Wednesday, May 21, 2008

A Note On Kennedy's Cancer

It is a diagnosis nobody wants to hear from their doctor. After being hospitalized on Saturday after suffering a seizure, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) learned from his doctors that he has the worst kind of brain cancer. As devastating as that news must have been to Kennedy and his family, the Kennedy clan, no stranger to tragedy, immediately and fully disclosed Kennedy's medical diagnosis to the public. Contrast the Kennedy family's public candor with that of the family of the late Rep. Julia Carson (D-IN). Carson, her family and surrogates lied to the people of the 7th District for at least a year about the seriousness of her lung cancer diagnosis. The Carson family's motive was to keep others at bay while her political machine could lay the groundwork to install her totally unqualified and then-unknown grandson, Andre, as her replacement. Hats off to the Kennedy family for the respect they have afforded the people of Massachusetts as Sen. Kennedy faces the most difficult challenge of his life. The Carson political machine could learn something from the grace with which the Kennedy family deals with such matters, but I doubt it.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I was thinking the same thing when I read about him yesterday. Come out early and be upfront about the illness.

Bart Lies said...

Just think of the awareness factor it will provide for the researchers and support groups. Why go into seclusion when you have an opportunity to effect change fro your public platform?

I still have doubt that Carson's was 'just' a cancer issue. The way it all was handled simply made no sense.

Anonymous said...

Good points, AI. ~~Aryq~~

Unknown said...

Family illnesses are tough things. I'm a moderate that lives in the seventh- it didn't bother me how Julia handled her cancer. And say what you want about her, but I think we are all going to be just fine in Andre's hands. You are right that he was unknown, but he's making waves (from what I hear) in DC. Let's pick our battles- Andre is going to have that seat for a long time, and I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm fine with that.

Concerned Taxpayer said...

Mark (6:42PM) you are NOT a moderate. You are obviously a liberal. Otherwise, you wouldn't say you were fine with killing unborn babies by stabbing them in the head and sucking out their brains; higher taxes; $4.00/gallon gas; taking money from people who rightfully EARN it and giving it to people who refuse to work, etc.

Think about it.