He’s 81 and quite good at his job

Re “President Biden just celebrated his birthday. So should voters,” Opinion, Nov. 22

President Biden’s tireless struggles to negotiate a truce in the Gaza Strip and all the fretting over his age bring to my mind the great 1949 western film, “She Wore a Yellow Ribbon.”

Faced with an oncoming battle led by hotheaded young men, John Wayne’s character says: “We are too old for war. But old men should stop wars.”

Happy birthday, Mr. President, and thank you. Douglas Green

Sherman Oaks

Having not supported any Republican since Dwight Eisenhower, in recent decades I’ve given the nod to Democratic presidential candidates.

Still, I feel that the campaign to reelect Biden is a lost cause. It has become ever more clear that Biden does a great imitation of

Jack Albertson’s old-man character Grandpa Joe in the 1971 film, “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory.”

With the 2024 presidential election posing categorical existential risks, Democrats need a much younger and more vigorous nominee than Grandpa Joe. Sarah S. Williams

Santa Barbara

I am an almost 83-yearold, very active Air Force veteran who gave up teaching yoga on my 82nd birthday. I still practice it, I just don’t teach anymore because I’m so busy.

I really enjoyed reading Robin Abcarian’s column celebrating the president’s birthday.

Biden should challenge former President Trump to a downward-facing dog contest.

John Oppenheim Long Beach

The presidency may be the ultimate “don’t do, have done” job. Would I like Biden to be younger? Sure, but his age doesn’t trouble me.

I’m reminded of Navy Adm. Raymond A. Spruance, commander of the 5th Fleet in the Pacific theater of World War II, widely considered the greatest combat admiral in U.S. history. He wrote:

“When I look at myself objectively, I think that what success I may have achieved through life is largely due to the fact that I am a good judge of men. I am lazy, and I never have done things myself that I could get someone to do for me.”

That’s still relevant today.

Bob Wieting Simi Valley