tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post1022751854766682913..comments2023-09-26T04:56:13.105-07:00Comments on Guilty With An Explanation: Blond Ambitionheartinsanfranciscohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comBlogger38125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-89111852225672357162007-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:002007-03-27T08:32:00.000-07:00It seems disgustingly selfish of him. He seems to ...It seems disgustingly selfish of him. He seems to be missing the point about what's important in life... the people we love.<BR/><BR/>-velvetvelvethttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14809107667582647222noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-46483124549140112402007-03-26T16:42:00.000-07:002007-03-26T16:42:00.000-07:00Csl,I didn't mean to sound heartless. I have a gr...Csl,<BR/><BR/>I didn't mean to sound heartless. I have a great deal of sympathy for Elizabeth Edwards and her entire family.<BR/><BR/>If I expressed myself clumsily, I meant to say that I would have preferred that all their energy be devoted to making her well. <BR/><BR/>We have no way to know the extent to which she shares her husband's ambition, but from all evidence, she does completely.<BR/><BR/>If memory serves me, Jackie Kennedy did not campaign for Jack. She was pregnant with their third child, who died, and stayed home. Since he got elected anyway, this should give Mrs. Edwards some wiggle room if she needs it.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-9292183151886968642007-03-26T15:53:00.000-07:002007-03-26T15:53:00.000-07:00I'm glad you posted that follow-up, because it did...I'm glad you posted that follow-up, because it did sound pretty heartless. But I alwsy try ot emember that you NEVER know what goes on in any one else's marriage, and she may find this to be a distraction or rewarding or whatever. But, in general, we do seem to be far too focused on achievement in this country.CShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12136201152682543365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-28015769240283228822007-03-25T13:11:00.000-07:002007-03-25T13:11:00.000-07:00Stephen,Gee, you think we may have done worse alre...Stephen,<BR/><BR/>Gee, you think we may have done worse already? Well, knock me over with a feather.<BR/><BR/>It's hard (for me) not to take a jaundiced view of politicians, but the law of averages is on your side. There must be a few people out there who genuinely believe in service, in giving back, through elected office.<BR/><BR/>I hope we get such a person next time.<BR/><BR/>To be impeccably fair, I suspect that Bush sincerely believes he is doing the right thing for America. The fact that I, and millions of others, disagree does not change that.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-83462821059950289482007-03-25T11:31:00.000-07:002007-03-25T11:31:00.000-07:00Heart, thank you for your kind words.Campaigning f...Heart, thank you for your kind words.<BR/><BR/>Campaigning for any political office is not something I would want to do in the best of health. On that we agree completely. That said, there appear to be some honorable people who want that life. Not all who seek political office are power hungry whores in it for their own self agrandizement (although there are far too many of them). Some, like the Edwards', appear to believe in service and giving back to the society that has treated them quite well.<BR/><BR/>This is not an endorsement of Edwards for pres. I'm not certain of him myself. I am impressed by them, and I do feel we could do much worse (I think we may have already).<BR/><BR/>If anyone is interested, there's some interesting background at this link.<BR/><BR/>http://www.nytimes.com/2007/03/25/us/politics/25edwards.html?_r=2&hp&oref=slogin&oref=sloginAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-13179321836963943962007-03-25T10:26:00.000-07:002007-03-25T10:26:00.000-07:00Jr,I think you're right. After reading a lot more ...Jr,<BR/><BR/>I think you're right. After reading a lot more about this, I just added an update to this post. I have reconsidered, and think that I was taking too hard a line on this issue. <BR/><BR/>I am nothing if not opinionated, but I do know that no one can see the world through another's eyes. I should not have condemned Edwards for his choice, even if it wasn't what I would do in his situation. <BR/><BR/>All we can really say with certainty is "I wouldn't have done that."heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-45231489428258459862007-03-25T04:13:00.000-07:002007-03-25T04:13:00.000-07:00Perhaps it's their way of coping with her illness....Perhaps it's their way of coping with her illness.JR's Thumbprintshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10479324326541901987noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-26269957124230635602007-03-24T22:58:00.000-07:002007-03-24T22:58:00.000-07:00jamie,Amen. You ain't lyin'.Pam,If you're passion...jamie,<BR/><BR/>Amen. You ain't lyin'.<BR/><BR/>Pam,<BR/><BR/>If you're passionate and pig-headed, sit down right here, next to me.<BR/><BR/>I would hate to think that running for office was the grand achievement of anyone's life. At least, that is not what it's about for me. <BR/><BR/>Katrice,<BR/><BR/>It seems as if simplification is in order in the face of serious illness, not complication. <BR/><BR/>I doubt that she's afraid to stand up for herself... that implies an adversary situation. I think that they both believe in his campaign. And that would be wonderful if not for her being sick. Which would be a deal breaker for most people, wouldn't it?heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-18691417062319937842007-03-24T21:40:00.000-07:002007-03-24T21:40:00.000-07:00As a mother, wife, and daughter who lost her own m...As a mother, wife, and daughter who lost her own mom to cancer, I would have to simplify my life by dropping all the unimportant activities and devoting my time to my family, whether I was the cancer patient or the loved one of one.<BR/><BR/>Running for office sounds like complicating one's life to me.<BR/><BR/>Maybe she is afraid to stand up for herself. If so, this is sadder than I thought.katricehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08336539038616743309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-48818208111779066112007-03-24T18:20:00.000-07:002007-03-24T18:20:00.000-07:00I sincerely sympathise with the family's plight an...I sincerely sympathise with the family's plight and Elizabeth Edwards ongoing battle....<BR/><BR/>I already live as if today is my last day on earth, I find it almost incomprehensible intelligent people choose their vocation over children, spouse, family, quality time, life?....if I was the greatest, just the most wonderful President or Prime Minister this earth had ever seen it would mean absolutely nothing to me if I had failed as a mother or father, partner or human being...that is just my thoughts, my priority...those children are so young, their Mum is facing an ongoing fight (whether it be big chemo or small) for her life, you would not be able to pry me from my duty, support and show of love with a crowbar. Running for politics? where is that in the measure of the scheme of life?<BR/><BR/>Only my thoughts, and I can be a little passionate and pigheaded. :)<BR/><BR/>PamSiennahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15387267690900119245noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-43355927478108047032007-03-24T11:47:00.000-07:002007-03-24T11:47:00.000-07:00I judge a person by his or her priorities. Loved o...I judge a person by his or her priorities. Loved ones should be first, always.Jayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13158409505328990008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-33625549695888457732007-03-24T10:08:00.000-07:002007-03-24T10:08:00.000-07:00Squirrel,I may be a winner? Joke, right? I'll ch...Squirrel,<BR/><BR/>I may be a winner? Joke, right? I'll check it out as soon as I read my comments here. <BR/><BR/>Urchin, <BR/><BR/>As always, you've nailed it perfectly. What we leave behind is our impact on others. The rest is not that relevant to anything. <BR/><BR/>I have never heard anyone mourn, "I have lost a great lawyer today. Or a great dentist, or fork-lift operator." What we lose is the essence of a person, and their special relationship to us.<BR/><BR/>But I suppose somebody must prioritize politics, or we wouldn't have any politicians, would we?<BR/><BR/>"Today I lost a great politician." I don't think so.<BR/><BR/>Lee,<BR/><BR/>You raise some excellent points. I agree with all of them. <BR/><BR/>Maybe Edwards copes with personal tragedy by burying himself in government, but that would never be my priority. <BR/><BR/>Of course, I would never make it in politics becasue I can't keep my mouth shut.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-3594266065147512522007-03-24T09:10:00.000-07:002007-03-24T09:10:00.000-07:00I think I heard that Edwards ran for Senate right ...I think I heard that Edwards ran for Senate right after the loss of his son as well. I have to agree with you. I thought for sure when I heard that they were holding a press conference, that he would be withdrawing, but I guess not.<BR/><BR/>First, I gotta wonder what kinda person wants to be president of this mess; can you imagine? And second, how the hell could he be fully concentrated on either his wife's recovery or this disastrous war that we find ourselves in. Won't give him my vote.Leehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14915252268400469774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-22393443064110248982007-03-24T08:09:00.000-07:002007-03-24T08:09:00.000-07:00i can't help but think about those close to me who...i can't help but think about those close to me whom i've lost recently. in the end no one mentioned what they did for a living, no one cared where they lived or what they drove. the only thing mentioned during memorials was the impact having a relationship with this person meant to those left behind.<BR/><BR/>i also can't help but wonder if edwards will regret his decision down the line, if his wife doesn't recover (God willing she does of course). <BR/><BR/>Peoples priorities are interesting and telling aren't they?urban-urchinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18001320142893492171noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-30698521588112156102007-03-24T03:06:00.000-07:002007-03-24T03:06:00.000-07:00Hearts,You may already be a winner! Yes! Congratul...Hearts,<BR/>You may already be a winner! Yes! Congratulations.<BR/><BR/>Visit below at my site:<BR/>http://lonegreysquirrel.blogspot.com/2007/03/i-think-its-thinking-blogger-award.htmlLone Grey Squirrelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16892067644551128013noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-15300710832720561662007-03-23T19:06:00.000-07:002007-03-23T19:06:00.000-07:00Oh, Kate, I'm so sorry about your babies. That's ...Oh, Kate, I'm so sorry about your babies. That's an unimaginably terrible thing to go through. Maybe they realized that they couldn't hack being his kids, and decided to catch up with you in another lifetime.<BR/><BR/>Old Crazy-But-Charmless has never been any kind of father to our kids. <BR/><BR/>Thomas,<BR/><BR/>Your comment makes me smile now. Have a fine weekend, too.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-58418127458256433492007-03-23T15:29:00.000-07:002007-03-23T15:29:00.000-07:00Have a good weekend, HinSF. Be well, enjoy the sun...Have a good weekend, HinSF. <BR/><BR/>Be well, enjoy the sun, smile many times, please.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-10838232348862070142007-03-23T14:22:00.000-07:002007-03-23T14:22:00.000-07:00I felt the same way when I saw that.Susan, were we...I felt the same way when I saw that.<BR/><BR/>Susan, were we married to the same guy? Geez. My first ex did essentially the same thing. For better or worse, our babies didn't make it. I tend to believe it was for the best, considering.RK Sterlinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01034917381901499281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-45281750804146797162007-03-23T13:22:00.000-07:002007-03-23T13:22:00.000-07:00Stephen,You're welcome. I'm always up for a good ...Stephen,<BR/><BR/>You're welcome. I'm always up for a good argument with you.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-47221329917939887752007-03-23T13:02:00.000-07:002007-03-23T13:02:00.000-07:00My last post, as I do not want to monopolize the c...My last post, as I do not want to monopolize the conversation here.<BR/><BR/>According to what I have read in the last couple of days (I can send you links, if you'd like), the chemo for this condition is far less traumatic on the rest of the body than what she experienced the first time around. The drugs target the cancer without doing much harm to surrounding tissue. She will not lose her hair, spend hours vomiting, or most of the rest of the nasties other chemo delivers to the human body.<BR/><BR/>While the treatment is not as benign as a shot or two of insulin, it is not nearly as debilitating as you might think.<BR/><BR/>I agree with you that quality trumps quantity every time.<BR/><BR/>And thank you for a delightful and enlightening conversation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-68256429937345099482007-03-23T12:53:00.000-07:002007-03-23T12:53:00.000-07:00Stephen,I would not feel the same if she had diabe...Stephen,<BR/><BR/>I would not feel the same if she had diabetes, the treatment for which is not chemotherapy. Chemo is completely debilitating. Insulin injections are not.<BR/><BR/>I would also want to live my life as fully as possible if I had an incurable disease. I do not fault her for that in the least. Of course, where we part company is that I, personally, would not choose under ANY circumstances to be a candidate for political office or the spouse of one.<BR/><BR/>Further, I am not sure that I would even opt for chemo if I had cancer because I agree with you that quality trumps quantity, although both would be very nice to attain.<BR/><BR/>I think we can agree that the "playground" is a lot more user-friendly in the absence of a serious illness.<BR/><BR/>Elizabeth Edwards seems like a fine lady. I feel bad for her, and I'm sure that she is doing the best she can with a difficult situation.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-75714694792224474662007-03-23T12:26:00.000-07:002007-03-23T12:26:00.000-07:00From what I have read, the cancer that Elizabeth n...From what I have read, the cancer that Elizabeth now has is uncurable, but treatable. She will need to take medication for this the rest of her days on the playground. She will have to treat it like any other serious, chronic condition.<BR/><BR/>What I (somewhat clumsily) tried to express is that it appears that she wants to continue living her life and doing the work that is important to her, while at the same time treating this condition and following the advise of her physicians. That's what I meant about making her life a priority. Not just the quantity she may get in years, but the quality of those years. If it were me, I would want to continue with my life and do the things I felt important and only give my chronic condition the attention it needs.<BR/><BR/>If she had diabetes (another serious, chronic condition) would you feel the same?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-8252971681662707322007-03-23T11:34:00.000-07:002007-03-23T11:34:00.000-07:00Stephen,I"m confused. To humbly suggest that her ...Stephen,<BR/><BR/>I"m confused. To humbly suggest that her life should be prioritized if she is to have a chance at living it was exactly my point in the first place. Perhaps I wasn't clear enough, or perhaps you misread what I was trying to say.<BR/><BR/>I think they are heading onto very thin ice concerning her health. But then, I do not take kindly to the idea of human sacrifice. I'm funny that way.heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-81157855229182073422007-03-23T11:10:00.000-07:002007-03-23T11:10:00.000-07:00I would humbly suggest that Elizabeth's life needs...I would humbly suggest that Elizabeth's life needs to be prioritized, so she has a chance at living it. I am certain she will heed the advise of her physicians and that John's campaign will come to a screeching halt if her condition or the treatment become debilitating. However, I applaud her for continuing on with work that she feels is important to her and living her life uninterrupted until her last day on the playground.<BR/><BR/>As for not voting for Edwards, that is your perogative, although I am leaning towards voting for him. This is not the place to discuss political candidates, but I would be happy to have that discussion with you privately.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29674249.post-26780330762069232242007-03-23T10:42:00.000-07:002007-03-23T10:42:00.000-07:00Meno,It's true that we are not the Edwards, and I,...Meno,<BR/><BR/>It's true that we are not the Edwards, and I, for one, find it difficult to empathize with anyone who would run for president in the first place.<BR/><BR/>Stephen,<BR/><BR/>You raise some interesting points. I haven't read Elizabeth's book, and as I stated in earlier comments, I also think that there is a good chance she is the one pushing for things to go on as if she were not sick.<BR/><BR/>That alone worries me for her as cancer needs to be prioritized over everything if one is to have a chance at beating it.<BR/><BR/>As always, it is good to be reminded that we cannot know another's heart until we have walked that mile in his mocassins. So thank you for reminding me not to judge him. (But I still don't have to vote for him.)heartinsanfranciscohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07535397382991383931noreply@blogger.com