Sifting through the seemingly endless bookmarks of articles I had hoped to read these past recent hectic months, I came across a few things which just defy reality.
Back in January, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, a potential 2016 Republican Presidential candidate, gave a press conference in Union Beach, NJ concerning the painfully slow process with which the National Flood Insurance Program has conducted itself during the horrid aftermath of Superstorm Sandy.
As a life long Toms River Jersey-Boy, who experienced and is still personally dealing with the effects of Sandy, I made it a point to watch this event. First, because I care about my state and communities, and, for those who don’t know, don’t hear, or just don’t care, a large portion of Sandy victims are still struggling with the reality of their altered lives.
Governor Christie made his remarks, then took questions from the media.
And what probing and insightful questions did we get from the media? The same media that made covering the plight of those affected by Hurricane Katrina span the better part of a decade?
Questions about Chris Christie’s weight, and whether it should exclude him from higher office.
It was unbelievable.
(Yes.. I know he had recently gone on David Letterman’s show and joked about the jokes about his weight. However, that single moment of levity should not have been reason enough to have released a month-long torrent of probing and negative questioning about this one fat person’s fitness for office, especially given the severity of what just occurred with Sandy.)
For at least a month, the issue of Christie’s weight was one of ceaseless contemplation on political talk shows, the radio, and in print media. Can an obese person serve as President? Should it disqualify him from running for and becoming President of the United States in 2016? Does it make his running-mate that much more important, knowing he may be a heart-attack away from becoming Commander-in-Chief? Does it show a lack of responsibility or self-control on Christie’s part, and should that be considered a factor when voting?
Imagine the outrage if Christie was a woman.
It was God-damned surreal.
Now, as any fan of politics knows, on the Liberal edge of the world, Hillary Clinton is the anointed Democratic candidate for 2016. Everyday speculation grows about her throwing her sombrero into the ring. Her memoir is coming out in 2014. Every empty talking-head is blubbering about it.
And why not? She deserves it! I mean, with all she’s accomplished, and all she had to swallow with hubby Bill, ex-Horn-dog-in Chief! It’s her turn to be Presidette! Hell.. It’s her RIGHT!
However, Hillary has some medical issues of her own.
Back in December, Hillary suffered a concussion. She had to wear special lenses in her glasses to compensate for the visual difficulties produced by her concussion. It was packaged up as the result of a fall caused by dehydration. (Must be damned hard to get water as the U.S. Secretary of State.) Then, in January, as the truth leaked out drip by controlled drip, we found that Hillary also had a blood clot. IN HER SKULL. We know that she has a history of blood clots, since, back in 1998, she developed one in her leg, a condition known as deep vein thrombosis.
Umm. That’s sorta serious, no?
At the time of the media’s feeding-frenzy over Christie’s weight issues, in a bizarre occurrence, Connie Mariano, White House physician during the Clinton regime , belched out her concerns about Chris Christie’s girth.
“I’m a Republican. (snort.. chortle..) I like Chris Christie. I want him to run. I just want him to lose weight,” Mariano said. “I’m a physician more than I’m a Democrat or Republican. And I’m worried about this man dying in office.”
That’s a hell of a bedside manner you got there, Con. I’m sure Christie’s wife and four children appreciated your unsolicited opinion given to the entire world.
Anyway, seeing how the good doctor was just voicing her sincere concern as a physician, it’s quite amazing how she feels no reason to address the serious medical conditions surrounding Hillary Clinton, her one-time White House patient. A concussion and blood clots? You’d think she would feel compelled to lend her unsolicited concerns about Christie’s medically compromised possible opponent.
Of course, not a peep from the good doctor.
Blood clots can lead to a stroke. Aside from blood thinners and medication, there’s not much Hillary can do to ward off the occurrence of others.
Pretty serious stuff. At least as serious as a person’s weight.
And, speaking of Hillary’s concussion, this study came out on March 12th. Some notable excerpts:
A single concussion, one of the most common forms of traumatic brain injury in the United States, may have a lasting impact on the brain, resulting in long-term structural damage.
A study from the New York University Langone School of Medicine found that patients who had suffered from a concussion, or mild traumatic brain injury (MTBI), had significant damage in certain portions of their brains a year after their injury.
Most often, concussion occur when the head is severely struck or experiences severe whiplash. Many patients experience symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, memory problems, and even depression or anxiety. Sometimes, these side effects last for months – and sometimes years.
While the specific symptoms associated with this region have not be identified, the findings overall show that brain atrophy is not exclusive to severe brain injury, but can also occur after one small concussion.
Yup. I sure want a groggy, aging, confused Hillary answering that 3 AM phone call as her brain atrophies away in the White House.
Hell, at least if he makes the effort, Christie could actually DO something about his weight and lose some! (And his weight is not something that could affect his mental acuity.)
Will the media do it’s job and question these very serious medical conditions, ones which have already been suffered by Hillary, and may very well negatively affect her cognitive abilities?
Her health and medical issues should at least be scrutinized with the same zeal as Christie’s.
Well, I guess it’s just easier and more fun to focus on a fat Republican man in the room.
Easy laughs. Easy bias.
No explanation required.
