Congressman Billybob Sez: Incision Decision in the Senate

United Press International ^ | 2 January 2003 | Congressman Billybob (J. Armor, Esq.)

[Congressman Billybob]

Given the story out of Florida about Majority Leader (and Doctor) Bill Frist, this morning, the timing on this column could not possibly be better. (Even a blind pig can find an acorn every now and again.)

I think my colleagues on FreeRepublic will appreciate this.

[anniegetyourgun]

Yes, I did.

[bmwcyle]

My ex-aunt in-law was telling me all about her two sons who were lawyers. She was bragging about how wonderful and talented her sons were. She told me how hard they worked and that she we so proud.
It told her it might be true but I also told her no one works as hard as doctors do. I told her about the work my uncle had done. Also adding the hours he put in until he worked himself to a early grave. She did not like the words but her husband (ex-uncle in-law) was beaming from ear to ear. He was one of the hard working doctors all his life.

[MonroeDNA]

As did I.

[Little Bill]

My Prepschool graduated about the same number of Doctors and about the same number of Priests, Nuns and other hard left subversives, about 30% of the graduating class.

We need to play hardball, is the Sen going to play?

[Southack]

"It is a credit to the medical profession that it does a far better job of policing its ranks than the legal profession -– to choose a nearly opposite example of professionalism, integrity, and self-policing..."

True, but doctors don't know squat about spin. Mark up your phony accounting ledgers and people say that you've doctored your books, not lawyered them...

< GRIN! >

[Miss Marple]

Your column, unlike Bob Novak's "Frist is too nice" column, is more spot on. My sister works with surgeons as a surgical nurse. Their personalities are as you have said; they may be polite, but they don't mess around.

Great column, Congressman Billybob!

[joesnuffy]

What did the "demo cats" have to say....? Frist Ask To Atone For Cats-PETA

[Chesner]

Now, just wait a cotton pickin' minute here. I read Free Republic all the time, and I've been led to believe that all MD's were greedy, unethical,immoral and only out for themselves, not the patients. Huh. Guess I was wrong.

[Fred Mertz]

Thanks.

[kylaka]

Great column Billybob. I realized while reading it, that I have not heard Frist speak yet.

[Iowa Granny]

Nice One. *Applause*

[rohry]

Good article! Thanks...

I first suggested Frist as ML about 8 months ago in a vanity thread posted by ken5050. Now we'll see if my judgement was spot on...

[Sid Rich]

Good to see the lawyers are still the number one enemy. Freerepublic seldom disappoints in that area.

[PatriotGames]

There must be a differing medical culture in this part of the country than where you are. The heart surgeons in Houston are, ( no pun intended ) heartless, cold, uncaring and show no compassion whatsoever to the point that I have eschewed a needed triple-bypass operation because I refuse to be a slave to their whims.

[Congressman Billybob]

Don't avoid surgery because the surgeon is a cold and autocratic person. I can offer an example. I had a hemicolectomy two years ago, to deal with a situation that beforehand looked like cancer. Thank God it was precancerous, so the surgury was a complete cure.

My surgeon was one of those I describe in my article as a "good knife man." Just before my surgery, after I had signed the consent form and in front of one of the nurses, I told him I did not want a total colostomy, and if he thought that was necessary, I wanted to be closed up, informed of the situation, and give an informed consent at that point.

He said nothing, but walked out of the room in a huff. Finally, he returned, agreed to my conditions, and the operation proceeded. And he was a "good knife man." The surgery healed quickly and was a complete and uncomplicated success.

You just have to make clear to the surgeon that it is your life, and your body. Every professional -- surgeon, lawyer, whatever -- works for you, not you for them. Some tend to forget that. You just have to firmly and clearly remind them of that.

Get your surgery. And best wishes.

Cordially,

John / Billybob

[VRW Conspirator]

Bump. The media has stated that Frist is rich. This I am sure is to drown out his MD credentials with the hate-the-rich tag.

[Gritty]

In a few months the Dems will not know how to handle their "Frist Problem".

People like and trust doctors a whole lot more than lawyers or politicians. Frist will remind them more of a doctor than political hacks like Daschle and the rest of the crooks up there. They will trust him right away.

[AnAmericanMother]

I agree. I want a man who can do the job - and better a cold fish with a steady eye and hand than a sob sister whose hand shakes . . .

Of course, if you can get a surgeon who's a hoot, so much the better. I too prefer surgery under local (general makes me REALLY sick) and had a lump (like yours turned out to be benign) hoicked out of my breast by one of the best surgeons in Atlanta, who is also an ex-Navy surgeon and a first-class raconteur. He told me funny stories throughout the surgery and had me and the nurses laughing so hard that at one point I said, "Doc, is your scalpel gonna slip because I'm having hysterics up here?" He laughed and said "It'd take worse than that, honey!" Best comment of the operation: "I'm afraid you won't be able to dance at the Gold Club (local nekkid lady bar since shut down by the feds.)" (Actually, he did such a good job that I COULD have . . . assuming that I was otherwise qualified for the job . . . :-D )

Unfortunately, my doc's not at all interested in going into politics . . . .

And good call, Congressman, on the timing. You done good!

[Dog Gone]

I agree with that. I had to have a dangerous surgery to save my life, and I insisted on the best surgeon in Houston. He was not known for his "bedside manner."

Well, I didn't want mommy, I wanted the best surgeon, so I dealt with the fact that he assumed I had the IQ of a gopher, and I'm glad I did.

Great column, by the way. Frist isn't a jerk like my surgeon, but his surgical training will serve us well.