The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Message" button to add your entry to the forum.

John Jackson

Once it became obvious how serious the problem was, a lot of Democrats worked very hard behind the scenes to replace a candidate who should not have run again.   Too bad the Republicans didn’t have the courage to do the same - it’s been obvious for a very long time (at the very least since Jan. 6, 2021) how utterly unfit and unstable their candidate is. 

David Mitchell

WOW! We are living in strange times!

Will it be Kamala - Joe Manchin - or who?

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Today's best quote:

"Joe just dropped out.

The Democratic elite, corporate media, and billionaire donors successfully pressured the candidate chosen by Bemocratic primary voters to drop out because he is down in the polls and losing.

Democrats destroy democracy in pursuit of power."

 And then there is this news article:

They Cannot Take Biden off the Democratic Ticket in Two States, for any Reason other than Death or 25th Amendment

Joe Biden did not die, nor has he been removed via the 25th amendment…

There are Two (Or More) Problematic States Now • Nevada • Wisconsin

• Wisconsin: does not allow withdrawal from the ballot for any reason besides death.  —— Biden hasn’t died

• Nevada: no changes can be made to the ballot after 5 p.m. on the fourth Friday in June of an election year or 'a nominee dies or is adjudicated insane or mentally incompetent. —— It’s past June, and Biden has not died, nor 25th’d

• Some states don't have any laws on the books for dealing with a presidential nominee withdrawing, and there is little precedent for such a situation occurring.  —— the next two weeks will be interesting.

So unless they use the 25th amendment to remove him the next Presidential Nominee won’t be a choice in the next election.

Michael McLeod

why, lawsy lawsy and sakes alive if it isn't mary margaret!!!! who could possibly have guessed she would have turned up with something to say on a day like today? why you just set yourself down in the parlour and let me brew you some tea and don't be so shy next time!!! (curtsies).

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

Another great BS line about the dems destroying democracy in pursuit of power. No chance of THAT happening by backing a guy who proclaims he'll be a dictator on day one, is there??  

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Well, lordy, lordy, lordy, Mike....I didn't realize only certain selected opinions were to be expected on this forum, but i can take your sarcasm or wit whichever it was meant to be. In fact, I respectfully waited until two others shared their opinions at the first notice of Biden's announcement!  BTW, I'll take some scones with that tea!

As for the MSM "dictator" hysteria, I would refer to Snopes (not known for its conservative leanings) which puts the comment in context here:

"Trump's remarks, when viewed in their full context, came as he pointed and smiled at Hannity and clarified that his usage of the term "dictator" — which came from Hannity's own reading of reporting and remarks made in the news media — referred to two items: Trump's policies regarding the U.S.-Mexico border and the drilling of oil. "After that, I'm not a dictator, OK?," Trump said, laughing and then agreeing verbally just seconds later when Hannity said Trump was only referencing his own policy proposals." 

You can read Snopes full explanation here: https://www.snopes.com/news/2024/01/24/trump-dictator-day-one/ 

All Presidents undo many of the previous President's Executive Orders on Day One of their taking office. I don't remember anyone referring to Joe Biden as a dictator when he issued 17 Executive Orders on Day One of his administration, of which 11 were reversals of Trump's orders. America had 4 years of seeing how Trump would govern and in no way could he be considered a dictator.,

Michael McLeod

It didn't strike me until it happened. But once Biden finally Did The Right Thing I realized: He is suddenly more powerful. He's made the sacrifice common sense dictated, and that took humility and grace -- and that empowerment will certainly make him a force assuming he plays a role as a spokesperson and cheerleader for the dem's pick to run. I'm not saying it will tilt the balance enough for a win over Trumpskin. But it does open up intriguing power-play possibilities. It shifts the cast of characters, puts different inflection points on the race. Be interesting to see how it plays out - and what difference he makes, or doesn't make, in terms of the outcome.

Oh, and Mary Margaret: YOU'RE IN MY HEAD!!!! GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!! (runs screaming into the night.) 

James Hamilton, M. D.

Just a Thought or Two

I have been trying to avoid discussing politics on this Forum, but the events of the recent times have brought a few questions to my mind.

Does anyone besides myself think that VP Harris is being offered up as a "sacrificial lamb" to protect more popular Democratic candidates from being defeated in the upcoming election? 

How will Harris do in a debate with Trump?

Are there any other serious Democratic candidates who are willing to "fill in" at this late hour and chance losing an election? 

The Democratic National Convention may be more interesting to watch this year than I had thought.

Jim

Michael McLeod

I have a question of my own, Jim: Is Biden still invited to the annual deep state pants-off dance-off?

and I think you give the dems too much credit.

they simply took the most conservative approach.

Time is also a factor. Any other choice would involve casting about, argumentation, figuring out who among however many hopefuls would have the best shot. That might actually stir up some interest, get folks involved.Gee, what a concept.

But I don't see outward evidence of imagination or leadership in the party. It's calcified. But that may be too harsh a judgment because, again: time's a-wastin'. 

So you do the obvious thing, get boots on the ground and hope for the best. 

I have no idea whether she's up to the moment, but we'll find out soon enough.

John Jackson

Thanks, MM.  I feel better now that I know Trump was only joking and he really doesn’t want to be a dictator. 

I’m sure there’s a similar innocent explanation for Trump’s incitement of his followers to attack the Capitol on Jan. 6 to prevent the certification of Biden’s election.  Surely this was this just lighthearted good fun, a little rambunctiousness!  Now I know why Trump is pledging to pardon those ”patriots” who have been convicted – we libtards are taking this stuff way too seriously! 

And his hour-long recorded call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger following the recount asking him to find 11,780 votes to reverse the Georgia results? What’s wrong with that - some might call that election fraud, but you never know what the answer might be unless you ask…

Michael McLeod

That's gotta be a crappy day.Hey everbody thanks for coming over. Ok let' me do a personal inventory. Hmmm: I still have covid and I have to give up a swell house and a great job. Plus now I'm gonna miss all those deep state brunches. Other than that.....

Michael McLeod

Jim:Your question about dems protecting candidate.

That would require time and relatively fierce leadership. I just think this was a fire alarm situation. They went for the most obvious way out of the burning bulding. She's been the go to for a while now and if she weren't something would have leaked out. that's my guess.

Timothy Lavelle

I think Mike is on to something in his conclusion that this adopted Democrat stance was the only way out. At least for this moment. If the party leadership were to turn away from Kamala for a different candidate today, it would look like they simply did not have any confidence in the whole Biden/Harris era. Taking "the old standard" path lets the dust settle for a moment, let's panicked people breathe for a moment...and kicks the actual can down the road to the convention. Maybe I am wrong but that allows for any serious competitor and the process of "who do we choose as VP to garner the most votes in the most needed states" to arise and play out. The questions of Male vs Female, Black vs White, will all be heavily analyzed for pros and cons. 

Whether as a horror show or as a musical comedy, "The Presidncy as Entertainment"  begs a VP offering like Oprah or Michelle. Before you applaud, imagine how white 'Murica would take to two black women running. We  haven't shown the ability to elect a woman yet. Two black women? Can you hear that buzzer sounding in the background. 

So we go with a white man as VP How does that not get seen as "she needs male support" or somesuch to the delight of men with backward facing baseball caps on and in the same instance insults some, or maybe all, women.

For the next disturbing months, this will be a Republican vs Democrat chess match with pauses, moves, counter-moves and false moves. As a voter with no party affiliation, it feels like America will be the loser. But I will vote along the lines of what my parents taught me. "Don't Lie. Don't Cheat. Don't Steal. Don't get into a car with strange men. Don't bet you can outsmart the Three Card Monty dealer".

You already know who that is. 

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

The cut & paste BS just keeps flowing. After hating on the President since he won in 2020 (and NEVER admitting he won), now you somehow find the audacity to worry about his stepping down. Better wipe your mouth. I can see the Kool-aid dripping off your lips. (Relax. I said that with a smile on my face, a gutteral laugh and a glad-hand slap on my knee. You've already told us what that means!!)

David Mitchell

I'm a "news Junkie'".  

Lately, I almost wish I weren't.

I have been one since I was a kid. My dad would come home from his office downtown in the Beggs building, or on Wednesday evening, the OSU clinic - (or not at all when there was something going on with one of his patients in the ER).

While we waited for dinner, Dad would sit in the ugly yellow naughahyde chair in the living room and pour over the "Dispatch". As a young kid, he would let me crawl upon his knee and he would share what he was reading out loud with me. Then he'd ask me questions about what he had read. 

Then, along comes a televised Democratic convention (1952 - I believe?) and there were these two guys - a handsome young senator from Massachusetts, and a guy from Tennesee with a funny name - Estes Keyflinger-dinger or something like that (Kiefauver). 

They called it a "floor fight". These two guys seem to be goin' at each other like two boxers in a ring.

We survived that.

A few years after comes this white haired guy with black rimmed glasses from Arizona who mentioned something about "extremism". And then he and some rich guy from New York went at it like there was no tomorrow.

And we survived that.

Soon after, the news was full of film (not videos - yet) of "Negros" getting shot at by police, and busses burning, and churches burning (with little Black girls inside), and all kinds of horrid things.

But we were White, and grew up in the "North".

So we survived that.

Then there were more killings - right in front of us - on TV!  

And we survived.

Meanwhile, there were a number of distractions away from our American news - like Russian tanks in Budapest, riots in South Africa, a wall in East Berlin, " the troubles" in Northern Ireland, and even the Vatican, where they gathered more bishops in one old cathedral than you could shake a stick at. And they named some little chubby guy from Venice, "John XXIII". (there had been 22 of them named John before him).

Then soon after we were the news. We were chasing some guys in black pajamas around all over some rice paddies. While our buddies back home were carrying angry signs in the streets.

And the killing went on.

Again we survived.

A few days ago, I was about to post a question about how crazy the news was lately. What strange times we were living through lately. And could we survive this?

But I think I know the answer.

I think Tim's mother's advice sounded pretty good rifght about now.

(Yes, these are strange times - and I suspect we will survive them)

Mary Margaret Clark (Schultheis)

Prayer for Peace

Almighty and Eternal Father, God of wisdom and mercy, Whose power exceeds all force of arms

and Whose protection is the strong defense of all who trust in Thee,

enlighten and direct, we beseech Thee,

those who bear the heavy responsibility of government throughout the world in these days of stress and trial.

Grant them the strength to stand firm for what is right and the skill to dispel the fears that foment discord; inspire them to be mindful of the horrors of war for victor and vanquished alike,

to seek conciliation in truth and patience, to see in every person a brother or sister, that the people of all nations may, in our day, enjoy the blessings of a just and lasting peace.

Conscious of our own unworthiness, we implore Thy mercy on a sinful world in the name of Thy Divine Son, the Prince of Peace,

and through the intercession of His Blessed Mother and all the saints.

Queen of All Saints, pray for us Queen of the Holy Rosary, pray for us Queen of Peace, pray for us

Amen.

Imprimatur: Clarence G. Issenmann Bishop of Cols. 1957-196

If anyone has been on this forum this morning, you will note that I have since thought better of a link that I posted & decided that this prayer, that we used to say after Sunday Mass at IC in the late 50's /early 60's, was a more fitting response to our current disagreements. 

Mary Clare Hummer (Bauer)

It's so tough to know when to hand over the keys. As my Dad moved through his 80's, we all were aware that he was definitely slowing down. Oh, he still went to Mass every morning and fought with the dandelions out in the yard, and worked the daily crossword & cryptoquote. But it became a more measured step, a more demanding concentrated effort, not as neat, not as complete. So we began wondering.  Is it time?  Is he ready to admit it?  Who should tell him?  How do we say it?  You see, for those who never had to face that time in their parents' lives, the decision isn't one made overnight. They have been large and in charge for practically all the time they remember.  Your intervention comes in stages. First the benefit of the doubt--bad day? meds? sleep?  Wait a few weeks, months. Let's see how it goes. Then you offer a little extra support, maybe even cover for them here and there, take over the burden of some of life's day-to-day chores. Bring in some expert opinion. Donna's Dad, Steve Kelley, was their insurance agent and he helped point out some practical issues for them.  The time came for dreaded arguments in the face of his resistance. But at some point the miscues and missteps and mishaps added up to the undeniable evidence he needed and finally accepted. He turned over the keys in his 86th year.  He made the decision with his dignity and our respect intact. He missed being able to drive the rest of his life but he knew it was the best decision for all.  

David Mitchell

Clare,

Your post reminds me of my own father, who woke up on a Thanksgiving morning with a stroke. My mother had passed away before him so he was living alone and sill driving himself. He was 81 and stil pracing medicine fulll time (then in Worthington). Like your own father, he also struggled with having to give up his car. I realized it was his last form of independence. He had to go into an assisted living facility and di so grudginly.

I just had a taste of this while sitting out 11 weeks in rehab facility and then another 3 months at home before I could get a car. (and a TV I could not figure out how to work - also depressing.

Like our parents (and Joe and Donald) we ourselves are now knocking on the door of dependent care. 

p.s. Dad held several contractual medical care responsibilities beyond his own private practice - one of which was a once a week visit to the girls reformatory up near Marysville. He was their allegist. The State of Ohio would not allow him to terminate his contarct for a few more months  - honest to God! So I had to drive him up to the reformatory one night every week for about a month or two. His stroke cost him his sense of directions and his short term memory, but not most of his other cognitave functions. His logic was clear and accurate. He woudl sit there with his patients and go over their "history" and make perfectly accurate advice (with a medical assistant sitting near).  He even wrote prescriptions.

He was perfectly cognitive and as logical as anyone, but a few hours later, on the way home, he had no idea where we had been or where we were headed.  

John Jackson

Clare and Dave, thanks for your posts – very touching and all the more relevant since, by my calculation, the Class of 66 is a decade or less away from the ages of your parents when the interventions had to happen. 

MM, I saw your earlier post and planned to jump all over you about it.  But when you substituted the prayer I reconsidered, knowing that, surely and verily, the right hand of the Lord would reach down and smite me powerfully.

John Maxwell

Michael McLeod

If anybody deserve a smoting it's you, Jack.

Michael McLeod

If you step back from it the issue here is pride.

Our own - most obviously indicated by Mary Margaret's decision to set hers aside in favor of a prayer - and that of the bigshots on both sides that we're debating about.

I've got a sizeable share of it given my attachment to looking good on the page, as they say in the trade -- showing off in print for half a century now.

Pride is always involved. It's just more obvious as a player in the current scenario.

I'd have to think even his supporters would admit that trump is one prideful, uber-boasting sob.

Pride certainly had to to with Biden's attachment to power. 

That's what has struck me about this election all along, way before today. The whole thing is like - what did they call those old-fashioned dramas, going way back to the middle ages, that were corny as hell but contained a lesson?

I couldn't remember it! I had to look it up. Finally figured it out. They called it a morality play. 

Anyway that was a way cool thing that you did, mm.

James Hamilton, M. D.

MM,

Thank you for that prayer. It is certainly relevant to both our country and internationally. 🙏 

Jim

John Jackson

Jack, if we're wordsmithing, is "smitten" at all relevant here?

For no particular reason, here’s one of my favorite bluegrass tracks.  It’s from the Transatlantic Sessions (which I’ve mentioned before), an Irish/Scottish public TV series that highlights the links between Appalachian/bluegrass, Scottish and Irish music. The singer is Dan Tyminski (the Man of Constant Sorrow in “O Brother, Where Art Thou”). The first minute is slow and twangy (featuring Jerry Douglas’s dobro) but then it picks up and finishes with a great Irish/Scottish fiddle break.  But don’t ask me to explain the lyrics…