By John Q. Hosedrinker Trump lied, as he always does. It’s become the norm, and we’ve accepted his deception as part of his character. We know what to expect from him, and his supporters are unwavering in their loyalty. The focus on Trump’s lies seems almost redundant because it’s like beating a dead horse. We know he lies, we know he’s a fraudster, we know he’s a felon. It’s all par for the course.
But what about Biden? Why is the world suddenly fixated on his performance at the debate? Why are we honing in on his moments of being “tongue-tied”? Well, maybe it’s because we hold Biden to a higher standard. We were told for years that he was fit, competent, the best bet to win in 2024. We expected a certain level of coherence and clarity from him, and what we saw at the debate was far from that. It wasn’t just about being “tongue-tied”; it was about seeing signs of cognitive decline, of confusion, of frailty.
When we see someone we love, respect, and admire start to show signs of aging and decline, it’s jarring. It’s unsettling. It’s like watching a family member struggling with memory loss or dementia. We can’t just turn a blind eye to it. We can’t pretend it’s not happening. It’s a stark reminder of mortality, of the passage of time, of the inevitability of aging.
Sure, Trump lying is nothing new. It’s almost expected at this point. But Biden’s struggles at the debate were a wake-up call. They were a moment of realization that maybe our hopes and expectations were misplaced. Maybe we put too much faith in a man who is facing the inevitable effects of time.
The focus on Biden’s performance isn’t about downplaying Trump’s lies or misdeeds. It’s about coming to terms with the reality that our savior, our beacon of hope, may not be as strong or sharp as we thought. It’s about acknowledging and grappling with the fact that our idealized image of Biden may be crumbling before our eyes.
So, why is the world fixated on Biden’s struggles at the debate? Because it’s a stark reminder of our own mortality, our own vulnerabilities, our own fears of decline. It’s a moment of introspection, of reckoning, of facing the harsh truth that even our heroes may falter and fade. And that, my friends, is why we can’t look away from Biden’s stumbling, from his moments of being “tongue-tied.” Because in those moments, we see ourselves reflected back, and it’s a difficult, uncomfortable truth to confront. Your response terribly neglects the fact that Trump’s continued deceit and behavior must be accounted for and addressed even if it’s become normalized. Giving more weight to Biden’s performance as though it’s more crucial or significant is misguided. It’s not just about confronting our vulnerabilities or mortality through Biden’s lapses; it’s about ensuring accountability and understanding that both candidates’ actions matter. This is especially important in a political landscape where integrity, honesty, and coherence are paramount. The focus should not solely be on personal reflection but on broader implications and responsibilities for those in positions of power and influence. It’s crucial to maintain a balanced perspective and not overlook the ongoing issues of dishonesty and unethical behavior that continue to shape our political discourse.