Reuters story
Ariel Sharon is gravely ill after suffering a second stroke in a month. From reports I've read, it was described as he was bleeding on his brain and doctors interviewed for the TV said this type of injury has almost no chance for him to recover completely - if he even survives.

"Mor-Yosef did not say how much brain damage Sharon may have suffered from a type of stroke that is often fatal. Channel Two television said doctors would try to wake Sharon on Friday morning to assess his condition."

My prayers are with PM Sharon. He has been a huge asset in the Mid East peace process.

God bless,

Anakin

If Sharon dies, there is a good chance the peace process will come to a complete halt. He was the glue that held it together.

More bad news for Ariel Sharon, further bleeding.

BBC News website

Strokes are a dreadfully cruel event. Even if one survives a stroke there is the likelihood that the person will be left with some disability. We probably all know of people who have sustained major damage from a stroke. Not many are as lucky as me, my residual damage is very minor but nevertheless it is still permanent. I have great admiration for those badly affected but who fight on to retain as near a normal life as possible rather than just giving up.

I've been watching the footage and thinking about Mr Sharon's poor family. I've watched my father and uncle go through a number of strokes, at least once each when it was 'touch and go' for a while. They have both recovered amazingly well physically (though not fully), but have been affected in various other ways. My father gave up, my uncle is more of a fighter.

Even though what my relatives experienced was significant, there was certainly never any thought of surgery. The amount of bleeding Mr Sharon has had does seem to make recovery unlikely, but as I say, both my father and uncle surprised their doctors with their rapid progress.

Even though concensus seems to be he certainly won't resume as PM even if he does survive, I do think it was quite insensitive of Dublya to talk about him in the past tense...

When did Bush do that? What an appalling thing to say. It is devastating enough for both victim and family/friends for a person to have a stroke without them being written off. I know what it is like to be written off, and I don't like it one little bit.

I can't actually find a link to Bush's comments, but I saw/heard him on the news several times yesterday saying what a great man Sharon was, how he'd had a great vision of peace. I thought it was horrible.

In looking for a link, however, I did find this little bit of 'wisdom' from Pat Robertson. I think I'll just that one speak for itself...

Appalling.

It is very unnerving to keep hearing these pronouncements by various evangelists, quoting God as easily and intimately as though they had just been out to breakfast with Him.
Dear, dear. Along with the latest trouble GW has gotten himself into, this is very embarrassing [ as usual] for any reasonable person who claims Christianity.

Is it just me, or does everyone else think that Roberston's got a screw loose.

I'm right there with you,eytank. I have no problem with people of faith, but Robertson is so hateful and vile, I can't classify him as a person of faith. The things he says are just disgusting.

Very sad news for me reading of Sharon`s mental health declining.

Robertson is a reminder to all that most religions have some clergy that are less than tactful and certainly more than a little delusional.

Latest from BBC and ABC (Aus) indicate 'slight' improvement in Mr Sharon's condition. I wish only the best for him, but I can't help feeling that the best in this situation might be for him to slip away as peacefully as possible.

But the good news as far as I'm concerned is "US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has cancelled a week-long trip to Australia and Indonesia amid concerns about Mr Sharon's health." I don't think I could stand a week of coverage of the inane political toadying which was bound to accompany her visit. She might be a very nice woman (might), but I just don't need the stress right now!

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Very sad news for me reading of Sharon`s mental health declining.

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Where did you read about this Roos? And when - I mean it would be perfectly natural to be a bit down after the first 'minor' stroke and the hole in the heart business, but before then too?

I was just commenting on the latest stroke Ing and assumed that the seriousness of the injury would impair his brain functions. I haven`t checked the link you provided but by coincidence I was reading an article regarding Sharon just before I checked out the current events in this forum [I had also been reading another article about Robertson].

The following quote is from a news item I read today.

Quote:

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Medical experts said that even if Mr Sharon pulled through, his faculties could be seriously impaired, making a return to work impossible.

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from here.