White House won't say whether Bryson is fit to serve

politico ^

[sunmars]

White House press secretary Jay Carney declined Monday to say whether Commerce Secretary John Bryson was fit to continue serving after a weekend incident.

"We're obviously concerned about the incident. We're obviously concerned about Sec. Bryson's health issues," Carney told reporters.

Bryson was given a felony hit-and-run citation on Sunday, after striking a vehicle in the Los Angeles area and driving away. He was involved in a second accident a few minutes later, and first responders found him unconscious on the scene. Commerce Department officials said Monday that Bryson suffered a seizure and that no drugs or alcohol were involved.

"He has been an effective commerce secretary since he has been confirmed," Carney said, but would not answer questions about his fitness to continue in office or whether his health was involved in the vetting process.

According to Carney, White House chief of staff Jack Lew called Bryson Monday. The White House said that President Obama did not call Bryson.

[DoughtyOne]

I know what you mean, and I’m not certain what his mental state was.

One significant indicator for me is that when he pulled away from the first car, he actually hit it again. This clearly wasn’t a guy firing on all cylinders.

I can see a guy with bad intent trying to flee the scene, but if he was coherent, it would seem to me he would have at least avoided the first car, so he wouldn’t hit it again.

Then to hit another car a few moments later... and when the police arrived he was unconscious. I think the guy was having a somewhat extended event, and operating on the subconscious level.

I may be wrong.

[Boogieman]

“I think the guy was having a somewhat extended event, and operating on the subconscious level.”

I’ve had a few of those myself. It’s called an alcohol-induced blackout :)

[DoughtyOne]

There you go. Shhhh, I won’t tell. Ha.

I think the overall effect may be similar, but I’m not sure of it. I asked one guy here who admitted to having this type of problem, but he hasn’t responded.

Do people suffering from Petite Mall seizures remember what took place during them? I’m not sure.

[Boogieman]

Well, according to NIH:

“Immediately after the seizure, the person is usually:

•Wide awake
•Thinking clearly
•Unaware of the seizure”

So, if they are usually unaware, then I think they probably don’t remember what was happening.