Comments for Zócalo Public Square

Comment on Liberal Hopes For the Jewish State by Rhoderick Gates

Rhoderick Gates — Wed, 23 May 2012 15:47:08 +0000

I concur with Dr. Finkelstein that the chief problem is that Israel portrays itself as abiding by liberal/Enlightenment values. The fact is that it violates them to uphold the Occupation.

It needs to reverse this in order to stop the leakage of left of center support it has enjoyed for a long time.

Comment on Dr. Me by Imluckysofar

Imluckysofar — Wed, 23 May 2012 01:14:07 +0000

Beautiful article. I’m amazed that the second oncologist you saw was so willing to give you her true feelings when answering your question. I think she was both courageous and humble. Courageous because, as a physician, she took the risk to be criticized (maybe even sued) by you in case the option you chose would have turned out not to be the right one for you; and humble -maybe genuine would be the more appropriate term-, because, as a human being, she intuitively knew that only an honest answer would most likely help you make a decision.
I had breast cancer 18 years ago, at age 47, then a relapse four years after. Yes, I too wished at times that the numerous physicians I contacted for second and third opinions, and those I finally chose, would come up with decisions all cut-out for me. But in general I knew deep inside that, at every step of the long way, the decision had to be mine; it was, though, excruciatingly difficult for me to analyze rationally all the information my husband and I had gathered.
Now, after all these years of being cancer-free, I strongly believe that luck is as important as maintaining a positive attitude and doing all the recommended changes in one’s life style.
Again, thank you for a beautiful article, and long life to you!

Comment on The Mexican Who Would Be Dickens by Nubia

Nubia — Tue, 22 May 2012 03:30:42 +0000

Great interview!

Comment on Has Obama Given Up On One America? by Richard Moore

Richard Moore — Mon, 21 May 2012 19:06:48 +0000

http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/krauthammer-is-gay-marriage-a-matter-of-empathy-or-of-rights/2012/05/17/gIQATN72WU_story.html

Comment on Has Obama Given Up On One America? by Michael

Michael — Mon, 21 May 2012 15:26:27 +0000

The article shows intelectual rigor which to me isn’t easy. The writer is showing up gaping holes in Obama’s “support” of gay marriage. It was a big step for him to say that he supports the right of marriage to all citizens, gay or straight, but he really doesn’t have much “skin in the game”, e.g. he made a statement of support, but he really hasn’t used much political capital by allowing the states to make up their own mind about gay marriage. LBJ and Lincoln each became fulling engaged in legalizing civil rights throughout the country, but each paid a political price for it. Obama just doesn’t seem to want to pay the political costs to do the right thing.

I am glad that the president supports gay marriage. But it is a shame that his politics trump his morality in this particular argument.

Comment on Has Obama Given Up On One America? by Julian

Julian — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:21:00 +0000

Being a writer is easy. Being a chief executive, in politics or business, is hard. Particularly when you are accountable for balancing vigorously competing interests and your decisions actually effect large numbers of people.

Comment on Has Obama Given Up On One America? by Chris Burnett

Chris Burnett — Mon, 21 May 2012 10:40:47 +0000

Good article

Comment on We’re Still Here, Still Golden by Pat

Pat — Mon, 21 May 2012 02:45:20 +0000

What demographic slowdown? California’s population will continue to grow 1,000 people PER DAY for the next 35 years. Why anyone would believe anything that east-coast editorial cranks have to say about California is beyond me. They prove, again and again and again, that they know nothing about the realities that drive California. Or, maybe, they just have an agenda to bad-mouth the state that drives the economy of the US with innovation and inspiration, instead of sucking it down into the financial vortex of CDOs and MBSs like the east-coast financial mafia did.

Comment on Dr. Me by Patient D

Patient D — Sat, 19 May 2012 17:24:28 +0000

A great article. I agree with the ideas of taking extra care of oneself and having lots of support with remembering the myriad facts and figures. I don’t have the same feeling about wanting the docs to decide my fate, though. While it would be lovely to have a doctor know exactly what someone with cancer should do for treatment, there are too many new developments to be clear cut, and more importantly each person has a different way of looking at life and this impacts their view on various treatments.

A doctor might personally want to be as aggressive as possible should she develop breast cancer. Another might want to preserve as much tissue and pain-free time as possible. How the patient sees things varies so greatly from one to the next. Without knowing you personally they can’t know what you would prefer.

So I appreciated the impartial way I received information about my treatments. I loved coming to understand the variety and possibilities that might befit my personal preferences.

I also was lucky I happened to choose my team of doctors for both their success status as well as their ability to work together as a team. It was a bonus that they were all so strong in interpersonal skills.

I have never wanted anyone to tell me what to do, though. I prefer to understand things clearly and make my own decisions. That said, the options with cancer are all bad. So the control I feel doesn’t overcome the lack of control against cancer in the first place. I don’t think a doctor could change that. It seems there’s nothing like cancer to force people to reevaluate their entire existence.

I say all this having just finished my first surgery, working on healing up well enough to undergo radiation. If all goes well it will be my last major surgery, but I have followed enough cases to know how unpredictable my future is.

I can’t place any blame on my docs for the feeling that cancer is so unfair (not that the writer did, either). I have been so healthy, eating a vegan diet for the last two years and practicing yoga regularly. I transformed my mind and body and that gave me the false idea that I was warding off illness. My bloodwork was phenomenally good. So it was a shock for a routine mammogram to come back with problems, quickly moving to test after test after test, all with bad news. Friends said,”You’re the healthiest and most conscientious person I know so how could you get cancer?” I don’t know and since I was already doing most all the lifestyle changes recommended I feel less empowered to make a difference. There’s not a lot I wasn’t already doing.

So I cling to my docs, asking questions, admitting fears. They have become familiar and dependable resources. I know this relationship is rare, though. My mother went through cancer treatment last year and her docs were not as good in every way. She lives in Utah. Her docs made several mistakes and didn’t seem to care much and didn’t answer her questions (often because they didn’t know the answers). I am truly grateful for having health insurance and for living in the Bay Area.

Comment on Dr. Me by Doctor G

Doctor G — Fri, 18 May 2012 17:02:07 +0000

Physicians are in a precarious position and vulnerable when patients are very ill. We are bound by the oath to “First do no harm”. Chemotherapeautic agents are poison. We ask patients to (and are supposed to help them) choose the poison that will (we hope) rid their bodies of the cancer but leave enough good and healthy cells behind that you live and regenerate. We are not supposed to duly influence you because as the holders of the medical knowledge, we have, and may exert more power than we should. You are ill, we are supposed to heal you. Sometimes it doesn’t go as planned. We are afraid to lose our licenses after a complaint from one or two disgruntled patients or one with unreasonable expectations. That fear causes us to order more tests than are needed, back off from patients when perhaps we shouldn’t. It takes away our humanity at times. We struggle to maintain balance. Thank you for sharing your experience. It is helpful to read and remember…. Good luck and God bless!