unicorn

When going to Europe, we take a late afternoon flight, then some hypnotics and booze so we can sleep on our way there, arriving in the morning in Europe. 2 days of methylphenidate in the morning will keep up us during our first couple of days. On the way back, noonish flight from Europe gets us at LAX after rush hour. Just stay up until evening-time, and conked out until morning. Rarely need drugs on the way back to Los Angeles.

Not with my current preferred carrier, American Airlines. Since I lived in the SF Bay Area, I used to fly primarily with United, and was in the 2nd highest elite tier with them, when I was actually seated in the seat for which I had the boarding pass. Before the flight took off, a flight attendant told me to get up, as I was being moved to another seat (further back in the plane). When I asked why she responded "I don't have to tell you," to which I answered "And I don't have to fly United again." I never flew United again, and am now a Million Miler™ with American Airlines, and have had Executive Platinum status with them for the last several years. I take my hubbie with me, of course. I have occasionally flown with Delta or Alaska since dumping United. For example, when we went to Iceland, Delta and United, but not American, fly to KEF, so we went on Delta, and went we to Alaska last month we flew Alaska Airlines from Burbank to Victoria, and then back from Fairbanks to Burbank. That incident with United wasn't the first time their flight attendants had been rude with me (not due to anything I did), but it was the straw which broke my willingness to keep flying with them. I will add that the ticket I had on United was a regular ticket I purchased on their website (not Priceline, etc.), and I had no interactions with any of the other staff or passengers on the plane, so it was definitely not anything I'd done.

I remember a taxi driver probably tried to trick us when we were leaving our hotel in Ipanema for the airport. We asked the driver to take us to the airport, and he asked "Dumont?", a small domestic airport which he must have known was not our destination. Fortunately, I knew the name of the international airport, so I said "Não, Aeroporto do Galeão." As for airplane tickets, in the US at least you have 24 hours to correct your mistake for a full refund. That being said, one has to check everything very carefully, especially connection times, and so on. When airlines send updated flight info by e-mail, once again has to be very careful in reviewing these, including connection times. If the connection is too tight, you have the right to ask for rebooking to different flights, with no additional charge. You also have to review your seat selection online as well, as you may be mysteriously moved out of your chosen exit row seats, etc.

Well, the second she said "I take full responsibility" is the second she needed to resign. Had she said "I asked for more funding, to allow for more staff, but my requests were denied," or some other exculpatory statement, then it would require more investigation. When she admitted the fault lay squarely on her shoulders, she had to resign. That was pretty straight-forward, in my view.

Dude, you constantly use insulting language when arguing with others, and definitely not just with me. Calling someone a "right wing crank" is not said with the intention of toning things down. When @Moses chimed in, you deflected around Putin's atrocities, which have nothing to do with this string, nor of anything he was saying. I don't expect someone who isn't a physician, RN, or PA-C to know, but one cannot "test negative" for Alzheimer's, or any other form of dementia. It's not like you can tell someone you had a negative blood test for syphilis, or a positive urine test for gonorrhea. As I've mentioned previously, the diagnosis has to be based on the patient's past and current behavior. The MOCA questionnaire is a tool that can sometimes assist in making the diagnosis, but it's certainly neither necessary nor sufficient for the diagnosis. It works very poorly, for example, for those with IQ's under 100 or over 140. One item in the test asks someone to subtract 7 from 100 (and keep going). Well, I've had patients who dropped out of school in the 4th grade and were never able to hold down a job. They'll do very poorly on that test, so one has to go by other clues. Therefore, anyone who says that he or someone else "tested negative" for dementia is merely trying to deceive. In the last year or two of his Presidency, Reagan was clearly stumbling over his words, saying some pretty silly stuff (as Trump and Biden are doing now). This was a clearly observable change, and solid evidence of a significant loss of cognitive function. I certainly wasn't the only person to notice. The fact that he or his family only chose to share the diagnosis years later is certainly not evidence the illness wasn't present earlier. Reagan pointedly stayed out of the public eye after leaving office, probably for good reason. It may very well be that Biden has not been diagnosed with Parkinson's. However, I can't imagine that he hasn't been diagnosed with something, and if it's not Parkinson's, it's probably something far worse. His neurological deficits are quite obvious. Today's "Candorville" strip hit it on the nose:

Your friends agree with you P.S. Carnac the magnificent predicts that the diagnosis will be made public within the next few years. He also predicts you won't admit what a fool you were in this string.

Then it's really very simple. You said that I said Biden had Parkinson's. That was a lie. Be a man, admit it, and apologize. Oh, but you're not a man. Sorry. (While the letter is irrelevant to the fact that you lied, you're one of the few people dumb enough to take it at face value. Do you really believe all of the stupid shit Trump's doctor says?)

This is a lie, since you keep bringing it up. I cannot know for certain his diagnosis, obviously, since I don't have access to his medical records. His movements are definitely consistent with PD (which is common at his age), but could also represent Lewy Body Dementia (which is quite similar), Progressive Supranuclear Palsy, or other conditions. What I can say, with almost complete certainty, is that he doesn't have "no diagnosis," as you claim (without access to Biden's medical records).

I knew you wouldn't apologize about your lie when you stated that I knew Biden had Parkinson's, when I didn't make that statement. You're just being you. Only you have the arrogance to claim to know the unknowable (namely, Biden's medical records). At least I have the honesty to acknowledge when I'm making inferences about what is known. And only you are foolish enough to believe unsubstantiated statements (i.e. that Biden has "no diagnosis"), when such statements are obviously contradicted by what we do know. Of course, so many people believe that the earth was created in 6 days, though the facts say otherwise.

I will admit that I was looking at the wrong place, and it looks as though I did say Biden saw the doctor 8 times. I think it's pretty obvious Biden did, although I cannot know this for a fact. What I did NOT say, is that I know Biden has Parkinson's. I doubt you're man enough apologize yourself for your lie. What I WILL say, is that if Biden does not have Parkinson's, most of the alternatives I can think of are worse. The differential diagnoses include far less treatable and more devastating neurological conditions such as PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy), Lewy Body dementia, or Alzheimer's. As for your accusation that I quote "right wing" news sources, again, only someone with his head way up his ass would believe that the New York Times is a right-wing news source. And what kind of an idiot would take as evidence the doctor's letter you keep quoting, that Biden's obvious neurological deficits have never been evaluated, and/or that the evaluation led to no diagnosis? A complete idiot is the answer--someone who, when he's losing a simple argument with @Moses, redirects to a completely and obviously irrelevant issue, namely Putin.

You are the most sublimely ridiculous poster of all time. You reproach me of using an "insulting tone," then say I sound like a "far right crank," although I've been a lifelong Democrat and have made countless posts describing Trump as the demented madman he is. Don't tell me about "facts." You're outright lying when you said that I said that Biden saw a neurologist 8 times. Although he probably has, what I said was that a Parkinson's specialist visited the White House 8 times. Yes, it's probably true that this specialist evaluated Biden. The press secretary's preposterous story insinuating that this specialist might be treating "military personnel who work on the grounds" is something only a jackass would believe, since having Parkinson's (or even symptoms consistent with it) would disqualify anyone from military service. As for my statement that a Parkinson's specialist visited the White House 8 times in less than a year has been reported by multiple news organizations--a story only someone who's had his head up his ass for the last week or so could have missed. I obviously do not know for a fact that Biden has Parkinson's--it's unlikely that more than a few know what diagnosis or diagnoses he has, other than his physicians, the POTUS himself, and maybe his wife, all of whom are bound to silence. What I can say, as has been documented in recent videos, is that his gait, posture, and facial expressions are similar to those seen in people with Parkinson's. For all I know, he could have something else, such as progressive supranuclear palsy, or simply Alzheimer's (or something else entirely). There is ample documentation of the 8 White House visits, which, fortunately, cannot be faked: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/parkinsons-expert-visited-white-house-8-times-8/story?id=111754494 "An expert on Parkinson's disease visited the White House eight times over an eight-month span between last July and March of this year, including one visit with the president's personal physician, according to White House visitor logs. The doctor, Kevin Cannard, is a neurologist and "movement disorders specialist" who works at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. According to the logs, prior to July 2023 he had visited the White House only once -- in November 2022. The White House would not confirm if he was advising on the president's personal care, saying only in a statement "a wide variety of specialists from the Walter Reed system visit the White House complex to treat thousands of military personnel who work on the grounds."...". What kind of an idiot would believe that suddenly in a period from July 2023 to March 2024, this specialist would somehow need to come in 8 times to treat military personnel? Note that the White House just made the insinuation regarding the military personnel, but did not deny this specialist treated Biden, which they would have no reason not to deny if it were not the case. Another source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/08/us/politics/parkinsons-expert-white-house.html#:~:text=An expert on Parkinson's disease,according to official visitor logs. "An expert on Parkinson’s disease from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center visited the White House eight times in eight months from last summer through this spring, including at least once for a meeting with President Biden’s physician, according to official visitor logs. The expert, Dr. Kevin Cannard, is a neurologist who specializes in movement disorders and recently published a paper on Parkinson’s. The logs, released by the White House, document visits from July 2023 through March of this year. More recent visits, if there have been any, would not be released until later under the White House’s voluntary disclosure policy." Please note that last sentence. In other words, we know that Dr. Cannard visited 8 times in short order up until March, but we do not know how often he's been there since March. So, in reality, he's actually probably been there more than 8 times (but never came once before November of 2022). Obviously, I cannot claim (nor have I claimed) to know his exact diagnosis. It is a lie to say that I made such a claim. However, only someone with his head in the sand, or a complete imbecile, would say there is NO evidence Biden suffers from a significant neurological condition, or that the White House could be lying. Everyone (except you) can see what's on the TV screen.

Dude, Reagan himself confirmed his diagnosis in 1994, 5 years after he left office. What's this 15 years BS? Just as Biden has doctor-patient confidentiality, so did Reagan. Obviously no doctor would confirm that before the patient was willing to share that information. Many people (myself included) suspected he had dementia (he certainly showed significant signs of cognitive decline in his last term). I don't think it will take years for Biden to share whatever his diagnosis is. And, since he's seen a neurologist 8 times over the last several months, I'm sure it's not for headaches.

Oh, I forgot. The White House Press Secretary gets her marching orders directly from Speaker Johnson! 😄😄 (Obviously it's Biden or his Chief of Staff who tell her what to say--don't be ridiculous)

Really, now. Didn't you have to take American history in school? Were you really unaware of FDR's incapacity after his stroke, or of Reagan's dementia during their last terms? It doesn't take a "vast conspiracy" to "cover up" a diagnosis. Just the same patient privacy laws which protect all of us. The whole issue regarding dementia (I suspect Biden's is Parkinsonian, though, of course, I don't have access to his medical records) is that those afflicted typically don't understand their disability, and do not appreciate their cognitive decline. Though a Parkinson's specialist visited the White House 8 times, the POTUS has a lot of power, and appears to have instructed his press secretary to lie and insinuate the doctor visited someone else. (I hope you know that press secretaries throughout history are hired as "Liars in Chief") This happens not only in the US, of course, but in other countries as well. You're old enough to remember all of those USSR General Secretaries who were absent due to "colds" (much as Biden is right now), then the news came out that the Soviet leader had died. There was also Mitterand, who also had dementia during his last term as President of the French Republic. I do agree that Congress should probably pass a law, making an exception to patient privacy laws, which would require the POTUS's physician to inform the public (or at least Congress) of any health condition which adversely affects the POTUS's ability to carry out his duties. However, such a law does not exist at this time. The POTUS can hide any diagnosis he wants, and certainly has the power to see that happen. And, yes, you are making a fool of yourself. 😉

Yes, we'd be told immediately! 😁 Biden wouldn't waste a second to inform us!

Well, you didn't admit you were factually wrong about voting for her in the 2020 primaries. That's you, but at least now you're admitting she was only on the ballot in November. Research strongly suggests VP picks only have an effect in the VP's home state (which is why Trump--or his advisors--wisely picked the Ohio Senator, from a swing state). That also makes intuitive sense. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/7/18/vance-or-harris-does-a-vp-pick-help-win-the-us-election#:~:text=In the last election%2C Biden,on Biden's popularity among voters. "Even if presidential candidates perform marginally better in their running mate’s home state, as some studies suggest, their overall national popularity seems largely unaffected. In the last election, Biden announced Harris as his VP on August 11, 2020. Based on the voting analysis platform FiveThirtyEight’s average of 2020 presidential election polls, Harris did not have a significant impact on Biden’s popularity among voters....". You sure have a wild imagination, for someone who accuses others of not paying attention to facts. And it's silly (to put it politely--rather than say stupid) to say that the election might be about Biden's ability to carry out his duties tomorrow. Obviously whoever is elected in November would have to carry out those duties until January 2029. Neither candidate fits that bill, as both are going downhill fast. It's questionable whether Biden will be able to carry on his duties until January, but I think that few people believe he'll have that capacity for 4.5 more years. The saving grace for Biden is that at least he's not a complete whacko like Trump--who God knows how he will react when he goes all paranoid, the way Biden is now, believing his best friends are plotting against him. As I've said before, my preferred candidate would be Michelle Obama, if she were to accept, since she polls the best. Also, as I've said before, I believe Klobuchar would probably have a good chance against Trump. I'm fine with Harris, who at least has a reasonable chance against Trump (which Biden does not). Also, it's silly (at best) to say that Biden hasn't been diagnosed with dementia, or Parkinsonism, or anything else. We do not have access to his medical records (for obvious reasons), so to make such a declaration is off-base. (We do know, however, that a Parkinson's specialist has come to the White House multiple times. Whether Biden is taking meds for Parkinsonism is between Biden and his physicians). Maybe you should, as you yourself suggested, just JO and watch porn. Pelosi (and myself), prefer an open nomination process, rather than automatically giving Harris the nomination: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/us/politics/nancy-pelosi-joe-biden-drop-out.html?te=1&nl=the-morning&emc=edit_nn_20240720 "Representative Nancy Pelosi of California, the former speaker, recently told her colleagues in the California delegation that if President Biden were to end his campaign she would favor the “competitive” process of an open primary rather than an anointment of Vice President Kamala Harris as the new Democratic presidential nominee...".

Stop the BS about people voting for Harris. VP's are not on any primary ballot, so it's factually incorrect, and you know it, that "they voted for her in the 2024 primary." While it is technically true that she was on the ballot in the general election in 2020, you, and everyone else, knows damn well that people vote for the candidate that they want for POTUS, and not separately for the Veep. I don't know enough about the technicalities about campaign finances (nor, I strongly suspect, do you), to know of the intricacies of campaign finance laws to know whether, if Biden steps down voluntarily, the money somehow vanishes, or gets returned to the donors. I doubt that's the case. I suspect the problem comes in if Biden refuses to step aside, as almost everyone (except you) seems to be encouraging him to do. What is clear to almost everyone (except you) is that if Biden stays in the race, the results will almost certainly be catastrophic for the Democratic Party and the US in general. I thought you knew I was a medical professional, and have correctly diagnosed dementia multiple times in my career. While it is helpful to be able to administer cognitive tests (which Biden has said he refuses to take), and also important to know that other medical conditions, such as syphilis, B12 deficiency, and hypothyroidism have been ruled out, the diagnosis is made primarily on the basis of behavioral observations, both by medical personnel and by those who know the person over time: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alzheimer's_disease#Diagnosis "...AD is usually clinically diagnosed based on the person's medical history, history from relatives, and behavioral observations...". (Note: while AD is the most common form of dementia, Biden may have Parkinsonian Dementia, or some other form entirely) When my mother developed dementia, the long-term care insurance companies sent specially-trained RN's to confirm her primary care physician's and neurologist's diagnoses. When they went to her house, her long-term house-keeper was there, and the RN asked my mother what the housekeeper's name was. My mother couldn't recall, which essentially cinched the diagnosis (especially since my mother had a Ph.D.), although she also failed the MOCA test. I'm not sure if my mother's physicians actually also administered MOCA tests. The verbal history of her behavior (calling the police to report her car stolen because she couldn't remember where she parked it, leaving the gas on in the house, and so on) was enough (in addition, of course, to ruling out other forms of dementia). As is common for those with dementia, my mother thought her loved ones, physicians, and so on, were all in a conspiracy to falsely diagnose her. This is similar to Biden, who thinks that his closest friends, including Pelosi and Obama (who chose him as his running mate), are in a similar conspiracy: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/us/politics/biden-drop-out-2024-election.html?te=1&nl=the-morning&emc=edit_nn_20240720 "...Mr. Biden has been around politics long enough to assume that the leaks appearing in the media in recent days are being coordinated to raise the pressure on him to step aside, according to people close to him. He considers Representative Nancy Pelosi, the former House speaker, the main instigator, but is irritated at Mr. Obama as well, seeing him as a puppet master behind the scenes. The friction between the sitting president and leaders of his own party so close to an election is unlike anything seen in Washington in generations — especially because the Democrats now working to ease him out were some of the allies most critical to his success over the last dozen years. It was Mr. Obama who elevated Mr. Biden from a presidential also-ran to the vice presidency, setting him up to win the White House in 2020, and it was Ms. Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer, the Senate Democratic leader, who pushed through his landmark legislative achievements...". The only two people I know who don't think Biden should step aside are Biden himself and you. Things that make you go hmmm.

Talk about needing a reality check. First of all, he only won the 2024 primaries "overwhelmingly" because there was no option. Secondly, the only person who ever "voted" for KH was Biden. Biden won the primary in 2020, and he picked a running mate. Period. You're obviously old enough (63 or 64) to know that the VP isn't elected separately. Thirdly, much new information has come to light since the primaries/caucuses took place (some as long as 6 months ago, i.e. the New Hampshire Primary), that has extreme relevance to the election. For one, it's obvious to everyone that Biden has developed marked cognitive impairment, and, what's worse, is that he lacks awareness of this disability (as is common for those afflicted with dementia). (I will note that Trump also has dementia, though not as bad, and will probably be at Biden's state in 1-2 years, and will be much more dangerous) Perhaps even more importantly, it's now obvious that Biden has almost no chance of winning, perhaps even flipping the Senate if he stays in (obvious to almost everyone except Biden). I don't know if Harris is popular enough to win against Trump, but at least there's a chance. The reality is that Biden staying in the race will lead to disaster for the US (and Biden doesn't seem to care, having said so himself).

I doubt that's true. I haven't seen the polling numbers for this person, but I'd guess that Amy Klobuchar would have a better chance, if Michelle Obama refused to step up to the plate. I suspect AK would be happy to run if nominated.

https://www.ipsos.com/en-us/only-michelle-obama-bests-trump-alternative-biden-2024 Can't we all agree that the most important goal is to defeat Trump?

I don't know if she'd accept the nomination, but for Chrissakes, why not nominate the person who has the best chance to defeat Trump? https://www.usnews.com/news/national-news/articles/2024-07-10/poll-other-democrats-outperform-biden-in-matchups-against-trump Doesn't seem that complicated.

From what I've heard, Michelle Obama has the best chance to defeat Trump. Shouldn't they pick whomever has the best chance? I wonder if she'd step up to the plate if asked.