General Discussion

randome

(34,845 posts)

61. Of course older people have much to offer. Experience and wisdom should never be discounted.

Sun Mar 19, 2017, 07:49 AM

Mar 2017

But statistically speaking, most septuagenarians are slowing down, physically and mentally. That doesn't mean we should ignore all of them but it also doesn't mean they are all up to the job, either. I'm 58 and in the best of health. I walk 17 miles a week to work and back with a heavy backpack. I have hair down to my shoulders still.

But I will always be 'wise' enough to defer to those who are more in tune with the current generation. You'll never find me trying to prolong past glory days or being self-centered enough to think I can understand not only my own generation but other generations.

Is that wisdom on my part or just narcissism? I'm open to interpretation on that, as well.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Where do uncaptured mouse clicks go?[/center][/font][hr]

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

143 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

What's with all the Ageism in These Threads?? [View all] Manly_Scream Mar 2017 OP

Thanks. elleng Mar 2017 #1

because people love to complain about stupid shit JI7 Mar 2017 #2

and they sure do it around here. elleng Mar 2017 #3

Giving Democrats under the age of 70 a chance isn't ageism. Recognizing that the upcoming KittyWampus Mar 2017 #4

Suggesting that adults over the age of 65 are too old to serve as President IS ageism. elleng Mar 2017 #7

Bingo. eom littlemissmartypants Mar 2017 #12

I'm over 65 and I worked for many years in public services for seniors. Eyeball_Kid Mar 2017 #39

This seems to be the stuff snort Mar 2017 #43

Every candidate I've observed struggled with endurance during presidential delisen Mar 2017 #75

Kerry's story breaks my heart. It was so unfair & GW Alice11111 Mar 2017 #105

It broke my heart too because I realized the swift boating had influenced me delisen Mar 2017 #115

Stick to principles v. Get the shit beat out of us Alice11111 Mar 2017 #119

So true. Need to figure out how to take the Propaganda Machine down delisen Mar 2017 #124

Yet Supreme Court Justice treestar Mar 2017 #91

They get down time though, and they have long Alice11111 Mar 2017 #107

I agree completely - and I am 62. Chemisse Mar 2017 #104

This sums up half the Internet! Beartracks Mar 2017 #26

As a senior MFM008 Mar 2017 #5

I'm no spring chicken and Phoenix61 Mar 2017 #6

Fast mental capability is more important, IMO. Alice11111 Mar 2017 #108

But even that drops with age Phoenix61 Mar 2017 #114

Yes. A trader on the CBE told me that 35 was about the max Alice11111 Mar 2017 #117

I see judgement as the most important characteristic. delisen Mar 2017 #126

Yes. I guess we won't see that for 46 months Alice11111 Mar 2017 #129

Do you consider energy more important than judgement? nt delisen Mar 2017 #125

Because it's helpful on a practical level Jonny Appleseed Mar 2017 #8

The youth factor pandered. Igel Mar 2017 #69

I said practical; not ideal Jonny Appleseed Mar 2017 #71

Ronald Reagan had Alzheimer's, hardly something good in a president, fwiw uppityperson Mar 2017 #9

He obviously didn't have Alzheimer's for the 2 full terms. Manly_Scream Mar 2017 #13

"He obviously..." Really?? retread Mar 2017 #48

You are right janterry Mar 2017 #54

Funny....my wife and I were discussing this last night Docreed2003 Mar 2017 #64

He had Alzheimer's for most of the 2 terms though. uppityperson Mar 2017 #111

Yeah, they propped him up. This one is harder to prop up Alice11111 Mar 2017 #110

The presidency is physically and emotionally challenging. Ms. Toad Mar 2017 #10

How is it physically challenging? Physically it seems to be a pampered delisen Mar 2017 #37

No, it's not the same as working as a lumberjack. Eyeball_Kid Mar 2017 #40

One can handle stress, long hours, lack of rest better when in good physical shape Kaleva Mar 2017 #86

True. And anything you need to find out about treestar Mar 2017 #92

You'd probably call my life pretty pampered, too - Ms. Toad Mar 2017 #97

I've never heard an ex-president say that it was too physically demanding delisen Mar 2017 #100

So because they don't complain, Ms. Toad Mar 2017 #109

You cite fake news from The Daily Mail, I cite research from Journal of the American Medical Assoc. delisen Mar 2017 #120

So here's a few more sources. Ms. Toad Mar 2017 #123

Still under 60 here. tazkcmo Mar 2017 #102

Actually older people tend to sleep less at night and worry about it-but it may be natural delisen Mar 2017 #122

Why do they need to weather 16 years: or come out of the presidency with a lot of life left to live? delisen Mar 2017 #89

The physical effect seems to be equivalent to about double the length of time in office Ms. Toad Mar 2017 #96

Thanks I see your meaning but it seems so unscientific. delisen Mar 2017 #98

I've seen it too. zentrum Mar 2017 #11

Agreed. I've been naming it when it happens, not to shame anyone but it's as if they just don't see JudyM Mar 2017 #99

My dad lived to be 93 LakeArenal Mar 2017 #14

All excellent points, Manly_Scream. littlemissmartypants Mar 2017 #15

Thank You Manly_Scream Mar 2017 #17

Ronald Reagan was too old. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #16

I'm not opposed to seeing younger candidates. Manly_Scream Mar 2017 #18

I am not claiming that Donald Trump's flaws are because of when he grew up. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #28

I do not agree and I have remarked here about the practice of ageism being purely discrimination Samantha Mar 2017 #23

I agree that there's a strong "frame of mind" aspect, PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #30

"It's an issue of older people getting rigid in their mindset" Egnever Mar 2017 #35

Agree that it depends on the individual delisen Mar 2017 #63

And a fifty year old basketball player can't compete PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #93

Alexander the Great was quick and fit. Great physical condition. delisen Mar 2017 #127

I think Hillary has plenty of energy and does not seem older than her age. LisaM Mar 2017 #67

Agreed! butdiduvote Mar 2017 #78

I will politely disagree. PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #94

When I see them together, they seem the same age. LisaM Mar 2017 #95

How are you defining looking older-skin tone, wrinkles? delisen Mar 2017 #128

I respect your opinion Samantha Mar 2017 #90

I agree janterry Mar 2017 #53

There's frequently worse ageism here on DU, marybourg Mar 2017 #19

Very Good Point...In Manly_Scream Mar 2017 #73

The presidency is an extremely demanding and stressful job BainsBane Mar 2017 #20

Are you in favor of an official maximum age for public office? delisen Mar 2017 #34

No BainsBane Mar 2017 #36

We all have the right to use whatever criteria we want delisen Mar 2017 #42

Age per se less important than health. TDale313 Mar 2017 #21

because woman, Elders & many minorities are held to a double standard by deplorable people. Sunlei Mar 2017 #22

I am 70 and have seen my father who worked hard all his live start slowing Jim Beard Mar 2017 #24

For someone in good health PoindexterOglethorpe Mar 2017 #31

Every time I read "too old" nonsense on DU democrank Mar 2017 #25

So you are basing your conclusion on the observation of ONE individual. Is that wise? randome Mar 2017 #52

No, randome, Im basing my conclusion that older people have much to offer on my observation democrank Mar 2017 #60

Of course older people have much to offer. Experience and wisdom should never be discounted. randome Mar 2017 #61

Last reply from me on this, randome. democrank Mar 2017 #83

Konrad Adenauer, 73 who rebuilt Germany after the young Hitler destroyed it delisen Mar 2017 #66

Message auto-removed Name removed Mar 2017 #27

Two words: Jerry Brown. nt tblue37 Mar 2017 #29

Well, Reagan died between the ears a lot sooner than his heart finally gave out Warpy Mar 2017 #32

I remember Watergate and I'm 51... Cooley Hurd Mar 2017 #33

Allow me to be a bit contrarian on this queston Chitown Kev Mar 2017 #38

History has a story to tell. yallerdawg Mar 2017 #59

I've brought this up in other threads too Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #82

Oh, I'm not even 50 Chitown Kev Mar 2017 #41

I'm soon to be 70 lillypaddle Mar 2017 #44

I think it is a pre-judgement. delisen Mar 2017 #46

One thing is certain lillypaddle Mar 2017 #49

I am competely comfortable with Hillary in the WH - and she will be 70 in a few months DrDan Mar 2017 #85

Me too, but she's an exception in my mind, due to moonscape Mar 2017 #106

Ginsburg is 84 - her mind is incredibly sharp DrDan Mar 2017 #112

Naw, I'm not bigoted towards my peers, nor myself. n/t moonscape Mar 2017 #118

well, bigotry is treating members of a group with intolerance DrDan Mar 2017 #142

I agree with you lillypaddle Mar 2017 #141

yes! Ageism is common and is yet another strain of bigotry that should not be allowed here DrDan Mar 2017 #45

well lillypaddle Mar 2017 #50

Aged Leader Konrad Adenauer Chancellor of Germany 1949-6 age 73-87 delisen Mar 2017 #47

Statistically, most people over 70 cannot keep up with the rest of the population. randome Mar 2017 #51

Right, that is why people typically retire between 65 and 70. Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #74

Seems to me many of the younger members of congress are the drags on progress delisen Mar 2017 #130

I've seen ageism with both "to young" and "too old"... WePurrsevere Mar 2017 #55

the campaigns are so physically draining... samnsara Mar 2017 #56

I think Hillary not spending more time on the campaign trail going to Blue_true Mar 2017 #121

If only FDR had been more physically fit-or JFK-or Al Gore-or John Kerry-or Walter Mondale.or delisen Mar 2017 #136

Maybe those of us under 60 are just sick of Boomer politicians and think they should step back Recursion Mar 2017 #57

That's one good thing, in about ten years (if we last that long) nolabels Mar 2017 #70

Don't think anyone should step back, anyone can step up. delisen Mar 2017 #137

Internet forums and being President don't Progressive dog Mar 2017 #58

i often feel like I'm one of the few non Boomers on this forum crazycatlady Mar 2017 #62

Same here... Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #81

Ageism really started turning up here during this past campaign. Paladin Mar 2017 #65

Welcome to DU Orrex Mar 2017 #68

It works both ways. Older folks on here have been complaining about young people Zing Zing Zingbah Mar 2017 #72

You're too young to understand PJMcK Mar 2017 #76

Because we are the tenure party and seniority isn't always compatible with change and innovation BeyondGeography Mar 2017 #77

Bingo. "Change and innovation"...the turning of a page Chitown Kev Mar 2017 #80

so who are the unimaginative candidates? delisen Mar 2017 #131

Use your imagination BeyondGeography Mar 2017 #132

So I will assume there is no there, nt delisen Mar 2017 #134

Bernie Sanders said in a recent interview that the Dem Party is getting old. bathroommonkey76 Mar 2017 #79

Old conservative is overly simplistic Bradical79 Mar 2017 #84

I'm 58 and I think my best years are still ahead of me. Kaleva Mar 2017 #87

I think that there are a lot of people who have kept up treestar Mar 2017 #88

I really don't want to see another president born in the 1940s. BlueStater Mar 2017 #101

It's everywhere. I watch Trevor Noah, I'm laughing along, Alice11111 Mar 2017 #103

Welcome to DU!!! onecent Mar 2017 #113

Welcome to DU! Different Drummer Mar 2017 #116

I think age does matter and especially in 45s case bronxiteforever Mar 2017 #133

Except 45 managed to get where he is at least in part by being the change candidate BeyondGeography Mar 2017 #135

Well I don't ever confuse electability with competence. My point was age does matter in conjunction bronxiteforever Mar 2017 #139

It it his age or his total lack of qualification.If one's only profession has been con man- delisen Mar 2017 #138

Agreed. bronxiteforever Mar 2017 #140

Age shouldn't preclude anyone Blue_Warrior Mar 2017 #143