I have missed K. O. the past several days on his show, but I understand with which he has to deal. The standins are OK, (I would like to see more females in the slot), but they are not K. O.. He is back tonight, with a vengeance, and that is a good thing.
He is likely the most expressive and passionate advocate for our cause that is not on shortwave radio. I am glad that he was able to come onto MSNBC tonight.
The show is not nearly as good without Keith. That is just a fact. The others try mightily, but he has a presence that is different. We miss him, and are glad that he is back for the evening. I believe that I can speak for the entire community by saying that we wish his father a rapid and complete recovery.
I feel for him. I lost my mum back several years ago, and sort of went away for a couple of weeks to deal with that. Then I lost my dad after a long illness, and had to go away for a couple of weeks to deal with that as well. The difference was that Dad dealt with the arrangements for my mum, and I had to deal with the ones for Dad. I am not talking about only the "final arrangements", but dealing with the medical folks for the best treatment as well.
I never got a good answer about what sort of cancer he had. You medical types here, please help me. He had severe lung infiltration of plasma, and they drained it on a regular basis. He never smoked, and was maybe a two drink a week guy.
He did work in the shipyards during World War II (he was 4F for ulcers, so was not called to arms), and accordingly essentially bathed in asbestos. I am not convinced that asbestos is quite as bad as the legal system says so, but certainly it is not a good thing for bathing.
On a final note, the divorce became final yesterday. There is no longer a Mrs. Translator, but rather a former Mrs. Translator. So goes 32 years of life. We are not, and never will be, enemies, but it was a sad day, and will be a sad week, month, and year.
This essay is sort of nothing but a request for sympathy for Mr. Olbermann and his family, but sympathy and emphaty are hallmarks of progressive ideals, whilst the "hell with you" mindset is more reserved for the conservative folks. The hell of it is that the real conservatives are also folks of good heart. The superficial ones have been skimmed off by the likes of Limbaugh, Hannity, and Beck and have morphed into a hateful cabal.
I am sorry that this has turned into something other than best wishes to the elder Mr. Olbermann. I hope that you all join me is wishing him a rapid and complete recovery. My troubles pale in comparison with his at the moment.
Warmest regards,
Doc
Crossposted at Docudharma.com