At what point does something like the spectacle going on right now in the halls of Congress with Dianne Feinstein become unbearable?
How about today?
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not against old people in Congress. But, if you reach a stage in which you can no longer do the work – as clearly Dianne Feinstein has – you ought to step down and let someone else take over.
Many of Nevada’s favorite U.S. senators lived to ripe old ages. None stayed in office to the point of incapacity. Harry Reid left office at 77 and lived to 81; Paul Laxalt made it to 96; Richard Bryan is 86 (and still kicking); Howard Cannon lived to the age of 90 and Pat McCarrann – you know, the guy the Vegas airport was once named for, made it to 78.
Vermont’s Sen. Bernie Sanders is 89 as is Iowa’s Sen. Charles Grassley. They appear to be in a functioning state … for now. Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, however, inexplicably froze mid speech last week (mini stroke?) and, of course, Pennsylvania’s new senator, John Fetterman, was elected with voters knowing full well he had suffered a debilitating stroke and will likely not ever fully function.
So, Sen. Feinstein isn’t the only one involved in this conversation. But Sen. Feinstein is 90 and a health collapse has robbed her of herself. She is now pushed from place to place in a wheelchair by staff, and then literally told when and how to vote.
It happened last week in an open session.
At a Senate Appropriations Committee on July 27, staff wheeled in Sen. Feinstein into her place at the hearing. When the time came to vote on a defense spending bill … she just sat there, saying neither “aye” or “nay.”
“Say aye,” Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash, said three times.
Instead, Feinstein started to read from prepared remarks, something like the scene in the movie Christmas Vacation where grandma, when asked to say grace, instead stands up at the Thanksgiving table and recites the pledge of allegiance.
It wasn’t until an aide whispered in her ear, that Feinstein stopped.
Another back-and-forth between Murray and Feinstein ensued. Feinstein then sat back and said, “aye.”
The week before, in a meeting of the Senate Judiciary Committee, a confused Feinstein mistakenly voted for a Republican amendment to a Democrat-backed Supreme Court ethics bill. Ouch.
And just a few months ago, Feinstein asked startled fellow senators why “she” – pointing to Kamala Harris – was presiding over Congress, apparently unaware her fellow Californian was, in fact, the vice president for the last 12 months.
It’s all become a French farce. Everyone knows Sen. Feinstein is no longer “au courant,” to put it nicely. Yet, we carry on because this once great senator – and a classy lady, if I might say so – cannot resign.
Why? Well, there’s an ugly story behind that question.
If she resigned before her term ends in 2024, California Gov. Gavin Newsom would name a replacement, and he’s pledged, come hell or highwater, to appoint a Black woman.
Nancy Pelosi and the white liberal power structure in California want Feinstein’s replacement to be California Rep. Adam Schiff. In case you have not noticed, Schiff is anything but Black or female (although in California I guess you never really know).
So, California carries on this cruel game of elder abuse.
It’s sad for all concerned.
BOY SCOUTS
I was sorry to read that Boy Scouts of America held its National Jamboree in Virginia last month and attendance was severely down. The organization has lost half its membership since 2019. A stunning turn of events for a once great organization.
ONE MORE THING
– Wherever you go, there you are. Your luggage is another story.
– If there is no self, whose arthritis is this?
– Why are you “in” a movie, but “on” TV?
Thanks for reading and for once again putting up with my awful jokes. Don’t pretend you don’t look forward to them, however. So, until next week, avoid knuckleheads, laugh a little and always question authority.
“Properly Subversive” is commentary written by Sherman R. Frederick, a Nevada Hall of Fame journalist and co-founder of Battle Born Media, a news organization dedicated to the enhancement and preservation of community newspapers. You can reach him by email at shermfrederick@gmail.com.
