LaffyMay 18, 2023

🧵 1/...“Many described it as “frightening” to see her operating in Senate in current state:

#Feinstein [had] complications after hospitalized for shingles, some not disclosed… spread to face & neck, causing vision & balance impairments & facial paralysis known as Ramsay Hunt syndr…also brought on prev unreported case of encephalitis, rare but potentially debilitating complication”

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/18/us/politics/feinstein-illness-shingles-senate.html?smid=tw-nytimes&smtyp=cur

Feinstein Frailer Than Ever After Illness, But Unwilling to Leave Senate

Senator Dianne Feinstein, 89, whose recent bout with shingles included contracting encephalitis, is frailer than ever. But she remains unwilling to entertain discussions about leaving the Senate.

The New York Times
Show threadLaffyMay 18, 2023
2/ "Characterized by swelling of the brain, post-shingles encephalitis can leave patients with lasting memory or language problems, sleep disorders, bouts of confusion, mood disorders, headaches and difficulties walking. Older patients tend to have the most trouble recovering. And even before this latest illness, Ms. Feinstein had already suffered substantial memory issues that had raised questions about her mental capacity."
Show threadAnnietimeMay 18, 2023
@GottaLaff oh no. This is so terrible. For her and the country. Is there no one who can help her realize that it’s time to resign?
Show threadLaffy
@annietime That's all covered in the thread & article. Apparently not.
May 18, 2023 at 5:44pmWeb
Show threadAnnietimeMay 18, 2023
@GottaLaff yes I was just picking up more of the thread. Thank you for posting this. It’s an impossible situation, I’m afraid. She cognitively stuck in her perceived role unable to admit she can’t function in it. Awful. I once supervised a wonderful woman who worked as a circulation desk clerk in a public library well into her 80s. When I questioned her about the many errors in the library card applications she was responsible for, she looked at me and said (as if I should already know this), “That would be because I can’t see.” For the sake of the country there needs to be a way to remove her. 💔 Long term, Congress needs term limits pronto.
Show threadLaffyMay 18, 2023

@annietime Agree!

Dementia never improves, it only gets worse.

Show threadJustin WilliamsMay 18, 2023

@GottaLaff @annietime It's a sad state of affairs made worse by a lack of self awareness.

At this point, resigning won't do anything. That needed to happen in 2021/2.

We witnessed what will happen while she was temporarily gone. We wont have her vote and the GOP will block any effort to replace her on committees. I don't see how a permanent absence right now will resolve that conundrum.

Show threadLaffyMay 18, 2023

@jstnwill She'd be replaced. See thread. Newsom would appoint a successor

@annietime

Show threadJustin WilliamsMay 18, 2023
@GottaLaff @annietime GOP blocked any changes to committee assignments, how would a new senator get that seat filled? And the rules different?
Show threadLaffyMay 18, 2023
@jstnwill I don't know. @annietime
Show threadJustin WilliamsMay 19, 2023
@GottaLaff @annietime I think the answer might be... They can't... Which is why no one is asking her to resign anymore. But I don't personally know the committee rules. This is just what Ive been seeing argued by others.
Show threadAnnietimeMay 18, 2023
@jstnwill I see from the full thread she doesn’t have the cognitive ability to absorb that she should resign.