Edwards remains in the race...

[alison]

I agree with Kris. I have nothing to add, because the Edwards' situation is so far removed from my reality. Plus, I'm too busy chuckling about Thomas following Kris around with a camera.

[DCJenn]

I completely agree with everything Kris said.

Besides, we have to remember that he's NOT president, he's running for president. If she believes that its important for him to continue then more power to them both.

I don't think that it's our place to say what any family does in this situation.

and man, poor Tony Snow. 51 and he's already had his entire colon removed.

Unfortunately, neither one has a ton of time left on this earth so I say lets let them live as they choose.

Jenn

[DCJenn]

I'm having a problem understanding what all the fuss is about to be honest.

Seriously, it's their family, their decision. Who cares? If they want to do this, then why does anyone else care?

His only job is as a candidate. It's not like he's still on the hill and trying to manage that, too.

Elizabeth Edwards is no shrinking violet. Let's respect her decision and move on.

Jenn

Re: Edwards remains in the race...

He can have many years to run for President, the precious time his wife has left is limited and to me it is extremely selfish for him to press on dispite her struggles. I know she goes on about how she supports this decision and blah, blah, blah. She's a good political wife, what else can she say? "I think my husband is being a self bastard and I wish he would drop out of the race"

I don't think we can assume that he forced Elizabeth into continuing on. It's quite possible that it was her idea.....maybe she truly believes she is living life to the fullest. :huh:

Even though I would not have chosen the same path, I can not fault the Edwards family for the path they have chosen to take. What right do we have to criticize another person for the way he or she chooses to die?

[PrincessFiona]

Well, for those of you who would have Edwards quit the race...here is a thought question for you.

What...SHOULD he do? Not work? Go back to his regular gig? Or...should he and Elizabeth sit at home and wait for the inevitable...whether it take 3 months, 6 months or 2 years?

As I understand it, Elizabeth is trying to be hopeful that the cancer might be *manageable* for a few years....like a chronic disease. That may or may not be reasonable ... but what kind of a message does it send to her if he drops everything to sit at the kitchen table and be with her everyday.

I assure you...that does indeed get old.

DH and I spent several days doing that. Not sleeping...not eating....sitting on the sofa holding hands...walking the streets of our neighborhood in the fresh new snow and trying to hold each other as close as possible.

And then...we slowly sorted ourselves back into real life. Should I have made the kids all drop out of school and sit at home with me in case it was their last year ever to see me? If I had been in the last stages of dying...yes...otherwise, everyone needs their routine, friendships and external support.

Bottom line...no one knows how Elizabeth feels but Elizabeth...and noone knows how John feels....but John. They are likely shell-shocked, devastated and sad beyond belief.....but they probably don't want to just shut down and let this engulf them either.

[DCJenn]

I think we have a very subtle sexism at work here, too.

No one has said that Tony Snow's wife needs to stop doing her job because HE has cancer.

Jenn

[Vanquisher]

I think we have a very subtle sexism at work here, too.

No one has said that Tony Snow's wife needs to stop doing her job because HE has cancer.

Jenn

I don't think we are being sexist at all. I didn't realize we were debating Tony Snow. I don't know anything about his wife or what she does, but running for president isn't a job. Plus, depending on their finances and everythign else, maybe she should? THe difference here is that Tony Snow is keeping his job.

Again, I don't personally know what Elizabeth Edwards wants. For me, though, it wouldn't be my choice.

What...SHOULD he do? Not work? Go back to his regular gig? Or...should he and Elizabeth sit at home and wait for the inevitable...whether it take 3 months, 6 months or 2 years?

Just focus on her for a while. I'm not saying he should even rule out running for president, but for heavens sake, take a break. He doesn't need to follow her around with a video camera, and I don't know what it feels like to be there, Kris, and you do, so I can't say I understand. It just seems super insanely selfish to me. I don't think they should sit at home, but they should do whatever they want together. If that's running for President, so be it. :huh: That's just one f'ed up way to show you care to me.

I can only liken it to if my husband decided he wanted to do another residency. He wanted this really competitive one. There was only one spot, and he was a good candidate to be sure. If I got sick, or one of our kids got sick, I would expect him to put us first.

Whether that's what is going on or not, who knows? It just doesn't appear that way.

"Sorry about the cancer hun. You mind if I still run for president?"

"Do whatever you want. You know I support you."

"Thanks sweet cheeks. I knew you'd understand. This will be great for my campaign!"



At least Elizabeth should come out and say publicly, "He would give it all up for me, but I want him to continue because I know he is what this country needs or some such BS.

[DCJenn]

She already DID say that.

She said at the press conference that he told her he would stop the campaign immediately and that she told him under no circumstances is he to stop campaigning.

Jenn

[Vanquisher]

Okay, well then, I did not know that. See, what happens when I debate?

Anyhoo, still not the choice I would make.

[Bluejay]

http://www.theonion.com/content/amvo/ed ... pathy_vote

This is funny.

Karma is a bitch.

that's my mantra ...

[Stella]

What right do we have to criticize another person for the way he or she chooses to die?

Seriously, it's their family, their decision. Who cares? If they want to do this, then why does anyone else care?

I don't care what they do or how she or he chooses for her to die. But this is the debate forum and we're all voicing what WE WOULD DO, to the best of our knowledge NOW, if that were us in the same situation. So please stop saying "What right do we have?" because we technically have the first ammendment right to criticize whatever we want, really, and if someone posts about it in the debate forum we have the same right to voice our opinion as you all do to post yours. I'm not trying to be so rude about this (although I know it comes across that way. Sorry.) but I think that those comments are making the digressors (myself, Heidi, Tara, etc) come across as asses and it's not fair. So please don't imply that we are being heartless and nosy, we're just saying what we think we might do if it were us. That's all.

Sorry... I'm apparently very tired and I didn't have my wine tonight.

[DCJenn]

Actually, most were stating they thought the Edwards' should do which is entirely different than stating what we ourselves would do.

Two totally different conversations.

J

[PrincessFiona]

and no offense (I have had my rum and coke, btw) you've pretty much ignored the perspectibe of someone who has actually been in her shoes to a certain degree.

I assure you that thinking about what you might feel and actually being in that situation are two entirely different things.

I sent my dh away from my chemo sessions every time...I wanted him to work...wanted him to get his mind off of it...didn't want him to be sitting next to me while I went through it... If someone had told me that I would do that, I would have also said "hell no...I want him there to hold my hand..blah, blah, blah"..but the truth is that actually oh...I don't know...having cancer might change your outlook.



She god damned said she wanted him to do it...so let it the hell go.

[PrincessFiona]

I mean seriously...forgive my rum and coke rant...but who are you people to judge him or her? "I've never had cancer or had a husband with cancer, but if I did, this is what I'd do." whatever.