In my two cents worth experience, the chances of developing a useful kind of wisdom seem to come to those who have suffered pretty deeply and spent time sifting through it all at depth. There are young people who are wise. And old people too. And middle-aged people. And dogs. Cats too.

Although I see that some turn in another direction, I liked having elders very much. They were blessers, difficult and beloved. I am sad that the last of my elders passed just a few months ago. Were they perfect? Of course not. But being an elder doesnt reside on that, nor on perfect sight, but having lived a lot longer than most, having seen the ends of eras, made adaptations, having many many stories to tell that might, just might act as point men for those younger. Just my two cent's worth.

Not that I'm basking Thomas directly, I think she does have some insights. I'm just not sure she rises to the level of “Elder”.

With the reaction to the right or wrong of Helen Thomas. . . my comment was coming from another frame. The view that honor is a terrain beyond right and wrong and honoring the Elders is as good as a place as any to incorporate honor. . . . The level of discourse that always says;” people who thinks like me are right, or people that do not think like me are wrong” . . .or as someone said, “if they are not for us they are against us,” becomes old and stale. . . The splitting right/wrong divisiveness and disregard seems juvenile and non-productive often these days. . . .

I agree with you Austin wisdom can come through all ages. . . imho wisdom and honor are in the same circle. . .

That, and “Polls show 64% of We The People think Helen Thomas is a baggy old harpy.”

I personally think Obama has plenty of courage. Any moron that takes that job has courage in my book. I don't envy any of them. Of course, we all try to armchair quarterback. I'm sure the job is plenty difficult.
It doesn't have to be though. As was alluded to above, if you spend so much time on image and perseption, as most presidents have done since Kennedy; the job becomes harder than merely being Executive of State.

At no point did I say or imply that all or even most old people are addled – I made no overarching statement such as yours. I simply made the absolutely correct and unassailable statement of fact that there is no relationship between old age and wisdom.

The world is full of young wise people, and old stupid ones. It is also full of the opposite as well, of course. It is only you that seems to have a problem with the reality of that, and wish to live in some fairytale where every elderly person is fount of Wisdom; and that reaching an elderly age is an indication of the wisdom necessary to survive to old age. But that is just not so.

It is there that my point about the advances in medicine and geriatrics becomes clear. You no longer need to be among the wisest to be among the eldest. And, IMHO, specifically not so for Helen Thomas, who has been senile since her 30's.

Austin are you having a senior moment friend? ” Due to advances in medicine and geriatrics, no longer has any relationship between old age and wisdom”. . Oh mercy!. . .it is really hard to agree with that premise Austin. . .one of the sadness statements i have heard espoused by a TMV commenter. . .Many of our elder people still have wisdom, but so many are moving too fast to listen to them. . .

And Helen Thomas life and career experience is so far beyond “simple old age”. . .and yes, i would like a world where the Elderly can have ” the Right to say anything, no matter how inane, with no expectation of rebuttal”. . . that is not so much about the Elder but a society that could honor Elders whether they agree or not. . .Not everything is about right or wrong. . .

Society in the US, having gotten past the tribal stage of development, and due to advances in medicine and geriatrics, no longer has any relationship between old age and wisdom.

Weird philosophy you espouse – simple old age provides the right to say anything, no matter how inane, with no expectation of rebuttal.

I do not think this Elder Women needs apology for either her accumulated power and wisdom or the words that come from her mouth after all these years. . . .

for me she has a pass, for she is an Elder Woman. . .

LOL, love it!

I thought art was about something different.

Your comment made me laugh. Thanks.