Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) Undergoing Brain Surgery After Skiing Accident

AP and CNN ^ | January 26, 2003 | Wire Report

[AnAmericanMother]

Always glad to show off my good girl!

As much as us horse-crazy folks doubt it, riding's not for everybody. Even my kids (who both ride) think I'm a little nutty about horses. It probably extends to animals in general, since I also dote on my Lab and my three Siamese cats . . . my daughter says she wants to come back in her next life as one of my creatures . . .

[Spunky]

Those comments were on the 22nd, well before he checked himself in to the hospital.

Yes, the comments were made before he went to the hospital, but as per the article; "Sen. Frank Loutenberg underwent surgery Sunday morning related to a skiing accident in Aspen, Colorado a month earlier.

The bleed was going on in his brain at the time these people saw him on the program.

When we don't know what is behind a person's physical disability, it would be best not to make such commments.

[twigs]

So this is a potential life threatening/coma situation?

Yes. My father died in this manner. The last week of his life when he was admited to the hospital, one of these pools of blood was found in his skull; it had probably been there a year. Although he was 84, his siblings had lived longer and we had no reason to believe he wouldn't be home soon. But he didn't make it. So this type of injury can have gradual effects. My father had been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease; after his death, they believed that his symptoms may have come from this earlier injury. Surgery is the right thing for the Senator.

[Caliban]

Probably that spooky guy Baraka...from Poet Laureate to Senate...

[leadpenny]

I listened to Lautenburg on Imus on the 22nd. IMO, he actually sounded better than he did during some of the late campaigning before the election. I don't believe anyone, on the 22nd, suspected that he had suffered an injury or a stroke.

I think we are on the same side on this issue and have posted my concerns on Lautenburg and Clooney/Heston threads. There is definitely a double standard here on FR. On the Clooney/Heston thread it seems easy for some folks to bash Clooney for his remarks about Heston while, on the Lutenburg threads, it appears equally as easy for some to make light of an old man who may have suffered a head injury.

I am strongly against Lautenburg and his politics but I don't believe in kicking a person when they are down.

[B-bone]

I well know the concept of fogging the mirror, but seeing this is a 'Rat, shouldn't we specify that the mirror must fog from spontaneous respirations generated by the Senator in question without any outside assistance.

That still may not be specific enough, but at least it would be a starting point.

[WomanofStandard]

And those of us who know in our hearts that this man was a willing accomplice to mass genocide... the slaughter of an entire generation of Americans (my generation)? What are we to make of that?

Lautenberg chose to dedicate his life to the cause of evil. The cornerstone of his political career -- his being -- has always been his callous disregard for human life. That has left me with a callous disregard for Mr. Lautenberg's life.

I understand how you feel and it infuriates me that this man has contributed to deaths of millions right here on our soil, and you are right that he has a callous disregard for human life. But, as much as I despise the evil he stands for, his life is human life too and I am compelled to respect ALL human life, to respect the sanctity of that life, EVEN IF IT seems he should have no right to it, unless he is convicted in a court of law and sentence to death. I CANNOT and will not disregard any human life, even his.

[WarSlut]

I understand how you feel and it infuriates me that this man has contributed to deaths of millions right here on our soil, and you are right that he has a callous disregard for human life. But, as much as I despise the evil he stands for, his life is human life too and I am compelled to respect ALL human life, to respect the sanctity of that life, EVEN IF IT seems he should have no right to it, unless he is convicted in a court of law and sentence to death. I CANNOT and will not disregard any human life, even his.

I can respect and appreciate that. It's civilized and decent and morally consistent with the Pro Life position.

I'm just not there yet. I have too much anger in my heart to include him in my nightly prayers. I see this as a war and men like Lautenberg as the enemy. I won't wish him dead, but I can't bring myself to wish him well either.

The best I can do is pray for his soul. But not for his health.

[WomanofStandard]

I can respect and appreciate that. It's civilized and decent and morally consistent with the Pro Life position.

I'm just not there yet. I have too much anger in my heart to include him in my nightly prayers. I see this as a war and men like Lautenberg as the enemy.

I won't wish him dead, but I can't bring myself to wish him well either.

The best I can do is pray for his soul. But not for his health.

I understand your feelings and hope someday you can get to the point you wish to be. I am NO better than you in that I am able to pray for him and wish him well, I'm just in a different place. Actually, I admire your honesty and see both strength and humility in your statements, attitudes which I'm sure benefit you and will continue to do so in your life. God knows your heart and that is what is important, and you are correct in that praying for a change of his soul is even more important than a change of his health. It's been a pleasure to "meet" you.

[mathurine]

I was musing that a good sitcom could be made of the senator having the near-death experience, recovering, but having seen the light, continuously confounds his backers by taking the conservative position in every vote. Of course the typical writer would reverse it and turn some ultra-conservative into a flaming liberal: anti-life, anti-war, anti-straight tax-and-spender.

[ejo]

I wasn't aware of his surgery untill I read your post on NJ thread. I have never held him in great regard politically, but as a human being we all should show more compassion. Hope all turns out well for him and he can rejoin his family, enjoy them while he can and give up the active life that he will need to maintain as a senator. It will be interesting to see what transpires in the near future.

[Coleus]

It will be interesting to see what transpires in the near future.>>>>

I am sure he will be back to his good old liberal self in no time at all. And yes, I hope for a speedy recovery. So, I guess someone does read the NJ Bump list after all.