Sen. Johnson in critical condition
posted at 9:22 am on December 14, 2006 by Allahpundit
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I thought he was out of the woods last night when his spokesman said it wasn’t a stroke. Not so; they performed brain surgery on him this morning. It was successful, but the next 48 hours are key.
CNN has audio of the conference call he was on when the stroke struck.
Inevitably come the politics:
[A] Senate that becomes evenly split after it is in session would not necessarily fall to Republicans, Senate historians said. Rules and precedents could leave a party in charge of the chamber even after its membership falls below that of the other party.
“It’s what happens in January that counts,” said Senate associate historian Donald A. Ritchie, referring to when party leaders hash out rules governing the chamber’s organization.
In order to adopt new rules organizing the Senate, the two parties must reach nearly unanimous agreement. Democrats in 2001 blocked the naming of committee chairmen and members, demanding concessions before agreeing to the rules. Among those concessions: Should the numerical advantage change, all committee assignments and chairmanships would be nullified, and a new organization would have to be submitted…
Senate Republican sources said yesterday that their party is likely to press for similar concessions when negotiating the operating rules for the next Congress. But even if Johnson were incapacitated, Democratic aides say, they would resist.
In 2001, the Senate was 50-50. That’s how the Dems were able to block. With Johnson away from the floor in January, this one would be 50-49 when the rules are voted on. So we’re probably assured of Democratic committee chairmen no matter how this plays out.
Kurtz thinks it’s time for states to get rid of the rule whereby governors appoint a replacement if a Senator can’t serve out his term. I agree. It’s a vestige of the days when Senators were elected by the state legislature. Why continue to let local government send replacements to Washington when the people they’re replacing were directly elected?
Update: Helpful: “Recovery time may take weeks or months or longer.”
Update: Noel Sheppard pronounces the death of American decency based on the fact that people are considering the implications of Johnson’s illness. Mary K also thinks it’s crass to speculate. Please. No one wants the guy to die. The fact is, his absence from the Senate could have momentous political consequences. Asking people who cover politics for a living not to so much as acknowledge the elephant in the room is silly.
Update: I assume everyone knows that, but in case not, Johnson is fully entitled to retain his seat while he convalesces. Doesn’t matter how long it takes.
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I agree wholeheartedly, and was thinking about this morning on the drive into work. This is something that would take a constitutional ammendment, and so would be very difficult to get passed.
But this is a moo point; let’s hope the Senator makes a full recovery.
dalewalt on December 14, 2006 at 9:31 AM
I would rather not regain control of the Senate under these circumstances. My prayers are with Sen. Johnson and his family for him to recover and assume his position which he so honorably deserves. May G-d Bless Him.
Doctorted on December 14, 2006 at 9:35 AM
He has a point, but we can’t just retroactively rewrite the rules. Of course the Democrats will want to do that. I can already see Chuckie Cheese whining about fairness.
Still, not the way I’d like to see control of the Senate revert to the Republicans; but do you believe for a second the Democrats wouldn’t leap at such an opportunity? I see the Republicans being gracious about this, but not in a million years would the Democrats think about anything other than their own power.
JammieWearingFool on December 14, 2006 at 9:36 AM
The cynic in me is saying that Rep. DeLay only made this statement for political purposes; the optimist hopes he really means it. Regardless of the reason, the sentiment is exactly right.
dalewalt on December 14, 2006 at 9:37 AM
I wonder where Howard Kurtz was in 2000 when Paul Coverdell died? I’ll bet he was leading the cheers for Zig Zag Zell Miller’s appointment (and later the jeers at him when he zagged).
As for the status of the Constitution, I rather like leaving it up to the states on how to replace Senators. The default is for the governor to call for a special election, but the legislature has the option of letting the governor make an appointment.
That allows the Senate to be almost immediately reconstituted if something catastrophic happens, something that cannot be said for the House. There, a governor has to call for a special election.
steveegg on December 14, 2006 at 9:40 AM
Sen. Johnson, is actually a nice man. I’d also rather not regain the Senate under these conditions.
amerpundit on December 14, 2006 at 9:40 AM
According to Drudge, he was suffering from congenital arteriovenous malformation. Information on the condition is available here.
Slublog on December 14, 2006 at 9:42 AM
This is a very depressing story. I feel really horrible for the family and this poor guy.
Dash on December 14, 2006 at 9:45 AM
Good point. If, God forbid, terrorists were able to wipe out a large group of senators, the Senate would be effectively frozen until the special elections were called.
dalewalt on December 14, 2006 at 9:52 AM
It no surprise at all that they’re listing him as critical, which is almost synonymous with saying he’s in an Intensive Care Unit. We are talking about a guy who just got out of brain surgery. If he remains stable for a couple of days, they’ll upgrade him, but as it stands, they’re going to keep him in ICU for fear of bleeds (assuming there isn’t another issue we don’t know about). Consider Ariel Sharon, and the number of times they rushed him back into the OR for just that problem.
Calling his condition critical is SOP in a case like this, and it doesn’t really speak to the severity of the root problem.
Get well, Senator.
Pablo on December 14, 2006 at 9:53 AM
If that’s the case, and knowing that he had excellent surgeons that got to him in a hurry, he’s probably going to be OK.
Pablo on December 14, 2006 at 9:56 AM
A-V Malformations are silent killers…Anyone of us could be walking around with one…If the bleed was not severe the Senator could hopefully recover fully or with some mild impairments…Lets hope for the best…
Doctorted on December 14, 2006 at 10:11 AM
Dude. Hypochondriac here. You’ve just fueled my neurosis.
I’m hoping and praying that Johnson comes out of this okay, with no serious complications. It sounds as though he may needs some speech therapy.
Slublog on December 14, 2006 at 10:17 AM
They certainly had no qualms about taking over the senate and obstructing when Jim Jeffords left the GOP.
With that being said, I would still like the republicans to earn their their position by representing their base instead of reaching out to people who did not and probably never will vote for them.
jman on December 14, 2006 at 10:19 AM
Here’s praying for the Senator’s longterm health, as he appears to be a young man. To hell with the Senate; who cares. This is life.
Jaibones on December 14, 2006 at 10:24 AM
I wish the best for the Senator.
The Republicans will cave no matter what happens, so it’s all a moot point to talk politics.
SouthernGent on December 14, 2006 at 10:27 AM
Diagrams of Reagan’s colon still top the chart, but audio of the Senator having a stroke is right up there on the invasive tackiness meter. Prayers to Johnson and his family.
Quisp on December 14, 2006 at 10:27 AM
God’s will be done!
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on December 14, 2006 at 10:30 AM
I would have thought a press conference call would be recorded but I can’t find the audio or video of the incident when the senator fell ill.
Perchant on December 14, 2006 at 10:30 AM
As much as I would love to see the seditious traitor democrats loose their new found ability to further erode this Nation deeper into their Godless liberally minded brain falling out abyss, wishing or hoping for calamity to someone else or to their health, to achieve it, is simply unacceptable.
NRA4Freedom on December 14, 2006 at 10:33 AM
Prayers for Sen. Johnson, his family, and those close to him.
I’m really starting to hate politics. I’d love to see Democrats, Republicans, and Others try honestly working together for the good of AMERICA for a change, rather than spending all their time engineering power grabs for power’s sake.
We gotta start pulling together.
techno_barbarian on December 14, 2006 at 10:34 AM
Hey Slublog; have you ever spent time on WebMD, just looking at all the different diseases, wondering which ones you might have? :-)
dalewalt on December 14, 2006 at 10:40 AM
Heh. You are evil. It’s not quite that bad, but I do have a vivid imagination.
Fortunately, I also have a wife who’s an RN, and she often tells me to “shut up, you don’t have (insert disease here).” It’s grounding.
Slublog on December 14, 2006 at 10:43 AM
This is a horrible story–especially right before the holidays. Will keep the Senator and his family in my prayers.
robblefarian on December 14, 2006 at 10:54 AM
I’d rather just repeal the 17th Amendment, and let the legislatures elect Senators. One of the important features of the design of the Constitution was the delicate balancing of powers amongst three branches and two levels of government. The national laws take precedence over state laws governing the concurrent powers, but this was balanced by giving the state legislatures delegates to one house of Congress.
Together, the 16th (income tax) and 17th Amendments, ratified in 1913, set in motion a massive transfer of power away from the states, to the national government. Such travesties as the 55 mph speed limit, and uniform drinking age of 21 (under which Congress coerced states into enacting and enforcing laws which Congress itself lacked any authority to apply nationally) could never be passed by Senators elected by state legislatures. Without the ability to bypass state legislatures to collect taxes directly from the people, the massive federal funds to hold the states hostage wouldn’t exist.
A return to the original method of selecting Senators would allow a legislature to grant a governor the authority to make a temporary appointment until the legislature could convene to choose a permanent replacement for the balance of the term. With modern technology, a state legislature should be able to enact rules allowing a non-corporeal session, conducted via conference call and ballots delivered by mail, making it unnecessary for a governor to make an appointment at all.
Alternatively, a legislature might choose to elect a “Senator Pro Tempore” or “Vice Senator” before it ends its biennial session. This person would then automatically become the junior Senator in the event of a vacancy. Such an arrangement would make it unlikely that the party balance in the Senate would change as the result of an illness.
The Monster on December 14, 2006 at 10:57 AM
The best story ever of a public figure’s health problems is that of James Garfield. After he was shot he was moved to the Jersey shore as the doctors thought the sea air would help heal him. In laid in bed for 2 months as doctors from all over were brought in to try to heal him. The metal detector was invented by Thomas Edison just for the purpose of trying to find the bullet inside him. The county’s newspapers’ front page story during those two months were almost exclusively reserved for informing the public the color of the puss oozing out of Garfield’s wounds. It’s really a fascinating story, espcially considering the doctors, not the bullets, were responsible for his death.
JaHerer22 on December 14, 2006 at 10:58 AM
Don’t waste your time slublog. I’ve already tried dang near every one of those diseases listed on WebMD. The MDs STILL ignore me and the hospitals still won’t admit me. Some of us are just doomed to live our lives as outsiders/rejects, I guess. I’m still reeling from the fact that HotAir issued an account/password to me and allowed me to participate here. I’m sure it was a simple bureaucratic oversight, though. No doubt AP will get around to banning me any day now.
CyberCipher on December 14, 2006 at 11:01 AM
I just posted the following statement at Old War Dogs and at Bill’s Bites:Some of the news networks, and some blogs, have been devoting significant bandwidth to analyzing the possible political implications of this situation; this blog will defer any such discussions until the Senator is out of danger. Sen. Johnson is a Viet Nam Veteran who voted for military action in Iraq knowing that might mean his own son would be placed in harm’s way. We pray for his safe recovery.
bdfaith on December 14, 2006 at 11:06 AM
Sorry for the double comment. Looks like your moderating comments. Please delete my 2nd attempt, then delete this.
bdfaith on December 14, 2006 at 11:17 AM
When it’s your time…no one here gets out alive…one man had a good shot…about 2000 years ago…we still celebrate his birthday…after all that time has passed. IMHO.
tormod on December 14, 2006 at 11:21 AM
I don’t know about all that. Sure it could swing the Senate towards the Republicans, but they had control of it for years, and nothing even remotely “momentous” got done.
Which is probably the reason they no longer have control of it, come to think of it.
That aside, all the best to Senator Johnson and his family. Hopefully he makes it through whatever it is he’s facing and recovers quickly.
Citizen Duck on December 14, 2006 at 11:34 AM
Kudos to the Monster for his historical prowess.
Read. His. Post. - good stuff.
Too much national government since ‘13. This is not a democracy. I’ve already heard AP say that governor appointments was “not very democratic.” It doesn’t have to be. It just has to be “republic”an (so as not to confuse with the political party.)
The founding fathers have been rotating in their graves since that fateful decision to wrench control from the states of any stake in the federal government.
Bring back the Senate. We don’t need two houses of Representatives.
Trust me: When you summed our former parts, it was greater than the value of our current whole.
y2church on December 14, 2006 at 11:42 AM
Meanwhile, Chuck Schumer remains in good health. So much for karma.
Blacklake on December 14, 2006 at 11:48 AM
I disagree - I think we should go back to the days where Senators were elected by the state legislature in order to elevate the importance of state elections and to push some of the power back down to the state level. The direct election of senators has concentrated more power at the federal level, and that is not good if you ask me.
thirteen28 on December 14, 2006 at 11:49 AM
Argh, I should have read the thread before posting, as several others have beat me to the punch.
thirteen28 on December 14, 2006 at 11:50 AM
Although I admit it’s going to be worse under liberal rule … many seem to still be conveniently forgetting that Republicans have held the Presidency and majorities in both houses for seven years now and have accomplished zero. It is under this President’s leadership (or lack thereof)that this country has eroded into this “Godless liberally minded brain falling out abyss” … all while holding both majorities.
We need to stop blaming the Democrats for what’s happened. They haven’t even taken office yet.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 12:00 PM
Totally agree. Get well soon.
VikingGoneWild on December 14, 2006 at 12:01 PM
That Rove guy is pretty sneaky—giving that guy arteriovenous malformation.
jdpaz on December 14, 2006 at 12:02 PM
And let’s hope and pray he remains that way. Vote him out, sure, but not like this.
dalewalt on December 14, 2006 at 12:05 PM
jdpaz
Didn’t you know that in addition to the Weather Control Machine for killing the black people that Bush hates, he’s also got a Time Machine for producing birth defects in enemy politicians?
The Monster on December 14, 2006 at 12:06 PM
Are you kidding? I hope the Republican minority going forward is 1/2 the annoying, whiny pain in the ass punks the Demo’s were. Unfortunately we’re too civilized to use the Demo playbook. Demo rule #1 Lie about everyone and everything. Demo rule #2 Constantly repeat said “truth” from rule #1. Demo rule #3 Repeat 1 and 2.
Sen. Johnson get well soon.
VikingGoneWild on December 14, 2006 at 12:10 PM
Gregor,
It isn’t that I forgot that the GOP did virtually nothing, it’s that the ramifications of liberalism are all around us every day, and hideously in the news daily as well.
Liberalism is the religion of the sewer we are finding ourselves ever deeper in, and may well ultimately be the ruin of the one single “beacon of light” in a dark, dark world, the United States of America.
NRA4Freedom on December 14, 2006 at 12:15 PM
I agree 100% with all of that. But we don’t have the problems with immigration, war on Christianity, lack of parental notification, and other problems because the Dems whine and lie a lot. Those problems have simply not been touched by our so-called “conservative” leaders. It’s not liberal whining and lying that brought us the ports deal and now the sale of our airlines to foreign investors.
If Bush had any balls … he would have been able to take care of these problems. He isn’t interested.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 12:20 PM
I agree totally.
Unfortunately, our current Republican leaders are not doing anything different than what they are doing.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 12:21 PM
Wow.
I cannot even begin to tell you how impressed I am with all you people - and how proud I am to call myself conservative at the moment.
The respect, civility, grace, and maturity on display in this thread is really great to see. I’ve known for many years what a distinct difference there is in the basic attitude and decency of conservatives versus liberals, but I’ve never seen it so clearly on display.
I don’t have to tell you what a similar thread would look like on any liberal site, if the situation were reversed. I’m sure you all remember the reaction to Laura Ingraham’s breast cancer - and she’s not an elected official, so there wasn’t even a political gain to be had in that episode of liberal hatred.
You people ARE different. There IS a difference. A crystal clear one. The sincerity of your well wishes is unmistakable.
Well done, to all of you. Thank you. Really.
And, of course, my own prayers to Sen. Johnson and his family.
Professor Blather on December 14, 2006 at 12:24 PM
Bush and the Republicans have actually done quite a bit. If you’re not happy with them then vote for somebody else. Personally i’m tired of all these so called Republicans who are constantly whining and threatening to vote libertarian. You sound like a bunch of spoiled little brats who didn’t get what you wanted for Christmas so you throw a temper tantrum. So take your vote somewhere else because i’m sick of your whiny b***shit.
Scot on December 14, 2006 at 12:36 PM
The more our elected officials “do nothing” the better—keeps their hands out of my hip pocket.
jdpaz on December 14, 2006 at 12:41 PM
If you don’t like Bush and Republicans then vote for somebody else. I’m sick of all these so called Republicans who are constantly whining like little girls and threatening to vote for a third party
Yuo’re like spoiled little brats who throw a temper tantrum if you don’t get exactly what you want. So take your vote somewhere else because i’m sick of listening to you whine.
Scot on December 14, 2006 at 12:56 PM
ROFL Scot. Brilliant. We went through this whole mess before the election and I was against voting for third parties simply because doing so would give power to liberals. But that doesn’t change the fact that our Republicans are not fulfilling their promises.
Please list all the conservative accomplishments you feel Bush’s administration has accomplished in his seven years.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 1:03 PM
Oh my aching butt…
We’re not going to have this argument again, are we?
Slublog on December 14, 2006 at 1:15 PM
Let us all hope that Senator Johnson recovers as much as possible.
I shall always consider the donkey party to be the domestic enemy, but not the mortal enemy; besides, from what I’ve heard - or perhaps better put, given what’s passed the lips of democrat senators like Harry Reid, Ted Kennedy, Russ Feingold and John Kerry, from what I haven’t heard - he seems to be a decent fellow.
I don’t know if a full recovery is in the cards, though. It’s one thing to be a triple amputee like Max Cleland and still be able to be a senator, but a serious brain injury is another matter.
If it comes to pass that Senator Johnson’s seat reverts to Republican control until 2008, I won’t feel guilty about it. His (along with Frank Lautenberg’s) was one of two senate seats that the donkey party effectively stole in 2002 (Lautenberg’s by a law-breaking last-minute switcheroo of him for the losing Robert Torecelli, Johnson’s by a Christine Gregoire-like magical ginning up of last minute bogus votes on an Indian reservation to overtake John Thune’s lead).
No one here wishes Senator Johnson ill. If, though, it comes down to his having to leave that seat and his departure switches control of the senate, then as far as I’m concerned it was never really his seat to begin with.
Spurius Ligustinus on December 14, 2006 at 1:20 PM
Oh my aching butt…
ROFL! I wish not. But don’t you feel this is the most important topic for the next year? Who do we want to be representing the Republican Party in 2008 and how do we make sure our conservative voters understand the importance of the primaries?
Scot is correct that there are many on this board who feel the answer is to vote for third parties or even Democrat. That doesn’t help our cause.
So while the argument is getting old … it’s a discussion we need to have consistently throughout the next year.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 1:22 PM
I think it is important, absolutely. And I think this story has brought up issues that show the importance of electing conservatives on the state level as well.
But oy…the threads…the endless threads…
Slublog on December 14, 2006 at 1:25 PM
I think it is possible to wish the best for this seemingly upstanding Democrat (from what I’ve read) AND fervently hope for this seat and hopefully therefore control of Congress.
True, it’s not like the Republicans have done much. Then again, maybe having to seriously consider Democrat control might have scared them enough. However, I STILL remember what my history teacher told me. The single most important and last thing any President can do is appoint Supreme Court justices. I think Bush has done very well in this regard and he’ll get a LOT farther with any future potentials with a Republican or even Senate than a Democrat senate.
It’s a good thing Chafee won’t be around to change parties…
Darksean on December 14, 2006 at 1:30 PM
Dark,
I want the Senate back for one reason only:
The Supreme Court.
If we control that we won half the battle.
Tim Burton on December 14, 2006 at 1:49 PM
gregor doesnt matter Bush is still president and the democratic agenda is DOA when it hits his desk.
you dont have enough votes to override a presidentual veto.
So look forward to a “do nothing” democratic congress. They arent going to be able to do anything.
William Amos on December 14, 2006 at 1:56 PM
You forget one thing. It would seem that Bush’s agenda IS the Democratic agenda … except for the “cut and run” plan. Even then … he seems to be insistant on ignoring the suggestions of every military General on the ground in Iraq.
Don’t forget that amnesty is Bush’s plan … not the Democrats.
Don’t look for Bush to veto much of anything.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 2:01 PM
Really now your saying that Bush is a good guy who will do what you want him to do ?
Bush said he will do minimum wage. And talk about other things. Other than that I havent seen any other promises out of him.
William Amos on December 14, 2006 at 2:17 PM
Next time i get angry i should just go have a nice tall glass of soy milk.
Scot on December 14, 2006 at 2:27 PM
This comment confuses me. I said that Bush is basically acting like a liberal. He is destroying the conservative cause and quite possibly this country. He has lied to our faces about amnesty, calling it “comprehensive immigration reform” and he’s done absolutely nothing to suggest he’s interested in winning the war in Iraq.
He attempted to push through Harriet Miers to the Supreme Court and has appointed amazingly corrupt cronies to almost every position in his administration.
For just a small sampling, read Michelle’s “The Mess at DHS” and “After the raids.”
Bush’s amazingly low approval rating is not due to Democrats and Independents being pissed off. It’s due to conservatives being pissed off. If we do not convince voters to elect legitimate conservatives in this next primary … we’re finished.
Gregor on December 14, 2006 at 2:33 PM
Death to the SOB, I hope he rots in hell…wait this isn’t dKOS and Rove (Bush, Cheney, Rice…) didn’t have a stroke…nevermind, wrong blog.
Our prayers (in this conservative house)are with him and his family.
right2bright on December 14, 2006 at 2:48 PM
You still need a 60/40 split to have a true majority.
R D on December 14, 2006 at 3:06 PM
Amen, my feelings too.
CrimsonFisted on December 14, 2006 at 3:08 PM
I wonder where Howard Kurtz was in 2000 when Paul Coverdell died? I’ll bet he was leading the cheers for Zig Zag Zell Miller’s appointment (and later the jeers at him when he zagged).
And thank God he did zag.
Dave R. on December 14, 2006 at 3:09 PM
And Best Wishes for a full recovery to Sen. Johnson.
R D on December 14, 2006 at 3:09 PM
A question for the dems….where was George W. when this stroke happened? How about Rove? We all know they were behind the Wellstone death. Could it be Bush got his good friend Putin to spray a little pulonium on his telephone? These evil repubs, will the tyranny ever end……..
Where was Cheney??????????
ritethinker on December 14, 2006 at 3:27 PM
If the senate goes 50/50 I wonder if the Democrats will once again demand power sharing liked they did in 2001… I wonder if CNN will run a poll saying that Americans want them to, I wonder if the Republicans will run to the cameras to say that the democrats are not being bipartisan. Just wondering out loud… I know the answer.
Gwillie on December 14, 2006 at 3:38 PM
I’d still like to know what Johnson has. A “congenital malformation” what’s malformed?
I hope he gets better. Maybe he should resign his seat to speed his recovery. All the stress of being a senator can’t be good for the health.
Iblis on December 14, 2006 at 4:44 PM
As I understand it, the malformation exists in the blood vessels of the brain.
Slublog on December 14, 2006 at 4:58 PM
I just heard the interview with Senator Johnson and it really was heartbreaking. At first it sounded like he just lost his train of thought but then he became incohorent. I sincerely hope he comes out of this ok.
Scot on December 14, 2006 at 9:08 PM
The handfull of replies deploring the 17th Amendment, which deprived State legislatures of their power to elect the Senate, are encouraging. I had no idea there are so many people who share my views of this issue.
Kralizec on December 14, 2006 at 10:21 PM
Again as in other comments, my prayers go out to Johnson and to his son in Iraq.
I wonder why it had to happen to a good man like this. This is the guy that even most Republicans say is a good honorable man.
Tim Burton on December 14, 2006 at 10:36 PM
Kralizec, add me too. Also, H. Kurtz is only in favor when it suits him. He’s not advocated this from the other side.
Entelechy on December 14, 2006 at 11:35 PM
The laws governing the eleclion of U.S. senators and the states authority to select and appoint replacements are absolutely sound. At some point the Governor of South Dakota may be forced to determine the true conditon of senator Johnson in order to ensure the continuity of his states elected officials.
rplat on December 15, 2006 at 7:30 AM
They obviously wanted a Republican Governor to make Republican decisions. Suck it up Libs.
He got great medical care—he didn’t have to wait in some hellish public clinic—AND AREN’T WE THANKFUL. NOBODY SHOULD HAVE TO …but if The Pantsuit’s Peasant Plan is instituted, HE still wouldn’t wait….just US PROLES.
seejanemom on December 15, 2006 at 8:39 AM
Pray for him. D and R are meaningless here. I’ve seen up close and personal what a horrible thief this affliction is.
He is a man, with a family, and a life. He is a veteran. D and R have no place in his recovery.
Limerick on December 15, 2006 at 10:09 AM
Strokes can be devastating both to the sufferer and the sufferer’s family. Believe me, I know. My prayers go out to him, regardless of political affiliation. He’s a human being in a difficult situation; I hope he comes through this with minimal brain damage.
MarineDad on December 15, 2006 at 1:35 PM