Dianne Feinstein May Not Return to Senate

[tritsofme]

“After Dianne Feinstein announced she’d contracted the shingles in early March, her staff said she planned to return to the Senate within a matter of weeks,” Politico reports.

“But multiple Democrats close to her, as well as top-ranking congressional aides, are growing increasingly concerned that she may never come back to Washington at all.”

https://politicalwire.com/2023/04/12/dianne-feinstein-may-not-return-to-senate/#disqus_thread

I feel terrible for Senator Feinstein’s condition, but at the very least she needs to be taken off the Judiciary Committee at this point. It is causing judicial nominations to stall, as a tie vote fails and the nominee does not advance to the floor.

[young_at_heart]

1. I contracted Shingles in 2015

It was horrible but the worst part has been the after-effects....post-herpetic-neuralgia! It is with me every day and stress of any sort makes it worse. There's no cure for it! I can see why she is not coming back!

[Hortensis]

3. I'm so sorry, YAH! My husband's never had such pain as he did with

trigeminal neuralgia, or been so frightened as at the prospect that it could become permanent.

[Gore1FL]

8. I timed my shingles perfectly.

Last edited Wed Apr 12, 2023, 08:34 PM - Edit history (1)

I got diagnosed with it. The next day, my dog and I were attacked by my neighbor's pit bull. My hand is still problematic, but my dog got the worst of it spending 2 weeks in veterinary ICU. Beyond the first few days of it before the attack, I honestly didn't have time in two weeks to notice the shingles before it all went away. The mind is a powerful thing!

[MLAA]

29. Omg! I'm so sorry, glad you and pupper pulled through it all and here's hoping your hand continues

to improve.

[Gore1FL]

111. Thanks.

The hand works, but it can hurt if I use it too much. My dog has recovered. Some of the scaring is obvious. Other parts are covered by fur. He's been aggressive to other dogs, so I keep him separated, now. Since then, the poor guy has had two spinal surgeries (Dachshund) and recovered from liver function problem. The last spinal issue he never fully recovered from, but he's mobile. He's somewhere around 12-years-old. I rescued him a little over 9 years ago. The attack was like 8.5 years ago.

He continues to be a joy!

[rainy]

92. So sorry! Did the pit bull have a history or

was it a shock to you and the owner? I ask because I tend to not trust the breed. I do mixed pits but have known people who had their own pits bite them.

[Gore1FL]

104. The owner had it as a trophy.

The week before, the dog tried it. My dog was preserved any damage that time, but I spent all night sitting in an understaffed ER waiting for stitches in the same hand that would get it again the next week.

The owner was in denial before, during, and after.

[ShazzieB]

143. Please tell us that dog was put down.

A dog of any breed that has shown it is capable of such behavior is too dangerous to be around humans or other aimals ever again.

What you said about the owner being in denial has me a little worried!

[Gore1FL]

144. He paid the fine to animal control and moved.

I have no details of any further incidents, but I expect they happened.

[ShazzieB]

153. Good lord.

Some people are incredibly dense, not to mention selfish. I'm pretty sure that in some localities that dog would have been taken and put down by the authorities, as a menace to public safety. I know laws vary a lot, though.

As you say, I'm sure there were more incidents. Bound to be. That dog's owner sounds like a terrible human.

[liberal_mama]

42. I had shingles in May 2015. I still have the after effects and pain too. I was only 46 when I got

them. I can't imagine being 89 years old and having shingles. After all these years, I still haven't fully recovered.

[AllyCat]

52. Yep. Here too. Pain and tingling EVERY DAY.

To these people declining chicken pox/varicella vaccine I say “are you mad???”

[SouthernDem4ever]

135. I have never had chicken pox

But I just got my 2nd dose of shingles vaccine. My symptoms were so bad from the vaccine it laid me out a few days. It's the only vaccine that ever did that - but I am glad I got it - it's nothing compared to getting shingles.

[AllyCat]

136. Exactly! It laid me out too. Having had both, the shot is

FAR better.

[electric_blue68]

60. Hooo boy, I've cgot to go get the Shingvex!

[MissB]

68. Yep

I got my first one last month (before I got Covid). It knocked me down for a day and a half. Some folks have no issue with it.

It is a two shot series, I think the second shot is 2-6 months after the first.

[unweird]

74. Most folks I know had a day after impact

Myself, my wife, a peer. We all had a down day the day after.

[electric_blue68]

87. My sis had no problem. I know it's 2. What I heard was 2-5 months. I'll ask.

[MustLoveBeagles]

133. It's worth it

While it can have side affects it's better than having Shingles. All I had was injection site pain for several days.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

2. TBH I've not been a big Feinstein fan since I was 12 living in Orinda, CA

When the Moscone/Milk murders occurred. She was on the news a LOT around then. Let's just say she was mostly about the murder of the (straight) Mayor than she was about Harvey Milk.

Her treatment of Bono in 1987 when she was SF mayor also annoyed me.

I don't hate her or anything, but ... I'll be happier when Schiff or Porter has that seat, put it like that.

[Sky Jewels]

54. I'm the same age as you and I grew up in Contra Costa too.

I'll just say that Dianne Feinstein isn't on my list of favorite Democrats and leave it at that.

[Hugh_Lebowski]

78. Might have something to do with why we agree so often

My hometown is Walnut Creek, went to Las Lomas, then DVC, then Cal Poly, SLO. My folks have lived right behind Northgate HS in Walnut Creek for 31 years ... but while I was in HS we lived very close to WC Bart station hence my attending Las Lomas vs. Northgate.

My folks still own/rent out the latter place, a townhome that they bought brand new when I was a sophomore in 1982. I'm always lobbying to make sure I inherit it so I can afford to move back eventually

Grades 4.5 - 7.5 I lived in Orinda though, it was my grandparents house, they sold it to my mom and stepdad in 1975. For like $75K lol ...

Kids there were assholes, but man ... Lamorinda is a special place.

[Cha]

4. Yes, Sorry for how sick

she is.. but The Dem Senate Needs to Move Forward on PJB's Judge Appointees., Please!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

11. "PJB"? Can't we just use his initials? Is there something wrong with JRB?

I can understand why we used PBO, since his middle name was the ultra-frightening "Hussein", but "Robinette"?

Sort of tongue-in-cheek, but we used initials for FDR, DDE, HST, JFK, LBJ, WJC, RMN, why the new "P" designation?



My comments about the name "Hussein" are pure sarcasm. Even Obama used that name. Not so scary.

[Hekate]

17. That type of designation came on at DU with Barack Obama, aka BO. Right? So he became PBO.

I just read it as a hangover from those days.

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

20. Right. Because BHO would have acknowleged his middle name, Hussein.

And we can't have that.

(sarcasm)

[Hekate]

33. You were here at the time, I think. Did you fight the trend?

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

145. "Fight the trend"? no, but I did beat my head against the same wall

to no avail.

The drive to avoid H (ussein) was too strong. But now, it makes no sense to continue. JRB doesn't have a scary ethnic middle name.

If Clinton got elected, would we use PHC, or revert to the more commonly-used HRC?

[brooklynite]

24. OR (just spitballing), we could call him President Biden.

DU doesn't charge by the letter.

[littlemissmartypants]

35. Charging by the acronym could actually be lucrative here though.

So! Many! Acronyms! Many pulled out of thin air. Ridiculous.

[oldsoftie]

103. There's nothing wrong with "PJB". We use initials all the time around here.

[Tumbulu]

140. I'm a bit dyslexic and I thought it was peanut butter and jelly

PBJ , so it was confusing for a moment.

Sorry, I should not confess to such confusions!

[JustABozoOnThisBus]

146. Agree. we use initials all the time. But, "PJB" are not his initials.

Just saying.
Signed,
JABOTB

[Arthur_Frain]

5. What is it with our hubris?

Why do we resist ceding that power, even when it’s obvious that we don’t have the fire to make it work properly. Endorse a successor, convince us why they’re the one, let us make the choice and thanks for your time.

[maxsolomon]

28. "Our" Hubris?

You're saying this is a general problem on DU? In America? with Humanity?

[Arthur_Frain]

85. Feinstein specifically.

RBG when Obama was president?

[DickKessler]

155. Why she didn't retire around 2013 is utterly perplexing.

She gambled with her health and lost, and now we have a far-right justice on her seat—and a 6-3 ultra-conservative Court.

Barrett’s presence has empowered Thomas at the expense of Roberts. That’s why the Supreme Court has moved noticeably further to the Right than it was even before late 2020. That’s why Roe and Casey are no more. That’s why even more constitutionally protected rights and liberties are at risk of being gutted or eliminated completely.

Elections have consequences—and so does the choice for a powerful public servant to retire at a reasonable time.

Oh, and just for the record, I think Breyer should have retired around then too.

[Arthur_Frain]

158. We all are probably guilty of this.

Watching my 90 year old father insist on his right to drive despite having fainting spells. We all insist we are still badass even when it’s obvious we’re getting feeble.

Human nature writ large, but on the national stage, considering we all have to sit around and watch what it cost us after the fact, it’s damned frustrating. I probably agree with you about Breyer. The handmaiden is going to be a burr under our saddles for a long time unfortunately.

[inthewind21]

160. Indeed

elections DO have consequences. Clear on what happens now when people get fixated on "their too old", "I just can't relate to them", "but I wanted candidate X not candidate y" and my all time favorite, "I live in a blue/red state so me voting doesn't matter!"

[DickKessler]

154. +1.

[dem4decades]

6. She should resign and let Biden get his Judicial nominees confirmed. sorry but we've seen what

damage one Trump judge can do. We need as many Judges we can get to help balance the bench.

[Bleacher Creature]

82. Amen.

I wish her all the best and a happy and healthy retirement, but the Senate majority is way too thin to risk delaying action on Biden's judicial nominations even another day.

[hunter]

7. Senators are their staff.

Even when they are healthy.

Calling you out, Mitch McConnell.

[Rebl2]

10. Is he back yet?

[hunter]

15. Does he still live as anything more than a turtle?

Someone should ask his wife.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elaine_Chao

[GB_RN]

161. He's Coming Back Monday...

April 17th. Saw the news report just a few minutes ago.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

114. On that front, Dianne Feinstein famously has the best staff in the Senate.

Ask anyone you know who has contacts on Capitol Hill.

Her staff is legendary on the Hill.

[Hortensis]

9. Well, at least she and her dozens of high-grade professional staffers

have been working all along. So far, her 58 missed votes have not affected passage of any bills, and the Judiciary Committee has some nominees they can put to committee vote without her present, BUT going forward...

The senate will be back in session on the 17th, 5 days from now. This topic is of course going to hit the fan if she's not there.

[Jose Garcia]

14. How many bills and nominations were not put up for a vote due to

her absence? Senator Schumer can count votes, so he isn't going to bring up bills unless he is sure they will pass.

[aocommunalpunch]

12. Time to resign.

This is past ridiculous and resembles legislative neglect. The federal judiciary was supposed to be fucking important, right? Where’re the voices to push this point? JUDGES, JUDGES, JUDGES!!1!

[dem4decades]

13. 100%

[Joinfortmill]

16. The long goodbye

[Just A Box Of Rain]

18. Dianne Feinstein is one of the most accomplished Senators of all time.

Instead of being supported here on DU, she is being smeared and slandered.

So much for "supporting Democrats."

Such shameful behavior!!!

[NBachers]

21. I am reluctant to even read these posts because I know what I'll have to wade through.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

25. It is sickening to see a great Democrat get rubbished in this fashion.

[yardwork]

22. I disagree that this is smearing and slandering.

She needs to retire. She's done a marvelous job for decades, but it's time to pass the baton.

[maxsolomon]

23. The OP is not smearing or slandering her.

Your accusations against DU on this issue are getting stale.

[brooklynite]

26. Saying someone should resign because of an inability to serve is "smearing"?

(hint: neither is disagreeing with a Democrat on policy matters).

[Just A Box Of Rain]

30. Having Shingles is NOT an inability.

In is a short term (is highly unpleasant) illness.

We should be offering her our support, not calling for her resignation.

[whopis01]

47. She has missed the vast majority of the votes this year.

Her absence is holding up judicial nominations.

There is clearly an inability to perform the job required for someone in her position, on the committees that she is on.

Being a Senator and being on these committees is not an award, or honor. It is a job critical to the functioning of our government. Judicial nomination confirmations should not be held up because of a single person's health.

If rearranging who is on committees would solve this problem, then it should be done.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

50. John Fetterman missed a similar amount of votes. Did DUers call for his resignation? No.

And rightly so. That would have been grotesque.

Dianne Feinstein is out of the hospital and should be returning to her duties shortly.

Support Democrats. Even when they have moments of illness.

[whopis01]

105. I did not call on her to resign

It is the committee assignment that is the issue. If a committee in Congress can’t function because of a single person’s illness, something should be done about that.

Ensuring that a Democrat President’s judicial nominees get confirmed in a timely fashion is supporting Democrats.

This is particularly true in a situation where the change of a single Senate seat could hand the power to the Republicans.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

109. You may not have, others have.

I don't sish to lose one of the most effective Democratic Senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee simply because she contracted Shingles.

I'm surprised that's a controversial stance here on DU. Or am I? Maybe not.

[whopis01]

134. And now she has done the right thing

She has asked Schumer to appoint a temporary replacement on the Judiciary committee until she returns to the Senate.

[dflprincess]

129. The after effects of shingles can go on forever and be nearly as debilitating as the disease itself

My aunt had a terrible case of them when she was 91 and never really recovered even though she made it to 97. She had permanent nerve damage that just wore her down.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

130. Or not.

[dflprincess]

131. They more apt to cause permanent damage in the elderly

and that she's been out as long as she has with them is not a good sign.

[yellowdogintexas]

149. same with my grandmother. Eventually it invaded her

esophagus and she could no longer eat. She had a medical directive in place so no feeding tubes.

She was 90.

[Hekate]

27. It is not slander to say her absence has adverse consequences. IF she were able to be in DC...

… her excellent staff could keep things going in the right direction with attendance and votes and all. That certainly has been done before with certain Southern Senators, who were physically present despite impairment.

But she is not in Washington and apparently is not in shape to travel. The key part of her job under discussion is voting and she must be physically present in order to do that.

I am distressed, but if the source of the OP is correct, we have a problem.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

34. John Fetterman missed approximately the same number of sessions. Anyone who called on him to resign

would rightly be tossed off this forum, where we supposedly support Democrats.

[Hekate]

43. You go right ahead with that. But I will reiterate that Fetterman has comparative youth on his side

… as regards time for recovery.

My Senator, as much as I admire her and have defended her decision to run one last time several years ago, no longer has that time. And sadly, given the shape our democracy is in and the ultra-thin margins we Democrats have in the Senate, the rest of us don’t have that luxury either.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

67. I disagree entirely.

Biden's odds of getting Judges approved increases with Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee in my estimation.

She's out of the hospital and recovering at home.

I'm sending her well-wishes for a speedy recovery, myself.

[Sky Jewels]

62. Fetterman is recovering.

And he's almost 40 years younger.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

63. So ageism?

Dianne Feinstein is also recovering. She had Shingles. People recover from Shingles.

[Sky Jewels]

64. You go on pretending that being almost 90 years old

is just the same as being 50 or 55. Those of us who live in the real world know better.

Also, what evidence do you have that she's recovering? As the article says: “But multiple Democrats close to her, as well as top-ranking congressional aides, are growing increasingly concerned that she may never come back to Washington at all."

[Just A Box Of Rain]

71. So, unsourced rumors?

Let's toss her over because of gossip?

I dissent.

[Sky Jewels]

72. Lol.

Okay, yeah, let's just a crucial seat go vacant for months and months and months on end. It's not like our democracy is hanging by a thread as it is. No biggie. We wouldn't want to be accused of being impolite. Heavens! We'd need to get the smelling salts!

[Just A Box Of Rain]

77. Every seat is critical. We (rightly) waited for John Fetterman.

Dianne Feinstein deserves the same respect.

But she's not getting it.

[themaguffin]

81. Not apples to apples. It's already been stated. She's almost 90. Don't be disingenuous.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

86. So ageism is suddenly an acceptable form of bigotry?

I don't think so.

Dianne Feinstein has a life-record of service. She's earn some respect.

[themaguffin]

96. Yeah, take that copout. She's almost 90. Is it ageism to say a 10 year old shouldn't drive a car?

[DENVERPOPS]

112. I am beginning to think

that there is more that is questionable about her health/condition than just having Shingles......

She has done a great job, but in many professions there is a mandatory retirement age......and for good reason......

Of course the same should be said about a whole big bunch of decrepit old Repub Senators.............

[wnylib]

108. How fortunate you are that you have not

had shingles and have not lived with anyone who has had it.

I can tell because of your attitude about it. Yes, people do recover from shingles. The older they are when they get it, the worse it is and the more likely they are to develop post herpetic neuropathy. Chances of having PHN after effects increase for people over 50.

My husband had shingles in his mid 30s. Fortunately he did not develop HPN, but he was young at the time, over twice as young as Ms. Feinstein. For the 3 weeks that it lasted, the pain for him was excruciating and incapacitating. And the blisters itched at the same time that they were painfully fiery. Since the blisters were on his back, I had to administer the cream that his doctor prescribed. He screamed with each touch.

Some info on the HPN after effects of shingles.

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/post-herpetic-neuralgia/#:~:text=Post%2Dherpetic%20neuralgia%20is%20a,full%20recovery%20within%20a%20year.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

110. I have had Shingles. At 50. It was insanely painful.

My colleagues didn't call for me to lose my job. Thank goodness.

I got over it.

[wnylib]

126. No HPN, then. Lucky you.

Why would your colleagues call for you to retire at 50, with or without shingles?

But at 89, many people are already retired, so suggesting it is more likely to happen at that age than at 50.

I don't know if Feinstein has HPN. From the reported concerns of her colleagues about whether she will return, it sounds like she might have long term effects of shingles, like HPN.

If she can do her job effectively from home, then I could agree with her continuing. But if her absence will delay the approval of appointed federal judges, then for the sake of the country it would be good for her to resign.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

127. No one calling for me to lose my job either.

Lucky me.

[wnylib]

128. As I said, most people at 50 are not retired.

OTOH, most people at 89 are retired.

[aocommunalpunch]

41. Judges not that important, then?

The failure to get the judges is certainly on her. Others, too, it appears. Which is it? Judiciary crazy important or not so much?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

55. Of course judgeship are important. Dianne Feinstein has a long record of getting Judges approved.

Her's is an incredible record of accomplishment.

We need her abilities in the Senate.

Losing her would be counterproductive.

[aocommunalpunch]

118. So, are the judges getting appointed?

No? Where do you want the responsibility to lay? Apparently, not on the person NOT allowing that to happen. Seems pretty clear.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

121. Yes, at a record rate.

In any case Dianne Feinstein just asked to be replaced on the committee.

[aocommunalpunch]

122. Common sense prevails. n/t

[Just A Box Of Rain]

124. Feinstein always does the right thing.

Shame the way she's treated here on DU.

[pinkstarburst]

46. It is not smearing and slandering

She has had a long and accomplished career and has done so much good for the country.

However she has grown to ill to serve and the fact that she has not been coming into work for months is causing judicial appointments and other votes to get held up.

With highest respect for the senator, it is time for her to gracefully resign and let Newsom appoint a temporary replacement to fill the remainder of her term, and then hopefully Adam Schiff or Katie Porter will be the permanent senator starting in 2024 on.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

66. I haven't seen any smears or slanders

Show me.

[tritsofme]

73. What smears or slander? You are just trying to shut down the discussion.

At this point, I am only calling for her to step down from the Judiciary Committee, where her absence will continue to grow more consequential.

[ecstatic]

79. Millions of Americans are counting on us to do what we can to slow

down or reverse the fascist takeover of our Courts and government. Feinstein can and should step aside temporarily (from the judicial committee) so that the work can be done. Our majority is not promised or guaranteed: If God forbid, another Senator were to become sidelined, what then? We have to act while we have the ability to, and with the sense of urgency that the current situation requires. It's not about you or Feinstein or any other individual. It's about doing what's best for the country. Period.

Honestly, nobody should even have to ask. SMH. I'm actually angry now because I'm flashing back to how things were handled with Justice RBG. Personally, that should have taught us all a lesson. We can't play nice and kiss asses when someone is inappropriately holding on to power. Women are DYING now that Roe has been overturned.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

83. The Judiciary Committee (with Feinstein as a key member) set a record for

approving the most judicial appointments in over 40 years.

Having Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee helps Democrats and helps the nation.

[tritsofme]

84. It was a great accomplishment. Now we need a member to fill in who will not be absent

for an indefinite period of time.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

88. Not "indefinite." She was hospitalized. Now she's home and says she expects to return soon.

She deserves our support.

[tritsofme]

89. How would you define soon?

Next week? Next month? Three months from now?

At some point we cannot afford to allow judicial nominations to stay stalled. Time is a valuable commodity in the Senate.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

93. Shingles typically resolves within 5 weeks.

I believe she contracted Shingles during the February recess.

Time is a valuable commodity. Loyalty is also a valuable commodity.

And having a seasoned Senator with a record of getting judges approved is the consummate commodity in this case.

[tritsofme]

100. There is no such thing as the indispensable (wo)man.

If she is able to return in a week or two, then all is fine.

But if her absence stretches out and causes a significant bottleneck, we will need to shuffle another Democrat on the committee, that person will no doubt be very able as well.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

106. I don't think it is up to DU to set the timeframe that a venerable Democratic Senator needs to meet

as she recovers from a short-term illness.

A core values of this forum is to support Democrats.

She had Shingles. That's not a just cause to call for her resignation in my estimation.

[tritsofme]

125. I am not calling for her resignation. I think she should step down, even if temporarily

from the Judiciary Committee. We can’t afford to keep nominees in limbo for much longer.

[cab67]

148. At her age?

I'm not saying "she's too old." If someone close to the age of 90 is in full possession of his or her faculties, of course they should continue to serve.

But at that age, recovery from illnesses and accidents can be far more prolonged, and there's a greater chance for secondary problems to arise. That's my underlying concern here - a condition that might resolve itself in a few weeks in a younger patient might take many more weeks - perhaps even months - in someone much older.

[cab67]

147. Not all who want her to step aside are smearing and/or slandering her.

She has a tremendous list of accomplishments, and she's been a fantastic asset throughout her career.

But she's almost 90 and in ill health. Senators and reps far younger than her have seen the good sense of retiring before their terms are up when their ability to do their jobs has been impaired for the foreseeable future.

To me, it's not a matter of finding someone better. It's a matter of making sure the Democratic caucus is operating at full strength during a critical time in our history.

[Hekate]

19. Oh gods. I am so sorry, but the time has come. DiFi has had a grand career, but.

[onetexan]

31. Oh goddesses i hope she will resign so Gov Newsom can appoint someone

Appreciate her longgggg service but her time in the Senate is up.

[Hekate]

36. We have three Dem candidates right now, two of them viable. Schiff is one of my heroes, but Porter

… has a lot of personality as well as brains. If someone gets appointed, it will irk the supporters of whoever does not. The appointment will give whoever it is a big leg up in the next election. That’s just reality.

Personally, I would rather have Gov Newsom appoint Schiff or Porter soon rather than wait for the next election, if Senator Feinstein cannot return to work. Unlike Fetterman, she doesn’t have comparative youth on her side anymore for recovery — and time is not on the side of this country, either.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

75. Newsom has pledged to name a black woman to the seat should it open up.

I think he has Karen Bass in mind when he made this pledge.

But Senate candidate Barbara Lee, who by inference you don't believe is "viable," would fit the requirement.

I also think it would be preferable not to have two Senators via appointments from CA, myself.

We elected Dianne Feinstein. I fully support her as she recovers from this bout of Shingles.

[ProudMNDemocrat]

32. Let her step down due to health reasons.

Then Gavin Newson can appoint a replacement to serve until the 2024 General election.

[a kennedy]

38. Yup, this is how it should be handled.....JMHO.

[SunSeeker]

37. She needs to be taken off the judiciary committee ASAP so we can confirm judges.

She should have already requested that be done.

Fuck.

We need to confirm those Biden judges!!!

[kimbutgar]

39. My neighbor had shingles and I used to hear him screaming in pain

A couple of times his wife came over to take a break from him.

I got my shingles shot not long after that!

[Sky Jewels]

58. A friend's sister almost lost vision in one eye to shingles.

She was a younger person, in her 40s.

That freaked me out. I got my shots!!!

[Zorro]

40. U.S. Congressman Calls For Absent Feinstein To Step Down

After months of tense silence and off-the-record quotes, a sitting congressman is publicly calling for Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) to step down.

“It’s time for @SenFeinstein to resign,” Rep. Ro Khanna (D-CA) tweeted Wednesday. “We need to put the country ahead of personal loyalty. While she has had a lifetime of public service, it is obvious she can no longer fulfill her duties. Not speaking out undermines our credibility as elected representatives of the people.”

Feinstein has been absent from Washington since February after falling ill with shingles, and has missed nearly 60 votes. She also sits on the Senate Judiciary Committee, and her absence has left President Joe Biden’s nominees stranded as they wait for a committee vote. Aides are becoming worried that she won’t ever return to Washington, per a Politico report.

Even before the diagnosis, it was a well-known if uncomfortable reality on Capitol Hill that Feinstein was slowing down and showing her 89 years of age. Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL) took her place as chair of the Judiciary Committee after Feinstein attracted criticism and scrutiny for her cozy relationship with Republicans during Justice Amy Coney Barrett confirmation hearings.

Feinstein has had a storied and trailblazing career, the first woman to be elected senator from California, and the first woman to chair various high-profile Senate committees. Her legacy increased the discomfort some of her colleagues have expressed in more aggressively pushing her to resign.

https://talkingpointsmemo.com/news/feinstein-absent-step-down-khanna

[Just A Box Of Rain]

45. Ro Kohanna.

[SalviaBlue]

132. Ro " Kohanna." What?

Say it.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

44. With Dianne Feinstein on the Judiciary Committee

the United States Senate has confirmed 87 judges to the US District Courts, 31 judges for the United States Courts of Appeals and a Supreme Court Justice during Joe Biden's presidency thus far.

That's a hell of a record of accomplishment.

The worst move we could make is to remove our most effective Senator from her post.

[pinkstarburst]

48. This is really sad, but we cannot hold up judicial appointments

She has had a long career she should be proud of, but at this point, she is hurting the country if she stays in her position when she can't come in to work and causes votes to be held up.

We need Biden judges to get approved. I look at what happened with RBG who tried to stay in place until the very end... and as much as I love her for everything she accomplished, if she had done the right thing and retired a few years earlier when Obama was in the White House, we would have another democrat appointed judge on the SC. Feinstein needs to do the right thing and step down and allow Newsom to appoint a temporary replacement to carry out the rest of her term.

[Botany]

49. Senator Stephanie Miller

Just about the same age and doesn't care what people think about her.

[niyad]

101. Who?

[Hekate]

116. Who? And she's 89? Never heard of her.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

51. We really appreciate your 54 years of service as an elected Democratic office holder,

but "what have you done for us lately?"

[VicNEO]

98. Not sarcasm for me

I’m 55- soon to be 56
Feinstein’s accomplishments happened before I was old enough to vote.

[demmiblue]

53. K&R

I see the Starffie signal went out.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

56. Per Wikipedia:

As of March 29, 2023, the United States Senate has confirmed 119 Article III judges nominated by Biden: one associate justice of the Supreme Court of the United States, 31 judges for the United States courts of appeals and 87 judges for the United States district courts.

That's one of the greatest accomplishments of a President getting judges approved in over 40 years. All with Dianne Feinstein's aid and assistance.

But she had Shingles.

[ripcord]

99. I hope people who want Feinstein out get the same treatment some day

Hopefully they will also be told they are too old so they need to go away.

[Sky Jewels]

141. If someone tells me I should retire and I'm 89 or 90,

I’ll say, “You know what? You have a point. A good one.”

[Sky Jewels]

57. DUers: Let this be your sign. If you are over 50 and haven't yet gotten your shingles shot ...

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT TODAY!

[demmiblue]

59. Indeed.

I was slightly younger than 50 when I got Shingles. Luckily, I didn't suffer any significant sequelae.

[MissB]

70. My dr nagged me for years

I finally got the first shot last month.

[Sky Jewels]

107. Great!

I got mine last year. It was a huge relief to gain that protection!

[Just A Box Of Rain]

61. I had Shingles when I was 50.

It was excruciatingly painful.

Fortunately none of my colleagues called for me to lose my job due to my illness.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

65. I never had chicken pox or measles, only mumps.

So I haven't gotten the shingles vaccine.

Tell me that's OK.

[Grumpy Old Guy]

94. LOL! Thanks!

[Katinfl]

69. Did she never hear of Shingrix?

I find it hard to believe that an 89 yr.old person would it know there is a very good vaccine to prevent one from getting shingles in the first place. Even before Shingrix, which’s is like 98% effective against the virus, there was Zostamax, only about 70% (?) effective but if you happened to get it it would be a mild case. You mean her doctors never told her about the chance she could get it? There really is no reason to not get the vaccine…..done in 2 doses weeks apart…..unless one is allergic to it. Anyway, I wish she would resign and let Newsom appoint a temporary replacement. That said, shingles is absolutely the worst and I fell for her.

[moonscape]

115. Shingrix isn't a guarantee and if one is

at all immune compromised as I am, it’s particularly not a guarantee. I got the vaccine before Shingrix, then Shingrix, and still have to take acyclovir for life to keep me safe from it.

I’m going with the likelihood she got Shingrix and a bad case of shingles in spite of it.

[Hekate]

117. Agree. Gods, way to blame the victim.

[msongs]

76. Is a politicians massive ego more important than the welfare of a nation? nt

[Just A Box Of Rain]

80. Massive ego? Dianne Feinstein has a "massive ego" because she was forced to take time off to recover

from Shingles, instead of resigning her seat?

[Nixie]

137. +1, I can think of more massive egos than hers, but they

unsurprisingly get a pass.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

139. Read you loud and clear.

[RandySF]

90. Speculation by Politico.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

95. That seems good enough for some.

[cally]

97. Please resign

I wouldn’t mind Newsome appointing a replacement Senator which may help California avoid a crazily expensive Senate primary

[bigtree]

102. the article doesn't even say that

...much less quote anyone about the rumor this internet clickbait is working to spread (already two posts with this misinformation on DU.)

Worst, it's being used as a platform to attack the ailing senator.

What Senator has been hounded out of office for contracting shingles or any other serious illness or ailment?

This is a new level of assholery, and here it is on this message board posing as fact.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

113. Thank you for this post.

It gives me a small sliver of hope.

[Just A Box Of Rain]

119. Breaking News: Dianne Feinstein has asked that A Democrat be named to succeed her

on the Judiciary Committee while she continues her recovery.

I'm sure she would appreciate all the support she's received here on DU.

[GuppyGal]

150. Indeed she would as well as her fellow Democrats that she's serving with. nt

[Samrob]

120. Can Newsome appoint Schiff of Katie to take her place?

[Just A Box Of Rain]

123. No, since she is a sitting Senator.

One duly elected by the people of California.

[UTUSN]

138. Thank you, Senator

[calimary]

142. Yes indeed.

[YoshidaYui]

151. She was a great mayor of San Francisco

but she needs to be retired, she is losing it,.

[Mortos]

152. From an article in the San Francisco Chronicle last year

"When a California Democrat in Congress recently engaged in an extended conversation with Sen. Dianne Feinstein, they prepared for a rigorous policy discussion like those they’d had with her many times over the last 15 years.

Instead, the lawmaker said, they had to reintroduce themselves to Feinstein multiple times during an interaction that lasted several hours."

"Four U.S. senators, including three Democrats, as well as three former Feinstein staffers and the California Democratic member of Congress told The Chronicle in recent interviews that her memory is rapidly deteriorating. They said it appears she can no longer fulfill her job duties without her staff doing much of the work required to represent the nearly 40 million people of California."

https://www.sfchronicle.com/politics/article/dianne-feinstein-senate-17079487.php

[demmiblue]

156. I find this all so sad.

I have to wonder about her staff...

[shanti]

162. Well

they will probably lose their jobs too when she retires for good. Hmmm

[LiberalLovinLug]

157. Sorry for her, but when I watch the two young Tennesse lawmakers stand up and fight like that

That is the future of the party.

We need more youthful energy. Democrats have been very slow at moving on to the next generation.

[Snackshack]

159. She needs to step down.

She has has a very long career but it is time now for her to step aside.

Hopefully she does not turn into a Dem version of Storm Thurmond. That man was a despicable PO💩 which Senator Fienstein is not nor ever will be but the GOP kept him around forever for his vote. It was sad and pathetic to watch the GOP roll him into the chamber in his wheelchair every time there was a vote and you could tell by the look on his face he had not clue where he was.