Posted on 09/29/2008 10:05:24 AM PDT by KosmicKitty
As one's mortality swings into view, be thankful for life -- and whiskey.
By P.J. O'Rourke
September 28, 2008
I looked death in the face. All right, I didn't. I glimpsed him in a crowd. I've been diagnosed with cancer, of a very treatable kind. I'm told I have a 95% chance of survival. Come to think of it -- as a drinking, smoking, saturated-fat hound -- my chance of survival has been improved by cancer.
I still cursed God, as we all do when we get bad news and pain. Not even the most faith-impaired among us shouts: "Damn quantum mechanics!" "Damn organic chemistry!" "Damn chaos and coincidence!"
I believe in God. God created the world. Obviously pain had to be included in God's plan. Otherwise we'd never learn that our actions have consequences. Our cave-person ancestors, finding fire warm, would conclude that curling up to sleep in the middle of the flames would be even warmer. Cave bears would dine on roast ancestor, and we'd never get any bad news and pain because we wouldn't be here.
But God, Sir, in Your manner of teaching us about life's consequential nature, isn't death a bit ... um ... extreme, pedagogically speaking? I know the lesson that we're studying is difficult. But dying is more homework than I was counting on. Also, it kind of messes up my vacation planning. Can we talk after class? Maybe if I did something for extra credit?
(Excerpt) Read more at latimes.com ...
Here's hopes and prayers that he gets well soon.
Prayers for the Republican Party Reptile!
Prayers for O'Rourke.
He's obviously never taught a class full of org students.
Death simply seals what you were, what you built with your life until that time. I think PJ O’Rourke did a fair amount, it doesn’t sound like he led a horrendous personal life, and I think he’ll bring a fair amount to the judgment seat with him. And, of course, he will have Our Lady, who pleads for sinners.
The Spanish philosopher Ortega y Gasset said “Soy yo y mis circunstancias,” I am my essence (whatever I was created with initially, my intelligence, my native capacities) and my existence, that is, whatever happened to me in life.
God judges. We just have to do the best we can and appeal for mercy.
As for the whiskey, I agree! Trollope’s Duke of Omnium, dying, lived entirely on champagne. Sounds like a plan to me.
That said, prayers for P.J. O’Rourke.
Don’t know if you’re one of his fans, but I thought you’d like to know.
But I enjoy reading his work when I do encounter it, and will heartily pray for his health. It sounds as though he has a very good shot at a recovery, although nothing looks good standing where he's standing right now.
I just happened to get "Peace Kills" at the library yesterday - the first book of his that I will read.
Didn't he used to write for Rolling Stone magazine?
I’d rather be dead on my feet than alive on my knees.
Speak for yourself.
Not even the most faith-impaired among us shouts: "Damn quantum mechanics!" "Damn organic chemistry!" "Damn chaos and coincidence!" I believe in God. God created the world. Obviously pain had to be included in God's plan. Otherwise we'd never learn that our actions have consequences. -- P.J. O'Rourke
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