Ted Kennedy Has Brain Tumor

[Dr. Shane]

Conservatives and liberals a like are expressing their sympathy for Ted Kennedy. Cancer is such a terrible way to die, I cannot wish that on anyone. But we all must die. None of us are going to be able to avoid death. And no matter what it is, everyone of us will die of something. Ted Kennedy is 76 years old. When he was born, the life expectancy of a white male was 62 years old. A white male born today has a life expectancy of 75 years old. So it isn't as if this wasn't something we couldn't foresee happening. Where is the tragedy here? Or am I just being too cold hearted?

[lazarus]

......But we all must die...... None of us are going to be able to avoid death. And no matter what it is, everyone of us will die of something.

....So it isn't as if this wasn't something we couldn't foresee happening. Where is the tragedy here?

Are you serious?

So if GWB was diagnosed with cancer would you be asking these questions or making these glib statements?

[Dr. Shane]

As I stated, cancer is a terrible way to go and I wouldn't wish that on anyone. However once a person has lived past their life expectancy, is the diagnosis of a terminal illness the same kind of tragedy as it is for a young person or someone in midlife? We are all going to die. My great grandmother died at 82 of colon cancer. She died of cancer but she was 82. She lived a full life.

Quote:

if GWB was diagnosed with cancer would you be asking these questions

I don't think GWB has lived past his life expectancy. McCain, however, is fast approaching that age so there is something that is open for discussion.

[Bravus]

I take your general point, Shane, but life expectancy is an average, so it includes all those who die young from accidents and so on. A healthy person in the US can have a reasonable expectation of living into their 80s, I would think.

[Amelia]

Quote:

Or am I just being too cold hearted?

Yep