Radley is a Senior Editor with Reason Magazine, a former policy analyst with the Cato Institute, and current proprietor of The Agitator. He is the national writer whose political philosophy most closely matches my own. If you want to know a little bit more about how people like me manage to be so irritated all the time, no matter who is in the White House and no matter which party controls Congress, follow Radley's blog. Even if you disagree with his politics, you'll get an interesting take on things that you might not have considered before.
Anyway, Radley wrote a piece on me last November for Reason about my work with the Michigan Innocence Clinic and the events that led me to join the Clinic. Of course I think it was well done, but I am biased. Go read for yourselves. But Radley recently mentioned my current situation on The Agitator and Reason's Hit & Run blog. So to those of you that made it here because of Radley, welcome, and feel free to hang around for the ride or pass this blog along to others, especially people who have to deal with something like this. And to Radley, who singlehandedly shattered my daily visitor record (on a Sunday, no less), thank you for the kind words.
Ironically, I was planning to mention Radley in this space this week because he dropped a post last week that summed up my views on politics as well as I ever could. Excerpts:
Politics is a ridiculous profession populated by ridiculous people. Maybe if we elect increasingly clownish candidates, the public will eventually come to realize this, and finally realize that it’s probably not a good idea to put larger and larger portions of our lives and livelihoods in the hands of people who have achieved success in a field that rewards character traits you spend your entire tenure as a parent trying to teach out of your kids...
...I see no reason to instinctively cheer for Republicans over Democrats. Or vice versa. At least electing transparently crazy people will make us more cautious about how they use their power...
...Me, I’m cheering for elections to matter less, and for politicians to have less impact on my life. I dream of waking up to find the results of the November 2 election on page A-10 of my November 3rd newspaper—because no one cared, because very little was at stake, because we stopped pinning our hopes and dreams on the results of a perverse process dominated by generally horrible people who have made a career of accumulating power for the sake of accumulating power.A lot of you know how I am. I've mentioned the words "crotchety" and "old-manish" to describe myself (and only because others used them to describe me) here before. Well the cancer has exacerbated that. I hate bullshit. It's why I keep ranting about Mitch Albom and why I have a running series entitled "Things That Always Made Me Angry Make Me More Angry Now That I Have Cancer." Cancer makes you realize, very quickly, how short life can be. So why fill it with bullshit?
And I will tell you this: To somebody that has had more contact with the health care industry than he ever wanted to by age 25, it absolutely TERRIFIES me that more and more power over that industry will be placed in the hands of these ridiculous people. The issue is not whether they will do good things or do bad things, or whether it's a good law or a bad law; it's the mere fact that yes, we are putting "larger and larger portions of our lives and livelihoods in the hands of people who have achieved success in a field that rewards character traits you spend your entire tenure as a parent trying to teach out of your kids." I'm not really interested in debating "The Health Care Bill" as much as I am debating how much power over my life I want these ridiculous people to have. This really does scare and affect me in a very real way. (I have a much longer post on this issue coming up, since I've been asked the question several times, so save your bullets).
Anyway, welcome to those of you who found this site by way of Hit & Run or The Agitator. If you haven't noticed already, this isn't your average "cancer blog." But because so many people have had to deal with this terrible disease - either personally or through a family member or close friend - my thoughts seem to resonate with people. The site will continue to be this way for the foreseeable future. You guys are welcome to come along for the ride.
Found your blog through the Agitator. I actually graduated from Michigan in 2008, starting off as a history major, but switched it down to a minor. We may have crossed paths in some class (Juan Cole's middle eastern history?), but anyway Go Blue, and beat cancer! Don't know if you've heard about Phil Brabb's story too, http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/cancerkicker
ReplyDeleteI got here through Radley's post this morning. As one who has been studying medical cannabinoid therapy for some years now, I would respectfully suggest that you take a look at a video on youtube. Search:
ReplyDeleterick simpson run from the cure
It will not only bring up the documentary about his oil that is curing cancers, but other informative videos on the subject as well. Given that you seem to be located in Michigan, I'm sure you would qualify for their medical marijuana program. The oil can be made quickly and has had some remarkable results reported.
If you are interested in pursuing this line of treatment, I could also put you in touch with information that uses a dry heat activation method, allowing for a 4:1 raw material to oil, rather than Simpson's 8:1 method.
My best wishes to you in this difficult time.
I also used The Agitator link to navigate here. Kudos to you and Radley Balko.
ReplyDeleteI, too, linked in here from Radley Balko's Reason blog and enjoyed the limited amount that I read. Your observations about the Attorney General's race, civil liberties, and the Granholm administration's anointing of economic winners and losers are particularly refreshing to me as a fellow libertarian in the state of Michigan.
ReplyDeleteMy family, and myself especially, are die-hard Spartan fans, but that didn't preclude my dad from going to UM during his two bouts with cancer. You are lucky to have such a wonderful facility available to you for your own fight against cancer. I hope they can help you the way that you've helped others through your service in the Innocence Project.
Oh, and I'm sure I speak for almost of my fellow Spartans when I say that we can all at least agree that Mitch Albom is a moron.
Best of luck to you.
Hey,
ReplyDeleteJust clicked over from Radley' site. I had very aggressive non-hodgkins over 20 years ago and beat it, though ended up with some nasty scars and a lot less hair (execept where I really don't need it). Anyway, keep up the good work, you will beat it.
Mike Trumper
Calgary, Canada
Awesome post. I agree that both sides are filled with crazy, power-seeking individuals...however, on principle the Republicans do believe in less government...so, what say you? If you have to vote, might as well at least vote Republican.
ReplyDelete