DUmmie FUnnies 05-17-05 ("I'm pretty upset right now, and I need an explanation" ---Pitt)

DUmmie FUnnies ^ | May 17, 2005 | William Rivers Pitt, DUmmies, and PJ-Comix

[PJ-Comix]

YOWZA! YOWZA! YOWZA!!! It’s RED ALERT time in the AndyScam scandal!!! A regular 5-ALARM fire has broken out in DUmmieland. Pied Piper Pitt has FINALLY awakened from his insomniac state of apathy and has DENOUNCED Andy Stephenson in this THREAD titled, “I'm pretty upset right now, and I need an explanation.” I’m sure you all are HOT to get right into this firestorm so without further adieu let’s get right to it. Pied Piper Pitt’s ANGRY RED HOT posts as well as those of his fellow DUmmies are in Bolshevik Red while the commentary of your humble correspondent, watching Dummieland trying to extinguish the flames of outrage with gasoline, is in the brackets:

I'm pretty upset right now, and I need an explanation

[It was ALL explained for you days ago right here in the DUmmie FUnnies, Pitt. I guess you were trying so desperately to get some sleep that you didn’t notice.]

As you all know, I was one of the people who took point on raising money for Andy. I wrote about it for truthout two or three times, and convinced the crew at Progressive Democrats of America as well that we needed to raise a call for help.

[Your choice, Pitt: Were you a sap or a shill?]

This is what I wrote for truthout on May 3rd:

"A few weeks ago, Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer, one of the more dangerous varieties of the disease. His doctors told him he needed a Whipple procedure to get at the tumor, and only a few hospitals in America can perform this complicated procedure with the required competence. To compound the problem, Andy shares the plight of millions of others in our disgusting for-profit health care system and does not have health insurance."

[That taste of Scamdy Kool-Aid does tend to leave a sour taste in the mouth. Eh, Pitt?]

This is what I wrote on the PDA blog, in our call for help, on April 29th:

"Several weeks ago, Andy was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He was recently told that he must undergo what is called a Whipple Procedure. This is a very serious surgery that few hospitals in America are skilled enough to perform well, and requires significant time for recovery. Fortunately, some friends managed to get Andy a slot at Johns Hopkins Medical Center, one of the premier hospitals for this type of procedure. He is slated for the procedure in the second week of May. Unfortunately, the hospital requires a $25,000 down-payment before they assent to doing the Whipple, and requires another $25,000 once the procedure is done. They are expecting the down-payment immediately."

[A FOOL and his money are soon parted. Same goes for his mind too.]

The basis for this started way back in February. On the 29th, I posted this truthout blog entry, which I reposted here on the first and fifteenth of every month to help raise money:

"For the last several weeks, Andy has been suffering through a bout of Hepatitis. The word came down yesterday, however, that his situation is far more serious. 'I apparently have a tumor growing around the bile duct where it passes through my pancreas," he wrote. "The tissue sample was consistent with malignancy; it could be benign but I am planning for the worst.'"

Note that here it says 'tumor.' In subsequent weeks I was told that it was pancreatic cancer requiring a Whipple. Note also that the fundraising for Andy did not start a week or so ago, but started three months ago.

[So you swallowed Scamdy Kool-Aid from the get-go. It sure doesn’t say much for your judgement, Pitt.]

I woke up today to this DU thread, in which it was reported:

"fyi: it is a tumour on the duct, not the pancreas themselves. it looks to not have spread at all. it is not pancreatic cancer as others have posted, but if it was not caught early enough, it would have certainly spread there."

"...as others have posted..."

I am one of those "others" who posted it was pancreatic cancer, requiring a Whipple. I posted it here, on truthout, and on PDA. I did so because that is what I was told was the diagnosis, repeatedly, by both Andy and others.

[“others” = “suckers”]

Now that it turns out not to be the case, I have some questions:

[I have a question for you, Pitt. Why are you JUST NOW waking up to this AndyScam when the whole scam has been revealed in the DUmmie FUnnies since last week? But continue…]

1. If it was not the very serious pancreatic cancer, why did the surgery need to be done at Johns Hopkins?

[$$$. And the best way to raise it is to screech pancreatic surgery needed at Johns Hopkins.]

2. If a Whipple was not required, why was $25,000 and then $50,000 needed for this surgery? Andy could have gotten this far-less-serious procedure done back in Seattle for a hell of a lot less money.

[Um…maybe because Andy is a CON MAN as has been mentioned for WEEKS here in the DUmmie FUnnies?]

3. Why was I personally told this was pancreatic cancer? Why was I allowed to repeat this now-inaccurate diagnosis many times without anyone correcting me?

[Because Andy knows a FOOL when he sees one.]

Understand: I believe Andy has a tumor of some kind, and this requires medical attention. I do not think this entire situation was fabricated from nothing.

[I happen to have an ingrown toenail, Pitt. Could you please raise money for me and tell everyone it is for cancer of the foot?]

But the 400 people who will come into this thread with "Andy doesn't need this stress" can hold your water. Andy is apparently a hell of a lot less ill than I and others were led to believe, and I need some answers. I put my reputation, the reputation of truthout, the reputation of PDA, and the reputations of all the people who work for those organizations on the line not once, not twice, but every day for weeks on this. I have a huge, huge responsibility here, and I am not going to just let that drop.

[Don’t worry about Andy. He is the FATTEST pancreatic cancer patient in history. You could have figured that out for yourself if you just bother to analyze for a half second those pics he posted recently of himself with chubby cherubic cheeks. As to your reputation, Pitt, I think that already went down the toilet when you posted your HILARIOUS Hockey Puck theory of geopolitics a few weeks ago.]

I have a personal reason for asking these questions over and above everything else. A great and good friend of PDA, activist Damu Smith, was recently diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. There is no ambiguity about this diagnosis. But because I was told Andy had pancreatic cancer requiring a $50,000 Whipple in the best hospital on the Eastern seaboard, I talked PDA into diverting time and resources towards Andy. This wound up diverting time and resources away from Damu.

[Would it make you feel better to know that Andy bought himself a pet puppy?]

I would like some answers. No wait and see. I have spent time with Andy, worked with him, thought I knew him well enough to vouch for him in a time of crisis. I am feeling personally betrayed right now, and furthermore I have put far more than my own feelings and standing on the line here.

[You could have had your answers long ago, Pitt, if you actually paid attention to the DUmmie FUnnies. We were the FIRST to break the Bev Harris scandal. And we are the FIRST to break the AndyScam scandal. (Please take note, Mary Matalin).]

If you think I'm a bastard for asking, I will live with that. But if this is not explained to a degree I find satisfactory, there is going to be hell to pay.

[What are you going to do? Give Scamdy a Bowel Flush? And now on to the commentary of the DUmmie bystanders in this burning HOT melodrama…]

There is nothing wrong or offensive in anything you said. You want answers and you deserve them. I am certain others feel just the same way that you do. I among them.

[You could have had ALL the answers about the AndyScam long ago merely by checking out the DUmmie FUnnies.]

Question though and I'm not trying to discount your concern in any way . . .What is the difference between saying "I apparently have a tumor growing around the bile duct where it passes through my pancreas" and "it is a tumour on the duct, not the pancreas themselves?" They sound like they're describing the same thing to me.

[I’ll let Pied Piper Pitt answer that question. Take ‘er away, Pitt!]

That was February. In the time since, I was told it was pancreatic cancer requiring a WEhipple. I was told this by Andy. I put that third quote in there to underscore the fact that fundraising for Andy didn'st start here a couple of weeks ago, but has been ongoing for three months.

[Uh-Oh! But will you testify to that in court during the AndyScam trial, Pitt?]

Well, I have no clue what's going on. I trust both of you and to see that you aren't totally together on this, I don't know what to think. I'll wait to see what the answers are and what you make of them. *lost*

[*lost* ---You got that right.]

Just curious. If you spent time with Andy, worked with him, and knew him on a personal level - to whatever degree - how is it that you and he never discussed his diagnosis in detail?

[Because Pied Piper Pitt will unquestioningly swallow any Kool-Aid served to him by a Leftist.]

Perhaps you need to talk to Andy. After all, he would be the only one who could truly provide you with the answers you need. Besides, this is DU, after all, and shit can get flung around with great abandon, with matters being taken out of context, and people making mountains out of molehills. I'm assuming that you have a way of contacting Andy, I would suggest that you do. perhaps he can provide you with a copy of his doctor's diagnosis.

[Andy Stephenson is just $10 away from calling Pied Piper Pitt with a full explanation.]

Much as I pray for Andy's good health, I get the feeling I have missed something cuz I don't understand the nuances.

[Here’s a little “nuance” for you: Andy Stephenson SCAMMED buku bucks for the second time in less than 6 months out of you incredibly GULLIBLE DUmmies despite all the warnings posted about him.]

If people stop trying to make this world a better place because of being mis-led ( AND THAT'S NOT AN ASSUMPTION- SIMPLY A POSSIBILITY)- we should all drink the kool-aid asap.

[Um…I think you ALREADY did drink the Scamdy Kool-Aid.]

I just found out in this thread that our friend Damu is sick. Damu is an absolute stand-up guy!!!!!!! My husband has done work with him and Black Voices for Peace over the past few years and he is an inspiration to all. The news that he is sick is shocking and disheartening. I would hate for our side to lose someone so dedicated and valuable. My prayers go out for Damu and his family.

[Yeah, well too bad you fools already sent your money to Scamdy who is NOT sick with cancer.] I think you need to talk to Andy directly, Will. He's the only one who can provide the answers.

[Andy Stephenson is only $10 away from providing you with the answers.]

Exactly. Why air a concern publicly before giving a "friend" an opportunity to respond? IMO, this is a perfect example of "shit flinging"... contact Andy! Go straight to the source.

[It looks like something is hitting the fan bigtime in Dummieland!]

It was the source that got me going on pancreatic cancer, Whipples and fifty grand. I would like a public disclosure for reasons I think are clearly understandable.

[That “source” will will make full disclosure to you, Pitt, after he is done flushing his bowels.]

especially since the "proof" was the copy of the certified check, not the cancelled check

[Actually copies of cashiers checks but its nice to know you read the DUmmie FUnnies.]

So how are your sleeping patterns? Do you find lack of sleep makes you jumpy? Andy is your friend, or so you say, so call and ask him. And go to the doctor so that you can sleep. Take care of your own health.

[Pied Piper Pitt is just $10 away from getting an hour of sleep this month.]

... Will, thank you for broaching a subject many of us have been afraid to post about and Andy, all I would like is a consistent history of what was known and when. What is the real diagnosis and do you really need a Whipple procedure? Sorry if I sound harsh, but I'm feeling particularly disillusioned this afternoon.

[LOUSY FREEPER TROLL!!! Give to Scamdy until it hurts. And then give EVEN MORE!]

For the life of me, I can't understand why someone in a position such as yourself would not get the patient to sign a HIPPA form and then send the form on to the hospital. There really is no need for all this public thrashing around. There is no need to wonder what is going on. The facts are readily available. The hospital can then send you ALL his medical records. Then any doubts could be absolutely and completely resolved.

[Um…maybe because Pied Piper Pitt is a DUhhhhh…mmie?]

It appears that horse has left the barn. Had I been a professional about this - instead of a trusting friend - I would have required that a hell of a long time ago before posting any calls for help.

[Thanx for “enlightening” us, Pitt… DUhhhhh…mmie!]

I was going to post a similiar thread. But was waiting for the PM and e-mail that I sent to Skinner to be answered before I did. I don't really care who flames me or whether I receive a tombstone for saying this, but I've been very uncomfortable with the silence on this board when it comes to this issue and any verification of the cause I donated not just once, but twice to. Would I have donated had I known it wasn't a life threatening condition? Probably not, because we all know there are MANY DU'ers on this board with medical problems and no insurance to pay for them. If I donated to Andy, I have to donate to them all. I dunno. I hope Andy comes along and clears this all up and that I get rid of this bad feeling I have that I've just had my pocket picked.

[Welcome to “The Silence of the Scams,” DUhhhh…mmie!]

It does "feel" odd, and has now for a couple of weeks. I would have thought by now we would have had the definitive answer, but there are just more questions.

[Well, don’t look to Skinner for answers…or leadership.]

I think all of us at DU need an explanation, because we all invested our time, money and our emotions to this calling. We deserve to be told the circumstances exactly as they are. No more embellishment, just the facts. If this matter wasn't handled on the straight and narrow, then someone needs to be accountable.

[You want the truth? Alright, I’ll TELL YOU THE TRUTH!!! You got SCAMMED!!! And if you want to hold someone accountable, then start with Skinner who idly sat by while allowing Bev Harris’ former partner in crime scammed EVEN MORE money from you incredibly GULLIBLE DUmmies. And after holding Skinner accountable, then hold YOURSELF accountable for allowing your feeble mind to guide you.]

Will, you have to get some sleep. Your lack of sleep is impairing your judgment. This is not an attack, it is an observation and you have let all of the Lounge know you have terrible insomnia. Deal with that, for your sake and for those who trust your judgment. Right now, you aren't using any imho.

[Sleep Will. It is ALL a bad dream. Andy is NOT scamming everybody based on your word. It is only a nightmare you are having, Pitt. When you wake up, ALL will be well…in your alternate reality.]

Skinner was going to get in touch with Andy and get him to give his permission to his doctors to discuss his situation. Then he (Skinner) was going to tell us here at DU what the doctors said. What is the status of that?

[BWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Does that answer your question?]

It wasn't just here it was all over the net. Mike Malloy, Thom Hartmann, the Al Franken message boards, the Randi Rhodes message boards, numerous other websites. Always it was posted that Andy had pancreatic cancer which has a less than 10% survival rate and not pancreatitis (or whatever it is he is supposed to have now) which has a greater than 95% survival rate.

[It’s nice to know that DUmmieland has a lot of Leftist company in the Gullible Fools Dept..]

Couple of things. According to what I have seen, the Whipple is not going to be preformed now. The diagnosos I was told in the last weeks was difinitive: Pancreatic cancer needing a Whipple. That was the basis of the calls for help, that it was immediate and life-and-death. Like I said, I don't doubt that Andy has a tumor requiring treatment. But I am not at all sure that it required $50 grand at Johns Hopkins. It could have been pretty much free at a Seattle hospital.

[Which we have been saying for a LONG TIME here on the DUmmie FUnnies, Pitt. DUhhhhh!]

I thought someone said....that the surgery was scheduled for sometime next week. Is that in question now, too?

[Care to answer that question, Pitt?]

Who knows. This has been bouncing around like a ping pong ball. First it was $25k, then $50k, then the checks got lost, then Andy posts a thread about writing a 'hot check,' then he deletes his own thread, Skinner has not posted any clarifications, I don't even know what the surgery date is anymore, and now the whole diagnosis has changed.

[Beautiful summation of what we have been stating ALL ALONG in the DUmmie FUnnies, Pitt.]

But such surgery could easily be performed in Seattle...The $50,000 was needed to cover surgery at Johns Hopkins because the survival rate for pancreatic cancer was higher, not just surviving the surgery.

[DUhhhhh….mmie! Glad you finally woke up to REALITY.]

Next time, get the facts before you start a fund drive

[DUhhhhh…mmies!]

[Scothia]

You aren’t going to get everything, because 99% of this isn’t anyone’s damn business but Andy’s and his doctor’s, but enough proof to silence even the most pestilent of critics will be provided once the HIPAA process is done.

Thus spake Zarathrustra Pitt.

I have a question, Mr.Z. If 99% of this is no one else's business, are you going to send 99% of the donations back?

I'll take that as a no, then?

[cabojoe]

They aren't gonna send anything back, he makes it quite clear that they will ask for more.

[JLO]

Interesting responses...http://blog.pdamerica.org/?p=50

[lutz]

Hey all, just a thought but it may be a good idea for the Timeline(Moneyline?) Czar to dump the timeline and all pretaining (archived) threads into a blog so to make it easier to keep up on and link to. Then just grab that as the updates are made and copy/paste it here to FR if the need arises.

Just a suggestion! I can assist if the idea is liked, just FReepmail me.

[Celtic Rose]

That Marissa makes a lot of sense to me, her politics aside.

[NEPA]

Some very interesting responses. This is one of my favorites:

Jack says:

May 19th, 2005 at 12:58 am How much is your cut Will?

Good question. Will has been all over the map with this mess. I get the impression he's an arrogant educated buffoon, too dumb and miseducated to know just how dumb he is.

I don't doubt there is something wrong with Andy but this whole deal of screwing around for months when he could have been treated at very good cancer centers close to where he lives still raises serious doubts in my mind.

[PJ-Comix]

It looks like we will also break the Reply # record with this thread. Will probably start a new edition this PM AFTER the record is broken.

[txradioguy]

Well well well...look who's saying "hasta la vista baby" to the DUmp!


WilliamPitt Donating member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May-19-05 01:54 AM
Original message
.
Edited on Thu May-19-05 02:07 AM by WilliamPitt


I'm taking a break from this place for a bit. See you soon.
____________________________________________________________

Leaving Will or did $kimmer tell you your banned for your complicity in AndySCam and he's letting you leave with dignity?

And of course the @ss kissing begins:
____________________________________________________________

Quote:
Kurovski (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May-19-05 02:46 AM
Response to Original message
7. Take care, Will.



I'm looking forward to your return.


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VelmaD Donating member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May-19-05 04:31 AM
Response to Original message
8. Hurry back...



I'll miss you around here.

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Rhiannon12866 Donating member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May-19-05 05:03 AM
Response to Original message
9. Sorry, but I sure understand. And you're hardly alone.



Take care and see you later.


And on REALLY good bi*ch slap on the way out the door!
____________________________________________________________
Quote:
nothingshocksmeanymore Donating member (1000+ posts) Click to send private message to this author Click to view this author's profile Click to add this author to your buddy list Click to add this author to your Ignore list Thu May-19-05 01:57 AM
Response to Original message
1. Enjoy your break



Avoid causing future sh*t storms. Get the facts from the source before writing about it. Ya don't wanna get "Rathered" early in your career, now, do ya?

[Solamente]

You ought to be on TV!

[kevkrom]

The verified check info means nothing, since we know for sure Andy can say he doesn't want JH doing procedures and get his money back.

Assuming that this is indeed Andy's scam, I wonder how Jonhs Hopkins Hospital will feel about being used as a money laundry...

[kevkrom]

Okay, I see that the funding received for Undie's care on the amazon link has gone UP since I looked at it last night. People are still donating.

Of course, Andy & friends could simply be recycling money through that link to make it look like people still beleive him and are donating... (I am really cynical before the caffeine kicks in, I see...)

[franksolich]

What appears to "be going on" is that the DUmmies selected someone they perceive as a credible "leader" over here, our speed_addiction, to feed him spurious information.

Upon reflection, yeah, that is one way one can "demoralize" an opposing force, by attempting to discredit a leader in that opposing force.

[PJ-Comix]

I think I have the basic setup of AndyScam. Scamdy gets diagosed and he has some ailment. Not too bad. Definitely NOT cancer. Soooooo.... he collects BUKU BUCKS for an operation that he hints (and probably outright tells to Pitt) is for pancreatic cancer. Then shows up at Johns Hopkins. Pays them $32,000 and when the treatment is finally done, it doesn't come near to $32,000 so he gets a big portion of it back. And of course, Scamdy keeps ALL the other money over and above that $32,000 as well.

Maybe Scamdy thinks it is all legal and he might have gotten away with it...except for the fact that he was EXPOSED in the DUmmie FUnnies.

[PJ-Comix]

I think we can break the AndyScam down to these elements:

1. What was Scamdy REALLY diagosed with? Virtually certain that it was NOT pancreatic cancer.

2. How much money TOTAL did Scamdy collect?

3. How big of a refund from Johns Hopkins of that $32,000 paid will Scamdy receive?

4. Will Scamdy return that refund money to the donors as well as all money collected above the $32,000?

5. Since it is virtually certain that Scamdy DOES NOT have pancreatic cancer, why did he have to go to Johns Hopkins other than to scam $$$ which he couldn't do if he remained in Washington State and used their social services?

[PJ-Comix]

Oh, and PJ - you've GOT to include all the thread's on the accompanying CD to go with the book!

On the CD-ROM insert section of the book I would include hyperlinks to each of the DUFU editions as they appear in the blog AND here on the FR. BTW, I have NO idea why book publishers don't take advantage of CD-ROMs more. A lot of textbooks nowadays and technical books do include CD-ROMs but very few in other books. The CD-ROMs can provide incredible supplementary material.

[PJ-Comix]

Andy actually called speedy? That doesn't sit right with me; that makes no sense at all. If Andy is indeed only passively involved in the scam/botching of this "fund-raiser", then why on God's green earth would he call a Freeper? Who was it that convinced him to call speedy?

Most likely it was Howard Hughs calling speedy thinking it was Clifford Irving.

[gardencatz]

I'm not even going to try to post this as a single document this time. My mother's driving me nuts! She's such a die hard dem...all through dinner I got the "we shouldn't be in Iraq or at war anywhere until we fix our problems at home" lecture...riiiight. I don't bother arguing back, but was so glad when she finally went to bed...I love her dearly but there's only so much of her I can take at a time. Anyway, I put Tom Petty's Playback in the CD player and went to work...that's why the referrences to his songs.

TIMELINE CHAPTER 1 - ALL THE WRONG REASONS

Where the sky begins the horizon ends
Despite the best intentions
And a big old man goes up for sale
He becomes his own invention

The days go slow, into the changing season
Bought and sold for all the wrong reasons
Down they go for all the wrong reasons

Jan-02-05: Donate to the Andy Stephenson fund raiser!!(ie: first instance - no link to original

Posted to Free Republic on 5/14
Posted by commonguymd
Date: Sun, 02 Jan 2005 01:04:51 -0800

Hi DU Panic Room Members,
If you are interested in donating to the Andy Stephenson fundraiser, here is how you can:
go to h*tp://www.paypal.com[1]
If you do not currently have a Paypal account, you will first need to create one.
Once your account is established, simply click on "Send Money" Andy's email account is:
Andy_Stephenson@comcast
Whatever you can spare until our friend is back on his feetwill be greatly appreciated by Andy, of this I am certain. He is a good person and needs our help, so please contribute if you can.
BeHereNow

Here is evidence of fund raising from January in an email from cu. Been at it for quite awhile.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jan- 06-2005 - Washington DC Photo: Andy in Washington DC

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Jan-20-05 - Washington DC Photo: Andy in Washington DC

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Andy diagnosed with 'Hepatitis A' (bedrest for 6 weeks) Feb-11-05 12:51 PM

greatauntoftriplets: Andy was diagnosed with infectious hepatitis on Wednesday. He is extremely sick and has been ordered to six weeks bed rest. Right now, his state of mind is extremely low -- as is to be expected.

This means that he is unable to work for the next six weeks -- and with the large sum of money that BBV owes him still unpaid -- that he is in serious financial straits. The bottom line is: Andy needs our help.

If you can, please visit PayPal at www.paypal.com and make a donation to Andy_Stephenson@comcast.net .

Thanks to all of Andy's friends.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Feb-15-05 02:46:22 CST Posted on Tuesday by David at Blackboxvoting.com reports that Andy has had liver tests, hepatitis is ruled out but, he is ill and needs money. Includes Paypal details:
Andy Stephenson, Anti-BBV Activist Seriously Ill
Word has reached us that Andy Stephenson went into the hospital in Seattle this morning for extensive tests of his liver function. It was initially thought that he had Hepatitus, and while that has since been ruled out, he is still quite ill and in dire financial straights.
If you would like to help here is how you can:
Go to www.paypal.com
If you do not currently have a Paypal account, you will first need to create one. Once your account is established, simply click on "Send Money" Andy''s email account is:
Andy_Stephenson@comcast.net
Whatever you can spare will be greatly appreciated by Andy, of this I am certain. He worked very hard on this issue and like MANY others he was treated VERY shabbily by the folks he worked with for his efforts. http://www.blackboxvoting.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=347

[PJ-Comix]

FLASH!!! I just got a phone call from Andy. He tells me the only reason he kept some of the money is his concern for his new puppy dog. Andy doesn't care about himself but is worried that if he goes to jail the puppy won't be brought up properly. He wants to put aside a fund for the puppy to ensure that it is brought up gay. Andy's big fear right now is that the puppy will be taken away from him when he goes to prison and be given to a regular nuclear family that will bring up the puppy to grow into a straight dog. Remember, Andy isn't concerned about himself. The money will go into making sure the puppy grows up gay. Is there a Kennel 54 out there where Andy's puppy can be given for safekeeping until perhaps a hairdresser can adopt him?

[gardencatz]

TIMELINE CHAPTER 2 - RUNNING DOWN A DREAM

I rolled on as the sky grew dark
I put the pedal down to make some time
There's something good waitin' down this road
I'm pickin' up whatever is mine

Yeah runnin' down a dream
That never would come to me
Workin' on a mystery, goin' wherever it leads
I'm runnin' down a dream

Feb-05: This long extract is from http://www.votepa.us/
URGENT, URGENT URGENT! PLEASE HELP OUR FRIEND ANDY STEPHENSON WIN AGAINST PANCREATIC CANCER!
PLEASE HELP SAVE MY FRIEND ANDY STEPHENSON
By Marybeth Kuznik

In February, Andy fell ill after a trip to Washington to lobby for legislation to outlaw the paperless voting machines. He returned to his home in Seattle and we all thought a few days of rest would allow him to get rid of "the bug". But instead of improving, Andy felt worse and worse. Ultimately his test results showed that he has pancreatic cancer. Andy's cancer has been caught early, but any cancer of the pancreas is extremely serious. If not treated very soon, Andy will die.

With treatment, he has a good chance of surviving provided he undergoes a very specialized surgery called a Whipple Procedure. This operation is not routine and can only be done by a few hospitals in our country. One of the best is Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. Fortunately, Andy has been scheduled for the surgery at Johns Hopkins the second week of May.

The problem is that Andy Stephenson, like millions of Americans, has no health insurance. A specialized surgery such as the Whipple Procedure is just not available to him, unless he can pay. Even with fee reductions, the estimated cost will be about $50,000. And the hospital needs a $25,000 deposit immediately to keep Andy on their surgical schedule.

Andy's friends are working against the clock to raise the money so that he can have this life-saving operation. Andy has been working very hard to help preserve Democracy for you, now we are asking for your help to save our friend Andy. If you possibly can, please give to the fund for Andy's surgery. This is a matter of life and death, and we all need Andy alive!

You can do this on your computer at Amazon.com: http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/ts/my-pay-page/P2TRHRVBGX9KOX/102-6873839-9047353

If you prefer to donate via non-electronic check or money order, please mail to:
Andy Stephenson
P O Box 25624
Seattle, WA 98165-1124

Not related to andyscam but interesting: VotePA has a link to a film you can watch online where you can, "...see Andy Stephenson at work fighting fraud and protecting our right to vote in fair elections!"

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Wed Feb-23-05 04:03 PM Andy writes on DU:
He called me this morning said some more results came back from tissue samples he took during the ERCP. The reason my bile duct collapsed is I apparently have a tumor growing around the bile duct where it passes through my pancreas. The tissue sample was consistent with malignancy it could be benign but I am planning for the worst. I will deal with the outcome the best way I can …snip…. I am scheduled for surgery next week and until then I am on the edge not knowing what it is I am fighting. I may not be posting very much for a while after the surgery...but I will make sure greatauntoftriplets and VelmaD are updated as to my condition. …snip… I hate to ask but if you can donate please help me out. I am gainfully unemployed right now and it does not look like I am gonna be able to work anytime soon.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3165720&mesg_id=3165720

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Feb-23-05
William Pitt writes on Truthout.org:
For the last several weeks, Andy has been suffering through a bout of Hepatitis. The word came down yesterday, however, that his situation is far more serious. "I apparently have a tumor growing around the bile duct where it passes through my pancreas," he wrote. "The tissue sample was consistent with malignancy; it could be benign but I am planning for the worst."

Andy has been out of work for several months; he gave pretty much his entire life to the cause of election reform, which doesn't pay, and is now unemployed, without health insurance and staring down the barrel of major surgery.
http://forum.truthout.org/blog/story/2005/2/24/84720/3496

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Feb-27-05 at 19:57:15 PDT Request for financial help posted on a Yahoo group. Andy diagnosed with a tumor on the bile duct.

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Feb-28-05 09:01 PM I went to the Surgeon this AM and he is scheduling me for 3 more tests but at the current time this is what I know for sure. The bile duct collapsed due to something. Where it collapsed in the pancreas is troubling but could be from at least 4 causes. they are: 1. Tumor of the Pancreas. He said if it is this...then it is less than 1 cm long. He says it is >1 cm because CT scans are accurate up to 1 cm. With the questionable pathology report this is looking more like the cause. He did say it is small and therefore...likely very treatable. If in fact this is the problem, and barring anything unforeseen I should be OK. The Dr is scheduling me for a Endoscopic Ultra Sound to look at the pancreas in much finer detail. So I am at least 1 step more away from surgery 2. Scarring of the duct due to pancreatitis I am dubious on this one as I have not had any infection that I have not been aware of, and, the pathology reports do not bear out this diagnosis. 3. Gall bladder disease. This IMHO would be the best one of all since it would merely mean the removal of my gall bladder. Unfortunately the pathology does not indicate that this is the problem either. 4. Finally Sarcoidosis...since there is a family history of this it could be the cause. He is going to run a few more tests for this as well as a fasting glucose tolerance test to make certain that I am not diabetic. So there you have it. Sort of a mixed bag, certainly not the definitive answer I wanted but I feel far more confident than I did as of Friday. Certainly if it is any of the above it sounds far more treatable than I was thinking. So ya'lls prayers helped. I am convinced of it. I should have a bit more news as the week progresses and I imagine that I will have a full diagnosis and treatment regimen by Friday.

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Mar-22-05 Andy names his 'tumor' Bev

First mention of Johns Hopkins as the best place to go: "..but I am afraid and scared. Now I read that the best place in the country for this surgery is Johns Hopkins. Clear on the other side of the country and way out of my price range." I want to go there. They have the highest survival rate for the kind of surgery I need. F**k I wish I had insurance."(Post #26)

Another plug for Johns Hopkins in the same thread: "The surgeons with a strong interest in treating cancers of the pancreas at Johns Hopkins include Drs. John Cameron, Charles Yeo, Kurtis Campbell, Steven Leach, and Richard Schulick." Provides quote and link to JHU website. (Post 29)

Andy quote:"I need the best care available. Johns Hopkins or Georgetown are the best bet going" (Post 43)

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Mar-23-05 Andy posts his biopsy has been done. http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x3325922

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[BTHOtu]

LOL!

I think the Andy calling a FReeper plot twist is the DUmmie FUnnies Jump the Shark moment.