Patch Adams: Bush 'fascist'

Lima - A US doctor known for his signature use of "laughter therapy" and social activism used his acceptance speech for a health care award to blast President George Bush and materialism in society.

Dr Hunter "Patch" Adams, who was the inspiration for the 1998 movie starring Robin Williams, was awarded the first ever Excellence in Health Care Prize presented by the Lima-based Global Organisation for Excellence in Health.

The organisation is sponsoring an international health care conference in Lima next week.

Adams, 60, with a gray waist-length ponytail streaked blue, expressed "shame for our fascist president," referring to Bush, and told reporters that the only way global health will improve is if "we stop worshipping money."

Adams expressed his disgust with war in Iraq, offering his sympathy for the "unfortunate soldiers who are serving corporations" there.

"Excellence in health means devoting your life to ending poverty," said Adams who has worked as a physician for 35 years.

"My work is to end violence, and to bring harmony to people," Adams said, repeatedly expressing his repulsion for society's preoccupation with "superficial" concerns, like "sports and Paris Hilton" hotel heiress and reality series star.

"It's humiliating that a person who kicks a ball makes more money than a school teacher," Adams said.

Adams was wrapping up a five-week trip to Peru - his third in the past three years - during which he travelled to the northern Amazon city of Iquitos, where he visited prisons, orphanages and Aids clinics.

"They had every reason to be sad and angry, yet people were instantly friendly, engaging and giving," said Adams who has visited many poverty-stricken or war-affected areas throughout the world.

"It's humiliating that a person who kicks a ball makes more money than a school teacher," Adams said.

A doctor who can rebuild a guy who just dropped his motorcycle at 60 mile an hour deserves to make big bucks. A doctor who can accurately diagnose and treat that pain in your hip you've had for 3 years deserves to make big bucks.

But the average doc who writes out scripts for prozac and amoccycylin really doesn't deserve big bucks.

The Daily Vidette - News
Issue: 12/8/03

Dr. Patch Adams comes in support of Kucinich
By Tyler Geng
It is not every day that the City of Bloomington gets to host two well- known people, but the opportunity will be here Tuesday.

Celebrity and humanitarian Dr. Patch Adams will be at the Chateau in Bloomington with democratic presidential candidate Dennis Kucinich to focus on "revitalizing healthcare, revitalizing America."

Kucinich will also be discussing his campaign stance and certain social issues, Illinois Fundraising and event Coordinator Melody Justus said.

Adams' life story was made public in the 1999 film "Patch Adams." Adams, played by actor Robin Williams, was a doctor struggling with the system and its rules.

At the risk of his loosing his career, Adams decided to create his own "system."

"He is very funny, knowledgeable, kind, and outspoken. It has been a pleasure to work with him," Justus said.

Patch Adams has fully endorsed Kucinich and will be speaking on his behalf at the 90-minute presentation.

This is the first time Adams has ever fully endorsed any candidate, Justus said.

Opening for the event will be David Gill. Gill will be running a campaign for the 2004 elections for Congress in the 15th district in Illinois, media coordinator for Central Illinois Debbie Dehm said.

His presentation will also be in support of Kucinich's plan.

The event is mainly a fundraiser for Kucinich's campaign, but is also an opportunity for Kucinich to advertise his 10-point plan.

After the speeches, there will be an auction, Justus said.

"I got involved because I really believe in Dennis' platform, and I feel that he is the only candidate that speaks from the heart and for the people," Dehm said.

Currently, Kucinich is serving as a U.S. congressman from Ohio. He will enter the 2004 race with eight other democrats.

Kucinich is the only candidate to propose universal healthcare legislation, Justus said.

"Dennis is a very blue-collar candidate and is willing to work for the working people," Dehm said.

Although this is the first major fundraiser in Bloomington for Kucinich, there will be others, Justus said.

After Tuesday's event, Kucinich will be headed to the University of Illinois in Chicago to meet with more of his supporters.

The peace marchers who have been marching across the country and will also be in Chicago that day to support the hopeful president elect, Dehm said.

As a very poor organization, we need your help. If you can send a financial donation, please mail it to:

Patch Adams, Katrina Donation
6855 Washington Boulevard
Arlington, Virginia 22213

Ask Robin 'coke head' Williams to cut you a check from the money he made for that dumb ass movie.

I have worked in health care for 35 years and instead of posturing for SOCIALIZED MEDICINE, tell the truth. NO ONE gets turned away in the ER, regardless of their ability to pay. But a bleeding heart like you won't be happy until everyone of us is getting government health care. Well SCREW YOU PATCH! It is my responsibility to provide health insurance for my family. Ghettos are not LZ's for victims, WAIT I take that back...they are victims of Johnson's antipoverty programs.

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BibChr: Patch Adams "idiot"