RESOLVED: President Joseph Biden Probably Has Dementia

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Description

TOPIC:

President Joseph R. Biden of the United States of America Probably Has Dementia

STANCES:

PRO must only argue that President Biden probably has dementia.

CON must only argue that President Biden probably does not have dementia.

DEFINITIONS:

The following will determine the definitions for this debate:

All terms shall first be defined from MedicineNet's Medical Dictionary available here:
https://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/alphaidx.asp?p=a_dict

And if MedicineNet's Medical Dictionary cannot provide a definition, then Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary available at merriam-webster.com will be used for all other words.

Dementia is defined as: Significant loss of intellectual abilities, such as memory capacity, that is severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning.

Probably is defined as: insofar as seems reasonably true.

RULES:

By participating in this debate, PRO and CON agree to adhere to the following rules:

1. Use of logical fallacies are strictly prohibited. Any logical fallacy that exists in this Wikipedia page: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_fallacies is banned from the debate. All logical fallacies shall be defined according to this Wikipedia webpage. Any deliberate usage of a logical fallacy results in immediate forfeiture and admittance of defeat. Accidental usage can be rectified by not using the fallacy again and moving on with the debate.

2. The rules and definitions of logic shall come from the webpage https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aristotelian_logic, and not Merriam Webster's online Dictionary or any other Wikipedia page. This debate shall be governed by the laws of logic, meaning burden of proof is required by both parties.

3. Usage of any propaganda technique, as defined, outlined, and explained in this Wikipedia webpage, as an argument is banned:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Propaganda_techniques

4. Usage of any compliance technique, as defined, outlined, and explained in this Wikipedia webpage, as an argument is banned:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compliance_gaining

5. The rules of grammar and proper English shall come from Grammarbook.com available here: https://www.grammarbook.com/ and they will be followed strictly. Deliberate attempts to use gibberish English result in forfeiture of debate by the person who committed the action.

6. Using definitions from any source or definition not already supplied and properly used within the rules arising from this description is banned, UNLESS there is not already a definition for either the specific word or root word(s) with which a definition may be constructed, in the approved sources.

7. For the purposes of this debate, evidence shall be defined by "something that furnishes proof," and "proof" shall be defined as "the process or an instance of establishing the validity of a statement especially by derivation from other statements in accordance with principles of reasoning" statement shall be defined as "a report of facts or opinions." Opinions shall not be substituted for facts and facts shall not be substituted for opinions. And facts are inherently superior to opinions.

8. Sources are weighted according to their satisfaction of the Burden of Proof, with primary sources better satisfying the burden of proof than secondary and tertiary sources, all of which are defined by this webpage: https://crk.umn.edu/library/primary-secondary-and-tertiary-sources

9. Both PRO and Con agree to debating in good faith as per Merriam Webster's Online Dictionary Definition: "honesty or lawfulness of purpose." With lawfulness deriving from definition 1b for lawful: "constituted, authorized, or established by law." Both PRO and CON agree these debate rules and all else contained in this description are the law for the debate.

10. Voters agree to vote in favor of the party that was second to violate the rules, e.g. the first person to violate these rules shall be penalized by voters voting that the first person to violate the rules lost the debate.

Round 1

09.21.2022 05:04PM

Pro

OPENING STATEMENT:

Thanks to Lair77 for accepting this debate.

My argument will be based on proving Biden exhibits the symptoms of someone with Dementia, thereby making it probable that Biden has dementia.

To start, I shall use the qualifications outlined in MedicineNet, to stay in accordance with the debate rules: "Criteria for the diagnosis of dementia include impairment of attention, orientation, memory, judgment, language, motor and spatial skills, and function." [22]

The diagnosis of dementia, due to the rules of this debate, is based on the above criteria, since it is included in the definition of Dementia. Therefore, to diagnose Biden with probable dementia, I must adhere to these criteria or my diagnosis of probable dementia (Note: remember that, where MedicineNet does not define a term, Merriam Websters becomes the supplier of a definition. If I used Merriam Websters for a definition, it is likely because it was not in MedicineNet's dictionary).

ATTENTION:

Attention means, according to definition 1a: "the act or state of applying the mind to something." [3]

MedicineNet's article on dementia that was supplied by their definition explains that Moderately Severe Impairment from dementia includes:

Increased memory loss
Confusion about location or previous events
Trouble with less challenging mental math
Needing help with selecting appropriate wardrobe [27]

Under Severe Impairment, MedicineNet states:

Needing assistance when getting dressed
Needing assistance when using the restroom
Wondering [sic] and getting lost
Unable to recall names of loved-ones or caregivers
Sleep disturbances
Changes in personality (paranoia or hallucinations) [27]

Biden shows his complete inability to apply his mind to tasks given to him, especially showing confusion about location and events. Examples include:

Biden incoherently ranted in garbled sentence structure about the moon landing, aliens, and the education system when talking about vaccine efficacy [5]
Biden has difficulty paying attention to the teleprompter. Reads "repeat the line" out loud and then repeats the line. [23]
Biden forgets the way to the White House and walks toward a forest, despite Secret Service agents telling him which direction to go. The Secret Service agents seem confused and worried.[8]
Biden forgets what he is doing and chases an Ice Cream Truck in the middle of a press conference. Jill Biden had to go flag him down and bring him back. [25]
Biden shakes an invisible man's hand and turns behind him to nobody being there and greets this crowd of invisible people. [7]

ORIENTATION:

Orientation is defined in definition 1a as: the act or process of orienting or of being oriented. [10]

MedicineNet's explainer article for Dementia cited above says Very Severe Impairment from dementia includes:

Loss of language skills
Loss of awareness of surroundings
Assistance when eating
Unable to control urination
Loss of muscle control to smile, swallow, walk, or sit without support [27]

It is apparent Biden is having difficulty walking, moving, and performing other basic motor skill processes:

Biden trips multiple times going up the stairs to Air Force One. [11]
Biden has difficulty putting on his jacket, does not process it is due to the wind blowing, gets confused, and then drops his glasses that he apparently forgot were on his face [12]
Biden limps and hunches forward in controlled falling whenever he walks [13] [19] [20]
Biden has difficulty sitting and his body is shaking when he hands a pen to Manchin after signing a bill. He does everything incredibly slowly and has obvious difficulty being mobile [28]

MEMORY:

Memory means, according to definition 1a: "the power or process of reproducing or recalling what has been learned and retained especially through associative mechanisms" [24]

Now, while true that many seniors occasionally have bouts of forgetfulness, Dementia.org notes that people with dementia will also experience "Significant declines in short-term memory, such as an inability to remember recent conversations or events." And these "are not a normal sign of aging and can indicate dementia." [18}

Recall MedicineNet's article on dementia patients and note it includes increased memory loss as a symptom. Furthermore, as cited above under Very Severe Impairment, MedicineNet's article states that "loss of awareness of surroundings" is a criterion for Very Severe Impairment from dementia. [27]

Biden has displayed multiple telltale signs of dementia-level forgetfulness and difficulty remembering surroundings:

Biden forgets where he is and goes to shake hands with an invisible person [7]
Biden completely forgets he is at an event and walks around confused and fearful [9]
Biden forgot his train of thought mid-sentence multiple times during a press conference [26]
Biden forgets he is signing a bill and looks confused at people clapping [28]
Biden forgets he is at a Press Conference mid-sentence and tries to laugh it off as a joke [15]
Biden forgets about Kamala Harris being in the room [16]

LANGUAGE:

Language, as defined by definition 1b2 is: a systematic means of communicating ideas or feelings by the use of conventionalized signs, sounds, gestures, or marks having understood meanings. [1]

Recall that, in the MedicineNet explainer article for dementia, a person with Very Severe Impairment from dementia will exhibit "loss of language skills." [27]

Biden has exhibited multiple severe losses of language skills during speeches and press conferences. Some examples include:

Biden fails to put together a complete sentence and forgets what he is answering [14]
The previously-cited moon-landing-aliens-education rant when talking about vaccine efficacy [5]
Biden defines America as "ASUFUTIMAEHAEHFUTBW" then loses his train of thought. [6]
Biden forgets his own train of thought and switches to another one, but can't put the sentence together [29]
Biden fails to speak what is outlined in his notes [30]
Biden completely loses train of thought and cannot put together a sentence from the notes on his cheat sheet. [31]
Biden having difficulty answering a question about him being called "Slow Joe." [32]

MOTOR AND SPATIAL SKILLS:

Loss of motor skills was succinctly covered under Orientation, here I shall show that Biden has severe difficulty with spatial problems. Spatial skills has no definition in either dictionary, so, in accordance with the debate rules, I shall deduce a root definition from Merriam Webster.

Spatial definition 2 means: of, relating to, or involved in the perception of relationships (as of objects) in space. [2]

Skills definition 2 means: a learned power of doing something competently : a developed aptitude or ability [3]

So, taken together, spatial skills means: a learned power of competently perceiving the relationships of objects in space.

Biden has shown limited abilities to perform this type of reasoning:

The Biden jacket and glasses fiasco mentioned earlier [12]
Biden forgets to completely unlatch his foot before getting off his bike [33]

FUNCTION:

Function means in Definition 3: any of a group of related actions contributing to a larger action. especially: the normal and specific contribution of a bodily part to the economy of a living organism. [34]

More specific for dementia, MedicineNet's explainer article says "In general, dementia is characterized by impaired intellectual functioning that interferes with daily activities or personal relationships." [27]

The preponderance of evidence above shows that Biden has a severe limit in his daily activities. His brain is not contributing to his body's everyday function, and as a result, Biden is not functioning optimally. Therefore, it is probable that Dementia is causing a severe limitation of function, which falls inline with this probable diagnosis.

CONCLUSION:

Through a preponderance of examples given, Biden has demonstrably exhibited the signs of Dementia, meaning it is probable that Biden is experiencing a particular stage of Dementia. With the MedicineNet definition and explainer article included as a baseline for diagnosing Dementia, it is probable that Biden has a severe to very severe case of Dementia based on his exhibiting the signs repeatedly in multiple public press conferences and appearances.

"Probably" as already defined in the definitions section of the description includes the idea of a "reasonably" component. Reasonably is defined in definition 1a as "being in accordance with reason." [35] And "reason" means "a sufficient ground of explanation or of logical defense" [4]

To have a sufficient argument, according to the debate rules, means to furnish burden of proof using primary sources as the highest standard of evidence. I have furnished many examples that show, in real time, through live events preserved in YouTube videos devoid of selective editing tactics, that President Joseph Biden clearly and contextually exhibits the signs of Dementia, meaning my argument, as supplied, fits the definition for probable.

SOURCES:

In comments.

09.28.2022 05:04PM

Con

Forfeited

Round 2

10.04.2022 03:36PM

Pro

CON has forfeited Round One. Vote PRO.

I extend CON the chance to respond in the next round if he decides not to forfeit the debate.

10.11.2022 03:36PM

Con

Forfeited

Round 3

10.12.2022 11:03AM

Pro

CON has forfeited. Vote PRO.

10.19.2022 11:03AM

Con

Forfeited

10.21.2022 06:49PM

#40

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@RationalMadman

Nothing I said against TWS was a pivot.

10.21.2022 06:33AM

#39

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@Username

Read the title of the debate, then decide who is the pivoter.

10.21.2022 06:33AM

#38

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@Username

All bullies are sociopathic, all, every. Single. One.

They often do not be severe enough for long enough obviously enough to get diagnosed with ASPD or narcissism though.

10.21.2022 06:31AM

#37

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@Username

I pivoted just like you did with TWS when he stated observations of Biden.

10.20.2022 09:33PM

#36

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@Public-Choice

Fair enough. I guess I tend to operate under the default assumption that someone is not abnormal in X way, even in the absence of evidence that that is the case. But that's more colloquial than logical.

10.20.2022 08:22PM

#35

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@Username

Naw. It means there's no good evidence they're a narcissist. They could still be a narcissist. Your conclusion only works if there is evidence they aren't one in addition to no good evidence they are one.

But I think we both agree that Biden probably isn't a narcissist.

10.20.2022 08:19PM

#34

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@Public-Choice

I guess it's technically possible because I can't determine conclusively if anyone is a narcissist or not. But I think it's fair to say that when there's no good evidence someone is a narcissist, they're not a narcissist.

10.20.2022 08:17PM

#33

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@Username

Sorry I think I misunderstood you. I thought you were saying it's possible he is one but unlikely.

10.20.2022 08:11PM

#32

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@Public-Choice

I'm kind of confused. In this comment section I have been defending the idea that biden is not a narcissist; I don't think there's really a compelling inverse argument unless you really expand what it means to be narcissistic. I also don't have time for a debate.

I don't know, you could be right about Trump. He's very abnormal. But I'm always careful about concluding that these public figures are mentally ill.

10.20.2022 07:57PM

#31

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@Username

I'd be willing to debate you on if Biden is a narcissist. I'd want to take the negative position, that he isn't. But this debate would likely have to take place sometime two weeks from now. I am currently in two and work full time lol

But the far more interesting debate is if Trump has schizophrenia.ive actually seen people make an argument for this.

10.20.2022 07:54PM

#30

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@Username

You have a point, but even people close to Trump have described his actions and they align with narcissism. I think how he conducts his public image is in line with how a narcissist would.

But that said I do not think Trump is an evil guy. He knew Epstein but when Epstein tried to recruit st his club he threw him out and severed all ties with Epstein. He also never went to Epstein Island despite being offered multiple times, and none of Epstein's confirmed victims cound name Trump as a sexual abuser.

Moreover Trump has a history of helping black people and Jewish people who were marginalized in his day.

This doesn't mean Trump is a saint. After all, he did cheat on multiple women. But as to the rape allegations, I think only one of them holds any truly credible testimony to it, and at best it is Trump vs. the woman. I am just saying I don't think he is nearly as depraved as many other people in Washington.

10.20.2022 07:16PM

#29

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@Public-Choice

With Trump the case for narcissism is much more compelling, but even there it's unclear since he's a politician and we largely just have his public appearances and statements to go on, which may not reflect his interpersonal personality.

10.20.2022 06:18PM

#28

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@Username

It would be a fun exercise to debate if Biden is narcissistic. I personally do not think he is. I also don't think he has ASPD. You may be right that he has traits of it, though. But I am unconvinced. Some people in politics are not part of the dark triad or Machiavellian. While I do not like Biden, that doesn't mean I think he is a psychopath.

Trump is definitely a narcissist though. This much is true. But being a narcissist doesn't immediately mean they are malignant. I really don't think Trump is malignant. But he is still a narcissist.

10.20.2022 04:08PM

#27

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@RationalMadman

You are pivoting.

10.20.2022 03:59PM

#26

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@Username

Biden is incompetent as fuck. Another old fossil like Trump that cannot resist a power grab even ad dementia huts.

It is sad, blatant and the denial of it is just clinging to some blind loyalty to the wing and hatred of Trump.

The man does not just fuck up speeches, he walks the wrong way off stages such that his wife has to guide him by embracing his arm and pulling him by it. He said go brandon and smiled, in response to a sarcastic live questioner that switched tone fast to bait him, you could see his wife wince.

10.20.2022 02:14PM

#25

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@RationalMadman

An establishment politician changing their opinions on something over like years, or even being dishonest about their opinions, is an incredibly weak indicator of clinical mental disorder. I'm not aware of that much evidence that he's some kind of predator, either, though most of the accusations I've seen are stupid.

If you want to say that narcissism and psychopathy are endemic to politics, that's a more defensible statement, but usually when someone accuses someone of being mentally ill that implies that they are more abnormal than their situation requires them to be. Also, there's a lot of cruel behavior in every social structure, fuck even high school. But I don't think most bullies are psychopaths.

10.20.2022 02:00AM

#24

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@Username

I definitely see narcissism and ASPD (psychopath/sociopath) traits in him.

Biden is a snake who went from being racist and making inappropriate close movements to young girls to being the barely put together man he is now, cleaner and yet clumsier with his words and moves all at once.

All politicians in the regular public eye that do not want to quit are mildly narcissistic, that is a given. It is actually a necessity for them to enjoy their otherwise stressful and shitty jobs, the eo rush from attention and the reward of seeing their opposition get worse press than them is the primary fuel that motivates them to keep going.

10.20.2022 01:50AM

#23

LOL

10.20.2022 12:57AM

#22

What's your background in psychology? Criminology?

I have an academic background in both. I've worked in law enforcement, been a background investigator for an entire county for all new potential hires.

I have the knowledge, training and experience to clearly and accurately identify those traits and attributes. Do you?

Yeah, didn't think so.

Clown.

10.20.2022 12:48AM

#21

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@TWS1405

I guess he "clearly exhibits those traits".... if you say so. But that's easy to claim, so easy an amoeba can claim it.

10.20.2022 12:32AM

#20

BWAAAHAAHAAAHAAAHAAAHAA!!!!

It's not a negative you clown.

He clearly exhibits those traits. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that, let alone a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist either.

Don't care what you think, feel or believe. The only thing that matters is what you can prove. And all you've proven is shit.

10.20.2022 12:22AM

#19

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@TWS1405

Can't really prove a negative (and I'd challenge you to prove the positive), but biden is really just an establishment politician, not really a uniquely narcissistic or psychopathic kind of person. There's no evidence to my knowledge that any patterns of grandiosity or callousness in his interpersonal life. The accusations of pedophilia don't seem credible to me, either. Obviously, you could strain to make anyone meet the diagnostic criteria for anything, but that's really not how psychiatry works. Therapists don't check boxes, they look for patterns of dysfunction that seriously affect people's lives, or people come to them with those problems.

I think your perception of the arguments people have on this site as some kind of intellectual pissing contest is kind of silly. Arguments aren't about people.

10.20.2022 12:15AM

#18

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@Username

Easy to claim, so easy an amoeba can claim it.

Takes actual emotional and intellectual intelligence to prove it.

Let's see your "guaranteed" evidence to the contrary of what I posted.

10.19.2022 11:07PM

#17

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@TWS1405

"Narcissism
Pedophilia
Delusions of grandeur
Anxiety
Anger management
Psychopathy"

I can guarantee you biden meets the criteria for 0% of these. Maybe anxiety. Everyone's anxious.

10.19.2022 12:32PM

#16

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@whiteflame

Thanks for voting!

10.18.2022 12:14PM

#15

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@whiteflame

Thanks!

whiteflame

10.17.2022 10:26PM

#14

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@Public-Choice

Yeah, will do. Same as Barney said, just let me know when the round ends.

10.17.2022 10:02PM

#13

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@Barney

Appreciate it!

Barney

10.17.2022 09:59PM

#12

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@Public-Choice

Sure thing. Please remind me once their round ends.

10.17.2022 09:57PM

#11

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@RationalMadman

@Barney

@Vader

@whiteflame

When this one ends will one of you vote on it so I don't get an automatic tie. My opponent has so far failed to respond to my round one post. If he doesn't respond in the final round it is essentially a clean sweep, and currently it also is a clean sweep, so the vote should be extremely easy and not take up too much time. I just don't want to lose a debate where my opponent forfeited it.

10.08.2022 04:02PM

#10

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@Lair77

Two days left

10.04.2022 03:38PM

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@TWS1405

The chances of having both psychopathy and narcissism are extremely low. I agree with pedophilia. Delusions of Grandeur is often a symptom of narcissism, not a separate mental illness. Anxiety is a symptom of dementia. I don't know of any proof Biden has anger management. But I do think Biden is a pedophile. I hadn't thought about the idea of him having narcissism or psychopathy in addition to that. But I'd have to guess narcissism over psychopathy. Biden exhibits empathy and emotional processing. Psychopathy is the lack of empathy in general and usually, though not always, stunted emotions.

The gross majority of Narcissists actually do have empathy and they can love, and they also can overcome much of their narcissism. Many just have a severely damaged psyche. It is a mixture of severely low self esteem but also an acknowledgement that they are not like other people, are more logical and generally smarter, and are not emotional trainwrecks (that is how many narcissists see it), but they do also have an understanding that other people are humans like them and they do love and many try to be good people, not the malignant ones. There's two types of narcissists.

A good example of the differences is Barack Obama and Donald Trump. Obama was a malignant narcissist. He only cared about his career and his fame. He didn't care who he had to hurt or use to get to the top. Trump actually cares about other people and tries to be a good person, to the extent a narcissist who hasn't accepted they are a narcissist can. But they are both narcissists.

This isn't to say Trump has never gaslighted or tried to ruin people who slighted him. He has. But the difference between malignant narcissists and non-malignant ones is the first foot they put forward. A non-malignant narcissist will often act in good faith until you slight them. A malignant one will never act in good faith to begin with. They are just using you to accomplish their purposes. Trump acts in good faith until you seriously slight him. Then he goes in for the kill. Obama rarely acted in good faith.

09.29.2022 12:04AM

Narcissism
Pedophilia
Delusions of grandeur
Anxiety
Anger management
Psychopathy

09.28.2022 10:07PM

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@TWS1405

Name one mental illness you think Biden has.

09.21.2022 10:58PM

Probably???

No, he does have dementia. Among other mental illnesses. That's crystal clear.

09.21.2022 05:04PM

Round One Sources:
[1] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/language
[2] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spatial
[3] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/skills
[4] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reason
[5] https://www.westernjournal.com/watch-biden-babbles-aliens-man-moon-asked-black-vaccine-hesitancy/
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvA-Vf0MomM
[7] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_59agcnLAj4
[8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeXW1Ys1KHg
[9] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGRxVITBGOA
[10] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/orientation
[11] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gcQrFsUFzQ
[12] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87aPi_qwL1k
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O-3fzNmsQfQ
[14] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_ex2yQJaZE
[15] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAHoul4IYMY
[16] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMjnSP0sOhM
[17] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QGRxVITBGOA
[18] https://www.dementia.org/symptoms
[19] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=woPy7K-rt3Y
[20] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWbi7B_NkaA
[21] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/judgement
[22] https://www.medicinenet.com/dementia/definition.htm
[23] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toMcQVfLCyQ
[24] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/memory
[25] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykkjjZYKwQw
[26] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ssNav3MnBg
[27] https://www.medicinenet.com/dementia_pictures_slideshow/article.htm
[28] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvqJQRmE4mg
[29] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XitWPke9kU
[30] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IrZXz_22rk
[31] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ChQvRlSzL5g
[32] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IXyrj2FR4X8
[33] https://www.youtube.com/shorts/c1aC-ixXS0o
[34] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/function
[35] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/reasonably

Barney

09.17.2022 05:33PM

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@Public-Choice

My implicit point was that probably of him having had criminal charges filed against him for it, and the media never mentioning that, are slim to none.

That said, yes, it’s weird. If it crosses into outright sexual assault would pretty much depend on how you define sexual assault. It is inappropriate, and does likely cross into harassment.