"It's very hard to watch a colleague in decline. That this is occurring publicly is even harder."

[Dennis Donovan]

Link to tweet

Jennifer Bendery @jbendery

Just asked a Dem senator about Demand Justice's call for Dianne Feinstein to step down as ranking Dem on the Judiciary Committee after her handling of Barrett's hearing.

"It's very hard to watch a colleague in decline. That this is occurring publicly is even harder."

4:46 PM · Oct 15, 2020

[Karadeniz]

1. Might be time.

[Journeyman]

2. Beyond time . . .

she'll gunk-up everything she touches, trying to forge present ideas into the rose-tainted memories she holds of a bygone era. She needs to be back-benched so stronger, more determined voices can take the lead.

[Doremus]

3. Well-said and agree! nt

[onethatcares]

5. I tend to agree with that

The world moves forward and it does we the people no good to lag.

though I love them both, I would not allow my 85 year old parents to set family strategy concerning budget, insurance, healthcare or any other facet that deals with life for my 26 year old MOL, grandkids and I realize there are people that work well into their 90s and beyond, but give them a break, The world is moving faster than we ever thought it would be.

I don't think that's agism. I think that's common sense. Or I could give my dad his driver licence back and hope for the best.

[tormadjax]

10. I think it depends on the person. I know a few 80 somethings that are very sharp

If I may be so bold.....It's not age alone. I found this on the WHO website:

https://www.who.int/ageing/ageism/en/

Ageism is the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. For older people, ageism is an everyday challenge. Overlooked for employment, restricted from social services and stereotyped in the media, ageism marginalizes and excludes older people in their communities.

Ageism is everywhere, yet it is the most socially “normalized” of any prejudice, and is not widely countered – like racism or sexism. These attitudes lead to the marginalization of older people within our communities and have negative impacts on their health and well-being.

[maxsolomon]

19. It would be Ageism if it wasn't based in reality.

At 87, senility in a Senator that represents 40 million Californians is a legitimate concern.

[tormadjax]

23. Agree for the most part but what are the fact based indications of senility with her? n/t

[maxsolomon]

27. I'm not in the Senate today and can't really say.

But this thread is about a quote from an anonymous Senator saying it's evident.

Kissing Graham's ass after he violated quorum rules to ram a religious fanatic through the Judiciary Committee could be an indication.

[LSFL]

33. Ageism....

The whole Republican party is a microcosm of outdated and obsolete beliefs and prejudices. It is not so surprising that an aging Democrat would fall prey to the bad faith chicanery of these assclowns. Primary her and replace her. That is preferable to canceling an elderly person's lifes work.

Cancel the filibuster and expand the scotus.. that is the path out. One person being trusting of longtime colleagues is not a sign of decline. Let the Repukes eat their own. We should honor and replace ours.

[tormadjax]

36. One offhand comment probably isn't enough but maybe she is. n/t

[dianaredwing]

46. sounds about right to me

Being responsible for an electorate is a lot different that forgetting where you put your reading glasses.

[calimary]

38. Welcome to DU, tormadjax!

It's just so damn disappointing when our Dems always seem to want to bring wet noodles and feather dusters to gunfights.

The republi-CONS don't fight that way.

And look how far it's gotten them!

[tormadjax]

49. Thank you Calimary. n/t

[trof]

29. Well said, and I'm 79.

[Skittles]

4. WAY past time

ENOUGH already

[TDale313]

6. It's time. n/t

[magicarpet]

7. Hug Lindey Graham for a job well done,...

I almost vomited.

If I was 90,.. no mask,.. no social distancing,... I would not cone within 100 miles of the worm.,.. Lindsey.

[TheBlackAdder]

26. I'm from NJ. You get a hug like that, it means you'll soon be sleeping with the fishes.

.

MAGAts will confuse that with backstabbing and will distrust him more.

.

[Ace Rothstein]

8. We really need some of these older Senators to retire or at least step aside from leadership.

We need to groom the next generation to keep a strong bench for the presidency. That's much easier to do from a leadership position.

[samnsara]

13. i dont agree....just because someone is 'younger' doesnt mean they will do better...

...experience counts

[Fiendish Thingy]

17. Competence counts more than experience. Nt

[NRaleighLiberal]

31. not about age... about the game being played differently now.

they can't compete with or in this sort of blood sport

[mountain grammy]

54. I agree.

[NurseJackie]

40. Stop.

[Ace Rothstein]

53. No, you.

[Pepsidog]

56. I agree. There comes a time to step aside and there are so many who are way past their time.

[Docreed2003]

9. I'm not one to advocate for quickly doing away with the old guard

But damnit this display today was despicable. This confirmation hearing may well put the deciding vote on the court to undo Roe, undo the ACA, undo marriage equality and Feinstein is thanking Lindsey for the best hearings she been a part of? Seriously???


I don't know if it's the old school "buddy buddy" mentality of the Senate, or if it's age being a factor, frankly I don't care. There is too much at stake to be thanking the opposition for ramming through an appointment to the Supreme Court less than a month before the election.

[tormadjax]

11. I found this on the WHO website re: Ageism

Just my two cents FWIW.

https://www.who.int/ageing/ageism/en/

Ageism is the stereotyping, prejudice, and discrimination against people on the basis of their age. Ageism is widespread and an insidious practice which has harmful effects on the health of older adults. For older people, ageism is an everyday challenge. Overlooked for employment, restricted from social services and stereotyped in the media, ageism marginalizes and excludes older people in their communities.

Ageism is everywhere, yet it is the most socially “normalized” of any prejudice, and is not widely countered – like racism or sexism. These attitudes lead to the marginalization of older people within our communities and have negative impacts on their health and well-being.

[murdock744]

12. I am concerned...

I am very concerned about the vitriol being espoused to Senator Feinstein today. Senator Feinstein has been a leader and is honestly maintaining a level of civility within the public discourse that is lacking and is much needed right now.

Let us return our focus to winning the elections and not becoming a circular firing squad.

I trust that Senator Feinstein as well as the rest of our Democratic leadership know exactly what they are doing and we would be well advised to follow their leadership

[samnsara]

14. thank you..well said!

[More_Cowbell]

18. Wait until Graham uses it in a political ad

This was a huge mistake by Feinstein: a terrible choice for her to make at any time, and reprehensible this close to the election.

[BigOleDummy]

34. Indeed!

I came back to post this very thought. This could get him the "veneer" being able to work across the aisle enough to swing a few undecided in his Senate race. WTF was she thinking?!?

[maxsolomon]

20. I'm concerned too.

Very very VERY concerned. Maybe even more concerned than you.

[Tumbulu]

21. I agree!

really important to keep our eye on the ball here!

[VOX]

32. Republicans don't do this shit to their own, which is why they win so goddamned often.

If they did, 45 would have been yanked 3 1/2 years ago.

I don’t like Feinstein’s recent actions AT ALL. But for god’s sake, stop the infighting and MOVE FORWARD.

[Crunchy Frog]

59. They absolutely do. They will rip to shreds one of their own...

who steps out of line. That's why their party has become practically monolithic.

I don't expect our party to be monolithic, but I do expect some level of unity and self discipline in this current political environment.

[maxsolomon]

15. That it's occurring WHEN THE GOP IS SHOVING A RELIGIOUS FANATIC on to the Court

is even harder than that.

[Fiendish Thingy]

16. She cannot be allowed to become chair of judiciary committee once Dems have majority

This is where the seniority system sucks big time.

[Chipper Chat]

22. Uhhhh chuck Grassley

susconcerned Collins?
Ronf,n johnson
So we keep them but we want to alfranken dianne?

[maxsolomon]

28. "We" don't control GOP Senators.

She's not going anywhere until 2024; this thread is just venting by DUers that are experiencing rage and grief over the loss of RBG's SCOTUS seat to a religious fanatic that will occupy it for 3 decades, the remainder of our lives.

DiFi isn't reflecting their concerns with her comity.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

58. Exactly. Thank you.

Saved me trying to put that into words.

[Boogiemack]

24. What do they have on her Husband? Was she previously involved in son shaken deal

involving her husband?

[aggiesal]

44. Her husband is part of the Carlyle Group and profited handsomely from the Iraq Wars ...

Feel free to look up Carlyle Group.

[tormadjax]

25. Term limits?

https://www.termlimits.com/2020-presidential-candidates-on-term-limits/

[maxsolomon]

30. Personal responsibilty and humility.

term limits are, and have always been, a GOP plot to weaken Democrats.

[tormadjax]

37. Really, many Democrats support them? n/t

[TeamPooka]

35. She should have retired before her last race

I'm in CA and wanted her out then

[More_Cowbell]

39. Ditto. nt

[shanti]

41. Same here

We have so many great Dems with the fire in their belly. She needs to retire now.

[TeamPooka]

43. She's like a boxer who had one too many fights. Gotta know when you're hurting

your legacy.
She has been for years now

[The Mouth]

42. Or Putin got someone to slip something in her food or drink

[Oscarthegreat]

45. California voter

I'm from California, actually from the Bay area, where Feinstein is from. A progressive Democrats tried to run against Dianne Feinstein in 2018 and unfortunately she used her far superior name recognition to keep her seat. She is more a moderate Republican than a Democrat. At 87, there are increasing signs that she suffers from early dementia. She ardently supports AIPAC, the pro Israel PAC which favors Likud and the Israeli far right. She and her husband have been implicated over the years in several financial scandals, which perhaps explains the soft spot she seems to have for Trump.

I strongly suspect that she would rather favor a Trump victory in November. Her shockingly lavish praise for Linsey Graham who until today was in serious trouble in his re-election campaign may have handed him a win against his Democratic opponent and perhaps kept the senate in GOP control. Her behavior may be shocking to some, but not to many California Democrats.

[LovingA2andMI]

50. WOW

Remember when she vowed for re-election and frankly the pushback that was received when a Progressive candidate stood up against her. Thanks for the needed and necessary reminder.

[SleeplessinSoCal]

47. What did she do to warrant this concern?

I'd like to add that in normal times justices became more liberal in their thinking with age. It's one of the big reasons Republicans began choosing younger candidates with completely "conservative" political bona-fides and then swear under oath that they don't.

The LTSCOTUS. (The Less Than Supreme Court of the United States.)

[3Hotdogs]

48. What has been her performance for the last year or so? Was today a 'one off?"

What was the quality of her questioning during the hearing?

Is there other evidence of decline? Remember, St. Ronnie was able to sit in the White House for a couple of years,,, not know which side was up.

Not all dementia has a span of one or two years from observable onset. My mother's observable decline began at age 89 and she lasted nine years in "memory care."

[warmfeet]

51. It's not ageism, it's realism.

Any member of congress, regardless of age, would be asked to step down in these circumstances.

Step down Senator Feinstein, step down.

[Joinfortmill]

52. Term limits.

[yuiyoshida]

55. I LIKED this response :

Link to tweet

[dlk]

57. Is it ageism, if the concerns are based on Feinstein's behavior?

I’m not sure that it is.

[KY_EnviroGuy]

60. Simple question: Why doesn't someone ask the Senator why she did those things?

That would seem appropriate before passing judgment.

None of us would like being sentenced for a crime prior to a fair trial.


KY...... ........

[Spider Jerusalem]

61. Hope everyone who didn't want de Leon to win in 2018 is happy (n/t)