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SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21, 2009
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11

America's Most Powerful Octogenarians

Slate ranks the country's top old people

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(Newser) – Retirement? Bah! Slate’s annual 80 for 80 list ranks America’s mightiest octogenarians, giving extra credit for post-80 achievements, and “being really, really old.” The top:

  1. Thomas Monson (82): As the head of the Mormon church, 13 million people think he’s a prophet “in the same way they view Abraham, Moses, Isaiah and the apostles.”

  1. John Paul Stevens (89): He’s really old, and super powerful, but the Supreme Court’s elder statesman falls to #2 on rumors he might retire.
  2. Daniel Inouye (85): Took a leap after taking over the Senate Appropriations Committee.
  3. Barbara Walters (80): Forbes named her the third most powerful woman in America—and she still hosts the View.
  4. Noam Chomsky (80): Proving that even old people can be left-wing revolutionaries.
For the full list, check the source.  

Mormon church President Thomas S. Monson is the only American to rule over millions as a prophet of god.
Mormon church President Thomas S. Monson is the only American to rule over millions as a prophet of god.   (AP Photo/Deseret News, Jeffrey D. Allred)
John Paul Stevens is a revered justice on the highest court in the land, and he's a whopping 89. But he might retire soon, and no one thinks he's a prophet of god. So he'll have to settle for #2.
John Paul Stevens is a revered justice on the highest court in the land, and he's a whopping 89. But he might retire soon, and no one thinks he's a prophet of god. So he'll have to settle for #2.   (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
Taking over the Senate Appropriations Committee vaulted Daniel Inouye of Hawaii all the way up to number 3, while knocking his predecessor, Robert Byrd, down to 10.
Taking over the Senate Appropriations Committee vaulted Daniel Inouye of Hawaii all the way up to number 3, while knocking his predecessor, Robert Byrd, down to 10.   (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
Barbara Walters had a good rookie year; she published her memoir and was named Forbes' third-most powerful woman. Which is good for fourth on this list. There's no justice.
Barbara Walters had a good rookie year; she published her memoir and was named Forbes' third-most powerful woman. Which is good for fourth on this list. There's no justice.   (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)
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11 comments
VIEWING:
 
Jayster999
Oct 21, 09 4:33 PM CDT
I wish numbers 3 & 5 would reach their expiration date already. Okay, #4 too. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
-3
IN RESPONSE:
Cprizzle
Oct 21, 09 11:08 PM CDT
That's pretty tasteful...
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
DarkFrancis
Oct 23, 09 3:48 AM CDT
Do they make you feel a widdle bit sensitib?
Vote up! Vote down!
0
IN RESPONSE:
bewilderbeast
Oct 23, 09 8:38 AM CDT
I know, Jayster, they think and act reasonably. It's a bitch. Is #1 more your style? Lying for profit seems to attract admiration from some people.
Vote up! Vote down!
0
JoeQ
Oct 21, 09 4:49 PM CDT
Maybe some day Octomom will be an octogenarian octo-grandmom. Reply
Vote up! Vote down!
+2

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