Jimmy Carter shares cancer details, begins ‘long goodbye’

Photo compliments of CarterCenter.org

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former Democratic President Jimmy Carter, 90, held a press conference Thursday morning with details of his cancer battle, revealing the cancer in his liver has spread to his brain. His remarks and candor with the press was reminiscent of President Ronald Reagan’s “long goodbye” speech when he left public life due to Alzheimer’s.

The one-term president who served from 1977-81 was adamant that treatment for the cancer would take precedent in the days ahead, and said he was at peace although, he joked, more so than his wife Roslyn. He noted that his brother and sisters had died of pancreatic cancer.

He said his message is hope and acceptance of the hand he has been dealt as he and his family now move forward. Expressing disappointment if not allowed to take part in a mission trip to Nepal in the near future, he joked with reporters that one of the best things in his life was marrying Roslyn, as they celebrate 69 years of marriage.  He spoke and took questions for 40 minutes in Atlanta.

We wish him well as he embarks on cancer treatment and healing.

 

Cruz: 94.5% of campaign money is from donations of $1 million or more

By Lynn R. Mitchell

USA Today recently had a graphic showing the money donations for each 2016 Republican presidential candidate of those giving $1 million or more and, surprisingly, leading the pack was Ted Cruz, supposedly the anti-establishment fire-brand. Bottom of the list was Bobby Jindal, and third from the bottom was Jeb Bush. Below is the chart (see Billionaires crowd out the bundlers in White House race by Fredreka Schouten, USA Today, August 17, 2015).

 

It’s time to reinstate Pete Rose

Pete Rose

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Yes, I’m old enough to remember when Pete Rose was suspended from baseball. It was 25 years ago. I’ve also watched sports figures practically thumb their noses at the rules in the years since for a number of infractions but none have been penalized like Pete Rose who was banned for life.

It’s time already. Reinstate him and then put him in the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Pete Rose is now 73 years old. He has, in my opinion, more than paid for his mistake. He has petitioned the new Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred to be reinstated (see ESPN’s Pete Rose petitions commissioner).

Eric Cantor: ‘Listen to Netanyahu on Iran nuke dangers’

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Former Majority Leader Eric Cantor remains engages in domestic and foreign policies and wrote an op-ed in Sunday’s USA Today on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (see Eric Cantor: Listen to Netanyahu on Iran nuke dangers):

This week a joint session of Congress will hear from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The temptation for many will be to focus on the political controversy surrounding his invitation and the administration’s displeasure with his visit. We should focus instead on the substantive concerns the prime minister is expected to share about the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East and the increasing threat posed by the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Home Depot hit with largest ever email, credit, debit card hack

By Lynn R. Mitchell

Home Depot notified customers Saturday that their records had been hacked. In an email to consumers, Home Depot wrote:

Can we prepare for Ebola now without being called alarmists? Another TX health care worker tests positive, 125 others being watched — UDPATED

By Lynn R. Mitchell

From USA Today (see Second Texas health-care worker tests positive for Ebola by Rick Jervis and Doug Stanglin):

A second hospital worker who helped care for Ebola patient Thomas Eric Duncan has tested positive for the disease, the Texas Department of State Health Services said in a statement early Wednesday.

The health-care worker, who was not identified, reported a fever Tuesday and was immediately isolated at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital.

In addition, 125 others are being watched for symptoms and the hospital is prepared for additional cases. The mayor of Dallas warned it may get worse before it gets better. Meanwhile the World Health Organization (WHO) called it the worst health crisis in modern times.

5 NATO troops killed in Afghanistan … reports are saying all were Americans

By Lynn R. Mitchell

News outlets Tuesday morning were reporting that friendly fire may be responsible for the death of five NATO troops in Afghanistan (see USA Today’s “Friendly fire kills 5 NATO troops”). Sadly, some news outlets are reporting the five were all Americans who are still deployed in Operation Enduring Freedom. Stay tuned for more on this developing story….