By this time, I’m sure everyone knows by now that John Roberts is in the hospital for what was originally just stated to be a simple fall but is now reported to be a seizure similar to one he suffered in 1993. He’s in the hospital for overnight observation; they think he’s going to be OK, but.
But.
Up near my parents’ home in the boonies, there was, until last Saturday, a 20-room mansion. It had seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms, and a grand piano, as well as several precious works of art. It burned to the ground this weekend, and nobody knows why just yet, but it doesn’t look like arson. There was a boom like a lightning stroke as the propane tank blew up. It was a sizable tank, so the boom could be heard all the way into town.
Things that seem so stable can, for good or ill, turn to dust at the blink of an eye or a stroke of lightning. John Roberts, who was picked by Bush in part because of his relative youth and health, was supposed to ensure archconservative dominance of the Supreme Court for decades to come. Things and situations we think of as unchanging and permanent can be irreversibly altered faster than we can describe the process.
Something for us all to contemplate.
Related posts:
- Chief Justice Roberts on Michael Jackson: Let Him Carry His Own Lantern
- Pat Roberts Fights for Your Right to Lobby
- Conservative Justices Roberts, Scalia, Alito, Thomas Say Virtually Bribing Judges is Okay
- John Garamendi, CA Lt. Governor, Congressional Candidate, Will Talk Public Option Today on FDL
- Early Morning Swim: KO’s Special Comment on Blue Dogs
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zed?
zed2?
Nice going Tex!
Everyone get their zeds?
Phoenix Woman @ 4
Everyone get their zeds?
Not so much.
he was off his zeds.
stunning, pw
Thanks for the update and the reminder.
Yes, we are happycampers. Nice post PW. We tend to take things for granted and it is eye-opening when things change from day to day. With the economy the way it is, there aregoing to be a lot of surprised Americans soon.
True, PW. We need to appreciate Today. Somebody ought to write a song…
Are you speaking at YK2, PW?
jayt @ 5
Not so much.
Zedless in Virginia…
Permanence does not exist.
I promise I did not push him down the stairs. ;-)
I would have been first but TexB pushed me out of the way. I felt like I was going after the bridal bouquet.
Remember me, ccmask? I was the “always drunk and never a bridesmaid” girl behind you angry that I didn’t get to do it!
Loo Hoo. @ 9
Nah, can’t make it. Are you going to attend?
LS @ 11
That will always be true.
KayInMaine @ 12
What are they saying about this up in Maine? It seems like this might become a more common occurence as one gets older.
Unexplained seizure – that doesn’t sound good. I’ve known a few people to have them – in the cases I knew they resulted from a head injury many years before.
Never knew them to be fatal on their own, just more of a nuisance really.
From Talking Heads’ “Making Flippy Floppy” (1983):
Amazing how accurate it still is.
The reason I found this quote today is that, lately, I’ve been thinking a better nickname than ‘Fredo’ for Gonzales would be: Slippy Sloppy.
.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 17
They’re reported it no different than what’s been seen on the cable news stations. I had never known where Port Clyde was. Apparently it’s 90 miles north of Portland. Huh. See? I learned something new. ;-)
did anybody ever confirm the “foaming at the mouth” report?
KayInMaine @ 14
How could I forget! You were pushing too.
Life is truly fragile, just as PW says. I have my stories, and I’m sure others have theirs.
While I strongly opposed Roberts appointment to the Court, and certainly abhor his influence on its direction, I wish no ill will and hope he’s okay. Just let him take some extra time off to be sure he’s well.
Loooooooong time!
Yes. As has been pointed out in the past, nine is not a sacrosanct number for the Supremes. Before 1869, it was often around seven and once was as high as ten.
Yupper. I was originally going to run with a post I’ve had in the hopper for a couple of days, but I wanted to address this bit of breaking news in what I hope is a sensitive and proper way.
JGabriel @ 19
how. did. we. get. here?
I got this email today from The Real News. This news channel looks great. Isn’t this what we’ve been hoping for? An independent news source. The little video trailer is awesome. http://www.therealnews.com/
Anyone know about this? Good? Bad?
Just watched the Abrams report on the Conn. home invasion story and them see this post..weird.
KayInMaine @ 12
Daily Kos pushed him down the stairs.
GMFORD @ 18
That’s exactly right. Seizures alone usually aren’t deadly…it’s just when and where a person has a seizure that makes it that way (driving car, walking down the stairs, vomiting in mouth while sleeping).
As someone who’s lived a somewhat normal life for well over 30 years after my diagnosis of epilepsy at age 31,I can only say: don’t count on him being out of a job just yet, folks. It’s amazing what pills can do.
Experience tells me the goddess is going to need to use a bigger lightning bolt to rid us of this fool.
Back to lurking…
Breaking!!!
FBI found series of tubes under Ted Steven’s home!
KayInMaine @ 14
*Swoons*
Someone knows my type.
TexB @ 1
Congrats, Ma’am, just got back from dropping my Teeny-Boppers at the Bowling Lane!!!
JGabriel @ 31
It’s happened more than once I’m afraid. LOL
We, as a country, need to re-think about giving federal judges tenure for life. Yes, as a lawyer, I understand the argument. But today, life is long, and the clockspeed is fast.
Another one bites the dust.
Two more lying Nutcase Judges to go, Karma don’t fail us now!
My son has seizure disorder. He was not born with it, but started having seizures seemingly out of nowhere.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 17
Watch it chump – he’s only 52.
Joe Klein’s conscience @ 17
I didn’t know that getting pushed down the stairs becomes more common as you get older. Maybe those around us finally wise up. *g*
Steve-AR @ 26
The weird thing is; I’ve never heard of a “home invasion”.
Phoenix Woman @ 15
Darn it. Yes, I will be there and can hardly wait!
punaise @ 21
I thought Cheney’s battery replacement went fine?
Frank33 @ 27
it’s O’Reilly’s fault. Roberts mistook “bluster” for “balluster”.
LS @ 39
Home invasions are unfortunately becoming a more common crime lately.
alice liddell @ 29
I had epilepsy from age 2 to age 19. I’ve been symptom free for 20 years. Not sure why.
I wonder if a large humongous rock rolling down the side of a mountain and into the road as he passed might do the trick?
Loo Hoo. @ 9
While the blossom still clings to the vine….
Jonathan @ 34
I can live with the lifetime tenure. My problem is that the confirmation process and custom makes it way too easy to confirm extremists.
Judicial nominees should require a much broader consensus (i.e., 2/3 supermajority) and no presumption of presidential prerogative. At least in theory, this should result in a lot of highly qualified, moderate judges who will make decisions based on their honest interpretation of the law.
In practice, it’d probably result in wingnut judges every time we have a Democratic president…
If it is any consolation, I’m pretty sure the really scary stuff such as stroke or a tumor have been eliminated as causes, which is why they are calling it idiopathic. Sometimes knowing what isn’t causing something like this is more important than knowing what is.
It wouldn’t hurt to keep him and his family in our prayers just in case. I may not like his politics, by my heart go out to his family. These kind of things can be terrifying, especially for the children.
punaise @ 42
Uh, he fell on the dock. Hadn’t gotten his landlegs back. /snark
LoudounLib @ 43
I thought it was called burglary.
LoudounLib @ 43
Well, see, if the home next to yours attacks the United States…
Eli @ 41
I find a little irony in the fact that many Neocons have heart problems! Kharma is such a B*tch!!! Hell hath no fury…!!! ;-)
CTuttle @ 51
I think you may have your causality backwards.
Eli @ 52
Doh!!! *smack*
Eli @ 46
I buy the 2/3 argument. But I think the best protection for the American people is not life tenure. If 10 years is too short, make it 20.
tbsa @ 36
How old is he? My daughter had febrile seizures when she was 2-7 and then outgrew them. The first three were caused by rapid high fevers, then she had one when she was really mad, and another when she was terribly embarrassed. Nothing since, and no after affects.
Jonathan @ 54
I would be okay with both. I find it painfully ironic that the system that was supposed to insulate judges from political considerations has had the exact opposite effect.
Eli @ 52
Yeah, the problem with judging someone else’s kharma is that in the act of judging their kharma, you create your own.
I think Roberts went on vacation, relaxed and forgot to take his x*n*x.
Happened to me once and when I came to everyone was still crying but had given up on finding a pulse. I also permanently screwed up my left shoulder during the fall/seizure. Sure wish I had the money for a decent attorney now that I look back years later, still disabled physically.
Doctors never warned me of this possible side effect nor did they apologize when I reminded them of it.
If the fall didn’t cause other problems and the seizure didn’t kill him on the spot he will probably be fine since he has job security and health insurance.
I am glad that he had superb medical attention and excellent coverage. Perhaps someday he’ll be in a position to decide that every American should have the same kind of coverage providing the same speedy recovery.
LS @ 57
Actually, I meant that their hearts aren’t bad because they’re neocons – they’re neocons because their hearts are bad.
Jonathan @ 54
I’d like to see an analysis. I think the fact that they never have to look for a job again has made many of them listen to their consciences more closely. (Assuming they had one to begin with.)
Somehow, and I don’t know why, but I’m reminded of Woody Allen’s “Everyone Says I Love You.” Specifically, the kid who was politically conservative, until they discovered near the end of the film that he had a tumor in his head.
Once it was removed, he became a liberal.
If something is neuroligically wrong with Roberts, it could explain his political beliefs and SCOTUS opinions.
Prairie Sunshine @ 45
I’ll taste your strawberry, I’ll drink your sweet wine.
LS @ 11
Amen…
I hope we are better than the haters on the right who are constantly wishing our side ill. I really wish the best for Judge Roberts and his family.
Just wondering, if it is epilepsy, will anti-seizure medicine effect his job performance?
My son is Bipolar I, he’s experienced grand mal and petit mal seizures for quite some time! He is currently on some serious anti-seizure meds!!!
Veritas78 @ 59
I’m sure he will. And he’ll decide the exact opposite.
Roberts will probably be fine- each seizure kills brain cells- and he started OUT as a gooper- but he’ll be able to hang with Thomas in any event.
I am unwilling to wish injury on Roberts or Alito or Thomas or Scalia.
An inability to continue on the SCOTUS for some reason would suit me just fine.
Just as a Democrta takes office would be good.
LS @ 57
Ohhmmmm… So true!!! A circular process!!! *g*
Couple of things -
1. In Australia judges have mandatory retirement at 70, which seems to work pretty well. If they are on the bench I think it is 10 years they get a pretty good pension too
2. We already have a super majority requirement for judges – 60 assuming the dems don’t go all weak kneed at the threat of the “nuclear or is it nukular? option
entire comment redacted
this is civil, BillO
KayInMaine @ 28
Could Roberts be under such pressure from, oh I don’t know, elements in the GOP to be a good gaulieter as opposed to caring about his place in history or the sanctity of our Constitution?
Maybe in conversations with the criminals running this government he has shown some balls and actually stood up to them.
I’m not defending this ideologue, just trying to understand what might have given him a seizure while he’s supposed to be on vacation.
If anyone else has Netflix, you have got to read all of the reviews for the movie “Giuliani Time.”
Here’s one of them:
Rent a hall, reserve a a basement, throw a house party and show this doc to as many people as you can! Give door prizes and free food and drink to draw anyone who has a heroic impression of this man. After viewing this excellent movie, only the most demented could consider him for President or any other position with any power.See a naked emperor who is uglier even than his sins. I am ashamed to be of the same species as Rudy!
It’s my hope that Roberts didn’t have to wait 2-3 hours to be seen when he arrived at the hospital like the rest of us have to. /end snarky comment
Mutant Poodle @ 68
It’s not like they’re going to grow consciences and walk away.
Maybe Soros could offer then a $50 million retainer to come work for him or something…
For the benefit of Justice Roberts (and everyone,actually),it seems appropriate here to cite the Buddhist evening gatha:
“Let me respectfully remind you,
Life and death are of supreme importance.
Time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost.
Each of us should strive to awaken.
Awaken! Take heed!
Do not squander your lives….”
May he awaken and realize the Way.
Pachacutec @ 23
Hi Parachutec!
Say, we haven’t seen any of your ads for a while. I thought of a slogan for ya:
FDL, four out of five citizens recommend it to fight Truth Decay.
The Roberts story just illustrates that health problems can come without warning (like the post above explains). All the more reason for good health coverage. (looks like Veritas beat me to it, at comment 59!)
Eli @ 60
Sorry Eli, I was actually referring to the snark that neocons have heart problems due to kharma…which you were responding to…I hope that makes more sense.
Prairie Sunshine @ 45
“I’ll taste your strawberries, I’ll drink your sweet wine…” I still remember that from my college years.
do-si-do @ 77
good one!
KayInMaine @ 74
How efficient is Penobscot Med Center??? :~)
petedownunder @ 70
I think they’ve already proven their cowardice on that score, plus I’m not sure 60 is enough when you have wankers like Lieberman and Prior and the B. Nelsons.
Tin foil hat time for me….does anyone find it suspicious that Arlen(THE LOSER) Specter was talking about going over Roberts transcripts from SJC confirmation hearings, then Schumer fires a shot over the Bushies bow about NO NEW Confirmations, and says in a speech that it was a mistake to confirm Roberts…Now Roberts has a seisure…I hope Roberts is ok but as DiFi said…Something is Rotten in Denmark………If we see Roberts resign for health reasons….they got something on him,that perhaps someone leaked etc. etc.
I don’t know I am so suspicious of everything that goes on in DC these days…this doesn’t smell right…too many coincidences!!!
ccmask @ 73
I had to tell cops under my command not to use that term in my precinct when Giuliani was first elected. They were ecstatic, thinking that it was open season on the people we were supposed to be serving and protecting.
LS @ 78
snharkma is a b*tch
LS @49 — generally speaking, a burglary is when a home or business is broken into, items are stolen, and no physical harm comes to the residents or workers at the business. A home invasion is when suspects break in, tie up and terrorize people in the house or business, and steal items. The Conn. home invasion is an extreme example.
*I work with law enforcement and we see these all the time.
james @ 72
Stress can cause a seizure and if I was in his shoes knowing full well who my friends are (in his case the criminals in the White House & beyond) and knowing what I was doing against the American people (surprising Gonzo doesn’t have a seizure every hour!), I would have probably seized by now. LOL
Besides…
Everyone knows that if a criminal wants to escape the feds (or even the angry masses), especially if they’re from out of state (you’d be surprised who our State Police have found up there in them woods!), they hide out in the Maine woods. We have 1.3 million people here in our very large state, but it’s the trees & the woods that dominate. ;-)
punaise @ 80
Punaise, I’m blushing! coming from you!… :)
do-si-do @ 77
Which reminds me of another dental slogan which could be slightly modified to: “Ignore the truth and it’ll go away.”
Giuliani_Is_Tsouris @ 76
Too much to pray for??? ;-)
…from your mouth to God’s ear.
CTuttle @ 81
Apparently quite good….he got in in minutes once he hit the mainland from the private boat he was brought over on!
I need to get me a private boat to get any action around here.
Caio. See you guys later!
I’ve got to go too. Nite nite all! ;-)
do-si-do @ 88
Certainly, High Praise Indeed!!! ;-)
Howdy y’all
Loo Hoo. @ 55
He’s 21 now. Started having them when he was 8. He still has epiliptiform waves on his EEG, although with the aid of medication he’s not seized in 10 years.
Nite, CC and Kay!!!
Phoenix Woman @ 79
GordonM @ 61
I agree about the consciences. The thing is, any of these justices can get a high-paying job any time he or she wants to leave the Court. The only reason to stay on the Court is to impose one’s own view.
Ooops, I’m still blushing, now with foot in mouth! Hey Pachacutec, I’m still learning to spell your name, o powerful and wise mod! Sorry!
CTuttle @ 95
oh, come now…no arbiter here :~)
(I just wish I’d thought of it.)
I wish neither good nor bad for Roberts. He’s on his own.
SnarKassandra @ 96
Howdy-Doody, Missie!!! Some sunshine today???
There is a type of seizure disorder where the seizure can result in death. Also some people have one seizure after another which can also result in death without medical intervention to stop the seizures.
CTuttle @ 104
Yep! :)
do-si-do @ 88
Well, do-si-do, it is really clever!
behindthefall @ 103
Um, from salt-marsh Yankee to Texan?
punaise @ 102
Sour Grapes??? ;-)
Heh. I’ve been promoted to a mod?
Oh, and just call me “Pach.” Rhymes with “watch.”
behindthefall @ 103
Yes, frankly I can do without the “health reports” about polyps and what have you. If something is really really really ICU or something, then round the clock reporting might be in order. But the round the clock speculating about a health event seems too much but that’s just me.
GordonM @ 108
Howso Texan?
Pachacutec @ 110
Hiya Pach Patch!
Pachacutec @ 110
It’s like you’re on CHiPS or something.
KayInMaine @ 20
Saying it’s 90 miles is a little misleading. It’s probably 90 miles if you drive on Route 1, following the coast road. But by boat, or seagull or air, it’s probably half that.
I saw two early versions of the story. In the first one, a doctor identified as not connected with the case (probably someone the writer called just for a color comment) said that in the absence of any other explanation multiple seizures of that kind are likely epilepsy.
In the next version of the same story, that epilepsy comment was gone. Zapped. Disappeared.
Funny, that.
Is it true that people without souls turn to dust faster than people who do have souls?
Inquiring minds……
Heya Cassie. How ya doin?
Well relax gang- unless we’ve got some accomplished voodoo experts amnong us- wishin ill or well to Roberts won’t effect his health- that’s the “magical thinking” George W. Bush school of medicine-
But just in CASE he can’t make it back to the court- I wouldn’t turn down a ticket to the shit storm!!!!
behindthefall @ 112
Cohen Bros first movie: Blood Simple. Double-crossing private dick: “Here in Texas, y’on y’own.”
Pachacutec @ 117
I am good.
Are y’all gonna take care of Aunt B when she goes up there to Chicago?
Pachacutec @ 110
Speaking of mods, I certainly hope Suze has resolved her technical issues! I’m missing her! :-(
Mark C @ 116
I dunno – I’m an atheist, yet it’s *impossible* to get me to dust.
Perhaps Justice Roberts will gain from this experience,as will his family. When something like this happens,many families experience newfound appreciation for life’s blessings and each other. It can change perspectives,sometimes for the better.
a Frist tele-diagnosis would go a long way to settle this matter.
Pachacutec @ 110
Ah, Pach is much easier. Oh, my lack of journalistic prowess is showing also. your comment of “we’ll take it out of the comments” made you sound moderatorish.
That’s good, tbsa. So no problem getting his license or anything?
SnarKassandra @ 120
Ya know she is in capable hands, Cassie!!! 8-)
Pach, will you speak at YK?
How likely is it that the two known seizures are the only two CJ “don’t bus em let em walk” Roberts has ever had? How likely is it that he’s been lyin his ass off about his medical condition for years?
Pretty fuckin likely in my opinion.
Loo Hoo. @ 126
He had to jump through a few hoops to get a license, but it all worked out.
epu’d for ccmask
If you want a very good, free Office Suite try OpenOffice
James @ 84 — Thanks for the anecdote. I remember that era well; “washroom attendant” was one of the nicer terms the (lily-white, suburban) cops had for David Dinkins.
Eli @ 122
I was going to make a crack about “rapture” but now Eli has me thinking “swiffle”.
CTuttle @ 81
Their spokesman, Christopher Burke, said in response to a question about whether they had taken special precautions when Roberts moved to the area, that “some people came and checked out the hospital when he bought the house last year.”
He also said, when asked if family was with Roberts, that “some friends” were with him in his hospital room.
SnarKassandra @ 120
What kind of care will she need?
I checked the AP wire story before I came in. They’re saying that since he’s now had more than one seizure without any cause found, they’re going to treat it as epilepsy, medication advised. I’m hoping it’s a ‘road to Damascus’ moment for him, but I’m not expecting it to change his ways.
GordonM @ 119
Ooh, good. (’Coen’?) Do they make that a general condition down there, do you suppose, and would that have anything to do with certain Texans’ inability to make ‘compassionate conservatism’ work?
No; not wishing someone either good or bad is something I learned from my wife, and it is about the worst thing you can do to a person, says she. ‘Wishing bad’ she calls ’spitting to Heaven’, with the implication that it lands on your own face. ‘Wishing good’ to people who may not deserve it demeans yourself. So, what you have left is leaving them to their own devices in a universe in which, occasionally, in the same lifetime things even out.
Loo Hoo. @ 135
Love and ice packs and tell her to rest.
Loo Hoo. @ 135
Wheelchair access(air for her tires, too) and plenty of Ice, IIRC!!! 8-)
punaise @ 124
where is Kirk Murphy with his Fristoscope? ;-)
Jane persuaded me to participate in a roundtable on Roots organizing and new technologies on Thursday.
Who’s Aunt Bea?
behindthefall @ 137
“when you wish upon a scar”
Pachacutec @ 141
Tex B
anangryoldbroad @ 123
Look at the improvement in S.P.E.C.T.R.E. since his cancer recovery, for instance. (not)
SnarKassandra @ 138
Doh, I left out the rest!!! However, I think she might be hard-pressed to find it!!! (By personal choice, I might add!) She’ll need a vacation from her vacation, Cassie!!! *g*
Veritas78 @ 59
Nice to think so, but he’s given no evidence he has that much humanity in him.
Pachacutec @ 141
SnarKassandra’s Aunt Betsy aka TexB
Look at the improvement in Clusterfuck since the lobotomy!!!
All good. We got a room close to the elevator and ice is not a problem. She’s going to help with the loveblogging, so no problem there, and she knows to rest. After all she will be teaching her tech classes!
dakine01 @ 147
And she needs a vacation from us.
punaise @ 142
I’m learning things! (I think.) Is that a belief, that wishing on a scar brings someone else bad luck?
If you mean Jane, I’ve pretty much been doing a bit to help her take care of herself since she moved here to my neighborhood this month.
Spent time with her today, in fact. Had her and the poodles for dinner this past weekend to celebrate her birthday.
Wait, that didn’t come out right. We did not eat her or the poodles. We ate lobster.
Loo Hoo. @ 149
Wait… what?
Damn, now I’m *really* pissed I’m not going.
Ah, ok.
D’oh!
Loo Hoo. @ 63
A million tomorrows will all pass away – ere I forget all the joy that we share today…
Pachacutec @ 141
What time? Hope it’s after Jane’s panel.
Eli @ 153
You and I, both, you and I…!!! :-(
Eli @ 153
Ha! I’ve been chuckling over that typo and wondering if in fact it was one.
behindthefall @ 151
nothing so deep – Disney: when you wish upon a star
I think they are going to blog about how much everyone flirts with each other.
this day in history: the term “loveblogging” was coined at Firedoglake
Jane’s panel is the same panel. We’ve been planning it together from the get go.
Wow. This has probably been mentioned already, but Senator Ted Stevens’ [R-AK] home’s been searched by a joint FBI-IRS team.
Well, Specter recently promised to revisit Robert’s confrimation testimonies to see if his recent rulings are consistent with promises he made during those confirmation hearings…..maybe a little worry on Robert’s end here.
The supremes ought to have a re-confirmation process regularly, maybe every 5 years.
Momentary drive-by to say hi to everyone before going to bed…wishing everyone the best.
Till the morrow.
punaise @ 159
Yeah, that I got. Just thought you might have had some arcane folk practice in the back of your mind. Which mind, BTW, I am in awe of: I cannot imagine how you craft the lines you post. I am usually prosaic and just go with what I know.
Alecia @ 164
I seriously doubt it. He’s in for life, and he knows it. The odds of impeachment are ridiculously slim.
No typo! We’re going to loveblog the panel that Jane, Christy and Marcy are on Thursday morning. I think it’s 9:30. Thought all the pups would love for us to blog it right here on FDL.
Hi RonD my homie! Hey Snarkita!
Fox Noise: Missing White woman found working at a fast food restaurant.
Also three young, strapping Mit Romney sons on Fox. None are wearing a military uniform, to fight the war, that is supported by their father.
Pachacutec @ 152
Lucky poodles, getting to eat lobster.
Alicia @ 170
Hi hi hi!
behindthefall @ 167
well, thanks – I just make sh*t up and see where it goes!
Alecia @ 164
Curses ! Foiled again.
punaise @ 174
It’s the initial ‘making up’ part that smacks of genius …
Jane did share with Lucy and Katie, but Kobe is not a foodie. He fell asleep during dinner.
Franco @ 83
Crossed my mind.
Eli @ 168
But we could swamp him with DFHs in 2009 with court-packing!
behindthefall:
many would concur with the *smack* part, at least!
Frank33 @ 171
Have they been asked about any lingering dog-transport trauma, though?
Loo Hoo. @ 169
Love us to death! I’d love ya’ll to death for ya’ll’s efforts!!! Wait, I already do…!!! *g*
Pachacutec @ 177
*g* I hope it wasn’t the topics of conversation that got Kobe to nod off!
Night RonD.
And yeah that Pach will be on the panel too!
The Romney sons claim to have blogs…hmm…
Cornered rats with nukular weapons. Not a good thing.
The Lord works in mysterious ways.
Do people really quit their jobs because of a seizure?
SnarKassandra @ 188
Quit? Forced is more like it, Cassie!!!
CTuttle @ 189
Why? It;s not that big a deal?
CTuttle @ 189
Some seizure disorders are quite devastating and take years to find combinations of medications to get them under control.
Aunt Betsy gets seizures and I don’t think she ever missed more than two days at a time from it.
V*agra the cause? Roberts trying some super strong Spanish type? Hmmm.
SnarKassandra @ 192
With all due respect, there are thousand of seizure types. Some folks have one seizure after another until death if there is no medical intervention.
behindthefall @ 137
I think (with certain exceptions) it’s pretty well endemic. For example, I think LBJ was only “liberal” because he thought there was enough to go around.
(OTOH, Ann Richards and Molly Ivins were two of the finest people I never met.)
Ah. I think we can dispose of the “salt-marsh” part.
Oh.
SnarKassandra @ 190
Heh, I luv ya for ya naivete’, Ma Cheri!!! 8-)
tbsa @ 194
I think that is reference is what is known as status epilepticus.
Aunt Betsy has little ones. But she had the whole body ones when she was little.
SnarKassandra @ 190
Cassie, my husband had epileptic seizures up til he was about 35. He had two choices. Tell the prospective employer at the interview that he had the problem, and not be hired, or lie to them and be fired the first time he had a seizure. He was on medication but it didn’t ALWAYS work. So he had to create a third choice and built his own business through a lot of hard work.
Very much off topic, for which I apologize…but I need your research help quickly.
I bought a big (BIG) ticket item at Lowe’s and when I responded to a customer service survey that asked why I chose their store, I specifically referenced their principled decision to drop advertising spots on the O’Reilly Factor. The store manager left me a phone message, wanting to know details about that…can you point me to specific details/a reference link that I can pass along to him? Thank you so much!
Hugh @ 198
You are correct. My son has presented in the ER too many times to count with it.
tbsa @ 191
As I’ve remarked prior, my son takes a hefty cocktail of meds!!! :-(
do you think Roberts’ seizures may impair his ability to function rationally?
It would be irresponsible not to speculate.
brendancalling @ 204
Do they affect thinking? I thought just headaches and stuff.
CTuttle @ 203
Mine too….
will a physician weigh in on the condition as reported by the Maine newspaper? They are reporting a blow to the back of the head, seemingly post seizure and fall, ashen color and frothing at the mouth were reported on scene. Seizure (associated frothing and ashen color)>fall>head trauma, ashen color?>
tbsa @ 206
Can they get a driver license?
brendancalling @ 204
I coulda sworn he was never in his right mind, I thought it was a genetic problem!!!
SnarKassandra @ 205
My son would have alot of trouble with short term memory. He would forget things he had learned previously and would have to go back and re-learn.
SnarKassandra @ 199
Cassie – that’s really not that uncommon. Only in jobs like driving, air traffic control, heavy machinery… is it important. Mostly it amounts to embarassing, so it’s kept very quiet.
SnarKassandra @ 208
After X amount of years seizure free.
Check out this Tom Snyder video in this article:
http://thelede.blogs.nytimes.c…..om-snyder/
SnarKassandra @ 208
Depends! A lot needs to be resolved prior to that step, Missie! My son is Twelve and I’m extremely hesitant to teach him!!!
tbsa @ 212
Pilot’s license is pretty much out of the question and driving not a good idea even with a license. If you have a seizure and are in an accident it might be considered criminal reckless driving if you knew you had the condition.
brendancalling @ 204
I think that ship has sailed.
But maybe we can hope that they’ll impair his ability to function irrationally.
I had a co-worker in Colorado years ago, who had suffered from extreme “Petit Mal”. She had seizures about several times per hour as she grew up. As an adult in her early 20’s, she was on 11 medications to control it. She went and had her hair tested for mineral deficiencies, and was prescribed a series of intense vitamins according to the results. She was able to get off the medications completely and was seizure-free. I swear this is a true story.
Most of us would never have been able to get health insurance again after a seizure like Roberts had in ‘93 because it would it would then be considered a ‘pre existing condition’. Bet he didn’t have that problem. I suppose the Supremes, like Congress, get their Platinum Plus health coverage free, for life.
petedownunder @ 215
It never gets better since it’s a life-long affliction!!! A rather cruel fate, if you ask me!!! *g*
Lindy @ 200
To that point, John Roberts answered the question on the SJC form when he was nominated for the Appeals Court that his health was Excellent; essentially, he lied on a job application to the US Government. Now that we know there was a previous seizure and that they recur, what should we, the employer, do about this malfeasance? People are regularly dismissed from jobs all over America for lying on their employment applications.
Should this apply to the CJ as well?
People, would you be making comments like this about someone who had just been diagnosed with diabetes? There is apparently still a social stigma attached to epilepsy. And the severity of individual conditions vary, but many people with epilepsy are well controlled on medication and lead normal lives.
I know a guy who has a bad seizure disorder. He has tried all kinds of homeopathic remedies, and some he really swears by. One is that believes that sleep apnea is the cause of much of his problem and so he sleeps with a machine that creates air pressure in a mask that covers his mouth and nose.
oldtree @ 207
A generalized or bilateral seizure (which I expect Roberts suffered) affects both sides of the brain and results in unconsciousness. The rigidity precludes swallowing hence the frothing at the mouth. The unconsciousness can result in fall and associated trauma. Convulsions can also produce anything from scrapes to broken bones. After such a seizure there is often a post-ictal phase where the person is fairly woozy. This usually clears up within a few hours to a day or so.
OC Democrat @ 202
here
and here
They are saying that that Roberts had a “benign seizure.”
I bet Ted Stevens doesn’t believe there is such a thing as a benign seizure.
Way OT, but since this is active thread, thought I might get an answer regarding this very complex domestic surveillance puzzle. Is anyone working on a time-line for the domestic surveillance thing? You know something that lays out the dates and duration of the TIA thing, the TSP, hospital bed drama, etc. etc. I’m having difficulty wrapping around all this.
My mom’s and epileptic and leads a fairly normal life. She even drives regularly, but she was never one of those that had daily seizures either. For the most part one can lead a normal life with the disease. But he DID lie on his application, essentially. This is where it gets muddy, becuase this should have been known when he was in front of the Senate for his ‘interview.’
That’s the rub. Will he be dismissed over that? I sincerely doubt it. *sighs* Not with this admin around.
Hugh @ 223
That is really frightening. His family must have been terrified. I continue to hope this was just a symptom of something out of balance in his system.
LS @ 213
I liked ol’ Tom Synder – he was the real deal and I’m going to miss him.
LS @ 217
I had a co-worker in Colorado years ago, who had suffered from extreme “Petit Mal”. She had seizures about several times per hour as she grew up. As an adult in her early 20’s, she was on 11 medications to control it. She went and had her hair tested for mineral deficiencies, and was prescribed a series of intense vitamins according to the results. She was able to get off the medications completely and was seizure-free. I swear this is a true story.
Same thing with my little sister – epilepsy with Grand Mal seizures. She did her own research and came up with her own way around meds. She travels with a *big* bag of vitamins. Wish I had more info as to what it was precisely that she came up with, but I don’t. Her biggest problem was working up the nerve to tell the parents that she’d taken herself off meds. No meds or seizures for many years now.
aliasofwestgate @ 226
But it is one more drop in that almost
over-flowing bucket.
casual observer @ 226
Marcy has one over at The Next Hurrah. See side bar for link.
TeddySanFran @ 224
Thank you so much — that’s just what I needed, just in time.
jayt @ 230
Same thing with my little sister – epilepsy with Grand Mal seizures. She did her own research and came up with her own way around meds. She travels with a *big* bag of vitamins. Wish I had more info as to what it was precisely that she came up with, but I don’t. Her biggest problem was working up the nerve to tell the parents that she’d taken herself off meds. No meds or seizures for many years now.
Yes, my co-worker took “massive” amounts of vitamins, and it worked for her.
aliasofwestgate @ 227
If his name was John Roberts and he worked at Home Depot he’d lose his job (for lying) and his health insurance (for not disclosing a pre-existing condition). I’m not saying that’s right (it’s not) but that’s the way things are in America.
LS @ 213
That was great!
Another strange aspect of the whole Roberts thing is that our local radio station which is a clearchannel station has been airing quite a few PSAs with John McCain talking about how un-scary seizures are. “My dad had seizures, and I assure you I had nothing to fear from him.”
Coincidence? I stopped believing in ‘em.
Roberts’ Wikipedia has been updated and contains some answers to questions posed here.
http://tinyurl.com/cxvy7
So is Roberts married? Who are the “friends” with him?
Twain @ 231
To add salt to the wound, most insurance policies would have a similar escape hatch buried within the paperwork!!! :-(
LS @ 232
Perfect–thanks much
OC Democrat @ 233
You are very welcome. For future reference, I used the Search function at DailyKos, which seems to work quite well. I searched for “lowe’s” and those diaries popped right up.
OCD, I have the letter that Lowe’s sent me informing me of their decision to drop their advertising with O’Reilly. I complained vociferously to them about their support for his hate speech & I was surprised when they responded. I’ll fwd it to you if you wish.
casual observer @ 226
Here is a good source
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.c…..d-tsp.html
BigMitch @ 237
Grain of Salt…!!!
Ok so according to Wiki- they knew about his prior seizures and yes he is married
A day late & a $ short I see.
I know this for certain;
if there is a democrat in the oval office next time around, and if there is still a majority in congress and the senate
then our democratic president has to do something about this supreme court, they will decide on behalf of corporations in every single instance
he has to get more justices on the panel or he has to get these two removed for lying before congress but something has to be done
these two are there for one purpose;
they are there to usher a have and have not society, where the wealthy get everything they need and the middle class and lower class get to die young
these two are certain America was founded as a country for corporations and by corporations instead of for people and by people
so that is number one on my list in order to extend our republic as a beacon of democracy
number two is public financing of campaigns and NO private campaign contributions
number three is an amendment that reverses the decision that gives corporations personhood
they are not people they are corporations, they cannot enjoy the same constitutional protection as people do
they cannot
so that’s my one two and three
anyone have 4 5 and 6?
“Should this apply to the CJ as well?”
I find most of what Mr. Roberts stands for, distasteful. And I find this a very difficult question to come to grips with.
To be ‘fair’ I suppose I would have to say yes, it should apply to the CJ. On the other hand, to be ‘compassionate’, I would want to say no.
BigMitch @ 237
oh, that reminds of my number 4;
number 4 is no corporation or individual can own mroe then two media venues
period
number 5 is of course returning the fairness doctrine
casual observer @ 226
Here’s Marcy, but please don’t stop at this article alone:
http://thenexthurrah.typepad.c…..-data.html
this is why democrats abiding by underlying principles is so important – shit happens, the law of unintended consequences is undeniable. This is why Pelosi and the rest of the democrats need to STOP being so frightened of impeaching bush and cheney. Sure gonzales must go, but he is not the main event: bush and cheney are and they must go NOW before anything else. It is right and necessary to impeach bush and cheney for their crimes against America and Americans; the founders intended it for exactly the situation we have today. It is Congress’ obligation and duty to the people and the constitution.
.
CTuttle @ 245
WTF? Is someone throwing somebody under the bus???? Hmmmmmm. Does somebody think somebody wasn’t going to be supportive of something?
nonplussed @ 243
Good for you, for voting with your voice and your dollars! Yes, if the letter is even more specific than the one posted to DailyKos and linked by TeddySanFran, I’d love to see it. Thanks!
ruffian @ 239
He is married. But maybe he was out again with these friends?
aliasofwestgate @ 227
Thanks to the POWER OF PRAYER!
it works!
Hail Seizure!
What does Rove do? Just punch in “seizure talking points” and send them out over the airwaves – or are minions furiously typing up crap on the fly?
Maybe when they have the hearing, that he doesn’t appear at, they’ll ask his empty chair what the hell is going on – he won’t respond of course, but then they can go after him further. Honestly, this has to stop.
No Recess!!
TeddySanFran @ 255
Is that lobster I see on the plate??
OT – Specter sez WH has 18 hours to clarify Abu’s testimony via Crooks and Liars.
not sure what Arlen’s game is here…
OldCoastie @ 259
How do you spell the sound of “Jaws” theme music….na, na…na,na,na,na,..na na…something like that…..
OldCoastie @ 260
Well if Arlen stays true to form, it means that he is signaling that he will cave in 18 hours and 10 minutes.
OldCoastie @ 260
Arlen talks a good game but usually comes around to the White House position when Rove
yanks on his chain…
OldCoastie @ 260
Alot of bluster and then a party-line vote?
my thought is that Arlen, in his own weird way, is giving Abu an out.
Marcy, once again shows Cheney’s insidious manuevers with Just-Us!
“…there’s only one reason to call for commutation rather than pardon. One. And that’s because you want Libby to retain Fifth Amendment privilege.”
Shoes4industy @ 257
Bedbug?
OldCoastie @ 260
Or else he will count to ten.
OldCoastie @ 265
If he votes against him, I’ll make a chocolate hat and eat it.
TRex is upstairs with a Malkin smackdown
Just curious why this issue never seems to be front and center in alot of the blogosphere. So little of what we do here matters at all if the problem of electronic voting isn’t fixed.
The California Sec of State’s Offce just released a report saying all the electronic voting machines, made by the biggest companies (ES&S didn’t cooperate), are easily hacked and vote tallies easily manipulated. HELLO?!? Doesn’t matter how much money we give to a Blue America candidate if they’re running in a district using this stuff.
As usual, BlackBoxVoting.ORG is leading the fight and doing the heavy lifting. They say this report doesn’t even address the main problems! So even at the surface level of the corruption, we have a Sec of State for the largest state in the Union saying these machines are untrustworthy.
I wish more people would get active on this issue.
*Caution* Don’t look into Arlens Spectercle.
I hear Malkin has a big head.
wangdangdoodle @ 259
Wang Dang, It’s wangdangdoodle!!! Aloha!!!
Eureka Springs @ 272
Eye bleach, STAT!
Ok everybody, upstairs we go…
TeddySanFran @ 255
hahahahahaha!!!!
Again and again and again~same old story
james @ 72
Bad shellfish?
OC Democrat @ 254
It is the same letter as the one at DKos. So I have nothing to add other than my best wishes!
Karma
This is a much more interesting subject than Michelle Malkin. I remember an old wives tale growing up in New Orleans to never name your baby before it was born. To consider you have something before you actually do is tempting fate and fate willslap you down. It was considered bad luck to actually name the baby before it was born. You could consider several male and female names but you never wrote it in stone. You never spoke it as a fact.
Oh, George, nothing is really chronological and nothing is for certain. I’m afraid the NeoCons have counted their chickens before they hatched and the fox is lurking the hen house. Certainly, Roberts knew he was tempting fate, a second time.
As a true agnostic I have to ask.
Does the smiting of John Roberts mean there IS a God?
This post walks up to the line of inappropriateness – I really think you guys should clarify. The post contains an evident sense of glee underneath this event.
I’m a big fan of the site, bought Marcy’s book, donate to netroots candidates, but, the tone of this post is suspect – I think we all should strive for a sense of decency in our debates. Roberts’s most recent term was, I agree, a possible harbinger of some very ominous things to come… and, present crisis aside, the thought of a supreme court that has the recent term’s outcomes multiplied over a generation indeed scares me…. but, during the confirmation process, I looked into Roberts, and, given the inevitability of there being captial-T True Conservatives on the courts at all times, he’s exactly the kind of adversary I would want and respect. He has a genuine and human sense of humor, the key trait missing from most of his legal bretheren (Scalia’s got a quick wit, but it’s of a Don Rickles, hate-filled style)…. I have trust that, given the right circumstances, if “our side” presents a solid argument on a key legal point, he will at least give it due consideration, and on those occasions when he’s clearly beaten, I think he will surrender, unlike Thomas/Scalia/Alito, whom I think would blindly close their minds to ALL cases and they’re practicaly pre-decided in their minds.
The netroots should extend HONEST concern over the man’s health.
As a sports fan, you learn this key lesson: you never want to win a battle against the other team with their star player out for an injury: it’s a hollow victory and leaves you feeling worse than a loss.
So, in the name of Darwin, let’s hope the guy’s got all his marbles intact and gets back to work in tip-top shape.
I understand Jerome’s concern about the humanity of John Roberts’ situation. But I would remind him that this is a man who actively denied women the right to their own bodies.There is a huge wake of sorrow in this man’s path.
Aynd the GAWD of Ayabrahayam did SMITE the Chief-uh JUSTice And Sayeth unto the PRESdint:
Pay attention you little spitwad, you ain’t doing right by your people.
And the PRESdint did continue mekkin MUD-pies while the AAALMITEY DICK threw SAND in the EYE of the LAWD!
yuppers, Karma and that sudden stop at the end of a fall are both a real bitch. OUCH!!!!!
So sorry to hear about your parents’ home.
Yes, life can and DOES change in an instant. Pianos do fall of the sky and occasionally they land on our heads.
It may be an “over 40 thing” but I’ve grown increasingly appreciative of ordinary, peaceful days that are in many instances, extraordinary.
Peace,
Deus Providebit?
I hope people got video on Roberts so Frist can weigh in on a medical opinion.
Julius Caesar ruled the world with epilepsy. Case closed.
Seizures these days are really nothing to be overlyconcerned about. He had one in ‘93, then another in ‘07? There are many people leading normal lives who get them monthly. Medications are quite good at keeping them at bay, Roberts ain’t quitting over this. I’m surprised it’s getting the attention it is.
Phoenix Woman:
This is a wonderful post. Not only do you not dance around the fact of Roberts’ stroke, you dispassionately and philosophically broach the prospect of his departure from the bench, something I, for one, hope for far more than any speedy recovery for him.