Very Very Sad News

[FOTD]

One who fights the good fight, one who mediates when all else seems to fail....the country will be no better off without him.

Sen. Edward Kennedy has malignant brain tumor By GLEN JOHNSON, Associated Press Writer
27 minutes ago

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/kennedy;_ylt=AsZ6dSEjLEoH.tzW_Z5b4sKs0NUE

BOSTON - A cancerous brain tumor caused the seizure Sen. Edward M. Kennedy suffered over the weekend, doctors said Tuesday in a grim diagnosis for one of American politics' most enduring figures. "He remains in good spirits and full of energy," the doctors for the 76-year-old Massachusetts Democrat said in a statement.

They said tests conducted after the seizure showed a tumor in Kennedy's left parietal lobe. Preliminary results from a biopsy of the brain identified the cause of the seizure as a malignant glioma, they said.

His treatment will be decided after more tests but the usual course includes combinations of radiation and chemotherapy.

Kennedy has been hospitalized in Boston since Saturday, when he was airlifted from Cape Cod after a seizure at his home.

"He has had no further seizures, remains in good overall condition, and is up and walking around the hospital," said the statement by Dr. Lee Schwamm, vice chairman of the Department of Neurology at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dr. Larry Ronan, Kennedy's primary care physician.

They said Kennedy will remain in the hospital "for the next couple of days according to routine protocol."

Kennedy's wife and children have been with him each day since he was hospitalized. Senator Kennedy's son, Rep. Patrick Kennedy, D-R.I., plans to stay at the hospital for the time being.

"Obviously it's tough news for any son to hear," said spokeswoman Robin Costello. "He's comforted by the fact that his dad is such a fighter, and if anyone can get through something as challenging as this, it would be his father. So he's optimistic, he's hopeful, but obviously he's concerned."

President Bush was notified by his staff of Kennedy's diagnosis at 1:20 p.m.

"He said he was deeply saddened and would keep Senator Kennedy in his prayers," spokeswoman Dana Perino said.

Malignant gliomas are a type of brain cancer diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year — and the most common type among adults. It's an initial diagnosis: How well patients fare depends on what specific tumor type is determined by further testing.

Average survival can range from less than a year for very advanced and aggressive types — such as glioblastomas — or to about five years for different types that are slower growing.

News of the diagnosis hit hard for colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

"I'm really sad," former Sen. Bob Kerrey, D-Neb., said when told in a Senate hallway about Kennedy's condition. "He's the one politician who brings tears to my eyes when he speaks."

"I am so deeply saddened I have lost the words," Sen. John Warner, R-Va., said in a Senate hallway. Warner said he and Kennedy had been friends for 40 years. Both served on the Senate Armed Services Committee together.

Kennedy, the second-longest serving member of the Senate and a dominant figure in national Democratic Party politics, was elected in 1962, filling out the term won by his brother, John F. Kennedy.

His eldest brother, Joseph, was killed in a World War II airplane crash. President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and his brother Robert was assassinated in 1968.

Kennedy is active for his age, maintaining an aggressive schedule on Capitol Hill and across Massachusetts. He has made several campaign appearances for Sen. Barack Obama in February, and most recently last month.

Kennedy, the senior senator from Massachusetts and the Senate's second-longest serving member, was re-elected in 2006 and is not up for election again until 2012.

Were he to resign or die in office, state law requires a special election for the seat no sooner than 145 days and no later than 160 days after the vacancy occurs.

___

[spoonbill]

This just in. . .

Ted Kennedy Diagnosed With a Brain Tumor, Mary Jo Kopechne Still Dead!

[FOTD]

It might have been her choice to have a bad driver take her back to her quarters on a foggy late night.....I guess you can't sense the situation today nor the one 40 years ago.

"Death don't have no mercy in this land"

[we vs us]

quote:Originally posted by spoonbill

This just in. . .

Ted Kennedy Diagnosed With a Brain Tumor, Mary Jo Kopechne Still Dead!

So the point of that is . . . we're all mortal? We all die different but we're all still dead?

Or wait, she's striking him from beyond the grave with a vengeful tumor?

Or the whole Kennedy conspiracy theory thingy is STILL alive and twitching?

Any of these apply?

[guido911]

My prayers to the Kopechne family.

[we vs us]

quote:Originally posted by guido911

My prayers to the Kopechne family.

Classy.  That's our Guido.

[waterboy]

Gee guys. Thanks for reminding me of the hard, cynical, hateful edge Tulsa politics can take. No less than John McCain has worked well with Kennedy and calls him the most productive, effective Senator he's ever seen. That's professionalism and respect at a level Tulsans can't seem to grasp.

Many years ago while having lunch at Nelson's, the TV was broadcasting the inquiry into the Iran/Contra affair. Ted Kennedy was asking some rather legitimate questions of some guy who had obviously been lying to the Senate. One of the patrons stood up and yelled, "We don't care what you have to say Kennedy, you liberal bastard!" Rather than being offended by such crass, ignorant behaviour the crowd politely cheered and applauded. Nelson was one of them.  I didn't know it was that kind of place and never ate there again even though the food was great.

What is it about Tulsan's that they think its okay to hate those they disagree with and share that hate with all to see as though they are justified? I work for a boss who calls Democrats slackers and fellow workers who freely admit their hate for liberals, Democrats and OU Sooners. No one dares disagree in such an atmosphere if they value their job, for if they are that comfortable with blurting partisan bs out in public, one feels they may be supported by higher ups.

He made a mistake as a young man but represented his country and his state well for decades. He loved his family, his kids and is a human being just like several of you. Should he fall ill, Kennedy would be the first to offer condolences and respect for his opposite, Inhofe, without hesitation. Anyway, thanks.

[RecycleMichael]

Thanks for saying that waterboy.

Of course, it is hard to forget and forgive a young Kennedy for his mistake. But he has spent a lifetime in serving his state and our country well.

He is very liberal, but able to work the other side of the aisle when he believed it was needed. I applauded his amnesty bill that he signed alongside President Bush. The bill had flaws, but was a workable and genuine effort to solve a problem that was tearing America apart.

Senator Kennedy has had a life filled with tragedy, including burying both of his brothers killed by assassins. He became the surrogate father of their 13 children.

He is a great man...let's hope he recovers.

[guido911]

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Gee guys. Thanks for reminding me of the hard, cynical, hateful edge Tulsa politics can take. No less than John McCain has worked well with Kennedy and calls him the most productive, effective Senator he's ever seen. That's professionalism and respect at a level Tulsans can't seem to grasp.

Many years ago while having lunch at Nelson's, the TV was broadcasting the inquiry into the Iran/Contra affair. Ted Kennedy was asking some rather legitimate questions of some guy who had obviously been lying to the Senate. One of the patrons stood up and yelled, "We don't care what you have to say Kennedy, you liberal bastard!" Rather than being offended by such crass, ignorant behaviour the crowd politely cheered and applauded. Nelson was one of them.  I didn't know it was that kind of place and never ate there again even though the food was great.

What is it about Tulsan's that they think its okay to hate those they disagree with and share that hate with all to see as though they are justified? I work for a boss who calls Democrats slackers and fellow workers who freely admit their hate for liberals, Democrats and OU Sooners. No one dares disagree in such an atmosphere if they value their job, for if they are that comfortable with blurting partisan bs out in public, one feels they may be supported by higher ups.

He made a mistake as a young man but represented his country and his state well for decades. He loved his family, his kids and is a human being just like several of you. Should he fall ill, Kennedy would be the first to offer condolences and respect for his opposite, Inhofe, without hesitation. Anyway, thanks.

You have got to be kidding. Where were you with this outrage about hateful Tulsa politics when those on this board mercilessly bash "neocons", "Bushco", Dick Cheney, call Bush a murderer and liar, and blah blah blah. Only now do we hear this...

And to digress, your point (and that of wevsus) is well taken and I will concede the inappropriateness of my post. I would never wish Cancer on anyone, particularly since I have lost family to this bastard.

However, with this news about Kennedy, we are going to hear about what a wonderful leader and humanitarian he is. I hope no one would ever forget that for the sake of the protection of his political ambitions 40 years ago a young woman may have lost her life. Her family, who I can only hope has forgiven Kennedy, could very well be reliving this tragedy all over again. That was the point of my post.

[spoonbill]

quote:Originally posted by guido911


And to digress, your point (and that of wevsus) is well taken and I will concede the inappropriateness of my post. I would never wish Cancer on anyone, particularly since I have lost family to this bastard.

I am sorry as well.  We have all lost family to the Kennedys.

[waterboy]

quote:Originally posted by guido911

quote:Originally posted by waterboy

Gee guys. Thanks for reminding me of the hard, cynical, hateful edge Tulsa politics can take. No less than John McCain has worked well with Kennedy and calls him the most productive, effective Senator he's ever seen. That's professionalism and respect at a level Tulsans can't seem to grasp.

Many years ago while having lunch at Nelson's, the TV was broadcasting the inquiry into the Iran/Contra affair. Ted Kennedy was asking some rather legitimate questions of some guy who had obviously been lying to the Senate. One of the patrons stood up and yelled, "We don't care what you have to say Kennedy, you liberal bastard!" Rather than being offended by such crass, ignorant behaviour the crowd politely cheered and applauded. Nelson was one of them.  I didn't know it was that kind of place and never ate there again even though the food was great.

What is it about Tulsan's that they think its okay to hate those they disagree with and share that hate with all to see as though they are justified? I work for a boss who calls Democrats slackers and fellow workers who freely admit their hate for liberals, Democrats and OU Sooners. No one dares disagree in such an atmosphere if they value their job, for if they are that comfortable with blurting partisan bs out in public, one feels they may be supported by higher ups.

He made a mistake as a young man but represented his country and his state well for decades. He loved his family, his kids and is a human being just like several of you. Should he fall ill, Kennedy would be the first to offer condolences and respect for his opposite, Inhofe, without hesitation. Anyway, thanks.

You have got to be kidding. Where were you with this outrage about hateful Tulsa politics when those on this board mercilessly bash "neocons", "Bushco", Dick Cheney, call Bush a murderer and liar, and blah blah blah. Only now do we hear this...

And to digress, your point (and that of wevsus) is well taken and I will concede the inappropriateness of my post. I would never wish Cancer on anyone, particularly since I have lost family to this bastard.

However, with this news about Kennedy, we are going to hear about what a wonderful leader and humanitarian he is. I hope no one would ever forget that for the sake of the protection of his political ambitions 40 years ago a young woman may have lost her life. Her family, who I can only hope has forgiven Kennedy, could very well be reliving this tragedy all over again. That was the point of my post.

One never loses the pain of a lost child. For the record Guido, I have objected to the manner in which politics is discussed around here and in general. As of late I just ignore it. In personal conversations I make sure people know it is not acceptable. I can appreciate the difference between disliking the politics of Neo-conservativism or of Cheney. That is separate from Cheney the father, the human being. It is hard to understand the mentality of folks who would post P-shopped pics of Hillary going down on Obama and consider it just fun. I guess after you objectivise someone its easy then to project all manner of evil upon them without conscience. In reality it hardens you and polarizes the country.

Spoon, you're just not funny.

[Gaspar]

My prayers are with the Kennedy's.  

As a family they have done more to shape american politics on both sides of the isle than any other family.  I have very little political agreement with Ted, but I deeply respect his commitment to serving his country for his entire life.

The type of cancer he has is by far the absolute worst, but miracles happen every day, and doctors make mistakes in diagnosis.  Lets just hope that he can be treated and/or recover.

[Conan71]

Well, so far they have said "malignant". They have not said "terminal".  At 76, He's had a pretty blessed and charmed life.  I can't say I agree with his politics either, but I do wish him the best.  He definitely has the means for the best healthcare available.

It was pretty sad watching Robert Byrd trying to get the words out when he was speaking of Senator Kennedy the other day.

[cannon_fodder]

I don't like his views.  I think he should have gone to prison for manslaughter (he would today). And I believe his family was corrupt (is there really much doubt on that?).

BUT, by all accounts he stood on his own beliefs and fought for them.  He is as bad and as good a politicians as they come and he nor his family deserve this.  Best of luck to Ted.