# Pat Robertson has prostate cancer ... and I'm glad! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [February 13, 2003, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921 "2003-02-13T21:28:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Sauron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ce7236/32.png) [@Sauron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sauron)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/121 "2003-02-14T16:15:17Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BURNER \* > I am sorry you think I am your enemy simply because I disagree with your position. And yet you declare Pat Robertson is your enemy because you disagree with his position. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/122 "2003-02-14T16:15:47Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by BURNER \* > I am sorry you think I am your enemy simply because I disagree with your position. Maybe you would like me better if I told you what you wanted to hear insted of what my own opinion was. In any case, I dont consider you to be my enemy. I would like you better were you less unapologetically vile. Agreeing with me is not the necessary way to get me to like you, nor does disagreeing with me mean I’ll never like you. > [@](#): > > While I may not agree with the extent of BURNER’s sentiment, I also don’t see why he should have to show this so-called “doper class” (whatever the hell that is) and apologize for his viewpoint. Is the SDMB turning into naught but a mutual masturbation society? (and in the Pit no less!) BURNER has a problem with Robertson’s behavior, which is caused by hate. He (BURNER) in turn is espousing a hate-filled viewpoint of Robertson. When added to the overtly vile “Yay he has cancer!” approach which so many in this thread have already shown to be highly insensitive, not to mention assholish, this reveals BURNER as a Grade-A Jackass. As for doper class, cf. **Spiff** in this thread for a good example. > [@](#): > > **iampunha** , it strikes me as ironic that you claim “hate is hate is hate, no matter how justified you feel it to be” and then take the approach of comparing BURNER to bacteria that should be eradicated. It strikes me as ironic … well, actually, no, it doesn’t strike me as ironic that your reading comprehension skills need work. Please show me where I said bacteria needed to be eradicated. I indicated a method for doing so. In no way did I say it should be done. ---
**Author:** ![NurseCarmen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5daacb/32.png) [@NurseCarmen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NurseCarmen)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/123 "2003-02-14T16:20:48Z")
Count me in as giddy as a dung beetle at the circus had Mr. Robertson contracted a flesh eating virus via an unfortunate incident involving a two headed goat, a dominatrix, and the baritone section of the Brisbane gay and Lesbian choir. If it had been caught on tape I’d be happy as a struggling fabric merchant on seeing the taliban women’s club enter my store. But cancer? Nnnaaah. There’s no irony in it. No revenge. Just another sad example of the human condition. ---
**Author:** ![lieu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/c2a13f/32.png) [@lieu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lieu)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/124 "2003-02-14T16:21:46Z")
Good on you **Spiff**. ---
**Author:** ![super\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@super\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/super_head)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/125 "2003-02-14T16:22:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > It strikes me as ironic … well, actually, no, it doesn’t strike me as ironic that your reading comprehension skills need work. Please show me where I said bacteria needed to be eradicated. I indicated a method for doing so. In no way did I say it should be done. Oh, please, give me a break with your obvious back-pedaling. How often do you (generic you) say something like “All we need to eradicate your kind is X” without implying that it should be done, without a mock threatening tone behind it? Without the intent of intense dislike behind such a statement, it made little to no sense in the manner in which you used it. Be a little more disingenuous next time, ok? :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Reverend\_Mykeru](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bc79bd/32.png) [@Reverend\_Mykeru](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reverend_Mykeru)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/126 "2003-02-14T16:29:12Z")
**NurseCarmen** > [@](#): > > But cancer? Nnnaaah. There’s no irony in it. No revenge. Just another sad example of the human condition. Sure there is irony. Not in the cancer itself, but in the fact that this faith healer who claims to be able to cure other people’s cancer via the television set runs off to hospital when he gets a bit of it himself. Robertson, as quoted by James Randi in The Faith Healers: > [@](#): > > There is a woman in Kansas city who has sinus. The Lord is drying that up right now. Thank you, Jesus. There is a man with a financial need - I think a hundred thousand dollars. That need is being met right now, and within three days, the money will be supplied through the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit. Thank you, Jesus! **There is a woman in Cincinnati with cancer of the lymph nodes. I don’t know whether its been diagnosed yet but you haven’t been feeling well, and the Lord is dissolving that cancer right now!** There is a lady in Saskatchewan in a wheelchair - curvature of the spine. The Lord is straightening that out right now, and you can stand up and walk! Just claim it and its yours. Thank you, Jesus! Amen, and amen! [emphasis added] Hey, why not thank Jesus? ---
**Author:** ![Themis00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/13edae/32.png) [@Themis00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themis00)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/127 "2003-02-14T16:38:10Z")
You need Jesus, Spiff. ---
**Author:** ![Themis00](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/13edae/32.png) [@Themis00](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Themis00)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/128 "2003-02-14T16:43:40Z")
Nevermind. He apologized. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e495f1/32.png) [@The\_Ace\_of\_Swords](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Ace_of_Swords)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/129 "2003-02-14T16:53:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kiger \* > \*\* It is the 3rd leading cause of death in men. > … > It does have good survivabilty rates IF it is diagnosed early. Get tested. If this message saves one person, it was worth it. \*\* I’m sorry for your loss. FWIW, Prostate cancer is the [10th](http://www.infoplease.com/ipa/A0005110.html) leading cause of death in men, if you [break it out](https://azlweb01.allianzlife.com/imgate.nsf/fa81717ba5b21c9a062565a900793161/73048d272ea39d6186256bbb0045709a?OpenDocument) of all the other cancers, (all cancers are still 2nd in the traditional top 3 of: heart disease, cancer, stroke). This after moving down from 7th; some credit to the improved screenings and increased awareness, so your point is well taken. As for relative cancer survivability, it’s in the [top 3](http://www.dceg.cancer.gov/atlas/text2/full_txt.html#disc-acc) (Figure 5), which isn’t a happy, joyous, thing, it merely means that your 5 year survival odds are [up to 85%.](https://azlweb01.allianzlife.com/imgate.nsf/fa81717ba5b21c9a062565a900793161/73048d272ea39d6186256bbb0045709a?OpenDocument) Bone cancer, for comparison has a 10% 5 yr survivability rate. * * * As for Pat, you can send him get-well-prayers [here](http://web.cbn.org/cc/contact/prayer-form.asp?topic=Healing), and you can register to get the recipe for the Preacher Pancakes, [here](http://www.cbn.com/communitypublic/pancakes.asp). They look quite tasty, really. There’s also a section on the Biblical perspective of [fighting cancer](http://www.cbn.com/community/health/colbert/cancer.pdf) from Dr. Don Colbert, a graduate from Oral Roberts U. Among all the useful data is this bullet point: > [@](#): > > Determine to choose faith and reject fear! God’s word says Jesus Christ defeated disease! Uh huh. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/130 "2003-02-14T16:56:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by super\_head \* > **Oh, please, give me a break with your obvious back-pedaling.** Bull. Give me a break with your bullshit accusation. Either show me specifically where I said **BURNER** and **BURNER** ’s kind should be killed or withdraw the comment. > [@](#): > > How often do you (generic you) say something like “All we need to eradicate your kind is X” without implying that it should be done, without a mock threatening tone behind it? Without the intent of intense dislike behind such a statement, it made little to no sense in the manner in which you used it. You may (as you obviously have) **infer** whatever you like from what I said. That does not change the fact that I never said what you accuse me of. > [@](#): > > Be a little more disingenuous next time, ok? :rolleyes: Sure thing, as long as you promise to keep on lying about me. ---
**Author:** ![super\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@super\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/super_head)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/131 "2003-02-14T17:01:53Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by iampunha \* > You may (as you obviously have) **infer** whatever you like from what I said. That does not change the fact that I never said what you accuse me of. Do tell us what you meant then - what were you saying? What was meant by inferring that **BURNER** is equivalent to a bacterium and saying that he could be killed with antibacterial soap? Were you just stating something for the sake of stating it? Or were you making a mean-spirited (i.e. hateful) attack on him for his views? It certainly wasn’t a nice or love-filled statement, unless, as I said before, you have a strange idea of love (which, from what I’ve heard from others, might very well be the case). > [@](#): > > Sure thing, as long as you promise to keep on lying about me. OK, you’re an intelligent sort. Happy? ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/132 "2003-02-14T17:24:31Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by super\_head \* > Do tell us what you meant then - what were you saying? What was meant by inferring that **BURNER** is equivalent to a bacterium and saying that he could be killed with antibacterial soap? The indication that **BURNER** is, judging by the comments **BURNER** has made here, worthy of such high praise as is usually given to paramecia, amoebae, etc. > [@](#): > > Or were you making a mean-spirited (i.e. hateful) attack on him for his views? I was indicating to **BURNER** and others my impression of **BURNER**. If you’re trying to hoist me by my own petard, you might try actually locating and securing one first. > [@](#): > > unless, as I said before, you have a strange idea of love (which, from what I’ve heard from others, might very well be the case). Do go on about this:)\* > [@](#): > > OK, you’re an intelligent sort. Happy? Yes, thanks, and the same to you as you meant it to me:) And if you could be a sport and fetch me that quote wherein I said **BURNER** should be killed, I’d really appreciate it. \*[sub]Prediction One: no names will accompany whatever statements/opinions **super\_head** has from others about me. Prediction two: Atlernately, **super\_head** will back down and say it was some sort of joke, or s/he read it in a thread somewhere, or the tea leaves were cloudy or something like that. ---
**Author:** ![super\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@super\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/super_head)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/133 "2003-02-14T17:29:51Z")
Ah, so calling someone the human equivalent of bacteria isn’t hateful? I see (even if we ignore the use of “eradicate your kind”). Well, whatever rationalization helps you, I suppose. As for what I’ve heard about you, it was said in confidence and thus - no - you won’t be getting names. If you can think of anyone (myself excluded) that would refer to you as a “smarmy twit” though, it’d be a good starting place. Have a pleasant day, Mr. Disingenuous! 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/134 "2003-02-14T17:37:48Z")
I had a reaction to this thread that i wanted to share, but i thought that i would start a new thread because there are some more general issues involved. My new thread is [here](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?threadid=163126), if anyone’s interested. ---
**Author:** ![Kiger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Kiger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiger)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/135 "2003-02-14T17:42:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by The Ace of Swords \* > I’m sorry for your loss. Thank you. > [@](#): > > FWIW, Prostate cancer is the 10th leading cause of death in men, if you break it out of all the other cancers, (all cancers are still 2nd in the traditional top 3 of: heart disease, cancer, stroke). This after moving down from 7th; some credit to the improved screenings and increased awareness, so your point is well taken. Interesting. This [site](http://www.capcure.org/abtprostate/facts.asp?mainid=3&subid=2¶m=abtprostate) says that it is actually the 2nd leading cancer related death. Sorry about my original post. I just noticed I stated that it was the 3rd leading cause of death when I really meant to say cancer related death. And 2 years ago when I first started researching it, it was supposedly 3rd, and not 2nd. I’ve also found several sites that rank it first. I don’t know which one is right - let’s just say it kills a lot of people. Anything that increases awareness of how big the problem is seems like a good thing to me. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/136 "2003-02-14T17:50:12Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by super\_head \* > As for what I’ve heard about you, it was said in confidence and thus - no - you won’t be getting names. If you can think of anyone (myself excluded) that would refer to you as a “smarmy twit” though, it’d be a good starting place. Uh-huh. Right. “See, I have this person who said this thing about you, but I’m not going to tell you who it is because … er, it was said in confidence.” Put up or shut up. If it was said in confidence, then either keep it all to yourself or release the name. Otherwise it’s nothing more than an unsubstantiated comment, and that ain’t no petard, neither. Furthermore, anyone worried about having their name stamped on “smarmy twit” lacks the spine to stand up and be worthy of more thought than I’ve already given the comment. Still waiting for that quote saying I thought **BURNER** should be killed… ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 5:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/137 "2003-02-14T17:59:26Z")
Burner (or whatever) wrote: > [@](#): > > Nope, why? Because you sound an awful lot like someone who was banned. Not saying, just asking. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/138 "2003-02-14T18:00:34Z")
\*“There is a woman in Cincinnati with cancer of the lymph nodes. I don’t know whether its been diagnosed yet but you haven’t been feeling well, and the Lord is dissolving that cancer right now! \*” You know, this will probably lead to another GD thread in which James Randi is called upon to disprove the claim. ---
**Author:** ![super\_head](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d6d6ee/32.png) [@super\_head](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/super_head)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/139 "2003-02-14T18:02:26Z")
Still waiting for you to show me how referring to him as a bacterium and indicating a means of his death isn’t hateful. We seem to be at an impasse. _yawn_ And, no, you’re still not getting names. Enjoy the mystery! 🙂 You may now return to being disingenuous in this thread or others of your choosing, as I’m sure you will! ---
**Author:** ![BURNER](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@BURNER](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BURNER)\ **Post date:** [February 14, 2003, 6:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921/140 "2003-02-14T18:05:15Z")
HEY, what do you mean “(or whatever)”? I had never been here before the NYC dopefest. My wife took me, I met a bunch of cool people, when I got home I figured I would give it a shot. The rest is history. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/pat-robertson-has-prostate-cancer-and-im-glad/154921.md?page=8)