Comments on: American Competency Testing http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/ Reality-based political commentary Wed, 06 May 2026 04:08:41 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202815 nypoet22 Wed, 03 May 2023 18:42:52 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202815 @caddy, which ones do you find difficult? i've always had more trouble with the kind of question that has many possible right answers, especially when some right answers are considered more right than others. @caddy,

which ones do you find difficult? i've always had more trouble with the kind of question that has many possible right answers, especially when some right answers are considered more right than others.

]]> By: MtnCaddy http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202814 MtnCaddy Wed, 03 May 2023 17:00:39 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202814 Not a lot of easy questions in there, and I consider myself well informed. Yes, us native-born Muricans don’t have to know this stuff but Mezzomomma’s idea [12] is excellent! Good column, Chris. Not a lot of easy questions in there, and I consider myself well informed. Yes, us native-born Muricans don’t have to know this stuff but Mezzomomma’s idea [12] is excellent! Good column, Chris.

]]> By: Mezzomamma http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202813 Mezzomamma Wed, 03 May 2023 10:38:51 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202813 Regarding Feinstein, I've just heard the Democratic committee co-chair Sheldon Whitehouse say that even if she were to resign from the committee or from the senate, Republicans could and would still block any proposed replacement, leaving the same situation. So the problem is still the Republicans more than Feinstein. (Even though I think she should have stepped down rather than stand the last time.) Regarding Feinstein, I've just heard the Democratic committee co-chair Sheldon Whitehouse say that even if she were to resign from the committee or from the senate, Republicans could and would still block any proposed replacement, leaving the same situation. So the problem is still the Republicans more than Feinstein. (Even though I think she should have stepped down rather than stand the last time.)

]]> By: Mezzomamma http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202811 Mezzomamma Wed, 03 May 2023 04:42:10 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202811 Wouldn't it be a good idea for a debate or town hall moderator to start the event by putting say 3 questions picked at random from the list to each candidate or office holder? Wouldn't it be a good idea for a debate or town hall moderator to start the event by putting say 3 questions picked at random from the list to each candidate or office holder?

]]> By: nypoet22 http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202810 nypoet22 Wed, 03 May 2023 03:31:28 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202810 I'd pass. Question 2 is pretty open ended though, the constitution does quite a few things. I'd pass. Question 2 is pretty open ended though, the constitution does quite a few things.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202809 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 03 May 2023 03:21:34 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202809 She certainly isn't doing her legacy any favours. She certainly isn't doing her legacy any favours.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202808 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 03 May 2023 03:17:31 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202808 I think there is definitely something wrong with DiFi's mental competency because, given all of the pertinent circumstances, she should have resigned by now. I think there is definitely something wrong with DiFi's mental competency because, given all of the pertinent circumstances, she should have resigned by now.

]]> By: andygaus http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202807 andygaus Wed, 03 May 2023 03:01:06 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202807 I said the question is a fair one to ask. You put answers in my mouth. I said the question is a fair one to ask. You put answers in my mouth.

]]> By: andygaus http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202806 andygaus Wed, 03 May 2023 03:00:01 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202806 I didn't say that Biden was incompetent. In fact, he's done a good job. I didn't say that Biden was incompetent. In fact, he's done a good job.

]]> By: andygaus http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202805 andygaus Wed, 03 May 2023 02:56:49 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202805 Is it ageism to say that Dianne Feinstein's mental faculties are severely diminished, and in a way that doesn't usually happen to people in their sixties? Is it ageism to say that Dianne Feinstein's mental faculties are severely diminished, and in a way that doesn't usually happen to people in their sixties?

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202804 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 03 May 2023 02:56:26 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202804 Let's stop talking about how old anyone is and start discussing what really matters. Let's stop talking about how old anyone is and start discussing what really matters.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202803 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 03 May 2023 02:55:06 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202803 No, you are just showing classic signs of ageism. No one is under the spotlight more than the president of the United States. If you can't tell without asking if he is competent or not, then the problem lies with YOU and your ageism. No, you are just showing classic signs of ageism. No one is under the spotlight more than the president of the United States.

If you can't tell without asking if he is competent or not, then the problem lies with YOU and your ageism.

]]> By: andygaus http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202802 andygaus Wed, 03 May 2023 02:51:07 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202802 No, ageism is not where you ask the question, it's where you presume to know the answer without asking or testing. Statistics show that most people drive a car pretty well up to about age 75. After that, some people drive as well as ever and others start to deteriorate. Testing older drivers is not an unreasonable thing to do. Denying them licenses because they're too old would be ageism. Many people show signs of mental decline after 85. Others are as sharp as ever. Asking whether a president might be in the first group or the second group is only prudent. No, ageism is not where you ask the question, it's where you presume to know the answer without asking or testing. Statistics show that most people drive a car pretty well up to about age 75. After that, some people drive as well as ever and others start to deteriorate. Testing older drivers is not an unreasonable thing to do. Denying them licenses because they're too old would be ageism. Many people show signs of mental decline after 85. Others are as sharp as ever. Asking whether a president might be in the first group or the second group is only prudent.

]]> By: Elizabeth Miller http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202800 Elizabeth Miller Wed, 03 May 2023 01:38:33 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202800 That's just ageism, no matter how you slice it, andygaus. That's just ageism, no matter how you slice it, andygaus.

]]> By: andygaus http://www.chrisweigant.com/2023/05/02/american-competency-testing/#comment-202799 andygaus Wed, 03 May 2023 00:37:02 +0000 http://www.chrisweigant.com/?p=23504#comment-202799 You didn't include the answers, but I think I could have become a citizen, even if I hadn't gotten myself born in Indianapolis.I think I could also pass the cognitive competency test, since I can say, "Person, woman, man, camera, TV."More seriously, I'm sure Biden would pass the citizenship test, and I'm not sure Trump would, but that would not be enough to allay concerns that both candidates are too old and showing some signs of declining sharpness. Feinstein would probably also pass the test, but that doesn't mean her mental acuity at this point is sufficient for her to continue in office.Frankly, though I hate to say it, I think Nikki Haley is right. Even though I'm 76 myself, I think 75 is a reasonable age to start asking questions, and so does my hippopotamus. You didn't include the answers, but I think I could have become a citizen, even if I hadn't gotten myself born in Indianapolis.I think I could also pass the cognitive competency test, since I can say, "Person, woman, man, camera, TV."More seriously, I'm sure Biden would pass the citizenship test, and I'm not sure Trump would, but that would not be enough to allay concerns that both candidates are too old and showing some signs of declining sharpness. Feinstein would probably also pass the test, but that doesn't mean her mental acuity at this point is sufficient for her to continue in office.Frankly, though I hate to say it, I think Nikki Haley is right. Even though I'm 76 myself, I think 75 is a reasonable age to start asking questions, and so does my hippopotamus.

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