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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsA rare brain disorder robbed Robert F. Kennedy Jr. of his strong speaking voice
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s gruff speaking voice, which at times can make him hard to understand, was front and center during Thursdays contentious Senate Finance Committee hearing.
The Health and Human Services secretarys halting delivery was frequently interrupted by senators anxious to get their points across during their five minutes of allotted time.
Kennedy, 71, has spasmodic dysphonia, a rare neurological condition in which the muscles that open and close his vocal cords spasm involuntarily, creating a strained or strangled quality to his speech. Kennedy has publicly discussed how the condition robbed him of his typically strong speaking voice in his early 40s.
At that time, I was making a lot of my income doing public speaking, and I could speak to large halls without any amplification, Kennedy said in a February 2024 interview while running for president.
https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/rare-brain-disorder-robbed-robert-212219677.html
So that's what a worm-eaten brain gives you.

Klarkashton
(3,802 posts)NJCher
(41,282 posts)I don't. I'm a public speaking teacher (also English). In our field we have the utmost respect for a message that is clearly delivered. This is a physical disability that prevents him from communicating clearly in a job where clarity is of the utmost importance.
Of course, since he is such a liar, maybe it's good that he's handicapped in message delivery.
Each of us has to ask of ourselves: "Is this the highest and best use of my talent?"
In his case, there are any number of avenues he could take. He didn't have to take a job for which he is not qualified nor well suited.
TheProle
(3,606 posts)I'll take the right official tapping out the truth and well-intentioned plans on the table in Morse Code if that's what it takes.
He is NOT that person, but this is still a shitty take, imo.
I have standards.
TheProle
(3,606 posts)Did you consider that "a physical disability that prevents him from communicating clearly in a job where clarity is of the utmost importance"?
Not in the same category as Kennedy at all.
BannonsLiver
(19,605 posts)BeyondGeography
(40,629 posts)A comedian (think it was Martin Short) said if you want to imitate RFK Jr. all you need to do is pretend youre speaking while holding in a hit from a joint.
Scrivener7
(57,030 posts)from him was his own fevered imagination, so I doubt it.
And it does sound a lot like crack-pipe voice.
milestogo
(21,709 posts)who I believe suffers from the same thing.
Rebl2
(16,914 posts)one of his sisters voice sounds like this as well. Dont ask me which one, but I have heard her speak before and she sounds similar to him.
EYESORE 9001
(28,953 posts)Whut dunnit? Bear meat? Pangolin peckers? For someone who follows every conspiracy theory that lumbers down the pike, he sure ignored alarms over prions (google it yerself). Its one area of study that I believe transcends mere CT. Theyre real, and theyre out there. Ive sworn off wild game until well, until RFKjr is ousted along with the entire rump regime. Science!
bluedigger
(17,302 posts)Ms. Toad
(37,648 posts)It's a real condition. Anyone who has listened to the Diane Rehm show (NPR, off the air for a few years now) should instantly recognize his condition from how he sounds. Not to mention that this is not new information about him.
Although he deserves scorn and ridicule for WHAT he says, how he sounds is the consequence of a disability - and ridicule should be off the table.
Orrex
(65,952 posts)Thank you again for clueing me in yesterday.
Ms. Toad
(37,648 posts)RobinA
(10,406 posts)had a known condition too, and it didn't stop anyone from making fun of his delivery.
Ms. Toad
(37,648 posts)And I hope you're not suggesting emulating those who did.
ancianita
(41,630 posts)Abuse your body long enough, and the most stressed parts can break down -- both brain and vocal chords, in his case.
malaise
(288,648 posts)That is all
Hekate
(99,308 posts)hamsterjill
(16,450 posts)Because he obviously does not have the mental capacity to understand basic science. He was not able to answer questions posed to him, and he makes up "data" and information on the spot to substantiate his lies.
Do not ask me to have compassion for this person. His actions could very well get people killed, and I take that a little personal when it involves me and my family. I don't give a fuck what caused his condition; he's incompetent to be in the position that he is in.