The Balance of Power

[ODShowtime]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Geez, you people astound me. Your ignorance is stunning.

BTW, I said I "would" believe, not that I "do" believe.

That's not a backpeddle, just pointing out the words I chose.

[Nickdfresh]

Originally posted by BigBadBrian
Geez, you people astound me. Your ignorance is stunning.

Oh, that's just rich!


"yer black!!"

[BigBadBrian]

Originally posted by ODShowtime
BTW, I said I "would" believe, not that I "do" believe.

That's not a backpeddle, just pointing out the words I chose.

Point taken.

[DrMaddVibe]

Johnson Remains in Critical Condition
Dec 28 5:52 PM US/Eastern

By MARY CLARE JALONICK
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON



Sen. Tim Johnson turned 60 on Thursday, two weeks after emergency surgery to repair a brain hemorrhage that has left him in critical condition.
Julianne Fisher, a spokeswoman for the South Dakota Democrat, said Johnson won't be present in the first days of the new Congress next week but is continuing to improve. She said he is responsive to directions from his wife but has not yet spoken.

It's too early to tell how long recovery will take, Fisher said.

In a statement Thursday, Johnson's doctors said he remains in intensive care at George Washington University Hospital. They have released few new details about Johnson's condition and prognosis since the days after the Dec. 13 surgery to stop bleeding in his brain.

Dr. Vivek Deshmukh, head of Johnson's surgical team, said in a statement that the South Dakota senator's overall condition has improved and he is gradually being weaned off sedation to help his brain heal.

The statement said Johnson is expected to undergo more tests in coming days.

Johnson's wife, Barbara, said her husband "continues to give us great hope" and that two of the couple's three grown children were at the hospital to be with him on his birthday.

"While we were both looking forward to celebrating his 60th birthday with our family and friends, I know the celebration is just postponed," she said.

Johnson was diagnosed with arteriovenous malformation, a condition, often present from birth, that causes arteries and veins to grow abnormally large, become tangled and sometimes burst. He was rushed to the hospital after becoming disoriented on a call with reporters and had surgery hours later.

The senator's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the upcoming Senate session. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.

A Republican appointee would create a 50-50 tie and effectively allow the GOP to retain Senate control because of Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking vote.

There is ample precedent for senators to continue to hold office while incapacitated.

Dr. Keith Siller, director of the Comprehensive Stroke Care Center at NYU Medical Center and assistant professor at the NYU School of Medicine, said it is unusual for a patient to be sedated after brain surgery for more than a few days.

"The two-week period is longer than I would be happy with," he said.

____

Associated Press Medical Writer Lauran Neergaard contributed to this story.

[Guitar Shark]

http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/01/09/senator.johnson.ap/index.html

Senator's condition upgraded after brain surgery
POSTED: 2:12 p.m. EST, January 9, 2007

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Sen. Tim Johnson's condition has been upgraded from critical to fair, four weeks after he was hospitalized for a brain hemorrhage, his office said Tuesday.

The South Dakota Democrat, who was rushed to the hospital December 13 and underwent emergency surgery, remains in intensive care, said his spokeswoman, Julianne Fisher.

"The senator continues to make progress," Fisher said. "The next step would be rehabilitation and we hope that would happen within the week."

Johnson's office has said that his recovery is expected to take several months.

He underwent surgery to correct a condition called arteriovenous malformation, involving tangled arteries in his brain.

The senator's doctors said last week that Johnson was improving but still needed a ventilator at night to help him breathe. The ventilator has required a tube to be placed down Johnson's throat, making it impossible for him to talk.

His long-term prognosis is unclear. He has been responsive to his family and physicians, following commands, squeezing his wife's hand and understanding speech.

The senator's sudden illness raised questions about the Democrats' one-vote majority in the upcoming Senate session. South Dakota's Republican governor, Mike Rounds, would appoint a replacement if Johnson's seat were vacated by his death or resignation.

A Republican appointee would create a 50-50 tie and could effectively allow the GOP to retain Senate control because of Vice President Dick Cheney's tie-breaking vote.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.