McConnell and Feinstein health issues

[lilac05]

Aug 31, 2023 10:51:54 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

This is horrifying, but I'm not convinced an age limit is the answer, as we continue to be more long-lived with a better quality of life. The founding fathers probably would have set that limit around the average age of this board, and elderly people deserve representation too. A process for removing anyone who is unfit would be better but possibly also fraught with issues (for example, what level of disability renders someone unfit?). The problem is that we are so broken that we can't trust people to step down or even for their parties to force them out, in part because there hasn't been enough mentorship and promotion of younger party members to take their place. Term limits would help all around.

I think a confidential neuropsych screening with follow-up evaluation for those who don’t pass would be a good start. For those who don’t have any issues, it would take just a few minutes and not be difficult…but it would catch those who truly are no longer capable of making good decisions independently. For those who don’t pass, offer a voluntary resignation without their medical information shared…or if refused, then consider a secondary procedure (maybe a committee?) that considers what is presented. I don’t think any of this information needs to be available to the general public. And then I think we need to create a way for them to step out with dignity. I’ve seen something like using the title Emeritus or something. Medical issues due to trauma or age are incredibly difficult, and regardless of how I feel about a person’s political views, I think we need to find ways for them to step down and keep their personal dignity intact.

[mcsangel2]

Aug 31, 2023 11:28:23 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Aug 31, 2023 10:51:54 GMT -5 circa1978 said:

Medical issues due to trauma or age are incredibly difficult, and regardless of how I feel about a person’s political views, I think we need to find ways for them to step down and keep their personal dignity intact.

I so agree. I'm side-eyeing so many people on this thread who are expressing such glee about this. I can only assume these posters are young enough still that they have really not experienced what it really means to have serious health issues with few solutions, either for themselves or a loved one. 

[orval]

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

[shopgirl07]

Aug 31, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5 orval said:

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

So instead of Fetterman, they should’ve voted for Dr. Oz? Because that was the choice. And a write in or third party candidate would’ve been a vote for Dr. Oz.

[orval]

Aug 31, 2023 12:16:38 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

Aug 31, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5 orval said:

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

So instead of Fetterman, they should’ve voted for Dr. Oz? Because that was the choice. And a write in or third party candidate would’ve been a vote for Dr. Oz.

yes

[lilac05]

Aug 31, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5 orval said:

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

Fetterman would be a good example of how something like neuropsych testing could be beneficial. I’m an SLP who works with people who have had strokes. It’s very possible that someone can have speech/language issues but still be able to do the job of senator well. I could do actual standardized tests that assess expressive and receptive language as well as cognition that would show in black and white what a person is able to understand and communicate. But without that testing, it’s all speculation. And the teams aren’t forthcoming with the information because they feel it’s in their best interest to just try and gloss over it and pretend it’s not an issue at all.

I also think that we need to have a path where if someone is incapacitated during an election season, there is another alternative, right up until Election Day. Or maybe the replacement policy of someone who steps out due to medical reasons is replaced differently than someone who is replaced due to something like ethical reasons.

Admittedly, I have a very soft spot for people going through any medical issues, but especially neurological ones, due to my job. Generally at least once every few days, I have a grown man shed a few tears in frustration for what they’ve lost simply because I give them a space to try and feel and process that. Unless you see it up close, it’s easy to just say, “They’re old and senile and they need to go.”

[msmerymac]

Aug 31, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5 orval said:

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

Fetterman has nothing wrong with his cognition. He had some audio processing issues due to a stroke that was caused by Afib. This strikes me as similar to people who insist Biden must have dementia and is unfit for office because he's essentially a drooling vegetable when in reality, he has had a stutter/speech impediment his entire life, which has likely become worse with age. It's ableist to say a very specific disability (likely temporary in Fetterman's case) has anything to do with intelligence or cognition.

[wanderingback]

Aug 31, 2023 12:00:40 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

Aug 31, 2023 11:28:23 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Medical issues due to trauma or age are incredibly difficult, and regardless of how I feel about a person’s political views, I think we need to find ways for them to step down and keep their personal dignity intact.

I so agree. I'm side-eyeing so many people on this thread who are expressing such glee about this. I can only assume these posters are young enough still that they have really not experienced what it really means to have serious health issues with few solutions, either for themselves or a loved one. 

I mean I don’t necessarily have glee but I don’t have sympathy.
I’m intimately familiar with serious health problems.
I think it’s ok to not have sympathy for Hitler, David Duke, etc.

[TR]

Aug 31, 2023 12:00:40 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

Aug 31, 2023 11:28:23 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Medical issues due to trauma or age are incredibly difficult, and regardless of how I feel about a person’s political views, I think we need to find ways for them to step down and keep their personal dignity intact.

I so agree. I'm side-eyeing so many people on this thread who are expressing such glee about this. I can only assume these posters are young enough still that they have really not experienced what it really means to have serious health issues with few solutions, either for themselves or a loved one. 

It's not just about his "political views" he has taken ACTIONS that have led to the DEATHS of people and will have repercussions for DECADES. He stole TWO Supreme Court seats. Side eye me all you want. He is an evil person.

I'm DYING (pun intended) that you mention "serious health issues with few solutions" when this man has created that reality for many, many people.

[goldengirlz]

Aug 31, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5 orval said:

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

Well, our other option was a homophobic racist. And remember, senators serve six-year terms — a lot can change in six years. Feinstein was no spring chicken at 85, but that’s only a few years older than Biden will be when he runs again.

So if the choice is, say, Biden vs. DeSantis next year, are we supposed to hand the election to the devil because he’s younger?

ETA: The biggest issue with Feinstein when she ran for re-election was that she’s out of touch with the current direction of the party. I don’t recall people mentioning her health back then.

[lilac05]

Aug 31, 2023 12:36:46 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Aug 31, 2023 12:09:22 GMT -5 orval said:

I also think people should not vote for someone who clearly isn't capable just beacuase of party. Diane Feinstein and John Fetterman are good examples for this. I honestly can't believe people voted for either one of them in their latest elections.

Fetterman has nothing wrong with his cognition. He had some audio processing issues due to a stroke that was caused by Afib. This strikes me as similar to people who insist Biden must have dementia and is unfit for office because he's essentially a drooling vegetable when in reality, he has had a stutter/speech impediment his entire life, which has likely become worse with age. It's ableist to say a very specific disability (likely temporary in Fetterman's case) has anything to do with intelligence or cognition.

I don’t think this is especially true, either. [ETA: That’s not worded right. What I mean is that we don’t know his cognitive abilities from what we see.] I just watched an old video of him introducing Biden at something last year. I feel confident saying that what i saw in that particular video not at all an auditory comprehension issue.

Does that mean he can’t do the job? I’m not implying that at all. I don’t have nearly enough information, and I don’t follow his story. But it DOES suggest that I can’t fully trust his team who has said it’s just an auditory problem. Because clearly, at least on that day, it was not.

Similar for Biden. He has speech patterns now are not consistent with being a former stutterer or what I would consider normal aging. I hear him with those patterns, too, and can recognize that from a mile away. Does that mean he’s unfit to serve? Again, not implying that at all. But just trying to pretend that something isn’t different is not the answer, either. It reeks of blind loyalty, which we have no issue identifying and calling out in Republicans. Would we defend the abilities of Fetterman or Biden if they were Republicans?

Cognition and speech/language abilities are not the same. You can have one and not the other…in both directions. A speech/language deficit does not at all imply a cognitive deficit. And you can have cognitive deficits with minimal to no speech/language deficits (to an extent).

[shopgirl07]

Aug 31, 2023 12:20:17 GMT -5 orval said:

Aug 31, 2023 12:16:38 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

So instead of Fetterman, they should’ve voted for Dr. Oz? Because that was the choice. And a write in or third party candidate would’ve been a vote for Dr. Oz.

yes

Good to know that you’re down with fascism and bigotry.

[noodleoo]

Aug 31, 2023 12:20:17 GMT -5 orval said:

Aug 31, 2023 12:16:38 GMT -5 shopgirl07 said:

So instead of Fetterman, they should’ve voted for Dr. Oz? Because that was the choice. And a write in or third party candidate would’ve been a vote for Dr. Oz.

yes

HARD DISAGREE.

[Patsy Baloney]

Oof, the takes in this thread.

Mark me down as gleeful, please.

[atexan]

I think Mitchy's episodes are the devil coming by to collect the atrophied decaying soul that Mitch sold him. It's taking several trips.

Since it's pretty clear McTurtle would sooner die than retire, I'm definitely #TeamDeath.

[pixy0stix]

I was gleeful when Dick Cheney was shot, too.

Lol!

[mrsslocombe]

Aug 31, 2023 14:42:43 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I was gleeful when Dick Cheney was shot, too.

Lol!

Unfortunately he shot SOMEONE else. The rat bastard was fine. 

[pixy0stix]

Aug 31, 2023 15:14:23 GMT -5 mrsslocombe said:

Aug 31, 2023 14:42:43 GMT -5 pixy0stix said:

I was gleeful when Dick Cheney was shot, too.

Lol!

Unfortunately he shot SOMEONE else. The rat bastard was fine. 

Oh damn, who was it that the board was last chastised for being gleeful about getting hurt/dying?

[heyyounotyouyou]

Aug 31, 2023 12:00:40 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

Aug 31, 2023 11:28:23 GMT -5 lilac05 said:

Medical issues due to trauma or age are incredibly difficult, and regardless of how I feel about a person’s political views, I think we need to find ways for them to step down and keep their personal dignity intact.

I so agree. I'm side-eyeing so many people on this thread who are expressing such glee about this. I can only assume these posters are young enough still that they have really not experienced what it really means to have serious health issues with few solutions, either for themselves or a loved one. 

Side eye away and while you’re at it, get off that high horse that you think you’re more evolved then the rest of us for wishing this man gets everything he deserves. Equating this man’s health issues to my parents or grandparents is a ridiculous comparison. They didn’t horrifically impact the country the way this asshole did/does. 

[goldengirlz]

Aug 31, 2023 16:07:11 GMT -5 heyyounotyouyou said:

Aug 31, 2023 12:00:40 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

I so agree. I'm side-eyeing so many people on this thread who are expressing such glee about this. I can only assume these posters are young enough still that they have really not experienced what it really means to have serious health issues with few solutions, either for themselves or a loved one. 

Side eye away and while you’re at it, get off that high horse that you think you’re more evolved then the rest of us for wishing this man gets everything he deserves. Equating this man’s health issues to my parents or grandparents is a ridiculous comparison. They didn’t horrifically impact the country the way this asshole did/does. 

Not to mention, the man has fought tooth and nail to take healthcare away from others, for no other reason than they’re low income. But sure, let’s layer on the guilt about how this privileged asshole has so few solutions available to him in his gilded bubble.

[ECB]

Aug 31, 2023 16:37:20 GMT -5 goldengirlz said:

Aug 31, 2023 16:07:11 GMT -5 heyyounotyouyou said:

Side eye away and while you’re at it, get off that high horse that you think you’re more evolved then the rest of us for wishing this man gets everything he deserves. Equating this man’s health issues to my parents or grandparents is a ridiculous comparison. They didn’t horrifically impact the country the way this asshole did/does. 

Not to mention, the man has fought tooth and nail to take healthcare away from others, for no other reason than they’re low income. But sure, let’s layer on the guilt about how this privileged asshole has so few solutions available to him in his gilded bubble.

Seriously.  Even if his options are limited at this stage - he's still going to get the BEST HEALTH CARE possible.  THE BEST, while he's taken it away from so many people who have probably died because of his very direct actions.  I honestly don't understand how anyone has ANY sympathy or empathy for this man.  

[pumpkincat]

This man has had a bigger and longer lasting negative impact on this country than Trump.

I will not be sad when he dies. And I don't feel bad about it.

[cous0226]

His doctor came out today and said carry on all, Mitchey is totally fine. No issues. They all lie. They can’t help themselves

[ECB]

Aug 31, 2023 17:55:16 GMT -5 cous0226 said:

His doctor came out today and said carry on all, Mitchey is totally fine. No issues. They all lie. They can’t help themselves

Jfc

[Nonny]

The only sadness I feel about McConnell and his health issues is that whatever is going on isn't also coming with a side of kidney stones.

He's responsible for Roe being overturned with his gleeful supreme court seat theft.

He clearly gives no shits about people like me with all of my pre-existing conditions (including neurological ones - I regularly "lose my words," and my neurologist can't really tell me exactly why).

He opposes gun regulations and gives no fucks about climate change. He can get bent.

When he dies a friend of mine and I have plans to drop everything and get high in celebration. I'm not even sorry.

[ECB]

Aug 31, 2023 18:50:01 GMT -5 Nonny said:

He's responsible for Roe being overturned with his gleeful supreme court seat theft.

yes, let’s not forget these “wins”!

The man is a PIECE OF SHIT.

[wanderingback]

Aug 31, 2023 17:55:16 GMT -5 cous0226 said:

His doctor came out today and said carry on all, Mitchey is totally fine. No issues. They all lie. They can’t help themselves

So I read a story and it’s not his personal doctor but the Capitol physician. It also said this physician is the physician for the Supreme Court justices and he got that appointment under Obama.

I have no clue what his directives are but I’m guessing he assessed him as objectively as possible and is saying there was no ongoing acute issue.

[heyyounotyouyou]

Aug 31, 2023 20:27:09 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Aug 31, 2023 17:55:16 GMT -5 cous0226 said:

His doctor came out today and said carry on all, Mitchey is totally fine. No issues. They all lie. They can’t help themselves

So I read a story and it’s not his personal doctor but the Capitol physician. It also said this physician is the physician for the Supreme Court justices and he got that appointment under Obama.

I have no clue what his directives are but I’m guessing he assessed him as objectively as possible and is saying there was no ongoing acute issue.

I had read it was due to a past (though recent) concussion. 

[lilac05]

Aug 31, 2023 20:27:09 GMT -5 wanderingback said:

Aug 31, 2023 17:55:16 GMT -5 cous0226 said:

His doctor came out today and said carry on all, Mitchey is totally fine. No issues. They all lie. They can’t help themselves

So I read a story and it’s not his personal doctor but the Capitol physician. It also said this physician is the physician for the Supreme Court justices and he got that appointment under Obama.

I have no clue what his directives are but I’m guessing he assessed him as objectively as possible and is saying there was no ongoing acute issue.

The report I read just said he was “cleared to work.” Which…really could mean anything. Since there are zero actual physical or mental requirements, I would think he would have to be doing little more than breathing to be technically “cleared to work” by the doctor. Breathing, BP not skyrocketing, no contagious illness…stamp of approval! And obviously, he’s not lying that a concussion can have long term effects that can look similar to what he’s had. Whether or not that’s what’s *actually* going on here is potentially a different story, but he’s not wrong to make that statement. Now, if they offered more than that, I have questions.

Also, no one really cares…but even though I stand behind what I said earlier about wanting all people to have a path out with dignity, I don’t judge others for seeing things very differently. No side eyes from me, even if my post was what started it. He certainly has done plenty to deserve every shred of the hate and disgust shared in this thread. I just cannot go to the mental space that allows me to find happiness in anyone’s decline in health, regardless of who it is. It’s not because I’m better than anyone, it’s just that focusing on that negativity spirals my mental health into a deep abyss really quickly. To fight that, I have to look for the humanity deep inside everyone. It’s the only way I can function in this crazy world. Others have to express their outrage to function in the same space…and that’s OK, too. When he dies, I will not be sad. I will be thankful that he no longer has the power to continue to do terrible things in our country. And that will be worth celebrating.

[curbsideprophet]

Aug 31, 2023 9:42:20 GMT -5 picksthemusic said:

So I watched a TikTok yesterday from someone who lives in KY, and she said that basically big oil and gas have a death grip (almost literally) on him because the person they want to take his place isn't ready and isn't on board (or can't do what McConnell can) with all the things McConnell sold his soul to do for them. So basically he can't retire because big oil and gas don't want him to. And with how gerrymandered KY is, it's almost impossible to get a D in there to replace him.

I don’t think you can blame McConnell being elected on gerrymandering. It is a state wide race. I think people in KY like the power he has in Senate and the sweet deals he can bring to KY.