To the editor: Thanks to Dr. Daniel Stone, geriatrician, for his understandable and clear explanation of the mind of an elderly person. (“What a doctor sees when Joe Biden hesitates”, Opinion, March 7)
I'm 76 years old and I get angry when people make fun of President Biden because he's 81 years old. I'm proud of him for doing such a difficult job and that he even wants to do it. I feel like he is our only barrier to an accused criminal taking over the American government.
Why isn't that obvious?
I taught for 40 years and I can tell when someone knows what they're talking about. It's pretty obvious that former President Trump knows nothing and doesn't want to learn.
Last Thursday I watched Biden make sense of his State of the Union address for more than an hour. That is enough for me.
Hang in there, Mr. President.
Cheryl Clark, Long Beach
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To the editor: I am a lifelong Democrat who is firmly against Biden seeking a second term.
He has risen to the top of government after serving our country for decades. For the sake of the nation and his place in history, he should announce that he is no longer a candidate for president and serve out the term with grace and with his legacy intact. We have to pass the torch.
I can't help but think of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsberg, who had been quite ill and refused to resign before President Obama left office. What do we harvest?
With Biden's approval rating so low, I'm terrified that the president's ego will lead to the election of a ranting, unhinged demagogue. I shudder to think what awaits us.
Please, Mr. President, leave with the grace and dignity that you have demonstrated throughout your political career. A grateful nation awaits your magnanimous decision.
Judith Kaplan, Los Angeles
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To the editor: A big thank you to Dr. Stone for laying out in plain language the challenges facing both major party presidential candidates (and most of us) as age encroaches on our mental capabilities.
Your article reminds me of something I've been thinking for many months: I'd rather have a president who takes three hours to make a good decision than one who takes three seconds to make a bad one.
Brad Golstein, Woodland Hills
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To the editor: At 80 years old, I found Dr. Stone's article on the cognitive abilities of older people enlightening and reassuring.
It would be even more enlightening if someone could explain the cognitive abilities of millions of Americans who support a narcissist interested in the presidency.
Ted Carmely, Sherman Oaks
