Thank you, Will. Your informed opinion about this issue is invaluable.
Robert Reich, the former Labor Secretary under Clinton, addresses the concerns about the age of both pressumed presidential candidates in his newsletter today. Some of your readers might be interested.
Thank you! Aging and Alzheimer's; 2 subjects I think of often. My siblings and I are all in our 70's. We're aging and I have a family member with Alzheimer's. Your column nails it. I mix up words frequently, always have. A fellow colleague did as well. As teachers...it was sometimes embarrassing. Recognizing it and treating it with humor was our only recourse. Alzheimer's is no laughing matter. I appreciate your take on Biden and Trump. More importantly than focusing on their age, the bottom line is what each brings to the table.
Thank you for commenting on the recent speculations about aging and brain disease. Fomenting insurrection is criminal, not a brain disease. Pretending to be a victim rather than the aggressor, is deliberate subterfuge, not a disease. Thank you also, for including us on your own experiences with Bella. You are helping us to understand the unpredictable events and the pleasant breakthrough moments, and the difficulties caregivers are faced with. In turn, you are helping us to be alert to our own journeys as we age. Hope you have a good day!
This is a terrific column and definitely not the first one of yours I've said that about, Will. I am my mother's caregiver and at 98 she has severe dementia. I recognize her in much of what you write about Bella. The story of you following her as she wandered was so sad and familiar, though Mom's wanderings are in time not place these days. Like you, I don't think Biden or Trump is impaired, certainly neither reminds me of Mom's issue. Ken says I might be able to talk you into doing a podcast discussion about care-taking. I hope that is true. i'm reachable at rosemary.armao@gmail.com
I think it is also important to note the Biden is dysfluent and has dealt with a stuttering diagnosis his entire life. A typical technique to avoid specific speech patterns is to search for replacement words that aren’t as difficult and of course stumbling over words is not age related but part of that particular disruption in speech. The Republicans like to chalk that up to old age, but much of his speech pattern is related to the dysfluency. Trump has none spurs and limited vocabulary. Neither related to the horrible things he says or how he says them.
Not all mental fragility is the scourge of Alzheimer. Some is dimly the aging process. Biden appears more and infirm. There are times he does not appear to know where is, more than once having to be directed stage left.
I do not like Trumps speaking style. He too often appears to speak without forethought, some might call it stream of consciousness. It is not a good method for a leader to use.
With that said, the eye test tells many of us that Biden is on an accelerating downward slope and Trump, policy differences aside seems to still be holding his own.
If, and I hope not, these two men are our November choice, it will come down to choosing what each of us consider to be the lessor of evils within our individual policy belief systems.
It almost always does, especially in the frame of our current severely divided country.
My grandmother often ran through a series of names before she lighted on the name of the child she was talking to. When we laughed she would say, ‘a loved child has many names.’
It wasn’t a sign of the Alzheimer’s she suffered many years later.
I beg to differ. President Biden speaks slowly. He needs to compensate for his stuttering, but more importantly, he actually THINKS about what he wants to say. His answers to complex questions are appropriately nuanced and carefully constructed. If he refers to the President of Mexico instead of Egypt, it's a word error rather than a cognitive error. The President certainly knows the difference between Mexico and Egypt, and what's more, I'll be he could find both on the map!
Donald Trump, on the other hand, appears vigorous on a stage. He bellows and gestures. His speech is loud and repetitive, but his sentences lead nowhere. His thoughts are diffuse and disconnected. The ends of his sentences are often totally unrelated to their beginnings. Trump's speech is far more disordered than it was in 2016. As a doctor, I suspect that not only is he afflicted with a personality disorder (narcissism/sociopathy) but dementia as well.
While both are of an age at which health challenges are no surprise, President Biden is far more intact than Grifter Trump.
Strange that Put made no aggressive acts while Trump was in office that were not answered decidedly. See the enforcement of the Red Line Obama drew in magic ink then ignored.
Now look at world under Unvle Joe. War in Ukraine, the Middle East and China threatening shipping lanes.
The world is not a safer better place since Joe took over. Neither is the Nation.
Thanks Will for a thoughtful column. I have a friend (my oldest friend) who also has Alzheimer’s. I cannot even fathom the care that her dear husband has lavished on her.
Yes, as usual Will, a very thoughtful column. The speaking styles of the two men just, to me, seem like a complete conclusion that one is....thoughtful...and the other is....floating. Is the floater doing that on purpose? I don't think so...his brain has to be full of an enormous number of contradictions amid his legal and political currently overwhelming problems. Does he have any idea what he really believes? I've attached no names to these "two" but how can anyone not see....the difference? At least you, Will, know exactly what a true problem with one's mind is....as you so frequently express so beautifully. Observation isn't worth a lot until you find yourself living in what you thought you were only observing.
Great article, Will. I have been simmering at the presumption of reporters and a certain federal investigator thinking they are somehow fit to evaluate mental acuity. To them I say, go man woman person camera yourself!
And to you I say, thank you again for the generous way you share your journey with us. I am in awe of your devotion and your beautiful love for Bella.
Thank you, Will. Your informed opinion about this issue is invaluable.
Robert Reich, the former Labor Secretary under Clinton, addresses the concerns about the age of both pressumed presidential candidates in his newsletter today. Some of your readers might be interested.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/my-surprise-at-yesterdays-substack?utm_campaign=email-post&r=17be1t&utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email
Thank you! Aging and Alzheimer's; 2 subjects I think of often. My siblings and I are all in our 70's. We're aging and I have a family member with Alzheimer's. Your column nails it. I mix up words frequently, always have. A fellow colleague did as well. As teachers...it was sometimes embarrassing. Recognizing it and treating it with humor was our only recourse. Alzheimer's is no laughing matter. I appreciate your take on Biden and Trump. More importantly than focusing on their age, the bottom line is what each brings to the table.
Thank you for commenting on the recent speculations about aging and brain disease. Fomenting insurrection is criminal, not a brain disease. Pretending to be a victim rather than the aggressor, is deliberate subterfuge, not a disease. Thank you also, for including us on your own experiences with Bella. You are helping us to understand the unpredictable events and the pleasant breakthrough moments, and the difficulties caregivers are faced with. In turn, you are helping us to be alert to our own journeys as we age. Hope you have a good day!
Amen, Will. Thank you for this.
This is a terrific column and definitely not the first one of yours I've said that about, Will. I am my mother's caregiver and at 98 she has severe dementia. I recognize her in much of what you write about Bella. The story of you following her as she wandered was so sad and familiar, though Mom's wanderings are in time not place these days. Like you, I don't think Biden or Trump is impaired, certainly neither reminds me of Mom's issue. Ken says I might be able to talk you into doing a podcast discussion about care-taking. I hope that is true. i'm reachable at rosemary.armao@gmail.com
I think it is also important to note the Biden is dysfluent and has dealt with a stuttering diagnosis his entire life. A typical technique to avoid specific speech patterns is to search for replacement words that aren’t as difficult and of course stumbling over words is not age related but part of that particular disruption in speech. The Republicans like to chalk that up to old age, but much of his speech pattern is related to the dysfluency. Trump has none spurs and limited vocabulary. Neither related to the horrible things he says or how he says them.
On the nose, as usual, Will. Thanks.
I look forward to every single article! Lawrence Casey
Not all mental fragility is the scourge of Alzheimer. Some is dimly the aging process. Biden appears more and infirm. There are times he does not appear to know where is, more than once having to be directed stage left.
I do not like Trumps speaking style. He too often appears to speak without forethought, some might call it stream of consciousness. It is not a good method for a leader to use.
With that said, the eye test tells many of us that Biden is on an accelerating downward slope and Trump, policy differences aside seems to still be holding his own.
If, and I hope not, these two men are our November choice, it will come down to choosing what each of us consider to be the lessor of evils within our individual policy belief systems.
It almost always does, especially in the frame of our current severely divided country.
As an aside Will. You and Bella are in my daily prayers.
My grandmother often ran through a series of names before she lighted on the name of the child she was talking to. When we laughed she would say, ‘a loved child has many names.’
It wasn’t a sign of the Alzheimer’s she suffered many years later.
I beg to differ. President Biden speaks slowly. He needs to compensate for his stuttering, but more importantly, he actually THINKS about what he wants to say. His answers to complex questions are appropriately nuanced and carefully constructed. If he refers to the President of Mexico instead of Egypt, it's a word error rather than a cognitive error. The President certainly knows the difference between Mexico and Egypt, and what's more, I'll be he could find both on the map!
Donald Trump, on the other hand, appears vigorous on a stage. He bellows and gestures. His speech is loud and repetitive, but his sentences lead nowhere. His thoughts are diffuse and disconnected. The ends of his sentences are often totally unrelated to their beginnings. Trump's speech is far more disordered than it was in 2016. As a doctor, I suspect that not only is he afflicted with a personality disorder (narcissism/sociopathy) but dementia as well.
While both are of an age at which health challenges are no surprise, President Biden is far more intact than Grifter Trump.
Strange that Put made no aggressive acts while Trump was in office that were not answered decidedly. See the enforcement of the Red Line Obama drew in magic ink then ignored.
Now look at world under Unvle Joe. War in Ukraine, the Middle East and China threatening shipping lanes.
The world is not a safer better place since Joe took over. Neither is the Nation.
Thanks Will for a thoughtful column. I have a friend (my oldest friend) who also has Alzheimer’s. I cannot even fathom the care that her dear husband has lavished on her.
Yes, as usual Will, a very thoughtful column. The speaking styles of the two men just, to me, seem like a complete conclusion that one is....thoughtful...and the other is....floating. Is the floater doing that on purpose? I don't think so...his brain has to be full of an enormous number of contradictions amid his legal and political currently overwhelming problems. Does he have any idea what he really believes? I've attached no names to these "two" but how can anyone not see....the difference? At least you, Will, know exactly what a true problem with one's mind is....as you so frequently express so beautifully. Observation isn't worth a lot until you find yourself living in what you thought you were only observing.
Great article, Will. I have been simmering at the presumption of reporters and a certain federal investigator thinking they are somehow fit to evaluate mental acuity. To them I say, go man woman person camera yourself!
And to you I say, thank you again for the generous way you share your journey with us. I am in awe of your devotion and your beautiful love for Bella.