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Why McCain Owes America an Alzheimer's Test
Our petition to the media urging McCain to get an Alzheimer's test received more email than usual, so let me address some of the issues raised with as much sensitivity as possible.
Like most Americans, I've lost close relatives and friends to Alzheimer's. The very last thing I want to do is make that already-painful disease the slightest bit more painful for its victims, both direct and indirect.
Here's the issue in a nutshell: obviously we can't choose whether or not to get Alzheimer's. But we can choose whether or not to put a man with decent odds of getting it into the most powerful job in the world, which includes second-by-second control over 10,000 nuclear weapons.
Alzheimer's afflicts an estimated 5.2 million Americans, 5 million of whom are over 65 (page 10). No one is exempt, as Ronald Reagan sadly proved. At present, Alzheimer's can't be cured, although some drugs show promise in delaying the effects.
Over the course of the campaign, John McCain has repeatedly exhibited memory problems. Last week, McCain struggled to answer how many homes he had. Before that, he couldn't remember the $1 million lawsuit he filed in 1990. He even seems to forget the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003. He repeatedly forgets the fact that Al Qaeda is Sunni not Shia, and that Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993.
Are these memory problems early symptoms of Alzheimer's? It's one possibility. Obviously there are other non-medical possibilities as well: dishonesty (not wanting to admit how rich he is), letting other people in his life handle various issues (like Cindy's fortune), failure to keep up with current events, learning difficulties (he ranked 894 out of 899 in his graduating class at Annapolis), and ideological blinders like those that persuaded every Republican to support George Bush's policies, no matter how wrong they were. McCain also takes at least two prescription drugs (Simvastatin and Ambien) that can affect memory.
But Alzheimer's isn't the only medical possibility. McCain could also be suffering from dementia (like Margaret Thatcher, who can't remember that her husband died) or a lesser condition called "Mild Cognitive Impairment."
There are many reasons to suspect McCain has a medical problem of some kind. Naturally, his age (72 this week) is a major risk factor. But McCain's brain has suffered a number of traumas that could affect cognition:
- Taking blows to the head as a competitive boxer for three years
- Heavy drinking as a young officer
- PTSD from his 5 plane crashes and torture as a POW
McCain also exhibits non-cognitive symptoms of brain injury, including his frequent bouts of rage aimed at fellow Senators and even his wife Cindy. This rage spills over to foreign policy issues, where his first response is often reckless and dangerous threats of war.
Given all of these issues, it is perfectly appropriate for the American people to ask whether McCain is mentally up to the enormous physical and mental demands of the Presidency of the United States - especially when we are at war in Iraq and Afghanistan, fighting Al Qaeda terrorists around the world, and possibly on the brink of war with Russia.
And the only way to answer those questions is a thorough neurological examination, including tests for cognitive impairment and dementia, which can indicate early Alzheimer's.
- Bob Fertik's blog
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Waste of Time
In the first place, calling attention to McCain's age and general stupidity will only alienate other people over 50. In the second place, we already know he's an idiot -- why bother to add dementia? Focus on his actual inability to handle reality, to counter his claims of "experience" -- which he does not, in fact, have much of. As his own fellow POWs put it, "Being a POW is not a qualification for running a country."
In the third place, we WANT to run against McIdiot. Bump him out at the last minute, and Romnut will get the sympathy vote -- and you can bet your boots that George Pee-pee Bush will suddenly materialize as HIS veep.
The point is to beat McLiar so thoroughly on election day that no amount of recounts or Supreme Whore rulings can install him. Then he can drop dead. Preferably with his billionaire booze bimbo in the car with him.
Hey DieHard, in my own way
Hey DieHard, in my own way that's sort of my point! Your words are so eloquent :)
His own "inability to handle reality" is evidence enough. Why go the medical route unless you have to (and so far, with the addition of his new VP) he's sure showing us enough evidence of not making good choices. I can hardly wait to see what else he does.
We have a moral obligation
We have a moral obligation to vote Democratic in November and there is no doubt about it. The Democratic Party is concentrating on the fact that moral cause outweighs everything else when it comes down to why we need to win.
A majority of people are beginning to be sixy years old and up. Talking about age related McCain issues will not be good for anyone. It may even cause people to second guess their idea of who to vote for in November. Its bad enough to see so many pharma commercials on t.v.! We all have family members we can relate these age problems to. Don't go there with McCain.
After eight years, we all know what the problems are and the human devastation they have caused. Morally responsibility is our cause to fight for. It's absolutely THAT. It's not a Democrat OR a Republican problem anymore. It's ALL of our problem in order to fix it.
To all of the "outraged"
To all of the "outraged" people who are defending McCain's "right-to-privacy" about his health -- you are confusing a private citizen's rights as compared to a bona fide pre-employment "fitness" examination.
Most occupations which pertain to the safety and well-being of others require a "clean bill of health" before an applicant is hired (pilots, truck drivers, bus drivers, etc.). Many corporations require that a prospective CEO undergo a complete physical and mental health examination before taking the postion. Why should we relax these standards for someone who is seeking what could arguably be called the most important position of authority in the world?
See this article for a more rational (as opposed to emotional) discussion about the subject:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24713060/
McCain's Mentation
Date: Wed, Aug 27, 2008 at 6:05 PM
Subject: RE: McCain's Age is No Joke
To: "Democrats. com"
Hi Bob,
Thanks for your posting. I noted these excerpts from Marc Ambinder's May
23, 2008 article in the Atlantic regarding the pooled report of McCain's medical records:
"8/18/2000
Mayo Clinic
Dr. John Eckstein (Senator McCain's principle physician)
McCain reported dizzyness. McCain reported "mild positional rolling
sensation with rapid turning of his head when he gets out of bed in the
morning."
Did hearing tests, lab tests, MRI of brain.
"These studies were normal except for mild-moderate high frequency
hearing loss"
3/10/2008
radiology of abdoment. CT scan
"no evidence of metastatic melanoma in the chest, abdomen, or pelvis.
metabolically and clinically active stone disease in the right kidney"
His physician notes the results of a MRI of the brain was "normal" in
August of 2000. This has no meaning as the study could show for example "multiple
lacuar infarcts are noted clinical correlation is advised."
March 10, 2008 CT scan of the chest, abdomen and pelvis was performed.
It takes seconds to scan the brain while a patient is in the scanner for a
chest, abdomen, and pelvis study. I order it frequently. His head was
scanned at that time or a brain CT deliberately omitted. Compairison of his
2000 MRI and brain CT from 2008 would be very informitive. Keep in mind
McCain had a malignant melanoma removed FROM HIS HEAD.
There is at least one MRI of McCain's brain at the Mayo Clinic from 2000. These are
stored digitally. The public needs access to the hard copies of these studies
and they need to be reviewed by competant, independant neuroradiologist.
This means McCain would have to allow access to the computer images of MRI, CT
and PET scans of his brain performed between 2000 and now. I suspect he
has multinfarct dementia (multiple small strokes that cause behavior and
judgement impairment). Those of you who have noticed in your own family that "Grandpa is different"
and that unfortunately this was caused by multiple small strokes have experienced this heartbreaking situation.
Grandpa McCain HAS changed from 2000 until now.
This behaior has been mentioned fleetingly in the press but not pursued. He is noted for his temper and
short fuse. An elderly man who as a young man had a quick temper now disinhibited from multiple
small ischemic events and elected President of the United States is a horror the world may not survive.
But that's just my opinion, I could be wrong and he's just a mean, scary, forgetful old man.
Petitioning Senator McCain to undergo Altzheimer's testing would be helpful
but good luck to us with that. The consequences of a president with
cognitive changes consistnt with dementia are pretty clear.
Reports as you know, can be finnessed.
Perhaps we could get a little help from the Corporate Press. HEY RUPERT, LISTEN UP!
Quagmeyer, I don't know if
Quagmeyer, I don't know if you are a doctor or not but "small ischemic events" can be caused by blocked arteries. They are not really strokes but lead to a stroke if not fixed. There could be multiple reasons for this happening in his brain.
Someone close to me, who is in his early sixties, had this happen last year (small ischemic events). It was caused by a blocked carotid artery. The plaque comes out a little bit, runs to the brain by a fraction of a part. That is enough to have an ischemic event. Surgery was done by a new method available now. It takes a year to heal. As we look back, we can see why he couldn't think clearly when he was ill with this. Luckily he is very much better now and can think a lot more clearly, especially since he was only sixty at the time it happened.
If McCain has these events in his brain all the time, then that isn't a good sign!
Every candidate is expected
Every candidate is expected to have a complete physical, ALWAYS! It is the right of the people to know.
"When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag, carrying a cross." ~ Sinclair Lewis
Yes, you're totally right
Yes, you're totally right about that! I just said it is serious situation. I personally have seen this problem exist in someone dear to me! You cannot think clearly when you have a TIA!!! You are suddenly almost paralyzed!It last for 15 to 20 minutes. You walk funny. You are numb in your face. Those are the facts!
I don't know if it will be the big issue in the campaign because there is enough moral issues to talk about that will overwhelm his candidacy! That is all I meant! To have to raise this issue in the campaign right away may not happen.
Yes, he should have a total medical examination for the legal reasons you provide. It is the law! But to subject someone to the pain of realizing they are too old to do the job is mean, especially if they aren't thinking clearly BECAUSE of medical reasons.
To me it sounds like the Democratic Party is trying not to go that route... at least not right now. If they have to do that it will be because the Democrats are losing the race.
McCain's Mentation
Afghan villagers in Harat Province pulled 60 dead children out of the rubble after a US air strike. Hurting McCain's feelers if we discover he is unfit for the Presidency BEFORE he can be elected doesn't give me pause at all.
McCain: PTSD PROFILE: More important than Alzheimer's??
We need to see McCain's psychological profile.
My husband was a Vietnam Vet diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress. I am a nurse who worked with Vietnam vets for years both in clinical settings and as a family member of the Vietnam Veterans of America in my county.
I believe McCain evidences the explosive temperament and "hostage-taking" which are frequently present in PTSD.
I am NOT a diagnostician. I am not offering this as a medical opinion. However, as a person with significant personal/professional experience and education, John McCain terrifies me.
We have the right and the DUTY to know if we are unleashing a psychologically unfit person on the rest of the world.
I think he's desperately seeking a victory in Vietnam. He will not stop looking for an enemy to defeat.
We and our children and our grandchildren would be insane to put the US Military under his command.