AGING, RAGING POLITICIANS DUKE IT OUT

Presidential hopeful Joe Biden challenges an Iowa farmer to a push up contest and IQ test, and calls him a damn liar. Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, tells a journalist asking difficult questions, “don’t mess with me.” This, after stating she “doesn’t hate anyone,” because she’s a Catholic??? Donald Trump has nasty nicknames for his critics and constantly repeats himself. He calls himself a “stable genius.” While the aging, raging politicians duke it out, it leaves this octogenarian wondering. Although I abhor blatant ageism, sometimes we have to face the facts. Should a person in their mid seventies run for office? And if not, why?

Elderly politicians show a lot of anger — Seniors may have more problems with anger management.

1. Older people are angrier. One of the most common emotions seen in the aging population is anger. It may be a symptom of depression, but often, it’s a manifestations of the aging process, itself.

2. The elderly are less able to handle stress. Their heart and lungs may not have the capacity they once did, making recovery from stress more difficult. As people age, they don’t sleep as soundly, which causes higher levels of stress hormones in the brain..

3. Reflexes change as we age. According to the Merck Manual. the peripheral nerves conduct impulses more slowly as people get older. This results in slower reflexes, decreased sensation and clumsiness.

4: Aging changes decision making ability. Neuroscientists have found that older adults are less able to hold on to complex thoughts, and have a harder time making decisions that require considering multiple options. However, decisions that require established knowledge remain strong well into old age.

The most impressive thing about the Democratic Presidential debates was the demeanor of the younger candidates. While I didn’t agree with all of their policies, they presented them in a thoughtful, rational manner. I know experience matters. But I’m not sure the aging brain is capable of grappling all the complexities of managing our great nation and keeping it safe for our grandchildren.

No one can run for president in the United States until they are thirty five years old. As aging, raging senior politicians duke it out, you wonder if there should be age restrictions at the end of the life cycle.

November 22, 2019November 22, 2019

ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM: BIDEN’S SON

That Ukraine is a corrupt nation is an established fact. Apparently, they agreed to clean up the problem if we would give them financial aid. Around March of 2019 they assured our diplomats that there was no longer any corruption. Congress decided that based on what they said, Ukraine should get close to $400 million dollars of our tax payer money. But Trump wasn’t convinced they’d done a good job of investigating possible corruption with the Bidens so he decided to hold up the money until they did. Now, Trump’s about to be impeached for bribery. But the Elephant in the Room is Joe Biden’s son. Is Congress ignoring the fact that his high paying jobs in Ukraine and China sounded suspicious?

Hunter Biden had a highpaying job in Urkraine due to his father's influence — Joe and Hunter Biden paying golf with Ukraine Gas Company Executives

Here’s what we know about Hunter Biden. He got kicked out of the Navy in May of 2014 because he tested positive for cocaine. He made a bundle because of his Dad’s influence as Vice President of the United States. From 2014 until 2019, he served on the board of Burisma Holding, a Ukranian gas producer,making around $50,000 a month. He made millions of dollars working with a private equity firm in China. And now, the latest revelation comes from his baby mama in Arkansas , who’s suing him in a paternity case. Apparently, this gallant fellow denied he had fathered her child born in August of 2018 until a DNA test proved he was, indeed, the father. It looks like Hunter is the black sheep of the family. But strangely, Congress hasn’t shown the slightest bit of interest in his lucrative deals with China and the Ukraine.

So, if Trump is impeached, Hunter Biden gets away with all that money he earned because he was the son of the Vice President of the United States of America. .

Well, maybe he can use it to pay child support in Arkansas.

September 16, 2019September 18, 2019

BLATANT AGEISM DURING DNC DEBATE

If you’ve followed my blog, you know I’m not a big fan of Joe Biden. But in this case, I’m defending him against what he was subjected to last Thursday night on television. Senator Julian Castro’s mean spirited attack on Biden’s memory was a sign of blatant ageism during the Democratic National Committee debate.

Once a person hits 70 , they’re apt to be a victim of ageism, whether they realize it or not. It could happen when the sales person at the electronics store spouts a bunch of techie-speak, and shakes his head in amusement when you ask him to translate in plain English. Or the rental agent at your vacation apartment puts you in a shoddy, overpriced place and refuses to give you a refund or find a better place. Then, the mechanic at the tire store who says you need a new tire, even though you actually just need a small repair. These are things that don’t happen to men and women under 50.

To tell the truth, I don’t remember much about the DNC debate. There was a lot of talk about free healthcare. Bernie Sanders ranting and raving, and Elizabeth Warren promising us the moon with no tax increases. (Hello: Have you talked to your Italian and Canadian friends about their tax rate?)

But three salient moments remain in my memory.

First, Julian Castro verbally pummeling Biden , accusing him of forgetting what he just said. What was the point of that? Except to say: “you’re too old and senile to be president”.

Mayor Pete was the voice of reason crying in the wilderness — Once again, Mayor Pete was the most rational candidate when defending Joe Biden

Second: , Hoosier Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s rational response: “This is why Presidential debates are becoming unwatchable. It reminds everybody of what they cannot stand about Washington…poking at each other…” .

Third, when Minnesota senator Amy Klobuchar, said, ,” I don’t want to be president for half of America—I want to be president for all Americans. I want to represent all of this country, not half of it. “

Amy Kloubucher seemed like the most sensible candidate at the DnC debate — Amy Klobuchar said what is needed to bring this country together

Sadly, if you look at the Vegas Odds on the 2020 Election, you will find that Buttigieg and Klobuchar are way down on the list of those predicted to win. Apparently, common sense, courtesy, and respect are no longer an asset when running for president.

August 2, 2019August 2, 2019

DISAGREEING WITH LIKABLE CANDIDATES

After watching the Democratic debates, I find myself disagreeing with the three most likable candidates.

I really like Pete Buttigieg. I think he has the perfect style befitting a president of the United States. He’s cool, calm and collected. He’s intelligent and articulate. He appears to be kind, tactful and diplomatic. And, I’m proud he’s a fellow Hoosier. But do I agree with his proposed policies? Not so much. Here are his policies I don’t like: open borders, popular vote. I like the idea of Medicare for all, but don’t think it’s economically feasible right now. Maybe later.

Mayor Pete came into the debate as a lightweight underdog, but came across as a classy intellectual — Mayor Pete came into the debate as a lightweight underdog; he came out as a classy intellectual

Obviously, an octogenarian’s opinion such as mine will not be mainstream. Most Democrats seem to like Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, but they strike me as far too strident. When Bernie starts shouting and waving his arms, I’m afraid he’s about to have a stroke. Elizabeth is a fireball speaker, but somehow, I don’t trust her. Even Canada doesn’t offer a free college education for all. I can’t imagine how we would pay for that, or all the money that would be wasted on kids who don’t want a college degree so much as a free ride for four years.

Biden? Way past his time. And, I don’t like his touchy-feely-smelly style with women. Kamilla Harris? I don’t see a former prosecutor as presidential material. The way she attacked Biden during the first debate may have been her break out moment, but I think it was mean spirited and uncalled for.

Booker and Gabbard have that likability factor

Besides Buttigieg, I like the way Tulsi Gabbard says it like she sees it—but her plan to pull out of Afghanistan is worrisome. Cory Booker reminds me of a better looking Obama. He’s got that spark, but his minimum wage plan is myopic. $15 an hour in my city would result in a much different lifestyle than in The Big Apple.

After watching the Democratic debates on television, my top likability picks are Booker, Buttigieg and Gabbard. But if I ever met them face to face, we’d have to agree to disagree.

April 5, 2019February 12, 2020

WANT JOE BIDEN TO SMELL YOUR HAIR?

New reports show former vice president, Joe Biden, kissing and smelling a woman’s hair. Aside from the creepiness, I see this as an extremely egotistical act. Apparently, he imagines that any woman would be thrilled to be nuzzled by himself. But, would you want Joe Biden to smell your hair.?

Joe Biden is not only creepy, he's egotistical. He imagines that young women welcome a creepy old politician sneaking up from behind and smelling their hair. — ISN’T IT RATHER EGOTISTICAL FOR JOE BIDEN TO ASSUME WOMEN WANT HIM TO SMELL THEIR HAIR?

Let’s turn the tables here. Instead of an old geezer like Biden nuzzling a younger woman, imagine if an elderly lady such as Judy Dench came up behind some young man and started smelling and kissing him? Would he feel flattered? Would he welcome her actions as a sign of support? Or would he see her as a nasty old lady who could be in the first stages of dementia?

The nationally syndicated newspaper journalist , Kathleen Parker , defended Biden’s hugging- smelling- kissing routine in her latest op ed column, stating that this is merely something southern people do. No dear, they don’t. I have two granddaughters, born and raised in Atlanta, and I can assure you they would not welcome some old guy sneaking up from behind, rubbing their shoulders and smelling their hair.

The smelling part is really weird. It’s almost perverted. I thought only dogs sniffed strange women.

Some people are touchy-feely-huggers. They will throw their arms around anyone who walks in the door. I once knew a person who hugged everyone. But later, when the huggee was not present, she might severely criticize that very person she hugged on an earlier occasion. Obviously, her hugs were not a sincere sign of affection—she was simply a good actress, playing the role of a warm, loving person.

I only hug people whom I sincerely care about and feel close to. Or perhaps to show sympathy for someone who’s going through a difficult time. I do not want, or welcome, hugs from casual acquaintances or politicians. A light tap on the arm is all that’s needed if you want to show that you’re glad to see me. You really don’t need to smell my hair.