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- Jun 15, 2019
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Let me first off say out front, I have a stutter. I was diagnosed at age 5 and went through at least 13 years of speech therapy. Biden has been a spokesperson for the NSA -- National Stuttering Association -- and was their featured speaker at the annual convention in 2004. Don't believe me, look at this link: Joe Biden | Stuttering Foundation: A Nonprofit Organization Helping Those Who Stutter
It is important that it is not just about repeating words, it's about the ability to put together a coherent sentence without stumbling on them. At times, when a stutterer has a block -- as in, cannot say the word at all -- they try to find an alternative, and sometimes the off-the-top-of-the-head word is awkward. There are many things in life, which can trigger a stutter or speech impediment. Things like saying your name, ordering food at a restaurant or cafe, public speaking, asking a girl/guy out on a date, reading out loud, and being in a stressful or time-based situation. And it is also important to understand, there's no cure for it, per say. All what you can do is develop techniques to minimize it.
Without a doubt, Biden has made many gaffes over the years. But I contribute most to all of them to his speech impediment. Biden is being asked to do a lot of public speaking under high stakes situations. Every sentence is not going to come out crisp and clear, and this is true for any politician. I'll give some examples. Earlier in the campaign, people were criticizing Biden for "forgetting" Obama's name, when really, he couldn't say the word "Obama" and said "my boss" instead. Recently there was an incident where he tried to say "We hold these truths to be self-evident" and then appeared to have forgotten the rest of the quote, when in reality, he simply couldn't say the rest.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying "don't criticize Joe Biden" or treat him as a precious snowflake. But the criticisms that he's "senile" or that his "gaffes" are a reflection of his intelligence are out of bounce, and quite frankly cruel. The big thing the NSA has been doing, and trying to argue that intelligence and the ability to put together a clean sentence are not connected. You can be smart and competent and be disfluent.
Now if this "bothers" you, by all means vote for Trump or the guy who has a boot on his head. I think for the most part, he's done a pretty job. He's almost won the nomination and has a great shot at winning the presidency.
It is important that it is not just about repeating words, it's about the ability to put together a coherent sentence without stumbling on them. At times, when a stutterer has a block -- as in, cannot say the word at all -- they try to find an alternative, and sometimes the off-the-top-of-the-head word is awkward. There are many things in life, which can trigger a stutter or speech impediment. Things like saying your name, ordering food at a restaurant or cafe, public speaking, asking a girl/guy out on a date, reading out loud, and being in a stressful or time-based situation. And it is also important to understand, there's no cure for it, per say. All what you can do is develop techniques to minimize it.
Without a doubt, Biden has made many gaffes over the years. But I contribute most to all of them to his speech impediment. Biden is being asked to do a lot of public speaking under high stakes situations. Every sentence is not going to come out crisp and clear, and this is true for any politician. I'll give some examples. Earlier in the campaign, people were criticizing Biden for "forgetting" Obama's name, when really, he couldn't say the word "Obama" and said "my boss" instead. Recently there was an incident where he tried to say "We hold these truths to be self-evident" and then appeared to have forgotten the rest of the quote, when in reality, he simply couldn't say the rest.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying "don't criticize Joe Biden" or treat him as a precious snowflake. But the criticisms that he's "senile" or that his "gaffes" are a reflection of his intelligence are out of bounce, and quite frankly cruel. The big thing the NSA has been doing, and trying to argue that intelligence and the ability to put together a clean sentence are not connected. You can be smart and competent and be disfluent.
Now if this "bothers" you, by all means vote for Trump or the guy who has a boot on his head. I think for the most part, he's done a pretty job. He's almost won the nomination and has a great shot at winning the presidency.
