Author Archives: tbionthehill

Critics Likely Magnify Clinton’s Health Issues

In late 2012, Hillary Clinton suffered a concussion because of a reported fainting spell. A few weeks later, a blood clot was found near her brain.  (Her doctors stated that her blood clot has had no neurologically effects.)  These are two things that one hopes to never happen to them; however, concussions do happen to 3.8 million people annually, according to CDC estimates.  A concussion is a mild brain injury.  Her husband, Bill, said that it took Hillary six months to fully recover.  Bill Clinton’s statement is likely true, though no one knows how Bill defines “fully recovered”, as this time table is more akin to the recovery time for a mild stroke.  Mild brain traumas, such as concussion, usually resolve themselves in 2-3 weeks, with full recovery sometimes taking up to 3 months.

Since her campaign began, critics have been doggedly trying to find signs that Hillary Clinton is neurologically unable to handle the job of Commander-in-Chief.  There was much talk about the fact that she stepped off the stage during the commercial break of a Democratic debate and did not return until after the debate had re-started.  My initial thought was that she needed to take a restroom break.  Even though many newscasters had the same conclusion, others followed Donald Trump’s lead by reporting that she had to step away because she was neurologically overwhelmed.  There was talk in the news about her long coughing lapses – in February, during cold weather – being signs of neurological problems.  Donald Trump has stated, “Hillary Clinton does not have the stamina… does not have the strength to be President.  You watch her life… [then] she’ll go away for three, four days…”

A known journalist even wrote, “Hillary still suffers from … blinding headaches, exhaustion, insomnia, and a tremor in her hands.”  This journalist is Ed Klein, who also wrote a book about the Clinton’s that has since largely been discredited.

Please, if one is to say that Mrs. Clinton is not fit to be Commander-in-Chief of this nation, use her political views as the reason, not a manufactured health issue.

‘Little House’ Star Ends Race for a Seat in the Big House

Melissa Gilbert (D), known for her role as Laura Ingalls in the 1974 to 1983 television series ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and former president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), has halted her bid for Congress in the 8th Congressional District in Michigan.

Regarding her departure, Ms. Gilbert stated, “As much as it breaks my heart to say this, my doctors have told me I am physically unable to continue my run for Congress.”  (In 2012, she had two head injuries – a horrific fall as a contestant on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and when a balcony fell on her at her rented house.)  This may be true, I do not know.  However, I am curious about it.  Her polling numbers were low.  I do not doubt that her doctors advised her to leave the campaign, but I do wonder if she would have taken their advice if her poll numbers had been higher.  It is not appropriate for me to make any assumptions and, if her symptoms did get bad enough to be the reason she left the race, I wish her the best.

Currently, the Democrats do not have any candidate to take her place in the election against former State Senate majority leader and first term incumbent Mike Bishop (R).  Regarding her departure, Sen. Bishop, who polls show is likely to will re-election, stated, “I wish her the best and hope her health improves.”

Football: The Government Gets Into The Game

This past year, special attention has been given to the link between football and brain injury, particularly in the NFL.  For good reason, this past season, the incidences of concussion in the NFL rose by 58% – from 182 to 271.

The National Institute of Health, in association with Boston University, studied the brains of 91 deceased NFL players, finding that 96% of them had some form of brain injury – a stunning number, but not surprising from a sport that is rife with head-to-head defensive collisions.

Naturally, “The NFL rejects the allegations,” said NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy.  In fact, the NFL initially offered to donate $30 million to fund this study – perhaps to surreptitiously sway the findings.  However, when they found that Robert Stern, Boston University researcher and an expert on the link between football and TBI, was leading the study, the NFL dropped its promised donation.

What I do not understand is how the NFL can deny the magnitude and relevance of these statistics, especially in a study of now deceased players.  They also say that Mr. Stern was biased.  Personally, I do not understand how the NFL can claim someone can be biased on a study that relies on statistics.  Furthermore, Mr. Stern may have personal feelings about the link between brain trauma and football, but I do not believe, as an expert in the field, he would sacrifice accuracy for point of view.

Lastly, I do not think that there is a person in this country who, if asked, does not have an opinion on football and its potentially negative effects.

Two (Disabled) Candidates Battle for Illinois Senate Seat

This is unexpected, and long overdue, news in this country: Two disabled candidates are currently in a fight for a Senate seat in Illinois.  Senator Mark Kirk (R), who in 2012 suffered a stroke, and Representative Tammy Duckworth (D), who lost both of her lower limbs when her plane was shot down in Iraq, are currently in a fight for the Illinois Senate seat formerly held by Barack Obama.  However, just like many female politicians are not specifically looking for the “woman vote”, it may not be a negative that both of these candidates have a disability.  A disability is not a call for pity and, because both of them live with their respective disabilities, their constituents can vote on what’s really important – their politics!