Morality is not determined by the church you attend nor the faith you embrace. It is determined by the quality of your character and the positive impact you have on those you meet along your journey
It's never until you hear real stories about real people that you understand how important health care reform is to our public integrity. Keith has shown all of us what it means to each of us. I know of what he speaks. I am one of those people. A deep thank you to Keith for speaking for some of us.
Thanks for posting this clip of Keith's comment. I had just finished watching it then I came here to look for updats on the other issue. This is a profound commentary, I hope many people view this clip. My heart goes out to Keith and his family.
I had to make this decision many years ago for my Mother.At about 85 lb's in and out of a coma with a broken hip (not healing)stroke and heart problems.A Docter asked permission to operate on the hip.My only question was "Will it improve her quality of life"His answer was negative.My Mom died 2 days later peacefully,without an operation She did'nt need.I have a directive (I'm 73)I never want my family to have to make a decision like mine. To this day it haunts me even tho it was the right thing to do .Keith is right on target.I know his pain. Tell Palin and her ilk to go to hell
We went through this same heartbreak last summer with my mother-in-law. Like Keith's dad, she had Medicare, and like Keith, we had the conversation with the doctor. It most certainly is NOT a death panel. Sarah Palin is an idiot.
This was hard to watch, but I forced myself to do so. I went through something similar (but not as dramatic) with my mother. Fortunately, we had talked about end-of-life issues when she was healthy, and she had a living will. Enough said. She died peacefully after one day in hospice care, without any extraordinary procedures. It's exactly what she wanted. Keith is right: consulting with the medical experts is the best thing to do, and should not be denied to anyone.
My husband and I have living wills, too. Everyone should have end-of-life discussions with friends and loved ones.
I don't cry easily, but between Keith's sincerity and having walked the same path with my mom's Alzheimers...he left me sobbing.
Medicare & Medicaid saw my mom through 38 yrs. (98 yrs old when she died). Both these programs furnished great social workers who helped both of us with care. The only problems she & I encountered were with Providence Supplemental Insurance & they don't know the meaning of 'care' except where the payments are concerned.
Turning 65 this year I finally have Medicare after years of hit and miss insurance. If this is Socialism, I'm delighted not to be in the nightmare of having nothing.
No one in America should have that nightmare!
Thank you Grypen for your 'care' to rid us of people like Palin who want to keep the nightmares going.
Such love and strength, beauty in a way. Read this earlyer and was moved to hear emotional music. Then came here for lighter fare, but to find the effect is wider than i alone.
Happy Birthday Gryphen!! and i agree with all of the above posters - this was a beautiful and heartfelt comment from KO. I wish it could be put onto YouTube (i don't know how, if it can) and/or made into a public service announcement by those in favor of health care reform.
I had to make the decision to turn off life support on my mother just a short time ago...she did not have a living will...I Thank God for her care team who took the time to talk to me...when I asked the questions they gave me the answers...I will always look at the fact that my mother gave me life on my birthday...that was also the day I gave her peace.....I hope Sarah Palin ROTS in Hell and may it be a slow painfull uninsured trip.....
I never thought that KO would make me cry but this was excellent. I am so sorry the Keith and his Dad have had such a hard time but I am glad that his Dad has Medicare and is getting great care.
We all need advance directives for health care, without them they have to do everything even if it won't do anything to save you. There is a time to let go.
I work in healthcare and have for over thirty years. We NEED to solve this problem, but this abortion that has been proposed is horrible.
More than 70% of Americans believe that they should scrap this piece of legislation and start over. It is nothing but another giveaway to the insurance companies and does not in any way accomplish universal health care. In addition it will probably destroy what is left of our economy. I believe they MUST start over and do their homework this time. What is happening now is nothing but a power struggle between two feckless political parties, with absolutely no regard for those who will have to foot the bill and then live with this monster.
The best "Internet spam" I've seen in a while is a sort of chain letter calling for a Constitutional amendment requiring Congress to be subject to any laws it passes. That would solve the problem immediately.
I went through the same thing with both parents and a nasty sibling who refused to see the light about quality vs. quantity of life. When my mother was dying, my dad was very fragile. My sister kept up a badgering about keeping mom alive for her own guilt (past problems between them). My dad was almost willing to go along until a caring physician talked to him about exactly what my mom's "life" would be for the few months if left as is. My dad was horrified and knew he could not let that happen to the woman he had loved for 30 plus years. My sister never forgave him and tried the exact same crap when it was his turn, most assuredly out of spite. I let her have it with both barrels and have not seen nor spoken to her in 10 years. THAT is the outcome of NOT having some one outside the immediate family to counsel them on the ramifications of action and inaction in regards to end of life decisions. Sarah can go F herself with a rusty rail spike.
Horrifying for Keith to lose both beloved parents in a single year. May G-d bless him, and may he and his sister be comforted among all those who mourn, and know that millions of people care for them and share their pain...
My husband is an intensive care doctor in the midwest. He is regularly confronted with this sort of situation. The fact that this miserable excuse for a human being and others like her exploit human tragedy for their own gain is abhorrent. There should be a special place in hell for Sarah Palin.
wow. prayers and best wishes to the olbermann family, especially for keith's dad. I remember my grandfather suffered in a similar way in the hospital; having that end of life discussion with the doctors and allowing him to die with dignity at home in hospice was our last heartbreaking but necessary gift to him. i wish that every senator and representative would give such impassioned pleas to their constituents so we recall what this healthcare bill and summit should really be about: making healthcare a right for all of america's people.
i don't know how sarah palin, betsy mc(can't spell the rest of her name) and everyone else opposing a sound healthcare bill can sleep at night knowing that they could have done something to ease a whole lot of people's suffereing. but i guess it's more important to them to stick it to obama. i so hope the democrats grow a backbone for this one.
This was a most powerful special comment from Keith. I was in tears by the end of it. A most perfect place for it to be posted would be on Sarahs' last screech about health care reform. But, alas, it would be removed.
I don't know how to comment on KO's site so I'll say it here. My thoughts and prayers go out to Keith and his family. We went through something similar with my father in 1999. I wish them peace.
For several years now, my mother has had a living will. She had the conversation with her doctor that should she be in that position, no life support measures will be taken. No measures of any kind will be made to extend her life. She's 70 and ill, but still in her own home. I don't know how much longer that will last. But the choice is hers. And I'm grateful that she made the decision so that I nor my brothers will never have to.
I also live in 1 of (I believe) 2 states in the nation that allow physician assisted suicide. After many heated discussions before this bill was passed, my mother and I both voted for it (I was against the provision that someone can make that decision and act on it without alerting family - otherwise, I was all for it).
My mother means the world to me. I never want to see her in pain (again).
My heart and thoughts go out to Keith and his father.
In order to support Keith and honor his father, I think we need to spread his message as much as we can and as far as we can about Life Panels. The other term should be removed from our vocabulary.
Happy Birthday Griffin! Maybe some wonderful tidbit will drop into your lap (or mailbox) today that will be the best gift ever!
I've been dealing with cancer for a number of years and was recently diagnosed at being in stage 4. It was necessary for my family to take part in the EOL counseling. My daughters didn't even want to consider it, but now that it is done and out of the way, we can all get on with enjoying each day to its fullest knowing that when the time arrives, plans are made and no one will have to deal with them then. It sure as hell hasn't easy to even think about, but it is necessary.
I watched this segment live on Keith's show last night. I immediately sent it to my family and said I thought it was important for everyone to watch.
This morning, I received this response from my father:
"CLEARLY LIBERAL!!!! How weak to use his father's near death experience to BASH Sara Palin. She did not call them "death panels, Your stupid president did.
You have to stop the Sara bashing and do something to help save this country. You seem to have that ONE focus (bash Sara). Your party is leading our country into OBLIVION and doesn't even care because it is about filling their pockets. I really feel for (your daughter), as she will be growing up in a living HELL soon and having to pay for your mistakes you and your party created. Look around you nothing they have done has worked, but to fill his buddies pockets with your money and put us farther in debt. Where are the jobs and the change they promised. No excuses, he has had a year to accomplish this, and nothing yet! They don't have a plan but to break you so you become more dependent on them!!!!! Then what will you have but what they are willing to give you? "Oops, sorry, we have to put you to death because there isn't enough money for left for you".
LOVE dad"
I mean, where do I even BEGIN with that?! I am so disgusted and upset. This is from a man who will soon face these very issues in his own future. He is blinded by what he hears on religious right radio. To his own detriment!!
So I wanted to say THANK YOU. All of you. Gryphen for giving us this forum, and the rest of you for keeping it a vibrant place to share opinions.
I have never met any of you in person, but without you, and people like you, I feel I might go nuts.
6:36 I'm glad that you and your family found a way to make your very important decisions ahead of time. I'm sending elite liberal sprout-eating good thoughts to you from California.
Leadfoot, oh my. It's one thing to see the ignorance spouted by the sea of pee but another to see it come from your own family. There's not even any point in trying to argue with someone who thinks that President Obama (aka "your stupid president") was the one who brought up death panels. All you can do is to hope that your father and like-minded individuals spend the rest of their days frustrated because Mrs. Todd Palin never achieves the high office they dream of for her. Because the alternative is unthinkable.
You can't choose your family! But thankfully some great bloggers have given us a space to speak the truth and heard it spoken by others.
It was tough watching Keith talk about his father. It sounds to me like he is accepted the fact that his father might not make it. I know what that is like. I've been there. Fortunately, the hospital bills will be paid. My thoughts and prayers are with Keith and his father.
I watch KO every night but hadn't been able to bring myself to watch this segment (it's on the internet so I can pick and choose). I came here and read the comments and it's as I suspected.
I was the only one in my family with the fortitude to research my mother's condition as she lay in a coma, and I made the decision to pull the feeding tube. The others agreed after I explained that the best she would have to look forward to would be "a lifetime of spoon feedings and diaper changes" as the doctor put it.
My mother and I were very close - she was my best friend. I guess that's why I did what I had to that day. I don't know how Keith holds himself together.
Saw a comment on another blog saying that today is your birthday, Gryphen. If so, happy happy! Love your blog! Thanks for all your good work.
ReplyDeleteIt's never until you hear real stories about real people that you understand how important health care reform is to our public integrity. Keith has shown all of us what it means to each of us. I know of what he speaks. I am one of those people. A deep thank you to Keith for speaking for some of us.
ReplyDeleteThanks G. a powerful and heartfelt message.
ReplyDeleteThis was heartbreaking to watch, but Keith O. is such a treasure. His father would be so proud of him.
ReplyDeleteIt was a wonderful comment, truly amazing and moving.
ReplyDeleteRachel was on fire as well, and should not be missed.
Thanks for posting this clip of Keith's comment. I had just finished watching it then I came here to look for updats on the other issue.
ReplyDeleteThis is a profound commentary, I hope many people view this clip.
My heart goes out to Keith and his family.
God Bless Keith Olbermann and peace to his father.
ReplyDeleteKO is a mensch!
ReplyDeleteI had to make this decision many years ago for my Mother.At about 85 lb's in and out of a coma with a broken hip (not healing)stroke and heart problems.A Docter asked permission to operate on the hip.My only question was "Will it improve her quality of life"His answer was negative.My Mom died 2 days later peacefully,without an operation She did'nt need.I have a directive (I'm 73)I never want my family to have to make a decision like mine. To this day it haunts me even tho it was the right thing to do .Keith is right on target.I know his pain. Tell Palin and her ilk to go to hell
ReplyDeleteAll I can say is this:
ReplyDeleteFUCK YOU, SARAH PALIN!!
For spreading lies and fear about YOUR BULLSHIT about DEATH PANELS!!
FUCK YOU! YOU ARE SCUM!!
We went through this same heartbreak last summer with my mother-in-law. Like Keith's dad, she had Medicare, and like Keith, we had the conversation with the doctor. It most certainly is NOT a death panel. Sarah Palin is an idiot.
ReplyDeleteBlue_in_AK
This was hard to watch, but I forced myself to do so. I went through something similar (but not as dramatic) with my mother. Fortunately, we had talked about end-of-life issues when she was healthy, and she had a living will. Enough said. She died peacefully after one day in hospice care, without any extraordinary procedures. It's exactly what she wanted. Keith is right: consulting with the medical experts is the best thing to do, and should not be denied to anyone.
ReplyDeleteMy husband and I have living wills, too. Everyone should have end-of-life discussions with friends and loved ones.
Oh, I forgot to add: Sarah Palin is a vicious, self-serving, ignorant pig.
ReplyDeleteI don't cry easily, but between Keith's sincerity and having walked the same path with my mom's Alzheimers...he left me sobbing.
ReplyDeleteMedicare & Medicaid saw my mom through 38 yrs. (98 yrs old when she died). Both these programs furnished great social workers who helped both of us with care. The only problems she & I encountered were with Providence Supplemental Insurance & they don't know the meaning of 'care' except where the payments are concerned.
Turning 65 this year I finally have Medicare after years of hit and miss insurance. If this is Socialism, I'm delighted not to be in the nightmare of having nothing.
No one in America should have that nightmare!
Thank you Grypen for your 'care' to rid us of people like Palin who want to keep the nightmares going.
Forgot to wish you a Happy Birthday Gryphen and if it isn't your Birthday, then Happy Day!
ReplyDeleteWhat about this guy? Why can't we help this guy?
ReplyDeletehttp://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/4851620202428705083/parkrose-coach-dave-delestatious-stricken-with-pancreatic-cancer-hes-in-the-fight-of-his-life/
Such love and strength, beauty in a way. Read this earlyer and was moved to hear emotional music. Then came here for lighter fare, but to find the effect is wider than i alone.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Gryphen!! and i agree with all of the above posters - this was a beautiful and heartfelt comment from KO. I wish it could be put onto YouTube (i don't know how, if it can) and/or made into a public service announcement by those in favor of health care reform.
ReplyDeletePowerfull.... I hope they hear him....
ReplyDeleteI had to make the decision to turn off life support on my mother just a short time ago...she did not have a living will...I Thank God for her care team who took the time to talk to me...when I asked the questions they gave me the answers...I will always look at the fact that my mother gave me life on my birthday...that was also the day I gave her peace.....I hope Sarah Palin ROTS in Hell and may it be a slow painfull uninsured trip.....
I never thought that KO would make me cry but this was excellent. I am so sorry the Keith and his Dad have had such a hard time but I am glad that his Dad has Medicare and is getting great care.
ReplyDeleteWe all need advance directives for health care, without them they have to do everything even if it won't do anything to save you. There is a time to let go.
I work in healthcare and have for over thirty years. We NEED to solve this problem, but this abortion that has been proposed is horrible.
ReplyDeleteMore than 70% of Americans believe that they should scrap this piece of legislation and start over. It is nothing but another giveaway to the insurance companies and does not in any way accomplish universal health care. In addition it will probably destroy what is left of our economy. I believe they MUST start over and do their homework this time. What is happening now is nothing but a power struggle between two feckless political parties, with absolutely no regard for those who will have to foot the bill and then live with this monster.
The best "Internet spam" I've seen in a while is a sort of chain letter calling for a Constitutional amendment requiring Congress to be subject to any laws it passes. That would solve the problem immediately.
I went through the same thing with both parents and a nasty sibling who refused to see the light about quality vs. quantity of life. When my mother was dying, my dad was very fragile. My sister kept up a badgering about keeping mom alive for her own guilt (past problems between them). My dad was almost willing to go along until a caring physician talked to him about exactly what my mom's "life" would be for the few months if left as is. My dad was horrified and knew he could not let that happen to the woman he had loved for 30 plus years. My sister never forgave him and tried the exact same crap when it was his turn, most assuredly out of spite. I let her have it with both barrels and have not seen nor spoken to her in 10 years. THAT is the outcome of NOT having some one outside the immediate family to counsel them on the ramifications of action and inaction in regards to end of life decisions.
ReplyDeleteSarah can go F herself with a rusty rail spike.
Horrifying for Keith to lose both beloved parents in a single year. May G-d bless him, and may he and his sister be comforted among all those who mourn, and know that millions of people care for them and share their pain...
ReplyDeleteMy husband is an intensive care doctor in the midwest. He is regularly confronted with this sort of situation. The fact that this miserable excuse for a human being and others like her exploit human tragedy for their own gain is abhorrent. There should be a special place in hell for Sarah Palin.
ReplyDeleteThat was incredibly powerful. Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeletewow. prayers and best wishes to the olbermann family, especially for keith's dad. I remember my grandfather suffered in a similar way in the hospital; having that end of life discussion with the doctors and allowing him to die with dignity at home in hospice was our last heartbreaking but necessary gift to him. i wish that every senator and representative would give such impassioned pleas to their constituents so we recall what this healthcare bill and summit should really be about: making healthcare a right for all of america's people.
ReplyDeletei don't know how sarah palin, betsy mc(can't spell the rest of her name) and everyone else opposing a sound healthcare bill can sleep at night knowing that they could have done something to ease a whole lot of people's suffereing. but i guess it's more important to them to stick it to obama. i so hope the democrats grow a backbone for this one.
This was a most powerful special comment from Keith. I was in tears by the end of it.
ReplyDeleteA most perfect place for it to be posted would be on Sarahs' last screech about health care reform. But, alas, it would be removed.
I don't know how to comment on KO's site so I'll say it here. My thoughts and prayers go out to Keith and his family. We went through something similar with my father in 1999. I wish them peace.
ReplyDeleteFor several years now, my mother has had a living will. She had the conversation with her doctor that should she be in that position, no life support measures will be taken. No measures of any kind will be made to extend her life. She's 70 and ill, but still in her own home. I don't know how much longer that will last. But the choice is hers. And I'm grateful that she made the decision so that I nor my brothers will never have to.
ReplyDeleteI also live in 1 of (I believe) 2 states in the nation that allow physician assisted suicide. After many heated discussions before this bill was passed, my mother and I both voted for it (I was against the provision that someone can make that decision and act on it without alerting family - otherwise, I was all for it).
My mother means the world to me. I never want to see her in pain (again).
My heart and thoughts go out to Keith and his father.
In order to support Keith and honor his father, I think we need to spread his message as much as we can and as far as we can about Life Panels. The other term should be removed from our vocabulary.
Happy Birthday Griffin! Maybe some wonderful tidbit will drop into your lap (or mailbox) today that will be the best gift ever!
ReplyDeleteI've been dealing with cancer for a number of years and was recently diagnosed at being in stage 4. It was necessary for my family to take part in the EOL counseling. My daughters didn't even want to consider it, but now that it is done and out of the way, we can all get on with enjoying each day to its fullest knowing that when the time arrives, plans are made and no one will have to deal with them then. It sure as hell hasn't easy to even think about, but it is necessary.
To anonymous @ 6:36 am:
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry to hear of your disgnosis. Remember, there is always hope, that hope just changes with the circumstances.....
Seek treatment if it is viable and possible and if it doesn't work then choose to say no more.
No matter what, do enjoy all the time that you have in every way you can. Bravo to you and your family for facing this decision.
May you and your family find peace on your journey....
Gryphen, I want to share something with you.
ReplyDeleteI watched this segment live on Keith's show last night. I immediately sent it to my family and said I thought it was important for everyone to watch.
This morning, I received this response from my father:
"CLEARLY LIBERAL!!!! How weak to use his father's near death experience to BASH Sara Palin. She did not call them "death panels, Your stupid president did.
You have to stop the Sara bashing and do something to help save this country. You seem to have that ONE focus (bash Sara). Your party is leading our country into OBLIVION and doesn't even care because it is about filling their pockets. I really feel for (your daughter), as she will be growing up in a living HELL soon and having to pay for your mistakes you and your party created. Look around you nothing they have done has worked, but to fill his buddies pockets with your money and put us farther in debt. Where are the jobs and the change they promised. No excuses, he has had a year to accomplish this, and nothing yet! They don't have a plan but to break you so you become more dependent on them!!!!! Then what will you have but what they are willing to give you? "Oops, sorry, we have to put you to death because there isn't enough money for left for you".
LOVE
dad"
I mean, where do I even BEGIN with that?! I am so disgusted and upset. This is from a man who will soon face these very issues in his own future. He is blinded by what he hears on religious right radio. To his own detriment!!
So I wanted to say THANK YOU. All of you. Gryphen for giving us this forum, and the rest of you for keeping it a vibrant place to share opinions.
I have never met any of you in person, but without you, and people like you, I feel I might go nuts.
Bless you all.
I thought KO was very moving in his comments....and I wish the Dems had fought the 'death panel' mem with the 'life panel' comments of Mr Oberman.
ReplyDeletePalin's hypocrisy is mind boggling. The fact that she would deny all American basic coverage while her family scams the programs for Native Americans.
Agree with other posters:
ReplyDeleteFU Sarah Palin!
6:36 I'm glad that you and your family found a way to make your very important decisions ahead of time. I'm sending elite liberal sprout-eating good thoughts to you from California.
ReplyDeleteLeadfoot, oh my. It's one thing to see the ignorance spouted by the sea of pee but another to see it come from your own family. There's not even any point in trying to argue with someone who thinks that President Obama (aka "your stupid president") was the one who brought up death panels. All you can do is to hope that your father and like-minded individuals spend the rest of their days frustrated because Mrs. Todd Palin never achieves the high office they dream of for her. Because the alternative is unthinkable.
You can't choose your family! But thankfully some great bloggers have given us a space to speak the truth and heard it spoken by others.
It was tough watching Keith talk about his father. It sounds to me like he is accepted the fact that his father might not make it. I know what that is like. I've been there. Fortunately, the hospital bills will be paid. My thoughts and prayers are with Keith and his father.
ReplyDeleteFor someone who has dealt with both parents in very similar situations.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
This was hard to watch.
ReplyDeleteHis dad would be proud.
How sad...
I watch KO every night but hadn't been able to bring myself to watch this segment (it's on the internet so I can pick and choose). I came here and read the comments and it's as I suspected.
ReplyDeleteI was the only one in my family with the fortitude to research my mother's condition as she lay in a coma, and I made the decision to pull the feeding tube. The others agreed after I explained that the best she would have to look forward to would be "a lifetime of spoon feedings and diaper changes" as the doctor put it.
My mother and I were very close - she was my best friend. I guess that's why I did what I had to that day. I don't know how Keith holds himself together.
What a great resource!
ReplyDeleteI would like to read more soon. BTW, rather nice design this blog has, but what do you think about changing it every few months?
ReplyDelete