South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham has died at 71. May he rest in peace. His death is likely to produce considerable political ferment. We are now being bombarded by pictures of him, some historic, some recent.
What I notice in the recent pictures of him is how old he looks. He was considerably younger than I.
I can tell you from experience that age may not creep up with stealing steps to claw you in its clutch but may come on suddenly, even unpredictably. The problem is not that older people are necessarily incapable. Many remain remarkably capable. The problem is that the transition from capable to incapable can occur suddenly and unpredictably, while the offices themselves are too important to depend upon individual fortune.
While mourning his death, we should recognize that Sen. Graham’s death highlights the importance of imposing Constitutional maximum age restrictions on elective office. Federal elective offices are too important to leave to the vagaries of aging.
Which old person in the Senate, Congress or SCOTUS would support such a change? There are too many in both parties so I dont see it happening.
Steve
I will not mourn his death. He was a doer of great evil and a traitor to America and the American people, an Epstein to his core.
“I can tell you from experience that age may not creep up with stealing steps to claw you in its clutch but may come on suddenly, even unpredictably.”
Heh. Tell me about it. 18 months ago I thought I was still 50. Biking, weights, walking………..up and down the side of a mountain. I was aware I had an emerging aortic valve stenosis issue. And then, just about this time last year, it hit like a ton of bricks. In just two months, shortness of breath, fluid buildup, fatigue etc. The doctors wasted no time: TAVR (pig valve), and then, because of the cumulative contributions to heart failure, and the start of material structural heart problems – Watchman and ablation for AFIB. It takes it out of you. Fortunately, I am (slowly but surely) coming out of it with cardiac and whole body strengthening and feeling better than in quite some time.
I relate this to you and your eye issues. I sailed through replacement lens surgery years ago. I was surprised and concerned that you did not, given your comments over the years about weight control and maintenance of activity. Its age, and the bodies overall capabilities. Hopefully, you have crossed the healing threshold. I bet I speak for almost everyone here that your posting was missed.
Concerning your core comment, yes, age limits. (and let’s throw in term limits) But I fear steve is correct. Not a chance in hell.
Bob – I yield to no one when it comes to strident views. But callousness or lording over a dead corpse isn’t a good look.
I’m glad to hear you’re recovering, Drew.
In my case I’m adjusting to my new eyes. With my new eyeglasses prescription I can read. I can drive. My eyes no longer focus. I see what I see. My eyes are itchy in a way they never were before.
It’s also a truly eerie experience to see people considerably younger than onesself dying of old age-related conditions. And looking and behaving as though they were considerably older than me. For example, my wife just turned 70. She barely looks 60. No wrinkles. Not a touch of grey in her hair (she never uses dye).
Dave
I didn’t want to turn it into a dissertation, but a number of these eye procedures result in dry eye, with the itch you describe. They don’t always tell you that.