I read with interest Charles E. Kraus’ essay “Aging politicians should know when it’s time to leave stage’’ [April 23, Opinion]. While we may be of a similar age, I’m not sure I agree with his “take.” I wonder if he’s selling us old folks a little short.
Maybe it’s because I just saw 85-year-old bluesman Buddy Guy light the Moore Theatre in Seattle on fire for two hours the other night, but I have to feel that sometimes, at least, age is just a number.
I haven’t followed Sen. Dianne Feinstein, but I know that there is no one I’d like as Speaker of the House more than Rep. Nancy Pelosi. She may be 82, but she brings it every day. And President Joe Biden is no slouch either, keeping up a presidential schedule at 79. One thing for sure, the job won’t turn his hair gray.
It’s a sad fact of our existence that when we really are impaired, we seem to be the last ones to know it. No one goes around saying, “I have Alzheimer’s, cut me some slack!” But, while we can’t stop the aging process, there’s no reason we have to throw in the towel too soon.
Michael “Spider’’ Johns, Seattle