America's Health Conscience

Everyone knows someone who has suffered the awful feat of battling cancer. It affects everyday life, your health and your family and it seems now everywhere you look, someone else is being diagnosed. Just this week Tony Snow and Elizabeth Edwards announced that their previously beaten cancer was back, and in Tony Snow's case, back with a vengeance. In a emotional and at times tearful briefing made Tuesday morning, Snow explained to the American public that his colon cancer was back. At his previously scheduled 10 week checkup, doctors found a mass in his abdomen. While in surgery to remove to mass, doctors found the cancer had metastasized to his liver. Briefing. In true American style Snow promised that he will not let the cancer bring him down, "I'm going to beat it again." Bush in an address to the press March 27th, asked Americans to "Pray for him, and his family." Bush's Well Wishes. White House spokeswoman and friend to Snow, Dana Perino was visibly upset at the press conference but managed to say that Snow asked her to pass on to the reporters his wish for privacy, "Tell them not to bug me." I only hope that his wishes are respected as he gathers up strength to begin his fight.Perino.

Meanwhile also in Washington Democrat John Edwards announced that his wife Elizabeth's breast cancer had returned and spread to her bones, making her cancer treatable, but incurable. However, they both decided that his campaign for presidency should continue which has been viewed by Americans as courageous and yet also selfish. In an article by the San Fransisco Chronicle Edwards answered some hard questions about his future plans in his run for the presidency."They will have to evaluate what my ability is to focus and make decisions,'' Edwards said. "This will provide an opportunity to make that evaluation, and I'm completely confident I can do that.'' (Edwards speaking about Americans deciding whether or not he will make a good president while dealing with his wife's health issues). San Fransisco.
All over the political websites and blogs, discussion is going on about the recent interview on 60 minutes with Katie Couric. Both Edwards and his wife appeared on the show and answered what critics are calling tough and somewhat unfair questions. Couric asked the Edwards how people at home watching this might be thinking, "I would put my family first always, and my job second." And you're doing the exact opposite. You're putting your work first, and your family second." Edwards replied, "First of all, there's not a single person in America that should vote for me because Elizabeth has cancer. Not a one. If you're considering doing it, don't do it. Do not vote for us because you feel some sympathy or compassion for us. That would be an enormous mistake. The vote for the presidency is far too important for any of those things to influence it".
Edwards ended the interview with this closing statement:
And if you ask me today, whether I'm in this campaign for the duration, the answer to that question is, "Yes." 60 Minutes Interview
I'll end this by saying its going to be an interesting race!