Sen Tim Johnson (D) Has a major stroke

[dollfus46]

Wow. Unfortunate as it is, I'll bet Nancy Pelosi is choking up her spaghetti supper about now. I truly feel terrible about Sen. Johnson and his family. Heard the tape from the show when he was having the stroke and it's terrifying.
Given that, this could be the prelude to some exciting politics in the next month. I hear the Gov will appoint a Republican if Johnson can't fulfill his duties. Should be interesting.

[amanda]

Adm. John Eisold, attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, told CNN that Johnson had "an intracerebral bleed caused by a congenital arteriovenous malformation. He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation."

Barbara Johnson, wife of Sen. Johnson, said, "The Johnson family is encouraged and optimistic. They are grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans. They are especially grateful for the work of the doctors and all medical personnel and GWU hospital."

News is improving on Sen. Johnson.

[Hermione]

I'm glad to hear that. My dad had a massive stroke at 44, and spent 31 years of disability. I wouldn't wish a stroke on my worst enemy. There's a line where politics stops, and this is it.

(not intended as a disagreement with dollfus, didn't realize how that sounded.)

[dollfus46]

Adm. John Eisold, attending physician of the U.S. Capitol, told CNN that Johnson had "an intracerebral bleed caused by a congenital arteriovenous malformation. He underwent successful surgery to evacuate the blood and stabilize the malformation."

Barbara Johnson, wife of Sen. Johnson, said, "The Johnson family is encouraged and optimistic. They are grateful for the prayers and good wishes of friends, supporters and South Dakotans. They are especially grateful for the work of the doctors and all medical personnel and GWU hospital."

News is improving on Sen. Johnson.

My ex had an AVM that blew and caused her to have a stroke at about age 34. Both men and women have them but most are women. Many live their entire lives and the "ball of yarn" never bursts. Depends on how much bleeding occurred as to what his prognosis will be. The bigger the bleed the more the brain damage. Anyway, that's how it was 'splained to me more than 20 years ago. Strokes are a terrible thing to deal with.

[dollfus46]

I'm glad to hear that. My dad had a massive stroke at 44, and spent 31 years of disability. I wouldn't wish a stroke on my worst enemy. There's a line where politics stops, and this is it.

(not intended as a disagreement with dollfus, didn't realize how that sounded.)

No problem. When the news started covering it last night I thought it rather crass. It was the political fallout from Sen. Johnson's stroke that was the news it seemed. Bothered me too. Still does. It was disturbing to hear him having the stroke, struggling with his speech. But the fact remains, this may change the Washington landscape drastically.

[dollfus46]

Legally, he can hold office as long as he has a heartbeat or resigns. Its been done before. The Gov can't appoint nutt'n unless he dies or quits on his own.

Should it get to that, with the rancor that permeates the political parties in Washington these days, you'll see a lawsuit over this. The problem is, they never defined "incapacitated" it seems to me.

[wilebill]

The problem is, they never defined "incapacitated" it seems to me.

Incapacitated probably has been defined. Reasonable time is the one that hasn't. :smt102

[dollfus46]

Incapacitated probably has been defined. Reasonable time is the one that hasn't. :smt102

Yeah, that's always a problem. What's "reasonable" and to whom? Smart lawyers up there should be able to see that problem waiting to happen. Course I've heard two different stories on one of the guys. First one was he never came back never resigned. Second story on him was he came back and would be there just for the votes. He'd point to his eye if he was in favor. Sounded kind of hokey to me. I think it's like porn. Hard to define but you know it when you see it.

[dollfus46]

I ain't going to the trouble of looking it up but it was discussed on the news tonight. A Senator back in the 60's, I think it was, went full term in office, braindead. Well, hell, you could say that about most of'em. Sen. Joe Biden stayed out for 9 months with a brain anurism (I know I spelt dat sum-b wrong but I'm lazy tonight).
As I said, they can remain brain dead for full term, as long as their dang heart is beating or they don't resign.

What a hoot! Braindead and fulfilling his term. What a trooper! I know some people who still utilize their right to vote, who'd re-elect him for his tenacity alone. :smt119 ACLU will fight for his right to work though disabled, if he's a Democrat. Otherwise they won't open their mouths.

[Maggie-Doodle]

I dunno but seems to me alot of the ones who are sitting in Washington daily and are "suppose" to be healthy are brain dead and have no heart beat! ALOT of them act that way! What is the difference?

[dollfus46]

I dunno but seems to me alot of the ones who are sitting in Washington daily and are "suppose" to be healthy are brain dead and have no heart beat! ALOT of them act that way! What is the difference?

We need to realize that there isn't one up there to serve his/her country, but to make a living, and their motivation is to stay there.