It’s past midnight. I am actually nervously analyzing the President’s vocal and physical cues in all the most recent footage I can find of him to assess any symptoms of substance abuse and/or mental illness. I swear. I feel certain any of my friends who are not Republican would not find me paranoid for doing this.
I never thought I’d see the day.
I’m not just talking about longstanding mental disorders that many have long felt confident about pointing out — like narcissism. I’m trying to figure out if there’s anything acute about to present.
I feel like his rhetoric has always been goddam alarming and that of a wannabe dictator. But recent events show a sharp decline in his decision-making. (I realize that sounds like a massive understatement in light of his incredible troop withdrawal from northern Syria, and its consequences … maybe I’m just trying to be dispassionate here.)
People sometimes say that he slurs his words; I, in all honesty, have discerned that only once. (It was a while ago; I can’t remember where he was — maybe it was a CPAC speech?)
His body language today was different. He doesn’t look good. His face occasionally looks bloated to me, and today he seemed tired.
So much of what comes out of his mouth is crazy, but that’s been true from the start. So … maybe I should be less worried, given his “baseline?” That seems like false comfort.
I keep reminding myself that he’s 73 years old.
I am genuinely worried.
I’m sorry that this is such a rambling post … I guess this is just sort of a stream of consciousness tonight.