Why should we let Cheney off the hook for getting a flu shot?

[shawn703]

I'm surprised many people seem to be wincing at the fact that Kerry isn't letting this go. Whose fault is it we don't have enough vaccine? The Bush administration drops the ball, and now our population will have to suffer for it. If they wanted to make sure they were able to get a flu shot, they should have made sure everyone else could get a flu shot. We bitch and moan about CEOs laying off workers for their failed policies while they give themselves pay raises, and yet we're reluctant to hold this administration's feet to the fire for failing to protect the public health while ensuring their own.

Furthermore, if Cheney's not healthy enough to risk going through this season without a flu shot, maybe he should be in a bubble in an undisclosed location instead of at campaign rallies. Avoid high-risk behavior, right? Isn't that what you're supposed to do to prevent illness?

[TaleWgnDg]

1. Well, the problem being -- and there is a definite problem --

is that Dick Cheney's health (his heart condition) puts him at risk. Great and dangerous risk of dying if he gets the flue. Thus, he has been vaccinated. That's quite understandable.

However, there's another problem. Why is Cheney any different from anyone else w/ a similar heart condition? or other life-threatening illness?

There lies the rub. Cheney is stating that his needs are greater than are the needs of others. What a gawd-damned ass.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . Isn't this reminiscent of Scalia's behavior too? Scalia didn't recuse himself as would other judges; after all Scalia was "more important." These birds DO flock together, correct?



.

[shawn703]

5. Too bad for Cheney

If he's that concerned that catching a flu may lead to his death, he should avoid activities that put him at risk of contracting the flu. If that means he needs to stay off the campaign trail for the rest of the year, he should do that before he takes a dose that should go to someone else.

[bowens43]

2. Huh? Cheney is in the high risk group.

There is nothing wrong with him getting the vaccine.

[shawn703]

6. He should avoid high risk activities

such as campaiging. He shouldn't deny someone else the vaccine because of a mistake he made. What would a patriot do?

[bowens43]

11. Do you have evidence that someone else more in need

has been denied the vaccine because Cheney had it?

IMO this is a silly non-issue.

[shawn703]

15. See post #12 n/t

[shawn703]

19. Also, they have lotteries in Maryland

Because there aren't enough doses for those that are high risk.

It's another example of Repug thinking. Sacrifice other people to protect your own interests.

[cali]

3. because it's a total loser for us.

That's why. Let's move along and stop making stupid gaffes.

[shawn703]

8. Depends on how you play it

A lot of people these days seem to listen to their emotions instead of reason. That's why the Republicans have been successful. We tell the people someone had to come down with the flu this year because Cheney took their vaccine, they'll care more about that than whether or not he's healthy.

[cali]

13. It's a loser. Period.

If you can't see that, you're not looking.

[pelagius]

4. Cheney is one of the people...

...who should have a flu shot. I hope the Kerry campaign doesn't condemn him for getting one per se, but point out that, under a Kerry administration, "reg'lar people" would have access to the same kind of health care Cheney enjoys.

[shawn703]

7. Everyone should have access to the flu shot

Reg'lar people shouldn't pay the price for having a reactive instead of proactive government. Cheney wanted it this way, he should enjoy it.

[TaleWgnDg]

10. exactly (see my post #1) . . . n/t

[Boomer]

9. Because he's the Vice President

I may not like that fact, but until I can help vote him out of office, Cheney is the back up system to Bush. He's one step away from having to make decisions that will affect the entire nation and the world.

So, yes, I think he should have a flu shot, even if he didn't have a heart condition.

I don't want to end up in the middle of crisis and have someone doped up on Nyquil calling the shots.

Bush should get one, too. He's muddled enough as it is.

[DemBones DemBones]

12. Cheney is in the high risk group even if he were to quit campaigning

and stay in an undisclosed "bubble." I will not criticize others, even Darth Cheney, who have been fortunate enough to receive a flu shot.

I will criticize an administration that AGAIN ignored a warning of a looming event that may kill many Americans. A flu epidemic will almost certainly kill more people than were killed on 9/11, even when we subtract the 36,000 who could be expected to die of influenza in a normal year.

I will criticize an administration that has talked terror and fear since 9/11 yet, despite the anthrax attacks and years of warnings from public health officials that we are not prepared to handle an epidemic , has not set aside new funds or set up new programs to fairly and effectively distribute the vaccine to those who need it most. It should not be automatically given to Congress, to prison inmates, to casino workers, as we know is being done.

I am a high risk individual who has been unable to get a flu shot. My primary care doctor has no vaccine. The local health department has no vaccine. I tried to get a shot when they were being given at a local grocery but was unable to as far more than 50 people turned up and there were only 50 people. If I had realized what this was turning into, I could have gone and lined up at 4 a.m., but it's a sad commentary on our government that the sick and elderly people should have to do such a thing.

[gulliver]

14. If he is unhealthy enough to get a scarce flu shot, he is not healthy ...

... enough to be Vice President.

[luaneryder]

16. Yes, his health makes him a high risk for dying

should he get the flu, thus, he should have gotten a flu shot. However, his health is not up to snuff for being the VPOTUS and should have been an issue upon his nomination.

[Enraged_Ape]

17. This forces the GOPers to admit their VP is on death's door...

and has no business being "one heartbeat away" from the Presidency, since he doesn't have all that many heartbeats left.

I predict the Bush camp won't make as big a deal about this as they did about, say, Cheney's daughter being a lesbian. To go into "pity me" mode over Cheney's health will only emphasize the fact that the nation saw a very sick, tired man during the VP debate. He needs some rest.

Kerry was able to make the point that the Administration helped themselves to flu shots that heart patients around the country won't be able to get in anything resembling a timely fashion, while simultaneously challenging the Bushies to deny that Cheney has one foot in the grave.

[shawn703]

18. Could this be a lead-in to Giuliani for VP?

And the October Surprise? The administration admits Cheney is too sick to be VP and he resigns.