I just found it yesterday. Needless to say that I was not surprised. Another writer I follow mentioned how many rural areas and towns have seats going uncontested by Democrats. The DNC abandoned rural America decades ago. Which is how we get people like MTG and her ilk in Congress.
Once your eyes are opened, it's impossible to close them.
I'm more confused than all the presidential candidates running this year. What exactly was Biden's reason for running for reelection. He did a better job than expected, despite some major foreign policy flaws, and he could've rested on his laurels. It has never been clear to me what a second term would accomplish. He stated in 2020 he was a one-term president. There are plenty of Democrats who have stamina and charisma who could have taken up the torch. Is there something I'm missing?
The Dems knew Joe Biden was an old fart when he announced his reelection bid. They still sent him out on the campaign trail, agreed to a debate that guaranteed disaster (2 minutes, 1 minute, 1 minute and no fact checking), and a vague message about what Biden will do in his second term. He refuses to hold Israel to account (getting played by Netanyahu constantly) and seems to want to tangle with Iranian proxies. Just because he's not Donald Trump is not a reason to run.
All of that said, maybe there will be some hot backroom negotiations at the Democratic National Convention. Deal making, king making, something besides more of this bullshit. I am sick of pundits and commentators harping on Biden when Trump is obviously so much worse. If Joe Biden comes out on top as the Democrat's nominee, take him off the campaign trail and record video speeches or fireside chats. Get his message out in the media, not photos and video of him looking confused and dotardly.
The GOP has played the long game. They're proactive. The Democrats are reactive, running around like the proverbial chicken without a head. STOP IT!
You're right in that I can't believe the Democrats thought Biden's cognitive issues could be kept secret. They scheduled two debates! What did they think would happen!?
Granted how big the US is, I wonder how easy it is to change its political structure, especially with the goal of making it more democratic. It seems like trying to stir a gigantic ship.
It is. Especially that, given any serious change would mean reducing representatives, Presidents, and justices of their power, they're likely to fight it. Absent a mass-mobilization event, it wouldn't happen.
But, we have seen such movements before, so it's not unthinkable.
UK, similar superiority complex shit. We even get taught that hereditary monarchy is a great thing, "checks and balances blah blah". As a social anthropologist, one of the worst bits of knock-on evil I witnessed from US and UK inflated self-belief was the overseas development and aid industry. Part soft power, part global restructuring, full-on meddling and lack of humility, mega gravy-train for those working in it. The damage we do extends beyond our own borders. I could rant on. I'll refrain. But here's a (now old) book that touches on this. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780429040085/faith-credit-susan-george
I've always wondered how other nations (especially those without founding myths) see themselves. It's wild that the UK talks about literal monarchy as a good thing. It's objectively bad! Just goes to show people will find a way to convince themselves of anything, I guess.
I think a Prime Minister is a much better system. They can be removed/replaced more easily, and are closer to direct democracy than whatever the Electoral College is.
I'm going to write about how I plan to vote (or not vote) soon. This isn't helpful, but I don't believe I can give you your answer. I think all of us will need to think long and hard and come to our own conclusions based on what we think is best.
Your use of the term โsundowningโ Is incorrect. Biden appeared fatigued and a bit overwhelmed by the hurricane force torrent of gish galloping lies coming from Trump, as anyone would be.
That is not sundowning. Sundowning shows a profound growing level of confusion that manifests in serious anger and irritability. Indeed, Bidenโs initial moment of disorientation was replaced with him finding his stride, his performance improving and settling down enough to begin to smile at Trumpโs utter shameless stupidity.
I usually agree with much of what you write but throwing that term around flippantly Is misleading and melodramatic and it undercuts your credibility.
I have to push back on the idea that Biden's inability is limited to the debate. There's been a lot of reporting recently from his staffers that he's limited in evening hours, which he has admitted in some form.
I really don't think it's that controversial to call this sundowning. I wouldn't say he "has dementia" or any other specific ailment, as I'm not a doctor. But I can see him speak with far less eloquence than he did at the start of the term. He's 80, after all. I'd be amazed if he wasn't sundowning!
It was fatigue and probably stress. Sundowning is an aspect of dementia and is unsettling, it doesnโt cause a person experiencing it to regain their composure, settle down and focus. Any person healthy person faced with a raving lunatic and a pathological liar like Trump would be taken aback and gobsmacked. Some, no matter what their age wouldnโt be able to regain their composure. Look at the wreckage of GOP presidential hopefuls half Bidenโs age Trump left behind on debate stages in 2016.
Biden regrouped, rallied, and pushed back hard and showed he has the brass balls to show heโs got a command of the issues and bitch slap Trump.
If anything for 81 the guy may have a stutter and be slowing down, but his spine is made of steel.
I disagree. The first 20 minutes of the debate were the worst, but he still looked lost and drifted off into space. I thought his abortion answer was incoherent. It's a matter of perception, though, so I guess we'll just have to disagree.
A very accurate assessment.
https://ivn.us/posts/dnc-to-court-we-are-a-private-corporation-with-no-obligation-to-follow-our-rules
Thanks Jasmine!
That's an insane story. Thanks for sharing, I hadn't seen it.
You're welcome!
I just found it yesterday. Needless to say that I was not surprised. Another writer I follow mentioned how many rural areas and towns have seats going uncontested by Democrats. The DNC abandoned rural America decades ago. Which is how we get people like MTG and her ilk in Congress.
Once your eyes are opened, it's impossible to close them.
I'm more confused than all the presidential candidates running this year. What exactly was Biden's reason for running for reelection. He did a better job than expected, despite some major foreign policy flaws, and he could've rested on his laurels. It has never been clear to me what a second term would accomplish. He stated in 2020 he was a one-term president. There are plenty of Democrats who have stamina and charisma who could have taken up the torch. Is there something I'm missing?
The Dems knew Joe Biden was an old fart when he announced his reelection bid. They still sent him out on the campaign trail, agreed to a debate that guaranteed disaster (2 minutes, 1 minute, 1 minute and no fact checking), and a vague message about what Biden will do in his second term. He refuses to hold Israel to account (getting played by Netanyahu constantly) and seems to want to tangle with Iranian proxies. Just because he's not Donald Trump is not a reason to run.
All of that said, maybe there will be some hot backroom negotiations at the Democratic National Convention. Deal making, king making, something besides more of this bullshit. I am sick of pundits and commentators harping on Biden when Trump is obviously so much worse. If Joe Biden comes out on top as the Democrat's nominee, take him off the campaign trail and record video speeches or fireside chats. Get his message out in the media, not photos and video of him looking confused and dotardly.
The GOP has played the long game. They're proactive. The Democrats are reactive, running around like the proverbial chicken without a head. STOP IT!
You're right in that I can't believe the Democrats thought Biden's cognitive issues could be kept secret. They scheduled two debates! What did they think would happen!?
Granted how big the US is, I wonder how easy it is to change its political structure, especially with the goal of making it more democratic. It seems like trying to stir a gigantic ship.
It is. Especially that, given any serious change would mean reducing representatives, Presidents, and justices of their power, they're likely to fight it. Absent a mass-mobilization event, it wouldn't happen.
But, we have seen such movements before, so it's not unthinkable.
UK, similar superiority complex shit. We even get taught that hereditary monarchy is a great thing, "checks and balances blah blah". As a social anthropologist, one of the worst bits of knock-on evil I witnessed from US and UK inflated self-belief was the overseas development and aid industry. Part soft power, part global restructuring, full-on meddling and lack of humility, mega gravy-train for those working in it. The damage we do extends beyond our own borders. I could rant on. I'll refrain. But here's a (now old) book that touches on this. https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9780429040085/faith-credit-susan-george
I've always wondered how other nations (especially those without founding myths) see themselves. It's wild that the UK talks about literal monarchy as a good thing. It's objectively bad! Just goes to show people will find a way to convince themselves of anything, I guess.
First step, get rid of the office of president, no single person should hold that much power in a democracy.
I think a Prime Minister is a much better system. They can be removed/replaced more easily, and are closer to direct democracy than whatever the Electoral College is.
So in all of this shit show, how does one vote? I know I do not want another Trump presidency.
I'm going to write about how I plan to vote (or not vote) soon. This isn't helpful, but I don't believe I can give you your answer. I think all of us will need to think long and hard and come to our own conclusions based on what we think is best.
Yes. Thank you, Joe. I should have said that was a rhetorical question.
Here is another person's recent experience. https://www.milwaukeeindependent.com/articles/darryl-morin-presidential-debate-act-hate-four-minutes-joe-biden/
Oops! Sorry about that. And I appreciate the share. I'm always curious to learn how others approach this.
So am I. Thank you for checking that out.
PS: Yes, I have personal experience with elderly people sundowning and thatโs why I know you cannot apply it to Biden.
Your use of the term โsundowningโ Is incorrect. Biden appeared fatigued and a bit overwhelmed by the hurricane force torrent of gish galloping lies coming from Trump, as anyone would be.
That is not sundowning. Sundowning shows a profound growing level of confusion that manifests in serious anger and irritability. Indeed, Bidenโs initial moment of disorientation was replaced with him finding his stride, his performance improving and settling down enough to begin to smile at Trumpโs utter shameless stupidity.
I usually agree with much of what you write but throwing that term around flippantly Is misleading and melodramatic and it undercuts your credibility.
I have to push back on the idea that Biden's inability is limited to the debate. There's been a lot of reporting recently from his staffers that he's limited in evening hours, which he has admitted in some form.
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/04/us/politics/biden-governors-health.html
I really don't think it's that controversial to call this sundowning. I wouldn't say he "has dementia" or any other specific ailment, as I'm not a doctor. But I can see him speak with far less eloquence than he did at the start of the term. He's 80, after all. I'd be amazed if he wasn't sundowning!
It was fatigue and probably stress. Sundowning is an aspect of dementia and is unsettling, it doesnโt cause a person experiencing it to regain their composure, settle down and focus. Any person healthy person faced with a raving lunatic and a pathological liar like Trump would be taken aback and gobsmacked. Some, no matter what their age wouldnโt be able to regain their composure. Look at the wreckage of GOP presidential hopefuls half Bidenโs age Trump left behind on debate stages in 2016.
Biden regrouped, rallied, and pushed back hard and showed he has the brass balls to show heโs got a command of the issues and bitch slap Trump.
If anything for 81 the guy may have a stutter and be slowing down, but his spine is made of steel.
I disagree. The first 20 minutes of the debate were the worst, but he still looked lost and drifted off into space. I thought his abortion answer was incoherent. It's a matter of perception, though, so I guess we'll just have to disagree.