Regarding the Feb. 11 front-page article “Portrayal of Biden’s memory stuns aides”:
Most Americans want to use our talents and abilities to make things better, to leave this world better than we found it. At some point, age will slow us all down. Those lucky enough, like Mr. Biden, to keep going at 81 or 91 or 101 have an obligation to use the gift of experience to help others, to make things better.
In nine months, a decision will have to be made by the voters of this country. It probably will be between an 81-year-old man of good character and a 78-year-old man of questionable character. Both have a track record, and there are few secrets. The voters must decide which of these two is using the gifts bestowed on him to make things better or worse. The answer should be pretty clear.
Michael J. Makara, Mays Landing, N.J.
At first, I couldn’t imagine how President Biden could forget the date of his son’s death — there must be some dementia going on. And then I realized that I often struggle to remember the date that my own son died, even though it was just three years ago and I continue to think of him and grieve many times a day.
I remember that he died a year after the pandemic started, just a few weeks after the death of Rep. Jamie Raskin’s son, Tommy, who, like my son, was a strong advocate for animal rights in Maryland. So that’s how I calculate the year: Tommy died a week before the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol. I can never remember the date, I just remember it was a Saturday morning in January when we got the call from the embassy and my life was forever changed.
I can honestly say that his death is the most important event in my life, but remembering what day or even what year it happened doesn’t come easy.
Dona Sauerburger, Gambrills
Special counsel Robert K. Hur has done a disservice by claiming President Biden’s memory is connected to aging. Mr. Hur is not a memory expert. Age is hardly the only possible explanation for Mr. Biden’s memory and word retrieval issues. Studies have shown there is a correlation between stuttering and working memory. And Mr. Biden has lived with a stutter. Surely there is a stuttering expert who could evaluate Mr. Biden.
Opening a dialogue would be a great way to bring awareness to the complex issues people with stutters face. But neither Mr. Hur nor The Post is qualified to assume that the president’s alleged memory issues are attached to his age. And it is irresponsible to suggest they are.
The president has always claimed he is an advocate for the millions of Americans who must cope with the misunderstood and maligned condition of stuttering. Maybe he could step up now. I, for one, would respect such a bold and courageous move.
Jo Trafford, Portland, Maine
