I Sympathize, Really, I Do
But it’s only an asthma attack. I know people who have asthma, they usually don’t get to see a doctor when they have an attack, and it’s never news…. enough already, don’t CTV, The National Post, Reuters Canada, the CBC , and CFRA (to name but a few) feel even slightly foolish considering this to be “news”?
Well, it’s more exciting than him taking his kids to school, which was “news” the day before.
As I recall, that silly non-story was warmly praised by many of our conservative blogfriends as an “Ain’t That Sweet” moment, whereas this silly non-story is being roundly condemned by the same lot as an invasion of privacy.
Everyone will calm down soon.
There’s asthma attacks and there there are asthma attacks. Most of the time you can control them withe the ventolin inhaler. The odd time that doesn’t work. I’ve had to go to the emergency room about 3 times in my life during an attack. They hook you up to an oxygen mask for about 30 minutes, make sure you are breathing okay and send you home.
He is the PM designate, I’m sure he will get used to it. It is really no more news than Oprah’s diet failures but some one wants to read it or they wouldn’t print it. That said, it makes them look human, to a degree. OH MY GOD HE TAKES HIS KIDS TO SCHOOL HE’S HUMAN HE ISN”T A DEMON.
The Asthma attack, well that is another thing maybe the air in Ottawa is a bit to rich for Mr. Harper. (-:
I wonder how long he had to wait in the ER? Perhaps he has a new insight inot the need for better healthcare funding…
Oh there I go again…
I think it’s going to be very hard for members of the press to constantly have a Prime Minister story going with Harper in power. I saw a piece on The National last night about him, and it looks like he’s one of those rare people that run for public office but really don’t like being in the spotlight. This communications staff is playing it very well, they know the press are going to be Harper’s friends until he’s sworn in and there are real stories to cover, so they’re giving them shots of Harper just being a normal guy, doing normal family stuff. The Harper “scary man” image has been completely reversed to “every man”, something that despite desperate attempts, the billion dollar Paul Martin wasn’t able to do.
(wow, 4 comments in between clicking “comment” and “submit”, who knew Harper’s lung condition would be such a hot button issue)
Only until the x-rays showing the magnesium interior get leaked.
Actually there is a story here, it’s just not the one the media is focusing on. The real story is how the CP lying machine kicked into gear over such a trivial matter. A “respiratory malaise”? What the fuck, can’t these guys ever stop lying?
Bob’s right that there’s a story here, but it’s not the one he thinks.
The real story is: who becomes the head of government if the Prime Minister dies? I don’t know of any “rules of succession” for the PM’s seat outside of elections, do you?
No, I think the real story here is this…it’s the middle of winter and everyone’s bored. Or at least I am, and that’s all that counts.
So…who’s up for some Yahtzee?
SL (and everyone else): Asthma can kill you. Like allergies, asthma is a condition that has degrees of severity, and, if severe enough, can cause death.
Ramona Bell (wife of Art Bell of talk radio fame) died three weeks ago from an asthma attack. She didn’t just use those little inhalers — she carried a ventilating machine with her wherever she went. She was 47 years old — one year older than Harper. One of her brothers was 31 when asthma killed him.
And, generally speaking, the younger someone is when the condition manifests, the more severe it can be (although not always).
Harper has been asthmatic since he was very young. This is the first time I’ve heard about it, though. He must have good control meds; but he should be careful.
I am not making light of asthma Chimera, I am making light of an asthma attack being news.
It turns out that it wasn’t an asthma attack after all, just a common chest bug that has ruined a potentially great post about the decision making capabilities of our new PM – cats and asthma?
SL… I wasn’t taking swipes at anyone, but I was a little concerned that people generally don’t realize just how dangerous asthma can be. A major asthma attack could very well have been big news. Thankfully, it wasn’t.
I read that article, and I’m not buying it. It’s after-spin. Asthma is with you for life; you don’t outgrow it (although it may abate for awhile) and there is no cure:
http://www.itzarion.com/asthma.html
If he had a “little” viral infection, it very well could have developed into something much more serious. That he acted as quickly as he did speaks to his thorough knowledge of his condition, and his determination to take all precautions. And for that, I heartily commend him.
But gimme a break, here — nobody goes to a hospital for a checkup. You go to your family physician for that.
And he did make a trip to the hospital while he was campaigning in Vancouver… Heavily damp air can trigger an attack (as well as pollution, stress, and all that contact with germ-laden people), and he said as much.
My concern now is that parents of children will read the “official” line in the press, and possibly ignore warning signs in their own children. Or even in themselves, since this is a hereditary condition.
And if you’re referring to Eugene’s post — it was a terrific post! Nothing merely potential about it!