A line I use in my talks is “saying it’s 2023 when it’s 2024 is not evidence of impairment, believing it’s 1964 is reason for concern”. Biden’s memory lapses are probably not an indication of impairment. Even so, Biden is too old. Fluid intelligence begins to decline in our 20s, but takes a big dip by our 70s (the offset provided by crystalized intelligence (wisdom) maxes out in one’s 60s). This has nothing to do with dementia, but it does mean we’re not as sharp as we were in our 50s. Combine this with lower stamina caused by aging and health issues and the likelihood of bad decisions ramps up. For the same reason there is a minimum age limit, there should be a maximum age limit on presidential candidates – and all other politicians….and, please no “but Trump” replies -saying the other candidate also has issues is not a good reason.
This was written as an OP-ED for the NYTimes, not by me. However, I did edit it for posting.
“As a psychiatric consultant (Doctor) at a teaching hospital, I’ve evaluated thousands of older adults, & screened many for dementia. Clearly, Hur has overstepped his bounds in making an assessment of President Biden’s cognitive state. Without performing a more comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluation, he has no basis for his conclusion. His gratuitous criticism of the president is a political hit job, unsurprising since Hur (Special Council) is a Republican appointee & lacks objectivity.
It is not unusual for a person to not recall the exact timing of the loss of a loved one, especially from several years ago. It is certainly not a basis for concluding that the person has a “poor memory.”Considering everything we hear & see from President Biden, it is apparent that he is not cognitively impaired. He has a good command of the issues. He has a speech impediment (since childhood), but he certainly has the requisite mental capacity to perform the duties of the presidency.
Burn book from mean girls’: Legal and political experts respond to Hur’s ‘hit’ on Biden
Top legal and political experts are taking a closer look at Special Counsel Robert Hur’s final 388-page report on his extensive, 13-month investigation into President Joe Biden’s mishandling of classified documents from his time as Vice President, with several arriving at similar conclusions: it was, they say, a political or partisan “hit job.”
All of the experts on memory out in force. Was it a bad look for Biden? Yes, especially when compounded with the ill-advised press conference and the error he made there. When people who deal with him on a daily basis, whether friend, foe or reporter start reporting an inability for Biden to function in meetings, briefings, planning sessions, etc. I will take it into consideration.
Both candidates have make gaffes. I suspect we’re in for a whole year of “my guy’s gaffe is less relevant than your guy’s gaffe”. A very sad state of affairs, when there are real problems to be solved (Is Speaker Johnson the happiest guy in D.C. since his clustermess is now out of the news cycle?)
When you go on national tv to refute your DOJs report you are so diminished you can’t stand trial, it is bad form to call Egypt, Mexico during the speech. Forgetting the name of your church is just icing on Joe’s brain. To maintain support for a Biden 2nd term after yesterday is proof you hate Trump more than you love America. Step down Joe, it’s way past time for you to retire.
Option 1: “I’m a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, so I can’t be held accountable for leaving my stolen classified material unprotected in the same dirty garage that my drug addict son parked in. Since I’m not competent enough to be held accountable, I’m fair game for action under the 25th Amendment.”
Option 2: “My memory is fine, and I’m the most qualified person to serve as president, so I’m beyond jeopardy from 25th Amendment action. Since I’m fully competent, I am also completely liable for my criminal acts in hording the classified material that I collected while I was not even President and therefore not a declassification authority.”
Radish the wordsmith 3 months ago
Better than the lying traitor un American Trump/Putin party of dictators.
Ivan the Terrible 3 months ago
Food for thought.
Alberta Oil Premium Member 3 months ago
Umm.. isn’t trump that is trying his very best to deny a trial. Isn’t it trump (and his ilk) that has used the “can’t remember” excuse over and over?
thelordthygod666 3 months ago
A line I use in my talks is “saying it’s 2023 when it’s 2024 is not evidence of impairment, believing it’s 1964 is reason for concern”. Biden’s memory lapses are probably not an indication of impairment. Even so, Biden is too old. Fluid intelligence begins to decline in our 20s, but takes a big dip by our 70s (the offset provided by crystalized intelligence (wisdom) maxes out in one’s 60s). This has nothing to do with dementia, but it does mean we’re not as sharp as we were in our 50s. Combine this with lower stamina caused by aging and health issues and the likelihood of bad decisions ramps up. For the same reason there is a minimum age limit, there should be a maximum age limit on presidential candidates – and all other politicians….and, please no “but Trump” replies -saying the other candidate also has issues is not a good reason.
PhD, Cognition
rs0204 Premium Member 3 months ago
This was written as an OP-ED for the NYTimes, not by me. However, I did edit it for posting.
“As a psychiatric consultant (Doctor) at a teaching hospital, I’ve evaluated thousands of older adults, & screened many for dementia. Clearly, Hur has overstepped his bounds in making an assessment of President Biden’s cognitive state. Without performing a more comprehensive neuropsychiatric evaluation, he has no basis for his conclusion. His gratuitous criticism of the president is a political hit job, unsurprising since Hur (Special Council) is a Republican appointee & lacks objectivity.
It is not unusual for a person to not recall the exact timing of the loss of a loved one, especially from several years ago. It is certainly not a basis for concluding that the person has a “poor memory.”Considering everything we hear & see from President Biden, it is apparent that he is not cognitively impaired. He has a good command of the issues. He has a speech impediment (since childhood), but he certainly has the requisite mental capacity to perform the duties of the presidency.charliekane 3 months ago
Wrong guy in the car.
Radish the wordsmith 3 months ago
Burn book from mean girls’: Legal and political experts respond to Hur’s ‘hit’ on Biden
Top legal and political experts are taking a closer look at Special Counsel Robert Hur’s final 388-page report on his extensive, 13-month investigation into President Joe Biden’s mishandling of classified documents from his time as Vice President, with several arriving at similar conclusions: it was, they say, a political or partisan “hit job.”
Havel 3 months ago
All of the experts on memory out in force. Was it a bad look for Biden? Yes, especially when compounded with the ill-advised press conference and the error he made there. When people who deal with him on a daily basis, whether friend, foe or reporter start reporting an inability for Biden to function in meetings, briefings, planning sessions, etc. I will take it into consideration.
Both candidates have make gaffes. I suspect we’re in for a whole year of “my guy’s gaffe is less relevant than your guy’s gaffe”. A very sad state of affairs, when there are real problems to be solved (Is Speaker Johnson the happiest guy in D.C. since his clustermess is now out of the news cycle?)
Ammo is busy training in the hills Premium Member 3 months ago
When you go on national tv to refute your DOJs report you are so diminished you can’t stand trial, it is bad form to call Egypt, Mexico during the speech. Forgetting the name of your church is just icing on Joe’s brain. To maintain support for a Biden 2nd term after yesterday is proof you hate Trump more than you love America. Step down Joe, it’s way past time for you to retire.
Retrac Premium Member 3 months ago
Excellent ‘toon, Mr. Payne.
Jack7528 3 months ago
Far too true.
s49nav 3 months ago
Option 1: “I’m a sympathetic, well-meaning, elderly man with a poor memory, so I can’t be held accountable for leaving my stolen classified material unprotected in the same dirty garage that my drug addict son parked in. Since I’m not competent enough to be held accountable, I’m fair game for action under the 25th Amendment.”
Option 2: “My memory is fine, and I’m the most qualified person to serve as president, so I’m beyond jeopardy from 25th Amendment action. Since I’m fully competent, I am also completely liable for my criminal acts in hording the classified material that I collected while I was not even President and therefore not a declassification authority.”
Sorry, there is no Option 3.
Ontman 3 months ago
Payne, too idiotic to understand the difference between the truth and his fantasies.
Rich Douglas 3 months ago
One guy’s opinion, offering it where she should not.
FJB Premium Member 3 months ago
momochan 3 months ago
The spring is a nice touch.