white, arguably wealthy, politically influential and makes a ton of money for the media and both political parties. Other than that, he's just like the rest of us.
I hear your points, but I don't agree. I feel the judge is being careful because of the political situation, and not wanting to start a riot. That is still possible, though less likely since the Proud Boys' leader and other members have received significant jail sentences, even though we may agree that the sentences were too light. They, at least, are a deterrence to other potential rioters. Also, we do not yet know the result of Jack Smith's request for her to follow up on Trump's disobedience, have we? I truly don't know the answer to that!
We don't really differ a whole lot Kathleen. The political situation is a direct result of the points I made and the Judge is properly taking care to dot all the appropriate 'I's and cross the necessary 'T's. The chances of any riot have been diminishing steadily since the poor turnout for the first indictment and, while the possibility is always greater than zero, it's not substantial and, as Fani Willis has shown, proper preparations can and should be made to mitigate the impact of any attempted violence.
All that said, if the former president were a person of color, middle class or poorer, without political influence and not an effective generator of campaign donations or subscriptions, we wouldn't be hearing about him at all. He'd be in jail and we'd already know for how long.
My mother is 101, an old Eisenhower Republican,
Who would happily run the moron ( Rex Tillerson's
moniker) off the planet given the chance. Many people are living longer with their minds intact.
I am more worried about all who are not paying attention or absorbing wrong information.
How did the WSJ choose the 1500 voters it polled? Seems like that would make a big difference in the results. If chosen from WSJ readers, the polll would strong tend towards GOP.. Is the information about who they polled a black box and not obtainable?
I don't know if that information is available. Even if it were, I wouldn't trust it. The pollster is paid by a Trump PAC to make Trump look good. The poll should be ignored because the pollster is biased.
I so agree with your question!! I always yell at the TV and say,” You didn’t poll me!!”. I think pollls are a lot like tarot readings…people want to predict the future so they can feel safe and not have to think. It’s so dangerous to the mindset of a public who barely gets out to vote in the first place or often votes based on some flimsy poll and popularity contest.
Biden’s years of service in our government have made him the wisest and steadiest leader in a time when that is exactly what we need. I am so grateful that he is at the helm.
Sarah, please correct your typo misspelling of 'Biden'. Click on the 3 dots to the far right of your post and choose Edit.
Thank you! I typed it at 5:30 or so in the morning after just a few hours of sleep.
You're welcome. It was a particularly unfortunate typo! I make similar typos, most often if I haven't paid attention to positioning my left hand.
““Contumacy” is an archaic word used mainly in legal settings. It is defined as the “stubborn refusal to obey or comply with authority, especially a court order.” There are few occasions when “contumacious” is the appropriate adjective to describe an actor’s conduct, but it perfectly describes the conduct of both the Alabama legislature and defendant Donald Trump.“
Thank you, Robert, for my new vocabulary word! And again for your letter which gives me hope.
As to Twitter, I follow some people, and retweet but rarely post on my own. Elon Musk is another bullying crybaby child in an adult body. If the only people left on his platform were his “followers “ Twitter would lose much relevance. I think it’s time to happen.
I deleted my Twitter app. the day Musk took it over. He has fulfilled my concern about him being a bigoted White Supremacist antisemitic. I urge all readers to boycott Twitter and NEVER buy a Tesla. In addition, please be aware and read about the Republican Project 2025, a plan to replace current government workers and programs with conservative sycophants should they win in 2024.
Dr. Z.
I have absolutely no problem with your choices re. Musk, Dr. Z, and - for a really interesting overview of his devolution to being a 12-year-old bigot - check out the podcast on this page called "Elon Musk: Somebody That I Used To Know" by Kara Swisher. She's been a preeminent tech journalist/interviewer for thirty years whose once-interesting relationship with Musk has bottomed out - you might say predictably. This is a re-play of a Nov. 2022 episode of her podcast "On With Kara Swisher" and holds up well even with more recent Musk bad news. Her interlocutor is Nayeema Raza, one of her producers. Here's the link. The show is in the second box, below the introductory one: https://podcasts.voxmedia.com/show/on-with-kara-swisher
How are polls manipulated? How has Rupert Murdoch used his media empire to sway public opinion for his political causes and candidates in Australia, England and America? Why has the former Australian Prime Minister called Murdoch a 'cancer on democracy'? Check this relationship map. "Homer leads Presidential Polls: Unmasking the Fishy Side of Murdoch's Polls"
https://thedemlabs.org/2023/09/05/homer-leads-presidential-polls-unmasking-the-fishy-side-of-murdochs-polls/
It's all in how you ask the question, and who you ask.
As Marshall McLuhan famously said, “ the medium is the message”. Different generations and different social classes use different mediums to communicate and use them differently.
If the pollsters call listed numbers (mostly landlines), they’ll get a certain demographic. If they have access to mobile phone numbers, another demographic. And what is the demographic of those who answer calls from unknown callers?
Polls done by email? Who has time in the first place and who responds to random polls or just trashes them? Social media? We all know how that can skew the results.
The demographic of people who don't answer unknown numbers is "all smart people." We don't get scammed.
And what is the demographic of people like me, who will vote for Biden/Harris without hesitation, but will not answer my cellphone if the number is unknown? My outgoing message tells the caller to leave a message or I won't call back. No message, next step is to block the number. Few leave a message and they're rarely pollsters, sometimes recorded scams (blocked immediately), occasionally people I know but who didn't have my cell #.
Yes to all.
I was never really big on polls, and I tossed them all together after Nate Silver's sociopathic, colossal bumble in 2016.
“Voters who cite Biden’s age as the deciding factor are looking for an excuse to rationalize their vote for a twice-impeached, quadruple-indicted, coup-plotting, sexual abuser, compulsive liar, and serial cheater—on his taxes and his wives. In the face of those deficits, the best they can come up with is, ‘Biden’s too old’.”
Worth repeating.
And then adding,
“If Biden’s age is your only concern, where’s your concern about Mr. Trump’s age? I mean, the guy’s only 3 years younger than Biden and in horrible physical (as well as mental and emotional) shape than our current President who has accomplished more than several other Presidents combined.”
Thank you once again, Robert, for your calming and reasonable words. Unfortunately, the most vocal folks around me are lifelong progressives/liberals who would rather die than vote for DJT. But they complain about Biden’s age and “ability” (contrary to all evidence) constantly which gets on my last nerve. What’s more, the majority of them are very close to him in age and are highly competent--several still “working”! Looking for a good comeback to them, I remain your devoted fan.
Thank you for your comment, Jennifer! I don't have a good comeback for your progressive liberal friends. Sorry about that!
But like you, I also get annoyed by Democrats who complain about Biden's age. Especially when our whole democracy is hanging in the balance. Who's side are they on? And who can they point to who has even half the experience, wisdom and empathy that Biden has exhibited?
It reminds me of some of the young House Democrats jockeying to replace Nancy Pelosi at the beginning of Trump's "reign." By the end of her term, those same Democrats were eating crow and admiring what a masterful job Ms. Pelosi did handling her Congressional caucus and "our" new, reality show president. She was and is incredibly competent and smart.
The fact that any progressives complain about Biden's ability is startling, and frankly, ignorant in this day and age. They appear to be as blind about Biden as the MAGA cult is blind to TFG's evil and dangerous behavior. President Biden has done an AMAZINGLY great job for all Americans under horrible conditions. He's a national treasure for anyone who 1) values our democracy and 2) does not want the super rich to run this country while standing on the necks of the remaining majority of Americans.
If you had a sheet listing Biden's accomplishments next to a list of all the existential, corrupt and vicious damage Trump has done, (which Republicans consider "accomplishments"), I'd like to hear how your complaining, progressive friends would respond. I'd especially be interested to know what they think President Biden could have done better. When progressives complain about what they would have wanted Biden to do, or lament that we should have elected someone else, they are unfairly ignoring the reality of this president's circumstances. (The names Manchin and Sinema come to mind at a minimum.)
None of the past Democratic candidates would have beaten Trump or accomplished as much, let alone more, than Biden. They need to stop whining like children who have not received all the toys on their list and face reality. We are very fortunate to have Joe Biden as our president and will be very lucky if he wins another term.
Jennifer, I’ve had it with this attitude! And I let folks know it! I’m 62 and never better, sharper, more on top of it.
Biden out preforms folks younger than he is! It’s time we meet this whiny attitude head on: Joe’s accomplishments are outstanding! And that’s what we have to say! That, and
Get
Over
It!