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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
Sep 6, 2023·edited Sep 6, 2023Liked by Robert B. Hubbell
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.
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"
“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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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?
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.
Dr. Z.
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/
“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.