Defense Secretary Austin

I hope his procedure went well with a favorable prognosis. According to reports, there was a complication. Infection?
But I think he should have informed the POTUS and others in charge that he was laid up in the hospital. We've got 2 serious conflicts going on internationally with our indirect involvement that could easily escalate.

I agree with Pratoman that the Sec Def missed an opportunity to make men, especially men of his race, aware of prostate cancer. But, now that everyone knows that he has prostate cancer and he has been treated, he can step up and as a famous spokesperson for prostate cancer awareness. If he becomes that spokesperson, maybe other "famous" people who have been keeping their diagnosis private, will step up to the plate and say, I have prostate cancer too. Collectively, they can really make men aware that they need to get tested, especially those in the high risk (who may not realize that they are in the high risk group). We can all contact the Sec Def and let him know that we are all brothers and ask that he start speaking out about men talking with their doctors getting tested.

mattam said...
Maybe the Secretary will join HW and we can bash him for getting an RP.

Great idea!
😊

It seems amazing that the Sec.of Def. can go to the hospital, more than once, in a short time and no one knows. I've read books on how inept the spooks are in reality. That no one in the CIA or FBI knew that this man was in the hospital is incredible. When you wonder how spies get away with it for years here is the example. The only saving grace seems to be that other countries are just as inept.

There is certainly nothing new here, as far as a senior U.S. government official, such as a president, or even one of his staffers, hiding his health status from the public.

Here is an article about presidents, from Cleveland through the modern ones, making the effort to hide a serious health issue they had from the country:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-brief-history-of-presidents-disclosing-or-trying-to-hide-health-problems/

It notes that Wilson, FDR, Eisenhower and Kennedy took similar actions.

It suggests that a common motivation for doing this, whether realistic or not, was the president's fear that public perception of his being ill might somehow have a negative impact on his effectiveness as president. For example,

"The nation was in a recession, and Cleveland feared that his economic plan would be doomed if the public knew that his doctor thought he could have cancer."

Whether or not Secretary Austin had a similar fear, that his effectiveness as head defense official might somehow be compromised, or his leadership of the department perceived as in turmoil, and he took measures to disguise his situation, is anybody's guess, but our history shows several of our leaders skittish about acknowledging their health issues to the public.

Boomer53 said...
I agree with Pratoman that the Sec Def missed an opportunity to make men, especially men of his race, aware of prostate cancer.

Boomer, I was actually quoting JNF and agreeing with him, the quote function didn’t work well for some reason

I'm not going to join the bandwagon that says, "He should become an ambassador for PC in the black community". Nope, not going there.

Now, he DID have the obligation to report his situation to everyone in his professional orbit. Period. In a normal workplace, that would be a firing offense. SOMEBODY knew what was going on.

Just read the Pentagon Inspector General is investigating the situation, which is to be expected.

And, a prostatectomy is very certainly an elective procedure. There are no “emergency prostatectomies”, or for lifesaving attempts. In fact, the majority of men diagnosed with PCa elect not to have surgery.

Tom, that’s a new one…….. never heard of a combined prostatectomy and penile implant procedure. However, one comment I saw speculated that he may have had a “rectocraniectomy”.

Rectocraniectomy?

That's a procedure that needs to be defined and documented. Unfortunately, it's not usually a fatal condition, and it's doubtful Medicare would cover it.

Folks, I think we just got an indication of a major part of the reason, like maybe 90% of the reason, as to why Secretary Austin was being so secretive about his prostate situation.

As in doing whatever he could to avoid getting into a situation where he might be sidelined by anyone -- including by an order from his boss the president -- to relinquish his duties temporarily, and report to the hospital for treatment.

Even if has already had some treatment, he was worried that, if his condition became known, he might be ordered to enter a hospital -- and stay there -- until the prostate issue was settled.

No sir! He was bound and determined to stay in his job, right now, because of course he KNEW that a major U.S. military strike was about to take place in the Middle East, as it did today, and he was DETERMINED to be a part of it, a leader of it, and the prostate and the hospital could just wait!

If that's the case, and it's sure looking like it is, then a hearty salute to Secretary Austin for his devotion to duty, at the likely expense of his own prostate discomfort.

Hurray for the Secretary!

Stephen, is he sick or is he hiding? Inquiring minds want to know….and deserve to know. Looks more and more likely that in addition to the RP he also had the RC.

LOL……….Go Ed. Winning comment today.

Just saw the spokesman, Kirby, speculated that secretary Austin is probably still in the hospital because of his doctor’s order! As if we get to use a hospital like a hotel.