Courage

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Washington-based columnist Robert Novak has described his health situation following the diagnosis of a brain tumor as "dire." He's immediately retiring in order to submit to treatment. Novak is now the second legendary Washington player who's been around for decades looking at a very tough deal, the other being Sen. Ted Kennedy. One gathers there's some kind of linkage between Novak's diminished condition and his claiming not to have seen or noticed a pedestrian that he hit with his car a couple of weeks ago.

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Posted by Jeffrey Wells on August 4, 2008 at 11:27 AM

comment #1

mutinyco says ...

If nothing else, sure explains the quality of his op-ed writing.

Posted by mutinyco at August 4, 2008 11:43 AM

comment #2

mutinyco says ...

I'll bet it was all the white-out he put on his teeth that did him in...

Posted by mutinyco at August 4, 2008 11:44 AM

comment #3

C-PhreekII says ...

"One gathers there's some kind of linkage between Novak's diminished condition and his claiming not to have seen or noticed a pedestrian that he hit with his car"

Like say the linkage of avoiding serious legal punishment when it becomes his sole defense? When it comes to this serious douchebag and hypocrite, that's not as flip as it would otherwise be.

One can also take some measure of pure & simple schadenfreude from wondering if Novak himself doesn't lay awake at night contemplating his dwindling days wondering too if there isn't some linkage between the tumor and his life's actions. Of course, considering what a two-face he was in the aftermath of Plame, one really does have to wonder is Novak seeking comfort from a Jewish or Catholic god...

Posted by C-PhreekII at August 4, 2008 12:01 PM

comment #4

Adonis says ...

Yeah, to use a technical term, Novak's a dick. His role in the Plame affair was a an eye-opener of political opportunism.

I have to admit, I really won't miss Robert Novak when he dies. Not one bit.

Posted by Adonis at August 4, 2008 12:45 PM

comment #5

Josh Massey says ...

Oh, it's always nice to see compassionate, humane liberalism in action...

Posted by Josh Massey at August 4, 2008 1:01 PM

comment #6

D.Z. says ...

Josh: "Oh, it's always nice to see compassionate, humane liberalism in action..."

So how was Rush compassionate to Michael J. Fox?

Posted by D.Z. at August 4, 2008 1:13 PM

comment #7

C-PhreekII says ...

Never called myself a bleeding heart. But that's okay, many have confused me with a priest or rabbi before.

Compassion goes where it is deserved.

Posted by C-PhreekII at August 4, 2008 1:14 PM

comment #8

Geoff says ...

So how about that new W. poster over at AICN.

Posted by Geoff at August 4, 2008 1:17 PM

comment #9

BurmaShave says ...

His access was unparalleled. Any reader of political commentary will come to miss him very quickly. Growing up here in DC I can actually remember more than a few times seeing him grimly driving in that dirty black Corvette. He said and did some awful things. He truly was the Prince of Darkness, and his legacy will bear that out. But to ignore his stature is foolish. When he's gone it will be felt, whether or not that means we'll miss him.

Posted by BurmaShave at August 4, 2008 1:18 PM

comment #10

Joshua Mooney says ...

I think it's cell-phones, and I think it's going to be a tragic trend. Seriously, Novak and Kennedy probably had them as early as anyone. Forget about Hollywood celeb early-adopters in the '80s (and Gloria Swanon's car-phone in "Sunset Blvd.") and consider D.C./'70s/microwaves. They cooked their own brains. They never saw that coming. It's another "Love Canal." Only this time with politicians.

I've never had a cell phone. In part, because not that many people need to call me. Also? Brain tumors.

Posted by Joshua Mooney at August 4, 2008 1:29 PM

comment #11

Josh Massey says ...

"So how was Rush compassionate to Michael J. Fox?"

Remember, though, conservatives are hateful, war-mongering, spiteful bastards. Liberals are the ones who dress themselves in suits of peaceful righteousness.

Posted by Josh Massey at August 4, 2008 2:07 PM

comment #12

SpinDozer says ...

'Liberals are the ones who dress themselves in suits of peaceful righteousness.'

Sure you're not thinking of the Right Wing strawman of liberalism...unable to do the tough things because they are intent on doing what's "right"?

Posted by SpinDozer at August 4, 2008 2:26 PM

comment #13

nemo says ...

"Remember, though, conservatives are hateful, war-mongering, spiteful bastards. Liberals are the ones who dress themselves in suits of peaceful righteousness."

Don't forget that one constant -- whatever it is, IOKIYAR. It's OK if you're a Republican.

Posted by nemo at August 4, 2008 3:55 PM

comment #14

bluefugue says ...

>Compassion goes where it is deserved.

I don't altogether agree with this. I think compassion, like mercy, may have more to do with the giver than the receiver. This exchange between Hamlet and Polonius gets to the point:

"I will use them as they deserve."
"God's bodkins, man, much better! Use every man after his desert, and who shall scape whipping? Use them after your own honor and dignity. The less they deserve, the more merit is in your bounty."

Posted by bluefugue at August 4, 2008 6:03 PM

comment #15

Adonis says ...

Bluefugue,

True. Certainly Christianity would preach that, often convincingly and often not.

But compassion takes effort and overlooks the more worthy. There a lot of Iraqis, Afghans, Kenyans, etc. standing up for their communities and being gunned down, blown up, or macheted to death for it.

Those guys? Think, feel, admire. Novak? Bullshit. Enough of those thankful for the hatchet jobs he did will praise him. I don't need to.

Posted by Adonis at August 4, 2008 7:33 PM

comment #16

Walter Sobchak says ...

Stay classy, Liberals!

Posted by Walter Sobchak at August 4, 2008 10:05 PM

comment #17

dixiedugan says ...

From personal experience I can tell you that the only people I would wish brain tumors on are child molesters or child killers. It's not the nicest way to go.

The person I knew hit and killed a cyclist at night. While she did face vehicular manslaughter charges, everything was pended. When she died the estate settled with the family of the cyclist. How horrible could that be, you know you caused an accident, and the reason is your brain is being eaten away.

Compassion has nothing to do with politics. Really.

Posted by dixiedugan at August 5, 2008 4:09 PM

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