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Weekend at Feinstein's

It's not unique to democracy that eventually power accumulates around a person instead of with that person. I think it happens with most authority systems-- things get done in someone's name, with someone's authority, (hopefully) with their blessing, but not their direct hands-on involvement in every matter. Not that that's a good thing, but it may be a natural outgrowth of any authority system of significant size.
 
TragicMonkey said:
It's not unique to democracy that eventually power accumulates around a person instead of with that person. I think it happens with most authority systems-- things get done in someone's name, with someone's authority, (hopefully) with their blessing, but not their direct hands-on involvement in every matter. Not that that's a good thing, but it may be a natural outgrowth of any authority system of significant size.
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Drain the swamp! A good rallying call for populists even though they have no intention other than to make it their swamp.
 
Feinstein claims she was never absent in baffling exchange with press gaggle.

DIANNE FEINSTEIN CLAIMED she hadn’t “been gone” when questioned by reporters on Tuesday about her absence from Congress. The 89-year-old California senator returned to D.C. last week after a months-long medical leave that has raised questions about the state of her health and ability to continue serving in government.

“No, I haven’t been gone,” Feinstein told a gaggle of reporters when asked about how the first few days following her return had unfolded.

“I haven’t been gone. You should … I haven’t been gone. I’ve been working,” she added.

When questioned as to whether she meant she’d been working from home, Feinstein reportedly became agitated. “No, I’ve been here. I’ve been voting — Please. You either know or don’t know,” she said before being moved away by staffers pushing her wheelchair.
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https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-news/dianne-feinstein-bizarre-answers-questioned-senate-absence-1234736747/?sub_action=logged_in

Journalists probably have a professional duty to ask Feinstein what year she thinks it is whenever her handlers roll her out into public.
 
Pelosi's daughter among those puppetting assisting the ailing Feinstein, possibly in a bid to ensure that Feinstein's senate seat goes to their preferred successor.

By all accounts, the arrangement is rooted in a long and friendly relationship between Feinstein and the Pelosis — twin pillars of San Francisco politics. But among some of those who are aware, it has also raised uncomfortable questions about whether Nancy Pelosi’s political interests are in conflict with Feinstein’s personal interests.

The intrigue surrounds the future of Feinstein’s seat. Pelosi has endorsed Rep. Adam Schiff, her longtime protégé and former hand-picked House Intelligence Committee chair, to succeed Feinstein after her sixth and final term ends next year. Schiff (D-Calif.) is a household name in California and already has a $15 million campaign cash advantage over his nearest competitor.

But if Feinstein were to bow to pressure and retire early, Schiff’s advantage could disappear. Gov. Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) has pledged to appoint a Black woman to serve out her term, and one of Schiff’s declared opponents, Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.), would fit the bill.
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https://www.politico.com/news/2023/05/18/dianne-feinstein-senate-resign-retire-pelosi-schiff-lee-00097595

At what point does the normal dirty business of politics cross into elder abuse?
 
There comes a point in aging where coloring one's hair makes one look considerably older than not coloring it would. That point varies, person-to-person, but I'm comfortable saying it's generally before age 85.
 
TurkeysGhost said:
Are you kidding with this? You really have to live in a revisionist history world to think that any of these are difficult or serious questions.

- If RBG had retired sooner, her replacement would be a liberal justice ...
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Because there's no way McConnell would have pulled his Garland stunt?
In hindsight you might be able to pick a date, how would you do that at the time?


- And the Democrats should have done what to make that happen? A public pressure campaign would have been a good start.
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You don't know that would have worked. There already was one.

- Feinstein was 85 years old in 2018 when she sought re-election, that speaks for itself.
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And? We know what should have happened. I asked how would you have made it happen.

- Was there insight when she was assigned to the Judiciary Committee that McConnell had another card up his sleaze?: Just lol with this. Do you really need an answer?
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It's all in hindsight. You got nothing.

- The way to get around McConnell for Democrats is to make good decisions when they have control of the Senate. RBG dying on the bench during D control is an example of not doing that.
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Again, where are your details how this would work?

- Ditto for above about Manchin/Sinema. The D's control of the Senate hasn't always been so precarious as to be bound to the whims of these corrupt freaks. That would have been the time to do important tasks. I agree they are more or less totally screwed at the moment, but we all have memories longer than 5 minutes, right?
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Let's hear some very specific things other than all your oughts.
 
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TurkeysGhost said:
....

At what point does the normal dirty business of politics cross into elder abuse?
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This GOP talking point is making the rounds.

Does she look unhappy? Would she be happier sitting around at home? Do we know or has the GOP just decided to create some faux outrage here?
 
Stacyhs said:
That is not good. If she really thinks she was working at the Capitol all these months, then she has no business being in Congress.
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That's a given. Have you found the protocol for replacing a committee member mid-session? I apologize for not looking into it.
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
Does she look unhappy?
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She looks like a walking corpse, except for the walking part.

Would she be happier sitting around at home?
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She'd almost certainly be more rested.

Do we know or has the GOP just decided to create some faux outrage here?
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The people calling this elder abuse run the gamut. I don't particularly see what the GOP would get out of Feinstein's retirement--her diminished capacity is working out well for them, and she'll certainly be replaced by a Democrat either way.

The people of California deserve what meager representation they get in the Senate. They're not getting it from Feinstein.
 
mumblethrax said:
... I don't particularly see what the GOP would get out of Feinstein's retirement--her diminished capacity is working out well for them, and she'll certainly be replaced by a Democrat either way.
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That is what they are getting out of it, a faux outrage talking point.

Those meanie Democrats. Why we noble GOP legislators have been friends with Dear Diane for ages and we only want what's best for her.

It was only a week or so ago McConnell was whining how the Democrats shouldn't force her out. :rolleyes:

The people of California deserve what meager representation they get in the Senate. They're not getting it from Feinstein.
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How do you know that? It depends on what her staff are doing.
 
Skeptic Ginger said:
It was only a week or so ago McConnell was whining how the Democrats shouldn't force her out. :rolleyes:
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Wouldn't this mean that those calling for her resignation are not using a GOP talking point?

Skeptic Ginger said:
How do you know that? It depends on what her staff are doing.
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She's not voting. Judicial nominees are being held up because she's not voting.

Given the fact that she doesn't even know what state she was in the last few months, what do you think she's doing for her constituents?
 
I wasn't entirely serious years ago when I suggested we replace our elected representives with a collection of separate AI but now I'm thinking it's really the way to go. Either AI or maybe a photograph of a cat; the cat photo would be just as effective as Feinstein is now, plus it would be pleasant to look at.
 
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