Letter to the Editor: Unfair Concern

To the editor:

At this precarious time in the life of our country and the world, it is urgent to look at why the public is so focused on President Joe Biden’s age and to shed light on this damaging disruption. At first, it may seem this is due to our fear about our president’s aging, impairment, and death. However, the real reason is that when we look at someone who’s older, we are reminded of what we do not want to face in our own lives. To avoid this, we emphasize what we see as negatives, denying countless positives. In truth, there are enormous benefits to aging. For a presidential candidate, this one is major: leaders like Biden face challenges with far wiser judgment and perspective.

Biden, who boldly fought for and won the presidency, was handed what can be called the hottest of hot messes. He has done a magnificent job, yet any little thing will feed the narrative that he has issues with his mental acuity. Take a recent news conference, where, showing respect for the press, the president returned to the podium to respond to a question about Gaza. But because he is deeply concerned by impossible conditions and suffering at our southern border, he offers the name of the Egyptian president but misidentifies the border with Mexico. Why doesn’t this make complete sense? Put differently: How many times does a parent juggling countless responsibilities, and who obviously knows who his children are, look at one child and call another’s name?

SaraKay Smullens

Philadelphia

To The Philadelphia Inquirer, February 19, 2024