[QUOTE=cricetus]
RT, the thing is, this is like the third thread of this nature. See the one about Tony Snow, for example. So yes, people have actually reveled in other people having cancer.
[/QUOTE]
But what did it have to do with this thread when you said that?
Oh, that’s right: nothing.
You made no reference that tied in this thread with another thread. You provided no link.
You were trashing people in this thread.
Unjustly.
And you don’t have the balls to own up to it.
Instead, you’re coming up with bullshit cover stories to retrospectively justify your being an asshole.
[QUOTE=Larry Borgia]
If he’s faking, it’ll come out. And once it does he’ll be ruined. Even his supporters will desert him. He won’t ever publish another column or be on another TV show.
I don’t think Novak is so stupid that he thinks he can fake something like this and get away with it indefinitely.
[/QUOTE]
If he were the sort to do stupid crap out of panic, I might buy it, but I think he’s too cool and collected for that.
[QUOTE=threemae]
Correct me if I’m wrong, but there really isn’t such as thing as a crime of revealing classified information for people that don’t have security clearances in the first place, is there? Rather, it is the responsibility of those with clearances to keep that information secret, but once a reporter has discovered that information, they have no legal responsibility to maintain the secrecy of that information.
[/QUOTE]
This isn’t a law thread. Whether Novak’s actions were legal or not, they were despicable and immoral.
[QUOTE=choie]
Well, Astro, I was covering my ass with the “woo woo.” A solid 30-40% of me doubts his story. I’ve just been slammed before for being a conspiracy nut so I must preface this theory with the knowledge that it’s pretty out there, even for a raging cynic like me.
It’s eight hours later and we still haven’t heard a thing from any hospital representative or medical expert – or indeed, anyone other than Novak or his representative. And there’s been no biopsy on the tumor, so hell, it may turn out to be benign even if it does exist. I’m still putting this in the “unconfirmed” category, myself. I mean what would be the one thing that would excuse his hit & run? A brain tumor! And he has one! Allegedly.
Again: I really hope these doubts are right, for a number of reasons, first and foremost because then he wouldn’t have a potentially fatal or at least extremely debilitating disease, and that would be wonderful for him and his family.
Second because then I wouldn’t have to feel sorry for a putz like Novak the way I do right now.
And third because the truth coming out about such a heinous lie would be totally awesome.
[/QUOTE]
Medical information is confidential. If Novak didn’t give permission for a doctor to talk to the media, they can’t do it, AFAIK. Maybe Novak didn’t want to give the doctors that permission.
True. And if we know one thing about Bob Novak, it’s that confidentiality is very important to him! I’m sure we all hope no one leaks information that could be harmful to him or any individual who may reasonably expect privacy.
So if I may go off topic completely, here’s a purely hypothetical question: if someone wanted to fake (or overplaying or misstating or whatever) a medical ailment, wouldn’t his/her doctors (or someone else in the know) be unable to call him or her on such a bluff for fear of a lawsuit? Unlike a politician, a regular person’s medical records are not public info.
If so, then said person might be relatively safe for some time. Sounds like an interesting gamble to take, then. Of course it’d only be worth it if one were in desperate need of public sympathy for some reason or another. (Again: just a hypothetical. I’m a writer and might use this in a story or something.)
Curious. I wonder if Novak is being disappeared, William Casey-style.
I’m sure it’s a real illness. Cancer isn’t uncommon. It’s just … odd, that when somebody’s a little on the scandalous side of a Republican administration, they get “cancer” and vanish.