Old-time common sense over at the National Review Online.
It is not just in physical tasks that age takes its toll. Even when our minds remain sharp, our energy levels are seldom the same, and that affects how long we can concentrate on a given day without taking a rest.
It is easy enough for me to take an afternoon nap and wake up refreshed, especially since my younger research assistants are working while I am dozing, and have plenty of material ready for me when I am ready to resume work.
But a president of the United States has to be ready to take on any crisis that arises anywhere in the world, at any hour of the day or night.
And if he has to deal with it around the clock, then he just stays awake around the clock to deal with it.
Ageism — defined as discrimination based on age, especially prejudice against the elderly — is wrong when it is vicious, unfounded, and generalized (i.e. “All old people are bad drivers and should be kept off the road.”). However, I have always been a proponent of drivers’ tests for adults of a certain age (65+) and other precautionary measures to ensure we best protect all of society — the elderly and the young. Perhaps this is because a close friend of mine was killed in a car accident and the other driver was an elderly man with Alzheimer’s.
In that way, I think Sowell makes an excellent point regarding the office of the President. I can’t think of a public figure who looks and acts as old and worn out as John McCain. It’s nothing personal, but if he can’t do the job, then he can’t do the job. Is it really worth endangering the lives of 300+ million Americans to find out?
Obviously, it doesn’t matter how old he is if he is the nominee and the Democrats are pushing Hillary or Obama. I’d rather have a crazy, napping-throughout-the-day old guy in office any day that a creeptastic younger man or woman.
If more parents parented like this, the world would be a much better — not to mention safer — place:
‘Meanest Mom on Planet’ Sells Teen Son’s Car After Finding Booze Under Seat
DES MOINES, Iowa — Jane Hambleton has dubbed herself the “meanest mom on the planet.”
After finding alcohol in her son’s car, she decided to sell the car and share her 19-year-old’s misdeed with everyone — by placing an ad in the local newspaper.
The ad reads: “OLDS 1999 Intrigue. Totally uncool parents who obviously don’t love teenage son, selling his car. Only driven for three weeks before snoopy mom who needs to get a life found booze under front seat. $3,700/offer. Call meanest mom on the planet.”
Hambleton has heard from people besides interested buyers since recently placing the ad in The Des Moines Register.
The 48-year-old from Fort Dodge says she has fielded more than 70 telephone calls from emergency room technicians, nurses, school counselors and even a Georgia man who wanted to congratulate her.
“The ad cost a fortune, but you know what? I’m telling people what happened here,” Hambleton says. “I’m not just gonna put the car for resale when there’s nothing wrong with it, except the driver made a dumb decision.
“It’s overwhelming the number of calls I’ve gotten from people saying ‘Thank you, it’s nice to see a responsible parent.’ So far there are no calls from anyone saying, ‘You’re really strict. You’re real overboard, lady.”‘
The only critic is her son, who Hambleton says is “very, very unhappy” with the ad and claims the alcohol was left by a passenger.
Hambleton believes her son but has decided mercy isn’t the best policy in this case. She says she set two rules when she bought the car at Thanksgiving: No booze, and always keep it locked.
The car has been sold, but Hambleton says she will continue the ad for another week — just for the feedback.
I know I’ve been a little MIA lately on the blogging front, but I just received this press release via email from the Hunter for President campaign and couldn’t resist posting it. Talk about true leadership and integrity.
Hunter Recommends War Veterans Replace State Dept Personnel
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2007
San Diego, CA – Congressman Duncan Hunter (R-CA) today recommended to President Bush a proposal to replace State Department personnel who refuse to be deployed to Baghdad with wounded veterans from military hospitals at Walter Reed and Bethesda . Hunter, who is currently running for President, went to the White House earlier today and met with President Bush to outline and detail his “Wounded Warrior” project.
“My recommendation to the President was simply that we need people in these positions whose top priorities will be to get the job done regardless of the circumstances and I know which individuals meet those qualifications. Our wounded warriors have already exhibited courage, professionalism and work ethic on the field of battle. They have already answered the call to serve in difficult circumstances and they know firsthand the meaning of sacrifice. If the State Department is having trouble with reluctant personnel, I can think of nobody more qualified than these brave patriots to rise to the challenge.
“State Department recruiters should immediately be sent to Walter Reed and Bethesda hospitals and application forms should be provided and posted on relevant employment websites. As I indicated to the President, I have no doubt our men and women in uniform will once again answer the call of their nation.”
Now, tell me again why Representative Hunter is not presidential material?
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