*Editor’s Note: Elephant Journal articles represent the personal views of the authors, and can not possibly reflect Elephant Journal as a whole. Disagree with an Op-Ed or opinion? We’re happy to share your experience here.

~

“To be human is to grow old. To be wise is to honor those who have.” ~ Cheryl Melody Baskin

~

The only sin in Jake Tapper and Alex Thompson’s book, Original Sin, is the sin they committed by deciding to publish a book like this at all.

I am not a Republican. I am not a Democrat. I vote as an Independent. I share this so you know that my emotions concerning this book are not based on any kind of political preference.

They are based on old-fashioned values that are disappearing—like respect, altruism, love, kindness, knowing right from wrong, and moral conscience.

Yesterday, I heard that our former president, Joe Biden, was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. I felt annoyed by this book (launched today) even before I heard this. Now, I am beside myself with disgust.

The basic premise of their book is that there was a cover-up of President Biden’s growing frailty in his last years in the White House.

Wow. What a bombshell of a scoop. (I am being sarcastic here.)

I am not fully excusing it, but the fact is that there have been cover-ups with countless presidents encumbered by scandals, affairs, and illnesses.

For example:

>> John F. Kennedy’s Addison’s disease and back surgeries were concealed.

>> Franklin D. Roosevelt’s paralysis from polio was minimized in public.

>> Ronald Reagan’s early Alzheimer’s signs were suspected but undisclosed.

>> Grover Cleveland secretly had cancer surgery.

>> Woodrow Wilson’s stroke was hidden, with his wife stepping in behind the scenes.

And yet, here we go. A book devoted to Biden’s aging and his so-called “original sin” of trying to carry on.

Now let us talk about some of Biden’s achievements.

As a senator (1973–2009), he authored the Violence Against Women Act, chaired the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and helped create the U.S. Drug Czar position.

As Vice President (2009–2017), he helped with the American Recovery Act, supported the auto industry bailout, and spearheaded the Cancer Moonshot.

As President (2021–2025), he passed the American Rescue Plan, led bipartisan infrastructure reform, expanded healthcare access, rejoined the Paris Climate Agreement, and rallied global support for Ukraine.

Now let us talk about Biden, the human being.

He is known for compassion, deep empathy, optimism, strong family values, and connecting with people on a personal level. He was even dubbed “Comforter-in-Chief.” And yes, he stood by his son Hunter as a father who believes in the healing power of unconditional love. No matter what.

And then—surprise. He got old.

Is that news? A scandal? Worth a national exposé?

He became tired more easily. Forgot words. Moved more slowly. These weaknesses don’t erase decades of service and heart.

Yes, the White House should have been more transparent. And yes, maybe he should have stepped aside earlier. But he wasn’t ready. As someone aging myself, I get it.

We live in a culture terrified of aging and obsessed with youth. But aging isn’t a weakness. It’s a sacred passage.

This book feels more like ageism wrapped in faux journalistic integrity. It’s not about holding power accountable; it’s about turning vulnerability into profit.

Are we a society that forgets the soul of a person when they age?

Are we a society that applauds sensationalism over truth, greed over grace, and gossip over gratitude?

It sure seems like it.

President Biden, for all his imperfections, has given more to this country than most ever will. His legacy deserves reverence, not ridicule.

We need to do better than this. Let us start by choosing compassion over cruelty, respect over ridicule, and humanity over headlines.

There will come a day when each of us slows down, forgets a word mid-sentence, struggles to climb stairs, or needs more rest than action. Will we be discarded too?

Let us remember that aging is not a crime. It is a sacred passage, and those who walk it with service, love, and heart deserve standing ovations.

“You don’t stop laughing when you grow old, you grow old when you stop laughing.” ~ George Bernard Shaw

~