A doctor recently told a friend of mine that Kerry's problem is that he is recieving "Androgen Blockade Therapy" with drugs like Lupron to combat his prostate cancer. This form of therapy decreases testosterone and signifantly impacts behavior, making patients indecisive. Kerry's behavior is widely observed to have become noticably indecisive since starting his therapy. Bingo!
[see the update notes that wouldn't fit here in Main Entry just below the fold]
[UPDATE: I guess I should have made it more clear In no way am I bashing John Kerry. John Kerry is a hero of mine. Like many others I'm struggling to understand why he's taken the nonagressive path he has. I support Kerry 100%, and I think his being in the Middle East might be seen as at least a reasonable choice if he's really being intellectually honest when he says his staff doesn't believe there was enough fraud to have overturned Ohio. I've been sitting on this story for several weeks now and thought it might help others to have compassion on Kerry and understand a factor that might be having an enormous impact here. I have a family friend who's behavior became VERY indecisive after starting on Lupron and who actually allowed his "friends" to talk him into some very self-destructive courses of action. The similarity was strong and that is why I felt it was important to put this story out. JamBoi]
[2nd UPDATE: Also please remember that John is not locked into Androgen Blockade Therapy. There are alternatives that don't require essentially neutering a person. JamBoi]
Kerry a prostate cancer survivor
Articles re: John Kerry's prostate cancer battle
Report: Kerry cured of prostate cancer
On eve of shoulder surgery, senator is deemed fit specimen
"The documents also showed almost undetectable levels of prostate antigens, evidence the prostate gland removal procedure Kerry underwent last year vanquished his prostate cancer. He will, however, continue to require regular cancer screening tests, his physicians have said."
About Lupron
"Right now, Lupron, with sales of $900 million globally in 1999, is the most widely used hormone therapy for treating prostate cancer. A product of Takeda of Japan and Abbott Laboratories near Chicago, the drug reduces levels of the male hormone testosterone, which stimulates growth of the prostate gland and can encourage growth of the cancer. But Lupron is also associated with a side effect that causes testosterone levels to surge before they subside. "
Lupron is used to block testosterone and is even used for "chemical castration". That indicates how dramatic the effect can be on behavior!
How it might have effected Kerry
The In a National Review online forum::
Kathryn Jean Lopez writes:
"A HEALTH ISSUE: ...this reader's e-mail should be included:
Don't forget that John Kerry is a prostate cancer survivor. My father is being treated with lupron, and the drug has enabled him to live relatively comfortably for the last several years. One of its side effects, though, is that as it shuts off your testosterone, it changes a man's facial skin tone--and the changes are dramatic. My father's face looks ten years younger, his skin is almost luminous, and he hardly has to shave anymore. If Senator Kerry is using this drug, his handlers would be reluctant to share that information--not very "Presidential." I could be wrong, but it's something to consider. "
Strong and Wrong, by Al From
"But whether John Kerry wins will depend on whether the Democratic nominee convinces enough voters that he has the "toughness to govern."
In simple terms, as we enter the homestretch of the election, Americans need to believe Kerry is strong enough and tough enough to be commander in chief and to act in the national interest, even when that requires going against an orthodoxy imposed by a powerful or friendly constituency.
"Toughness" or "strength" is, in my view, the most important characteristic that voters seek in a president. Crossing that toughness threshold is the prerequisite for a challenger to have his arguments heard during the campaign. That's particularly true this year, with the country at war and terrorists seeking to attack Americans at any opportunity."