Just Leave Him the Hell Alone.
I’m not an American. I’m not a Democrat (although you all know I’m progressive). But today, none of that matters. Today, it was announced that President Joe Biden has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer that has spread to his bones. And while the press release strikes an optimistic tone, the reality is sobering, a Gleason score of 9 out of 10, with a 5 out of 5 grade. This is an aggressive cancer. No sugar-coating it.
That hit me harder than I expected. Maybe because I’ve lived this. My dad was 82 when his prostate cancer returned. It spread to his bones, then to his brain. And while every cancer story is its own cruel chapter, what broke my heart was watching the slow erosion of a brilliant mind, a man whose sharpness, empathy, and quiet wisdom were his gifts to this world.
So maybe that’s why I’m feeling emotional. Maybe that’s why I can’t stomach the inevitable onslaught that’s coming.
Because let’s be honest: does anyone actually believe Donald Trump is going to respond to this moment with anything resembling dignity? Empathy? Respect? Or will it be another all-caps tantrum, more finger-pointing, more nonsense from a man who somehow thinks yelling louder makes him smarter?
Joe Biden is not perfect. No leader is. But he has served. And he has suffered. He has given more of himself to public life, and endured more personal loss, than most of us could bear. And whether you supported him or not, maybe just for once, we could remember he’s also a human being. A husband. A father. A grandfather. A man facing down a brutal diagnosis.
Maybe just for once, we could ask the political jackals to stand down.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m just being melodramatic. Maybe this is hitting close to home. But if there was ever a moment for people to show their damn humanity, this is it.
And if Trump can’t do that? Then maybe someone should finally do us all a favour and take his damn phone away.
Update: There is a post on social media from Trumps account. It is nicely worded. It doesn’t change anything that I said above.
Nancy's Notes 