President Biden thread

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 16, 2023

ABC News 11/15/23

Biden and Xi talk fentanyl, Taiwan, military communication and more in 4-hour meeting

biden-xi-handshake-rt-jt-231115_17000767

U.S. President Joe Biden shakes hand with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, Calif., on Nov. 15, 2023.

Quote

...For security reasons, the two leaders held the talks at a private location -- the historic Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, outside San Francisco -- near where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit is being held this week....

On fentanyl, an ultra-deadly synthetic opioid that has become pervasive in parts of the U.S., "The president basically said, 'Look, this is one of the worst drug problems the United States has ever faced,'" the official said.

A plan has been drafted between the U.S. and China in order to curb Chinese companies who produce "precursors" to fentanyl and to restrict access to necessary supplies, the official said.

The official noted that the U.S. will continue to monitor China's follow-through on these measures but touted them as important.

The official also said China has agreed to a series of steps that would allow for better communication about each country's armed forces, including what is likely to be contact between senior commanders on both sides.

Biden was very direct with Xi, according to the administration official, and Xi responded with his own concerns, such as what he called undue negativity surrounding China's ruling Communist Party.....

Chinese officials, in their own readout of the Xi-Biden meeting, said that Xi stressed that the two countries could either pursue cooperation in order to promote global order -- or could focus on their own interests over the other.

Xi also detailed how he sees China's ongoing development and modernization. According to the Chinese readout, the two countries should focus on cooperation and managing their differences rather than descending into conflict.

Xi criticized what he called U.S. efforts to suppress Chinese development, including through economic restrictions....

In a news conference after the meeting, Biden said, "I welcome the positive steps we've taken today."

Biden stressed how the U.S. and China want to find areas in which to cooperate while noting that major differences remain -- but a goal for both countries continues to be to avoid outright antagonism.

At the top of his remarks, he highlighted agreements on dealing with fentanyl and resuming military contact.

"We're taking action to significantly reduce the flow of precursor chemicals and pill presses from China to the Western Hemisphere. It's going to save lives," Biden said, "and I appreciate president Xi's commitment on this issue."

"Secondly -- and this is critically important -- we're resuming military-to-military contact, direct contacts. As a lot of you press know who follow this, it's been cut off," Biden continued. "That's been worrisome. That's how accidents happen, misunderstandings."

Going forward, Biden and Xi will "preserve and pursue high-level diplomacy ... in both directions," Biden said.

Fox News coverage

Front page:

Biden again calls Xi Jinping a 'dictator' as China vows to be 'unstoppable' in retaking Taiwan

Other link in above article.

Biden meets Xi, says there is 'no substitute' for 'face-to-face discussion' on issues facing US, China

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2023

I think the Biden and Xi meeting was more symbolic than anything. Considering they weren't even taking our calls, this handshake seen around the world is good diplomacy for both countries. Considering he just met with Putin it sends a message there. It behooves both of us to not let things deteriorate between us. My opinion is we are somewhat in a cold war with them. Especially in the Pacific. Not to mention the significant chunk of our exports that go to China.

toomuchbaloney · Nov 16, 2023

Tweety said:

I think the Biden and Xi meeting was more symbolic than anything. Considering they weren't even taking our calls, this handshake seen around the world is good diplomacy for both countries. Considering he just met with Putin it sends a message there. It behooves both of us to not let things deteriorate between us. My opinion is we are somewhat in a cold war with them. Especially in the Pacific. Not to mention the significant chunk of our exports that go to China.

Our current president and executive administration understands the association between diplomacy and symbolism. It only takes a short memory trip to our President's bombastic remarks to the UN in 2017 and the same UN crowd laughing at his hyperbolic claims in 2018 to be reminded how imperative it is. It's nice to have a president who understands diplomacy and has decades of experience at the political helm of our country. IMHO

Beerman, BSN · Nov 16, 2023

Tweety said:

I think the Biden and Xi meeting was more symbolic than anything. Considering they weren't even taking our calls, this handshake seen around the world is good diplomacy for both countries. Considering he just met with Putin it sends a message there. It behooves both of us to not let things deteriorate between us. My opinion is we are somewhat in a cold war with them. Especially in the Pacific. Not to mention the significant chunk of our exports that go to China.

Yes, symbolic only. China has already not lived up to the climate change agreement. Doubtful they'll live up to whatever deals were made yesterday.

Even more so when we know the President is compromised and lacks both the will and ability to put the screws to them.

Home Health Columnist / Guide · Nov 16, 2023

Beerman said:

Yes, symbolic only. China has already not lived up to the climate change agreement. Doubtful they'll live up to whatever deals were made yesterday.

Even more so when we know the President is compromised and lacks both the will and ability to put the screws to them.

Explain how compromised....

subee, MSN, CRNA · Nov 16, 2023

NRSKarenRN said:

Explain how compromised....

Y

Beerman said:

Yes, symbolic only. China has already not lived up to the climate change agreement. Doubtful they'll live up to whatever deals were made yesterday.

Even more so when we know the President is compromised and lacks both the will and ability to put the screws to them.

What does "putting the screws" actually mean? American companies are pulling out of China. What could speak more loudly? Their economy isn't doing well.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 16, 2023

China is a complicated issue that we've long struggled with. I'm in NC visiting family and the Republican candidate for governor is demonizing them saying "they will not buy property in NC" never mentioning China is the 2nd largest export country behind Canada to the tune of close to 7 billion dollars.

This is why no one wants to "put the screws" to China too tightly because they have a screw driver of their own.

Beerman, BSN · Nov 21, 2023

For those who don't believe Biden is suffering any kind of cognitive or physical decline significant enough to keep him from being president, what do you believe people mean when they say he's too old to be President?

https://www.reuters.com/world/us/biden-turns-81-worries-about-his-age-weigh-re-election-prospects-2023-11-20/

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 21, 2023

Beerman said:

For those who don't believe Biden is suffering any kind of cognitive or physical decline significant enough to keep him from being president, what do you believe people mean when they say he's too old to be President?

If someone doesn't believe Biden is suffering any kind of cognitive or physical decline significiant enough to keep him from being President, why would you ask them what other people are thinking? Why don't you ask people that think he's too old, why they think so?

To younger people he's old and they have preconceived agist ideas about that.

I just spent four days with my 90 year old father. We played Jeopardy and his recall was sharp, put together puzzles and had meaningful conversations. It would be agist of me to presume he wasn't cognitively capable of making important decisions as he as his entire adult life. He is however in physical decline as he has arthritis quite bad and can't do a lot of what he used to.

As a clinician I understand that as people get into those upper age brackets into their 80's there is mental and physical decline. Biden would not be immune to this and my instincts would like a younger more sharp, and fit person because we are looking at five more years. Still, he's getting things done and not slacking on his job as President. But I also know that not all are equal. Some have good genes, physical fitness and good mental abilities. I have a 63 year old friend that has dementia so bad her husband had to retire early to take care of her.

I'm listening to a podcast about the Esselstyn family. The patriarch is 89 years old and is world renown for proving diet and lifestyle can reverse heart disease and he's still working and making public appearances. His 88 year old wife is equally fit and sharp. She exercises pulling a large tire by her waste up hills. I can't link because because I'm finding on social media that AN won't link to, but I want to be her when I grow up.

toomuchbaloney · Nov 21, 2023

Like Tweety said, no one claims that Biden isn't old or isn't as spry or agile as he once was. Maybe if The GOP was running an alternative that didn't act and sound like a crazy fascist or alternatives who make excuses for an attempted insurrection or didn't promise national abortion bans we could consider voting for someone else.

Beerman, BSN · Nov 21, 2023

Tweety said:

If someone doesn't believe Biden is suffering any kind of cognitive or physical decline significiant enough to keep him from being President, why would you ask them what other people are thinking? Why don't you ask people that think he's too old, why they think so?

To younger people he's old and they have preconceived agist ideas about that.

I just spent four days with my 90 year old father. We played Jeopardy and his recall was sharp, put together puzzles and had meaningful conversations. It would be agist of me to presume he wasn't cognitively capable of making important decisions as he as his entire adult life. He is however in physical decline as he has arthritis quite bad and can't do a lot of what he used to.

As a clinician I understand that as people get into those upper age brackets into their 80's there is mental and physical decline. Biden would not be immune to this and my instincts would like a younger more sharp, and fit person because we are looking at five more years. Still, he's getting things done and not slacking on his job as President. But I also know that not all are equal. Some have good genes, physical fitness and good mental abilities. I have a 63 year old friend that has dementia so bad her husband had to retire early to take care of her.

I'm listening to a podcast about the Esselstyn family. The patriarch is 89 years old and is world renown for proving diet and lifestyle can reverse heart disease and he's still working and making public appearances. His 88 year old wife is equally fit and sharp. She exercises pulling a large tire by her waste up hills. I can't link because because I'm finding on social media that AN won't link to, but I want to be her when I grow up.

You make a good point about ageism and younger people. I hadn't thought of that. I believe that would be one reason.

And,that's why I asked the question.

It is interesting that a smaller % of people think Trump is too old. They aren't too far apart, and I'd think Trump is plenty old to be too old for the younger demographic voters.

toomuchbaloney · Nov 21, 2023

Beerman said:

You make a good point about ageism and younger people. I hadn't thought of that. I believe that would be one reason.

And,that's why I asked the question.

It is interesting that a smaller % of people think Trump is too old. They aren't too far apart, and I'd think Trump is plenty old to be too old for the younger demographic voters.

That likely reflects the reality that the age concern is primarily voiced from the right side of the political spectrum and then repeated by what the right considers "mainstream" media.

Both Trump and Biden are old but only one of them is also suffering from obvious mental illness and promoting anti-American thinking after trying to retain power lost in a free and fair election. Who cares if Biden is old when his opponent is dangerously unfit for office? Oh right, the people who would return Trump (the would be despot) to the presidency care that Biden is old while ignoring Trump's age.