Brian Lenihan - pancreatic cancer - READ WARNING IN POST No. 150

Sandvich · 26-12-2009 08:09PM

Avns1s wrote: »

For Gods sake, grow up and show some small bit of humanity and compassion, even at Christmas time. :mad:

I sure wish the government would show a bit more humanity an compassion, or at least a bit more competence. But then again when half this forum seems to be made up of people who are all too happy to fall into the trap of "Tough decisions = good decisions" and think they're more mature for taking more ****, it's hard to have a competent government.

helimachoptor · 26-12-2009 08:09PM

Sad to hear it but I really wonder who they are going to get to fill his shoes, think he has been doing a decent job under very tough circumstances

Sandvich · 26-12-2009 08:10PM

Johnny Giles wrote: »

I feel sorry for the guy but will not resort to all the smoochy "hope he gets well soon" matter. Everyone changes their tune quickly. One minute they're whinging about the country - the next they're full of sympathy. Hypocrites.

Yes - it's absolutely horrible that anyone should have this, but does it make him a better person? People already had enough of a problem blindly accepting and even supporting cutbacks - the last we need is for MORE people to jump on the bandwagon because of this.

BrianD3 · 26-12-2009 08:10PM

Awful news. If it is in the early stages and is operable then there is a fair chance of him beating it. However the majority of pancreatic cancer patients are diagnosed with inoperable and/or advanced disease for which the prognosis is grim.

Sandvich · 26-12-2009 08:11PM

FutureGuy wrote: »

you are rediculous. I hope to **** you get a lifetime ban.

Why is someone so full of vengeance even a mod? Honestly? What a ridiculous over-reaction in this thread.

Sandvich · 26-12-2009 08:18PM

BastardPrince wrote: »

45,000 diagnosed with this in the US annually, 35,000 die. hope he pulls through, actually felt he had turned the corner for me recently and thought he may have been in with a shout of taoiseach....

I hate to risk getting banned and all that ****e; but why should we in specific show sympathy to him? It's bad it happens for a number of reasons, but there are thousands and thousands of people that suffer from this. If it was a well liked celebrity or family member, or whatever, I'd understand. But why in specific should we show feeling and compassion specifically for this man when he's only one of very many, and one who many people are understandably upset at?

I show compassion for those who suffer from this and aren't in a position to afford rapid top notch treatment like Mr. Lenihan no doubt is. I show compassion for the people who might die from this being rushed into hospitals because the local Accident and Emergency shut down. These are tough times, but for people at the bottom; just because one man is making "tough decisions" doesn't mean he has it tough too. Like it or not he's one of the best people to have a serious illness, because he will recieve top priority for treatement.

Of course I don't wish it upon anyone, but it really makes me sick how people in specific are acting like we should all drop to our knees for a drop in the ocean. It's just the same bull**** that plagues the budget - oh you don't feel this way, therefore you're an immature piece of toss. There is no reason why I should feel compassion for a well paid politician over anyone else; even if people are throwing on "Oh and all cancer victims" it's obvious there's a case of the Find Maddie kind of nonsense going on here. Well this misfortune is in the news - so we should care about it, right?

The people in this thread have no problem tearing into someone because they aren't full of the same bull**** fake compassion as they are. You are not good people for doing this. It's not nice to lack compassion and be at other people's throats - but as far as I can see, the average person around these parts fits that description to a T. Weeping over cancer patients does not make you a better person. If you were good people, you would not have reacted to certain posts in this thread the way you have.

I do not, nor should anyone, let the media nor angry boards.ie posters and mods sway how I feel so dramatically. I don't believe in forcing people to be compassionate either - that's insane.

lostexpectation · 26-12-2009 08:24PM

spadder wrote: »

He's attempting black humour, Haughey had a "whiparound" for his father(Lenihan Snr) when he was sick (and trousered it)

This is a young family man. it's not funny

that's fianna fail for you

ninty9er · 26-12-2009 08:25PM

Can we let the man make a statement to confirm he has cancer before we go heaping sympathy or filling his shoes.

I could make a call, but I won't, because government ministers deserve Christmas with their families too! I'm sure I won't need to either, as TV3 has now effectively turned the game in the Lenihan living room into "how does dad tell the country he has/hasn't got cancer!"

ninty9er · 26-12-2009 08:26PM

lostexpectation wrote: »

that's fianna fail for you

This wasn't a party political thread, but since you've gone there, that was that scumbag Charlie Haughey, NOT Fianna Fáil.

FatBeard · 26-12-2009 08:26PM

Sandvich wrote: »

There is no reason why I should feel compassion for a well paid politician over anyone else;.

You're missing the point. It's not compassion specifically for one person. I and I'd imagine most people feel compassion for all people in such predicament. But Brian Lenihan is in the public eye, people know who he is so he is obviously going to attract attention. As opposed to the thousands of people who suffer from the same disease every year who are only really known to their family and friends.

transylman · 26-12-2009 08:31PM

I hope for his sake that its not true.

In any case I'm sure he and his family would appreciate people not speculating about it right now, and if there is anything to be said it will be made known in good time.

tororosso · 26-12-2009 08:39PM

Sandvich wrote: »

I hate to risk getting banned and all that ****e; but why should we in specific show sympathy to him? It's bad it happens for a number of reasons, but there are thousands and thousands of people that suffer from this. If it was a well liked celebrity or family member, or whatever, I'd understand. But why in specific should we show feeling and compassion specifically for this man when he's only one of very many, and one who many people are understandably upset at?

I show compassion for those who suffer from this and aren't in a position to afford rapid top notch treatment like Mr. Lenihan no doubt is. I show compassion for the people who might die from this being rushed into hospitals because the local Accident and Emergency shut down. These are tough times, but for people at the bottom; just because one man is making "tough decisions" doesn't mean he has it tough too. Like it or not he's one of the best people to have a serious illness, because he will recieve top priority for treatement.

Of course I don't wish it upon anyone, but it really makes me sick how people in specific are acting like we should all drop to our knees for a drop in the ocean. It's just the same bull**** that plagues the budget - oh you don't feel this way, therefore you're an immature piece of toss. There is no reason why I should feel compassion for a well paid politician over anyone else; even if people are throwing on "Oh and all cancer victims" it's obvious there's a case of the Find Maddie kind of nonsense going on here. Well this misfortune is in the news - so we should care about it, right?

The people in this thread have no problem tearing into someone because they aren't full of the same bull**** fake compassion as they are. You are not good people for doing this. It's not nice to lack compassion and be at other people's throats - but as far as I can see, the average person around these parts fits that description to a T. Weeping over cancer patients does not make you a better person. If you were good people, you would not have reacted to certain posts in this thread the way you have.

I do not, nor should anyone, let the media nor angry boards.ie posters and mods sway how I feel so dramatically. I don't believe in forcing people to be compassionate either - that's insane.

I agree with you on this. I dont feel any pleasure in hearing the news but I am not feeling distraught about it either nor am I indignant that TV3 news did what they are supposed to do as a media organisation and reported on a news event. whoever provided tv3 news with that info (doctors, consultant etc) is the problem if you want to get annoyed about the way it has been made public..

Also found it strange that it was ok for one poster to insult the guy that got banned because they didnt like what he wrote!

Eliot Rosewater · 26-12-2009 08:47PM

How is it that posters here cant see that NAMA, bailout, economics, politics, Left-Right etc etc mean absolutely nothing if your dying?

We - the politics posters - are expressing sympathy that a political figure - someone who's life work comes under the remit of this forum - has been possibly diagnosed with a very very bad form of cancer. In the same way that the Lit forum will start a sympathy thread if a famous author dies.

The fact that people have been dithering and hesitant about whether to be sorry for the fact that someone is dying is, in my honest opinion, nothing less than sickening. Every day we hear about "the vulnerable" being abused by FF. Who is more vulnerable than a pancreatic cancer patient?

Sandvich · 26-12-2009 08:49PM

FatBeard wrote: »

You're missing the point. It's not compassion specifically for one person. I and I'd imagine most people feel compassion for all people in such predicament. But Brian Lenihan is in the public eye, people know who he is so he is obviously going to attract attention. As opposed to the thousands of people who suffer from the same disease every year who are only really known to their family and friends.

But you're missing the point since you don't realise that's a bad thing. Someone in the public eye is no more deserving of sympathy especially since it's someone, again, a lot of people are understandably upset at.

The point is people shouldn't "have" to feel compassionate for him. It doesn't mean people should be making remarks offensive to cancer patients, but it doesn't mean people should put on this fake defense everytime someone says something vaguely insensitive.

Sandvich · 26-12-2009 08:55PM

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

How is it that posters here cant see that NAMA, bailout, economics, politics, Left-Right etc etc mean absolutely nothing if your dying?

We - the politics posters - are expressing sympathy that a political figure - someone who's life work comes under the remit of this forum - has been possibly diagnosed with a very very bad form of cancer. In the same way that the Lit forum will start a sympathy thread if a famous author dies.

The fact that people have been dithering and hesitant about whether to be sorry for the fact that someone is dying is, in my honest opinion, nothing less than sickening. Every day we hear about "the vulnerable" being abused by FF. Who is more vulnerable than a pancreatic cancer patient?

It's being posted in the politics forum. If you want a cancer sympathy thread without politics, then it should be elsewhere. Would it look silly posted somewhere else? Yes! That's because there's no reason to care about Brian Lenihan in specific anyway. I'm all for the idea that forums shouldn't be forced on topic(real conversation isn't) but expecting people not to take a political angle in a thread about a politician in a politics forum is naivity taken to the extreme.

Again, there is no reason to feel sympathy for one sufferer of a horrible disease than another. You're part of the problem. What's sickening is that you're insisting that we should feel sympathy for one person just because the media and yourself assert we should, as opposed to saving our sympathy for sufferers in general, or people who are less likely to recieve top notch treatment for such an ailment. There's a relatively good likelihood he'll survive - and a much poorer one that someone on disability with cancer who's down a bit of money, or a lower earning public servant will survive, especially with the cutbacks.

There is absolutely no reason for me to feel sympathetic in this cause, nor not to point out the error in your judgement. It's not that I'm less sensitive than you - it's that my sensitivity is genuine, whereas yours has been created by the wider culture/media.

Brian Lenihan is not the only man in the world dying - nor do we know if he's actually dying. The normal cancer survival rate, if he does even have it, does not apply to high earners and public figures. Nama, bailouts, cutbacks, economics do mean a lot if you're dying, if you're someone with significantly less money and security than those in the government.

tororosso · 26-12-2009 08:56PM

Eliot Rosewater wrote: »

How is it that posters here cant see that NAMA, bailout, economics, politics, Left-Right etc etc mean absolutely nothing if your dying?

We - the politics posters - are expressing sympathy that a political figure - someone who's life work comes under the remit of this forum - has been possibly diagnosed with a very very bad form of cancer. In the same way that the Lit forum will start a sympathy thread if a famous author dies.

The fact that people have been dithering and hesitant about whether to be sorry for the fact that someone is dying is, in my honest opinion, nothing less than sickening. Every day we hear about "the vulnerable" being abused by FF. Who is more vulnerable than a pancreatic cancer patient?

I think you'll find that when people refer to "the vulnerable" being abused by FF they mean it in a socio-economic sense and not just to Fianna Fail but to the majority of the political class in this country. Somebody vulnerable would more pertinently describe the lowest classes in this society who are incapable of adequately financing hospital treatment and so forth for these types of horrible diseases.

People shouldnt be taking pleasure in what is allegedly unfolding but nor should people be berating people who are not feeling sorry for the situation; it hasnt even been confirmed properly yet anyway...

Slideshowbob · 26-12-2009 09:01PM

Why did TV3 wait 2 days to broadcast this news - once again they have failed as a news broadcaster!

It doesnt change his diagnosis. He is a public figure.

witty_name · 26-12-2009 09:01PM

Of course I would never wish such a horrible disease, or any affliction for that matter on anyone, and I do hope BL gets better soon.
However, even though I feel sympathy for him, and his family, I feel more sympathy towards those dealing with afflictions, and illnesses, who don't have access to the same healthcare he will due to the socio-economic status, etc.

I do hope he gets better soon, and doesn't add to the horrifying statistics, and hopefully he'll enquire more compassion for those in similar circumstances with less options, and less access to the care they need.

leesmom · 26-12-2009 09:04PM

Johnny Giles wrote: »

Good enough for the government.

thats a pretty gross post tbh

barry181091 · 26-12-2009 09:07PM

Slideshowbob wrote: »

Why did TV3 wait 2 days to broadcast this news - once again they have failed as a news broadcaster!

It doesnt change his diagnosis. He is a public figure.

Why are you posting the same thing in two threads, To get a reaction ? Correction, three threads..

Slideshowbob · 26-12-2009 09:09PM

barry181091 wrote: »

Why are you posting the same thing in two threads, To get a reaction ? Correction, three threads..

ya im expressing my opinion - is that ok with you?

Eliot Rosewater · 26-12-2009 09:11PM

Sandvich wrote: »

That's because there's no reason to care about Brian Lenihan in specific anyway.

Huh? Dont you realize that there is a whole sub forum here that is in effect about Brian Lenihin? He is one of the major politicians in Ireland. He is of interest to the politics forum specifically.

Sandvich wrote: »

What's sickening is that you're insisting that we should feel sympathy for one person just because the media and yourself assert we should.

Theres a big difference between taking a passive approach and coming onto a thread such as this with the attitude you have taken. You have ignored the fact that as a major politician he is of central significance to the politics forum.

In any case I apologize for being so presumptuous as to assume that people would feel sympathetic for someone who has contracted a highly-fatal disease.

Sandvich wrote: »

saving our sympathy for sufferers in general

"Saving our sympathy"? I would be delighted to know what that actually means. Do you have some kind of limit on the amount of sympathy you can give out in a certain period of time?

Sandvich wrote: »

There's a relatively good likelihood he'll survive

With a supposed 70% fatality rate in 3 years, and a 95% fatality rate in 5 years for pancreatic cancer, I seriously doubt that.

Sandvich wrote: »

and a much poorer one that someone on disability with cancer who's down a bit of money, or a lower earning public servant will survive, especially with the cutbacks.

Let me get this straight: you have just said that a lower paid public servant has a lower chance of survival after the 2009 budget cuts than a pancreatic cancer patient?

Barname · 26-12-2009 09:14PM

sandvich, kindly take your twisted bitterness elsewhere.

deal with your cuts. move on.

FatBeard · 26-12-2009 09:15PM

Sandvich wrote: »

But you're missing the point since you don't realise that's a bad thing. Someone in the public eye is no more deserving of sympathy especially since it's someone, again, a lot of people are understandably upset at.

I never said he was more deserving and that was the whole point of my last quote. Again, you're missing the point. Just because you pick one guy out who happens to be a public figure does not mean you feel he is more deserving. You've got to ask yourself why I'm commiserating with him in the first place. It's not because he's a politician or in the public eye. It's because it's been reported that he may have cancer. The reason it's been brought up in this forum is because he's a public figure. Likewise if you had started a thread in boards saying that someone you knew was in the same situation then i would along with other people commiserate with that person. By isolating one person i'm not discriminating against the rest.

The point is people shouldn't "have" to feel compassionate for him. It doesn't mean people should be making remarks offensive to cancer patients, but it doesn't mean people should put on this fake defense everytime someone says something vaguely insensitive.

Agreed, however some people in here are saying things that are far from "vaguely insensitive". And again, i'm not defending these offensive remarks because he is Brian Lennihan. I'm defending them because they serve no purpose and I would be doing the same for any other person who so happens not to be in the public eye but is mentioned by name on this forum. I would also point out that they are not "fake", atleast not on my part. Anyone has the right to say what they like but to wish death and suffering on someone in my opinion is highly immature.

Mental Mickey · 26-12-2009 09:16PM

FatBeard wrote: »

I never said he was more deserving and that was the whole point of my last quote. Again, you're missing the point. Just because you pick one guy out who happens to be a public figure does not mean you feel he is more deserving. You've got to ask yourself why I'm commiserating with him in the first place. It's not because he's a politician or in the public eye. It's because it's been reported that he may have cancer. The reason it's been brought up in this forum is because he's a public figure. Likewise if you had started a thread in boards saying that someone you knew was in the same situation then i would along with other people commiserate with that person. By isolating one person i'm not discriminating against the rest.

Agreed, however some people in here are saying things that are far from "vaguely insensitive". And again, i'm not defending these offensive remarks because he is Brian Lennihan. I'm defending them because they serve no purpose and I would be doing the same for any other person who so happens not to be in the public eye but is mentioned by name on this forum. I would also point out that they are not "fake", atleast not on my part. Anyone has the right to say what they like but to wish death and suffering on someone in my opinion is highly immature.

Correct.

AdMMM · 26-12-2009 09:21PM

A horrible disease that I wouldn't wish upon anyone. I simply cannot imagine the feelings and emotions within the Lenihan household at the moment and I wish them all the best in getting through this.

I think people are more than welcome to wish for someone (especially someone who they don't agree with) to fall from grace professionally but I cannot fathom how some people genuinely seem to wish this disease upon him. I'd wish a lot of bad things to happen to people but never wish ill-health!

thebigcheese22 · 26-12-2009 09:26PM

I abhor FF and despise what Lenihan stands for politically. However, everyone should be able to separate the professional from the personal. Yes he is a politician(who a lot of people don't like for the decisions he's made), but he's also a father, brother, family man who I'm sure is a perfectly nice fellow. I hope he gets better, and I think I speak for the vast majority of Opposition supporters when I say that.

Saying otherwise is like saying 'Wahey!' when you hear the local traffic warden has died :rolleyes:

rovert · 26-12-2009 09:29PM

ITT OTT PC

gandalf · 26-12-2009 10:02PM

If this is confirmed and remember it hasn't I wish the man the best with his battle for recovery.

nesf · 26-12-2009 10:22PM

Sandvich wrote: »

It's being posted in the politics forum. If you want a cancer sympathy thread without politics, then it should be elsewhere.

Christ, take your axe and grind it in some other thread please. This thread is about a man possibly being diagnosed with cancer, not his politics, party or anything else. It's only in this forum because he's a very high profile national politician and as such it is relevant to this forum for this to be discussed here.

Brian Lenihan - pancreatic cancer - READ WARNING IN POST No. 150

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