Comments on: an article about the edwardses http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses Sat, 30 Aug 2008 16:29:28 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.2.1 By: Lorna http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7690 Lorna Wed, 28 Mar 2007 19:55:09 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7690 sorry I didn't read carefully enough - and mistakenly thought you'd written this - but it was a good editorial nonetheless. Thanks sorry I didn’t read carefully enough - and mistakenly thought you’d written this - but it was a good editorial nonetheless. Thanks

]]> By: Xpatriated Texan http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7680 Xpatriated Texan Wed, 28 Mar 2007 16:53:06 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7680 They day the Edwardses announced he would not stop his campaign, I asked a friend, "How long do you think it will be before the right wing starts smearing him for being a bad dad/husband for continuing with his job?" I'd never thought of Katie Couric as "right-wing". But from her stubborn insistance that the Edwardses somehow admit they are wrong for continuing their lives in the face of her illness to her use of the patented Fox News "some people say..." to question their sincerity without accepting her responsibility for doing so, she has moved towards that fringe. The fact that she kept working while her husband died seems only to make her more at home on the Lyin' Right. Here's the fact: The Edwardses are rich. They worked hard to have money to take care of their family if something happened. "Something" did. Do you think they don't have the freaking sense to hire a nanny if they need one? My God, at least they CAN! The vast majority of us suffer through the outrageous slings and arrows of fortune without even the shield of sufficienct savings! I can't imagine what I'd do if my wife were stricken in such a way. I know I couldn't afford to sit at home - which probably means she and the children would be entrusted to strangers. It's insane that this is the case - and it's not only doubly insane, but incredibly insulting that someone who is supposed to be unbiased is trying to play Gocha! with someone who has actually broken out of the insanity - and has the unflinching audacity to look back and say to the rest of us, "You know, it shouldn't be like this. If you let me, I'll try and change it." XT They day the Edwardses announced he would not stop his campaign, I asked a friend, “How long do you think it will be before the right wing starts smearing him for being a bad dad/husband for continuing with his job?”

I’d never thought of Katie Couric as “right-wing”. But from her stubborn insistance that the Edwardses somehow admit they are wrong for continuing their lives in the face of her illness to her use of the patented Fox News “some people say…” to question their sincerity without accepting her responsibility for doing so, she has moved towards that fringe. The fact that she kept working while her husband died seems only to make her more at home on the Lyin’ Right.

Here’s the fact: The Edwardses are rich. They worked hard to have money to take care of their family if something happened. “Something” did. Do you think they don’t have the freaking sense to hire a nanny if they need one? My God, at least they CAN! The vast majority of us suffer through the outrageous slings and arrows of fortune without even the shield of sufficienct savings!

I can’t imagine what I’d do if my wife were stricken in such a way. I know I couldn’t afford to sit at home - which probably means she and the children would be entrusted to strangers. It’s insane that this is the case - and it’s not only doubly insane, but incredibly insulting that someone who is supposed to be unbiased is trying to play Gocha! with someone who has actually broken out of the insanity - and has the unflinching audacity to look back and say to the rest of us, “You know, it shouldn’t be like this. If you let me, I’ll try and change it.”

XT

]]> By: teri http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7678 teri Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:42:06 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7678 I second/third/bazillionth the comments about Elizabeth Edwards wanting to live her life. Why shouldn't she? When my mother was sick, all I wanted was to live a normal life, too, but it kept eluding me as people tip-toed around me and constantly asked if I was "okay." The thing that concerns me more is what happens when she does succumb? That was the point when everyone around me started acting normal--at the time when normal life had vanished and I didn't want it, because it couldn't ever come back. And so I wonder about John and how he would be able to live and lead in a "normal life" when that doesn't exist anymore? But in the meantime, they need to live life to the fullest and follow their call....and it sounds like they're doing that, at least as far as they know right now. that's what matters--not how the media thinks, but how they think and feel about it. I second/third/bazillionth the comments about Elizabeth Edwards wanting to live her life. Why shouldn’t she? When my mother was sick, all I wanted was to live a normal life, too, but it kept eluding me as people tip-toed around me and constantly asked if I was “okay.” The thing that concerns me more is what happens when she does succumb? That was the point when everyone around me started acting normal–at the time when normal life had vanished and I didn’t want it, because it couldn’t ever come back. And so I wonder about John and how he would be able to live and lead in a “normal life” when that doesn’t exist anymore? But in the meantime, they need to live life to the fullest and follow their call….and it sounds like they’re doing that, at least as far as they know right now. that’s what matters–not how the media thinks, but how they think and feel about it.

]]> By: Mamala http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7667 Mamala Wed, 28 Mar 2007 15:09:36 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7667 Cancer is non-partisan. My heart sank (and my stomach hurt) when I heard the news about Elizabeth Edwards. I had the same reaction when I heard the news yesterday about Tony Snow. Having spent 2 years of my life with someone with cancer knowing all along that she would not be cured and resume a normal life ever, I think anyone who judges the decisions of someone suffering from this dread disease is, quite frankly, way off base (that's the kindest way I can put it!). Cancer is non-partisan.

My heart sank (and my stomach hurt) when I heard the news about Elizabeth Edwards. I had the same reaction when I heard the news yesterday about Tony Snow.

Having spent 2 years of my life with someone with cancer knowing all along that she would not be cured and resume a normal life ever, I think anyone who judges the decisions of someone suffering from this dread disease is, quite frankly, way off base (that’s the kindest way I can put it!).

]]> By: ppb http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7638 ppb Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:35:04 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7638 The whole Edwards thing has been interesting because it's touching on the big question---if I had stage 4 cancer, what would I want to do with the remainder of my life? And I think after thinking about maybe a vacation to visit loved ones or some such thing, most of us want to live our lives "as usual" until the end. It seems to me that this is all Elizabeth Edwards is asking for---it's just that her "as usual" involves being a politician's wife. But since most of us are not the spouse of a politician we think that being in the public eye like that, traveling all around the coutnry, going to events, arranging our child's schooling while on the road is a horrible way to spend limited time----but it's not our normal. It's her normal, and if it's her normal, she should have it. The whole Edwards thing has been interesting because it’s touching on the big question—if I had stage 4 cancer, what would I want to do with the remainder of my life? And I think after thinking about maybe a vacation to visit loved ones or some such thing, most of us want to live our lives “as usual” until the end. It seems to me that this is all Elizabeth Edwards is asking for—it’s just that her “as usual” involves being a politician’s wife. But since most of us are not the spouse of a politician we think that being in the public eye like that, traveling all around the coutnry, going to events, arranging our child’s schooling while on the road is a horrible way to spend limited time—-but it’s not our normal. It’s her normal, and if it’s her normal, she should have it.

]]> By: spookyrach http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7636 spookyrach Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:31:25 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7636 We went through this as well when Jackson had colon cancer a few years back. I got to where I dreaded going to church and facing all the well-meaning well-wishers who were genuinely and authentically concerned. It was really hard work. I saw the interview and I thought Elizabeth Edwards kicked butt. I loved the line about how much of their lives they had already given to cancer and they just weren't willing to give more. We went through this as well when Jackson had colon cancer a few years back. I got to where I dreaded going to church and facing all the well-meaning well-wishers who were genuinely and authentically concerned. It was really hard work.

I saw the interview and I thought Elizabeth Edwards kicked butt. I loved the line about how much of their lives they had already given to cancer and they just weren’t willing to give more.

]]> By: reverendmother http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7635 reverendmother Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:17:58 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7635 Just to clarify, I did not write the above. I might comment on it later though. Just to clarify, I did not write the above. I might comment on it later though.

]]> By: Preacher Mom http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7618 Preacher Mom Wed, 28 Mar 2007 13:01:21 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7618 Thanks for sharing this article. Their very public story happens to be coinciding with the beginning of one of my best friend's journey through breast cancer, which makes it even more powerful for me. When I hear these very public and very hateful comments made about their very private and very personal decisions, I am reminded of Jesus' words about the speck and the log. It is so easy to tell others what they 'should' do to be better ___ . (Fill in: parents, candidates, leaders, pastors, Christians, etc.) Somehow we seem to fail to see our own shortcomings. It is not ours to judge. As voters, it is ours to support - or not. Other than that, the mudslingers need to just bow out. Thanks for sharing this article. Their very public story happens to be coinciding with the beginning of one of my best friend’s journey through breast cancer, which makes it even more powerful for me.

When I hear these very public and very hateful comments made about their very private and very personal decisions, I am reminded of Jesus’ words about the speck and the log. It is so easy to tell others what they ’should’ do to be better ___ . (Fill in: parents, candidates, leaders, pastors, Christians, etc.) Somehow we seem to fail to see our own shortcomings.

It is not ours to judge. As voters, it is ours to support - or not. Other than that, the mudslingers need to just bow out.

]]> By: sherry http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7613 sherry Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:36:52 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7613 I have a chronic disease that can/will cause cancer at some point in my life and has affects on my life now. As such, I have faced these choices. For me, it has been a choice between living my life or dying my life. What is my calling and how do/will I live it? My issue with the Edwards is that it has to be so public. Why do folks who choose to serve in public office loose their right to patient/doctor confidentiality? Why do the Edwards have to tell all of us? Why do we even get to say whether we think their decision is right or wrong? It is not our life, it is not our choice. I have a chronic disease that can/will cause cancer at some point in my life and has affects on my life now. As such, I have faced these choices.

For me, it has been a choice between living my life or dying my life. What is my calling and how do/will I live it?

My issue with the Edwards is that it has to be so public. Why do folks who choose to serve in public office loose their right to patient/doctor confidentiality? Why do the Edwards have to tell all of us? Why do we even get to say whether we think their decision is right or wrong? It is not our life, it is not our choice.

]]> By: Lorna http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7608 Lorna Wed, 28 Mar 2007 12:27:41 +0000 http://reverendmother.org/2007-03-27/an-article-about-the-edwardses#comment-7608 This was a well-written editorial RM I don'tknow any of the details - or the famous people -but I liked what you wrote :) This was a well-written editorial RM

I don’tknow any of the details - or the famous people -but I liked what you wrote :)

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