FL Repub Chair Dave Bitner died of ALS yet still opposed embryonic stem cell research

[RamboLiberal]

As someone who may well have this death sentence of this monster of a disease it's another reason to be pissed at Repubs & their fundie friends. Fine, don't want those embryos ban in vitro clinics. But what the hell do you think is going to happen to those excess embryos nitwits? Wonder if there had been a cure with embryonic stem cells would he have used? Sorry he died, no one deserves ALS. I'm pissed at 8 years wasted by W's convaluted stem cell decision 8/01

The former state legislator from Port Charlotte described himself as “pro-life” and said he opposes expanded use of stem cell research to seek a cure for ALS.

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/29/2192445/state-republican-chair-dave-bitner.html#ixzz1Z5InBJEB

9/9/11

For those who knew David Bitner, a gregarious, 6-foot-5 bear of a man, it was jarring to see him requiring a motorized scooter in January, only weeks after he was elected chairman of the Republican Party of America's biggest battleground state.

The startling images kept coming: Bitner moving to a wheelchair and still hitting GOP chicken dinners in every corner of the state; Bitner in April announcing his diagnosis of Lou Gehrig's disease, his sense of humor still well intact along with his constant travel schedule; Bitner by August struggling to speak but still attending party functions and traveling the state to celebrate both the GOP and World War II veterans; and finally Bitner announcing his pending resignation barely a week ago because of health problems.

On Thursday, Bitner died at his Monticello home at age 62.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/obituaries/florida-gop-chairman-david-bitner-dies/1190479

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. ALS is an awful way to die.

But I can't help but think you have to respect the fact that this guy isn't a hypocrite.

He didn't want stem cell research for ALS, even though this would kill him.

[AngkorWot]

2. Banning stem cell research is a wedge position for the anti-choice movement.

He wanted to ban abortions, and he thought his anti-science position would be an effective way to get that done.

Fuck this guy.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

5. I know that.

I'm just saying he's not a hypocrite. Some of those people will claim it's OK for them to have those treatments for themselves, but not anyone else.

That's all.

[RamboLiberal]

3. I respect that but I don't respect Repubs & fundies forcing their

beliefs on the rest of us & medical research by law. We all know the excess embryos for the most part will never be turned into babies. There's only a couple hundred snowflake babies at best.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

6. I hear you, and I so agree!

The excess embryos will be dumped and they will die...at least with stem cell research, their deaths will mean something.

[RamboLiberal]

10. I'll respect their position more when a Repub or fundy

Turns down a cure or life prolonging treatment for themselves or family brought about by embryonic stem cells because of their belief.

[MADem]

4. Ghastly. I don't wish that on anyone (have a friend who is hanging on).

I suppose he figured it was too late for him anyway, so he'd fake it till the end. Gotta motivate that base!

I imagine if they came to him a week before he died, and said, "Hey, look--we've got the cure, it's a consequence of EST research!!" he might have changed his tune.

We will never know, though.

[RamboLiberal]

8. Well I think he thought he had a bit more time

Diagnosed April and was using power scooter when he made statement, made decision to resign end of Aug. Was going to announce at big Repub fest last week.

Don't know what happened it took him so fast!

[MADem]

12. Could be. I don't pretend to understand the progression of the disease.

My friend has had it for years. He's pretty immobile now, and has breathing challenges.

I get kinda sick just thinking about him. You wish you could do SOMETHING.

[RamboLiberal]

14. It has its own f'ing pace

The most common cause of death among ALS patients is respiratory failure or pulmonary infection when the nerve damage eventually affects the muscles that control breathing. The average survival time after diagnosis with ALS is three to five years.

http://www.lef.org/protocols/neurological/als_01.htm

[MADem]

15. My friend is at least at the five year mark.

Such a sense of dread, and no way to "fix" it.

[RamboLiberal]

19. Sounds like Bitner had the bulbar part progressing after

starting with muscles.

[Ian David]

7. Sometimes, they still travel abroad to have experimental treatments that are banned here.

I'll bet you a dollar, that if someone looks, it will eventually come out that he went to Mexico or China or Cuba for this.

[Missy Vixen]

18. Ask Peyton Manning about that

He doesn't have ALS, but it was widely reported last week that he sought stem cell therapy in Europe for his continuing neck problems.

Did I mention that Manning is well-known to be a Republican?

:eyes:

[RamboLiberal]

20. If I was Manning I'd be retiring with a neck problem

Especially the way his brother Cooper had spinal narrowing that has left him a bit disabled. I read he still has weak hands & some leg/balance problems.

At the urging of the team doctor, Archie took his son to specialists at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., and the Baylor Medical Clinic. Cooper was tested by a half-dozen doctors through September. One of them from Baylor finally called Archie with the shocking news. Cooper suffered from a congenital condition called spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal. The upshot: He needed surgery and had to quit football immediately. Furthermore, the doctor said, he was fortunate not to have been paralyzed in the years he played, due to all the hits to his upper body.

Cooper underwent a three-hour operation during the summer of 1993. He awoke hardly able to move. His entire right leg was useless, his left leg numb. And when therapy started, he was unable to walk. But he worked tirelessly in rehab. He fell frequently, yet slowly regained his balance with a walker and cane.

http://www.sptimes.com/2004/11/07/Sports/The_other_Manning.shtml

[Missy Vixen]

23. Manning won't retire

He's too invested in a "comeback", as is the financial health of the Colts.

My point: Republican supporter Manning is more than happy to deny other Americans the benefits of stem cell treatments, but he flew to Europe in a private jet to avail himself of the treatments he can't get here.

Rank has its privileges.

[undeterred]

9. Maybe by the time he changed his mind he couldn't tell anyone.

[RamboLiberal]

11. I also wish all states had death with dignity laws like Oregon & Wash

Wish PA had. What scares me most is not being able to completely go out on my own terms.

[kelly1mm]

13. Wow. At least he walked the walk instead of being a hypocrite. nt

[mainer]

16. I know you're dealing with this now. Let us know what happens.

I'm sorry you have to go through the hell of a possible ALS diagnosis.

[RamboLiberal]

17. Wed I'll probably get diagnosis if my doc is doing leg emg as promised

Thur is my 59th BD.

I'll let you all know what happens.

[dembotoz]

21. so he died for what he believes in--why should i have to die for what he believes in

[RamboLiberal]

22. +1 and I may actually die from what he believes in

And so might this 18 year old. If you live in CA this kid could use your help in getting Medi-CAL to pay for home care. Near end of story family denied cause they came here in 2003 - < 10 years.

“How are you, Hachan?” On Sept. 13, a patient’s room in the Health Bridge Children’s hospital in Orange was filled with big smiles and joyful tears. One of Hajime’s dreams had come true.

“Going to Japan with my family to see my grandma before I became totally paralyzed” was a desperate wish that Hajime Miyasaka, 18, of South Pasadena, hoped would come true since his diagnosis last October with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

As soon as The Rafu Shimpo reported his wish on May 4, Stuart Millheiser, the founder of a small ALS support organization, the ALS Guardian Angels, offered to send Hajime and his family to visit Japan at no cost. Rafu readers also sent him heartfelt messages and generous donations.

However, the aggressive, pernicious disease had relentlessly taken hold of Hajime’s body.

http://rafu.com/news/2011/09/glad-to-see-you-grandma/