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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Ecclesiastes 3:1-11

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, … and a time to step forward and a time to step back… it’s time.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

This is an interesting by-product of all the advances that have been made in recent decades to extend the human lifespan. An unintended consequence is that those who are living longer aren't stepping aside to make room for younger people coming along. Ideally, the requirement for continuing in a job is the continued ability to do it. But that becomes a problem when there are a limited number of "job slots" as the example of the Senate. How does the next generation (and the one or two after that at this point!) develop leadership skills if the oldest members don't relinquish their seats? Term limits may be necessary.

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author

This is an interesting point. I'm 64, and I think about mental capacity (dementia runs in the family, not to be overly morbid) and whether I will know when it's time, and whether I will have the grace to act on it, if I know when it's time. It does feel a bit like calcification at the top.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

We've made lots of progress with physical preservation like "anti-aging" plastic surgery and joint replacements, but not so much with conditions like dementia. Used to be that people aged as a whole. It's not easy to see someone's mental decline, which is the problem in the case of the Senate. And the larger problem (to be a bit morbid/darkly humorous) is that there are going to be lots of people with replaced joints and dementia who can wander long distances.

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I'm sorry to learn about this family history. A relative of mine has Parkinson's and we await a cure. It seems likely that we will see more treatments for dementia soon. Until then you might consider forming partnerships with thoes you trust to help you see any symptoms.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

We have a minimum age bar for running for office. I think we should have an upper age bar as well. (Maybe must be under eighty at start of last term?) I do think she should retire and be replaced to give someone else experience pre-election. It seems she is often unable to do the job. Most people in their 80's & 90's that I know are not staying connected to the changing times, are somewhat removed from younger generations in their thinking, and are cogitively slower.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Jac, the staying connected part struck me. A few years ago one of our local politicians, who tends to sound like a campaign brochure, approached me at a community event I volunteer for with the news/brag that the town received funding for a new senior center. When they asked me if I was excited I told them I never understood senior centers and that I had no intention of segregating myself from society because of my age. They looked at me like a dog listening to a high pitched whistle.

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author

I’m with you. I want friends from all age groups.

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founding

Chances are, the older seniors who participate in the senior activities would probably enjoy contact with younger age groups, too. Unfortunately, some may not have much opportunity to engage in multigenrrational activities, which can difficult to organize outside of family events.

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Speaking as a retired pastor-- there are plenty of older people whose goals for children and teens is that they should Be Quiet and Out of the Way.

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founding

Ahhh...the old "Children should be seen and not heard" mentality. That won't be me.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

It was presumptuous of the politician to think it would be a fit for you just because of your presumed age.

We have a Community Center, that includes Senior Center offerings as well as being a place for other community and private events (and a room is even used once a week by a church). The senior center offerings are open to 50+, but the actual participants are much older from what I've seen. I did once present a healthcare topic to seniors at a lunch & learn event, worked in the memory care class once, and helped out with taking blood pressures a few days. All events were well attended. It does seem the actual senior events attract 80/85+ year olds. Some of the town's senior assisted living centers also shuttle people in for events, which is nice. I imagine it's best for older people who are looking for more ways to get involved in things while socializing with their peers. They also offer very cheap lunches and some dinners, which I imagine is a big help to some seniors on a fixed income. All in all, it really is a nice benefit for those who want company and things to do. Though I'm over 50 and could participate, I have no interest at this point in my life. I may never get to that point, though I may go for the cheap lunches in the future!

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Bingo

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Of course that would leave President Biden out. Here are some thoughts from CRS on term limits:

'Several constitutional amendments have been introduced in the 118th Congress that, if passed and ratified, would limit congressional terms. These measures include H.J.Res. 3; H.J.Res. 5; H.J.Res. 11; H.J.Res. 20; H.J.Res. 32; S.J.Res. 1; and S.J.Res. 2. As with all proposed constitutional amendments, each was referred to the House or Senate Judiciary Committees.'

https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IF/IF12343#:~:text=that%20a%20constitutional%20amendment%20to,to%20establish%20congressional%20term%20limits.&text=Based%20on%20the%20case%20law,would%20likely%20be%20held%20unconstitutional.

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founding

I'm not sure how I feel about term limits for representatives. I have stronger feelings about age limits.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Yes. My God, yes. Senator Feinstein has long ceased to be adequately functional.

I can understand someone resigning out of experiential or statistical concerns about ceasing to be functional. I can understand others asking for that, too.

You are of course quite right that there never seems to be any public discourse around that with cis-male figures, though. Maybe that's because patriarchy is forever, whereas every woman is mortal.

I'm sure you remember the retirement of Sandra Day O'Connor, which I didn't realize at the time was the product of profound pressure. What I did notice at the time was the weird wistful love story framing around it: that she retired to care for her husband, who was profoundly impaired by dementia and in love with another woman. (I can't recall accurately whether the story was that he no longer recognized her-- but I think so.) So feminine. And so loserly.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

In a normal situation yes she should, but given the ridiculousness of the senate rules 89 year old turtle man (who himself had some episode a week ago🤦‍♀️) would have to allow a replacement on the judiciary committee.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Interesting point as much as I’d like to see her retire. Unlike Ginsberg, Feinstein may no longer have the capacity to reason and to decide. I much as I respected her, I never understood why Ginsburg stayed knowing the possible impact on the court. Of course, she was best friends with Scalia, so she was a mystery in more ways than one.

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I respected her, as well, but her staying until she died helped flip the court in an ugly direction.

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'Even as some backers worry he’s a liability in 2024, Trump is still winning

The former president has been indicted three times this year, and he faces the prospect of a fourth indictment.'

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/donald-trump/trump-backers-worry-liability-biden-2024-legal-troubles-rcna99010

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author

That's true. I am trying to think strategy, and I'm trying to think of what's best for the senator -- and the rest of us.

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founding

That is something to consider.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Age is a number. Ability is a high factor. Feinstein should resign, giving another person the ability to fill her seat now and run for Senate successfully in 2024.

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author

You're right. Age is a number. I know plenty-active people in their 90s, but not a single one of them would want to be in their original careers.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

It is the circle of life, out with the old in with the new! In my work experiences I never understood co-workers who were unwilling to let go, some just took up space keeping a younger person from rising from the ranks. Feinstein, GrASSly, et al have such a sense of entitlement that it demeans their office and legacy.

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This is hardly the same thing, but I always liked this story about Ginger Rogers (which may be apocryphal). Rogers had been a pin-up and really at the top of the panoply when a newer, younger version came along. Were they starring in the same movie? Maybe, because Rogers had an opportunity to take center stage, and she moved over for the younger woman coming up. Someone mentioned that to her, and she allowed that she'd had her time, and it was time for the next generation. I cannot find the story online so maybe it IS apocryphal. I like it, anyway.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

NO ONE should hold national political office at 80+ years

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author

Interesting. I’m not picking an argument but why not?

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Two "decent" opinion page articles on the state of our politics in the paper you used to write for today. Have a good day

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

It's way past time for her to retire when one of her aides has to prompt her to vote and remind her how to vote as she launches into a statement. I retired at 68. I wanted to retire when I was young enough to build a new life for myself not centered around work which I've done. Also I had an Assistant who I knew was anxious to move up into my position and a boss who I knew would be happy to have the budget savings that would give her.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Feinstein should resign. For years she served honorably—and worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for her constituents—- among her accomplishments the marriage equality act, banning torture in the military, and several pieces of legislation to protect California’s fragile environment . From what I have read, she can no longer serve at the level that is needed for California and the country. There is too much at stake— with the Senate’s razor thin margin.

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author

Thank you for providing context to her wonderful years of service.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

And an 80 yr old president should debate! What a sad state our country is in.

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I skated on past that, as I’ve seen no great mental decline. If someone has falls or moments of what looks like a public stroke, then maybe that discussion should start.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Our country should not be in a situation where because of the years of politicians and their dependance on years of corporate donations make it next to impossible for younger MORE energetic people to attempt to run for office it is a closed system that makes it impossible to improve on a federal level. Peace

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I have no argument for that.

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Aug 10, 2023Liked by Susan Campbell

Yes!!!!

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founding

Finding the political link between support for domestic gun violence and an increased military violence. A _ _ A _ .

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=KfQu7c10eAY

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I’ve never seen anything like it': Trump trial judge Cannon accused of bungling another case

"U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida Judge Aileen Cannon is facing having a verdict in another one of her cases overturned because of a simple error of her own making.

According to a report from the Daily Beast's Jose Pagliery, Cannon, who is currently overseeing a deeply complex and highly scrutinized federal case where former president Donald Trump is accused of obstruction of justice, made an "egregious" error where she did not give a jury an option of finding a defendant "not guilty" and now that verdict is being appealed." (More)

https://www.alternet.org/cannon-trump-2663326078/?utm_source=123456&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=15525&recip_id=111021&list_id=2

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She should retire, but not be forced into it. We all remember the pain, fear, shock of Trump's 'win' but Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg should be allowed to leave the high court on her own terms. Note this paragraph on her key voting rights votes from SCOTUS Blog. https://www.scotusblog.com/2020/09/symposium-ginsburg-was-a-champion-of-voting-rights-but-mostly-in-dissent/

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