[OK]Senate leader seeks help in alcohol center

The Oklahoman ^ | 6/12/03 | John Greiner

[Charlie OK]

Senate leader Cal Hobson has checked himself into an alcohol treatment center, he said in a statement Wednesday. "During the course of treatment for my physical ailments, doctors advised me that I should seek help for an alcohol problem, which was working to make the other conditions worse. I am in the process of doing that," Hobson said in his statement.

Hobson, D-Lexington, was ill and missed the May 30 adjournment of the 2003 Legislature.

His staff later issued a statement that he had been suffering from a stomach ailment.

Robin Maxey, a spokesman for Hobson, said Wednesday that Hobson is in an Oklahoma treatment facility, which he would not identify.

Maxey said he assumed Hobson, who checked himself into the facility after June 5, would be in for a prescribed period of time but doesn't know how long that will be.

"I am taking the steps necessary to make myself whole again," Hobson said in his statement. "I have been humbled by all of those who have called and written to my office offering their heart-felt concerns. I would ask for everyone's continued support and prayers as I focus on my recovery, and further ask that they respect my privacy and the privacy of my family as we deal with this very personal challenge."

Gov. Brad Henry issued a statement of support Wednesday.

"Senator Hobson is a good friend, and I certainly wish him the best. I have respect for him and the work he has done as a public servant, and I look forward to working with him in the future," the governor said.

In December, Hobson had two polyps removed from his colon. Neither was cancerous, but after the surgical procedure, he began to hemorrhage and had to be hospitalized again and given a blood transfusion, his office said.

Hobson spent Christmas Eve in Purcell Municipal Hospital.

He was advised then to take it easy but instead chose to continue his normal work schedule, his office said.

In the last week of the legislative session, he suffered from effects of a stomach ailment that aggravated a chronic acid reflux condition and combined with lingering effects of his previous condition to make him ill, his office said.

[Charlie OK]

This story doesnt go into it, but I would be surprised if the Oklahoman's editorial pages don't address it in the next couple of days. Hobson is the guy working hand in hand with Gov Henry to bull through gambling bills to "save our public schools". He is a real prick, and pressures his fellow democrats to vote how he wants them to. Think Tiny Tom Daschle.

Anyways, the other day, he goes over to the state House to try to pressure some people over there. People started to notice he was slurring his speech and having trouble keeping his balance. They took an alcohol test, and he was drunk as a skunk!

Gov Henry has already made it clear that there is no way Hobson wont be back in his office when he gets out of rehab. Its no wonder our state has been run into the ground.

[VOA]

Its no wonder our state has been run into the ground.

Hey, it was still "OK" when I left in 1995.
Got to admit I was suprised when Oklahoma elected a Democratic governor...
Just feel lucky you aren't in California with a mountain of debt and
insane politics and policy!

[Charlie OK]

we've got a mountain of debt, but I'm not going to pretend its as bad here as in California =)

[Tax-chick]

Prayers for a quick recovery and retirement from the Senate! What were the results on the election for the Stipe seat Tuesday (as if I had to ask ...)?

[E.G.C.]

The Democrat won the election but you gotta remember that district is 7 to 1 Democrat and that region of the state voted for Al Gore for President in 2002.

[Tax-chick]

No surprise. I can understand people voting for Stipe - he brought lots of (our) money into a poor part of the state - but GORE? Even moonshiners, pot farmers, and dogfighters should have more pride.

[Charlie OK]

Gov Henry wont let him retire from the Senate. He's too valuable to their gambling agenda.

P.S. The Tulsa World, strong supporters of gambling, buried this story on page 11.

[robertpaulsen]

"In the last week of the legislative session, he suffered from effects of his constant drinking caused a stomach ailment that aggravated a chronic acid reflux condition and combined with lingering effects of his previous condition to make him ill, his office said."

If truth be told.

[Tax-chick]

The Tulsa World, strong supporters of gambling, buried this story on page 11.

What a surprise (NOT). I'm so sick of the Tulsa World and their abortion agenda, not to mention the gambling.

[Osage Orange]

Hey VOA....We may complain about Okla. state politics...But as you know...I left CA for OK...and I've not looked back. CA. is nearly hopeless.....OK will have a Rep. State gov. in the near future.

Brad Henry is a toady for gambling interests....locally and IMO, nationally too. Of course...according to O' Henry...I'm not qualified to make any intelligent comments on OK government..!! LOL!! Only lawyer Jacoby types can understand and decipher the complicated in's and out's of politics according to O'Henry. LOL!!! What a dweeb.

Best FRegards,

[Osage Orange]

You wrote:

"P.S. The Tulsa World, strong supporters of gambling, buried this story on page 11."

[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[[

I'm only surprised they even mentioned it....

Fish guts are too good for that rag..!!

Best FRegards,

[PhiKapMom]

You were not the only one shocked! That stupid cockfighing on the ballot and then Keating's one-time law partner Richardson, getting 100,000 votes, and did I forget to mention Switzer campaigning all over for Henry? That did it -- we have a RAT Governor that misses meetings and cannot seem to make up his mind.

Never did like Hobson and he should not be the leader in the Senate IMHO. In fact, when he ran the time before this, I was new to the State, but got mad when he said ALL OU students supported him in a print ad. Two of my kids were there and didn't support him. I called Boren's office, the Transcript, OK GOP, but the ad stayed. The old OK GOP said little to nothing about it. Believe Jones is much, much better. I know Chad Alexander was!

[2Jedismom]

Perhaps he has esophogeal varices?

Another lovely side effect of drinking too much alcohol...your liver shrinks...your esophogus gets hemmoroids in it, they split open...you bleed to death.

A person is lucky if they catch them in time...

[Osage Orange]

Hey You..!!

Esophageal varices...is a horrible complication of cirrhosis of the liver..as you know. A very, very gruesome way to die. Been there, seen that.

As much as I dislike Cal Hobson's politics/morals/worldview..etc..etc...I could never hope nor wish this calamity on anyone.

I pray that he gets help and has no lasting medical problems.....

Best FRegards,