So no one knows what ails Tim Johnson

[burythehatchet]

But he's undergoing emergency surgery

and according to reports things look grim

next month the Dems are due to take over the senate

The Dems have a one seat margin in the senate

South Dakota has a pub governer, who gets to appoint a replacement, if necessary

Shooter Cheney becomes the deciding vote

All the committees revert back to pub control

but I know its just absurd to believe that anything criminal is going on, because...well its just absurd.

[JI7]

1. according to what reports do things look grim ?

[burythehatchet]

3. this one

However, CBS now has a report out which repeats that statement and then follows with this: "Sources close to the situation tell CBS News the situation is definitely not good."
http://www.talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/011554.php

[jus_the_facts]

4. Emergency brain surgery seems pretty grim to me....

:shrug:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x2652501

Senator undergoing brain surgery, sources say

POSTED: 12:39 a.m. EST, December 14, 2006

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota was undergoing brain surgery early Thursday at George Washington University Hospital after suffering stroke-like symptoms, two Democratic sources familiar with his condition told CNN.

Johnson, 59, was taken to the hospital Wednesday morning after he appeared to suffer stroke-like symptoms, although a spokeswoman for the senator said subsequent evaluation showed he did not suffer a stroke or a heart attack.

Staffers told CNN Johnson was conscious when he was transported to the hospital.

[Syrinx]

2. yeah, I know

I've become paranoid about these SOB's, but it's because they are so damn evil.

I think it says more about them than about me that when I heard about the senator, my first thoughts were of foul play.

[Infinite Hope]

5. Just keep praying. Remember, they have the best healthcare available.

Let's keep our fingers crossed that it helps.

[Stardust]

6. It sounds like an aneurism to me. nt

[kikiek]

14. I'm thinking along the lines you are. Hopefully he will be ok. I do know

someone who had an active bleed and is aok now. If that is the problem there are many different things that could affect the outcome of course. As all others here I hope for the best for him and his family.

[bobbie]

7. It's not absurd. Don't try to talk yourself out of the obvious logical truth.

That's how the fascists have gotten away with 50 years of murders and coups:
President Kennedy in '63, Malcolm X in '65, Dr King and Senator Kennedy in '68, Carnahan, Wellstone, JFK Jr, and on and on.

They get away with it precisely because no one wants to believe it. Believe it. The CIA has been using drugs for years that seem to induce stroke, or heart attack. The poisoned Russian in the UK is nothing unusual. The publicity he's receiving is unusual.

The Cons fucked up and didn't steal enough votes in the last election. This is plan b.

[spoony]

8. JFK Jr? "Obvious logical truth?"

So you've honestly already decided what happened here? And what did ANYONE have to gain from killing JFK Jr?

[Hippo_Tron]

11. I suppose Buddy Holly and Ritchie Valens were going to take down the BFEE, too

:eyes:

[madokie]

13. JFK Jr. was a power to be if and when he wanted

[Tesha]

15. Youngsters with famous names grow up, you know.

> And what did ANYONE have to gain from killing JFK Jr?

Youngsters with famous names grow up, you know.

Some run for political office. Some get elected.

Tesha

[spoony]

26. Seems like political assassins

might, you know, wait until someone got INTO politics before knocking him off. :eyes:

[Kolesar]

9. Total Bullshit. I notice you have started a whole thread on this

[cali]

18. Well, they've certainly got their work

cut out for them in the House, don't they?

This is absurd. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence. You ain't got shit.

[cali]

10. You mean YOU don't know what's going on.

Odds are, his doctors, family and friends have a very good idea of what's going on.

[burythehatchet]

24. odds are you're probably wrong as you always are

[spoony]

27. Judging by your OP, you're not the

most reliable judge of probability.

[annabanana]

12. SD requires a NEW ELECTION

12-11-1. Special election to fill congressional vacancy--Time of election of representative. If a vacancy occurs in the office of a senator or representative in the United States Congress it shall be the duty of the Governor within ten days of the occurrence, to issue a proclamation setting the date of and calling for a special election for the purpose of filling such vacancy. If either a primary or general election is to be held within six months, an election to fill a vacancy in the office of representative in the United States Congress shall be held in conjunction with that election, otherwise the election shall be held not less than eighty nor more than ninety days after the vacancy occurs.

http://legis.state.sd.us/statutes/DisplayStatute.aspx?Type=Statute&Statute=12-11-1

[MiniMe]

19. MSM keeps insisting that anyone the repub gov appoints will be in

office until the next general election in 2008. If fact, there is a quote by the current SOS in the Washington Post story that states that. It will be interesting to see how this plays out. My best wishes go out to Senator Johnson and his family.

[burythehatchet]

23. yes, but I am not as clear as to

whether the Senate leadership can be re-done after that period or if it sticks to the end of the session

[cboy4]

16. Check him for Polonium-210!

n/t

[SAXMAR]

17. Well wishes and let's counter their move!

We all wish Senator Johnson a speedy recovery. In the mean time let's get a GOP Senator to switch parties. I think Arlen Specter might to keep control of the Judiciary committee.

[Jacobin]

20. I'm wondering if its a tumor

[Mikey929]

21. Personal and Political

On a personal level, my heart goes out to the man and his family. They are going through a terrible ordeal. May the god of their choosing bless them and keep them well.

On a political level (which I hate to consider given the recentness of the occurrence) we must be prepared to fight this thing to the death if that R-wing Gov tries to appoint some R-wing fucktard to the Senate. The people have spoken, sir! Your own citizens voted for the man who is now fighting for his life in a hospital bed. And you cannot -- I repeat, cannot -- simply disregard the will of the people and appoint a R-winger that will fundamentally alter what the people have chosen. You honor your committment to your citizens, or else you are a shameless power broker.

Again, Dems have character and values and integrity. Repubs have power.

[alarimer]

22. even if he returns, they have lost his vote for now

which may make the difference in some votes. So currently and until he returns, even if Johnson does not resign, the Dems have basically lost the Senate.

This is assuming he does not return when Congress convenes next year.

[bigtree]

25. I wonder if the leadership vote can be made by proxy?

that would enable Democrats to retain the leadership.

[tabasco]

28. Not like there's billions of dollars at stake or anything.

No reason to be suspicious at all.

How could anyone suspect the republicans of wrongdoing like this? I'm appalled.