New York Times White House reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg issued another flattering bunch of factoids about Obama's Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor -- she controls her diabetes: "Court Nominee Manages Diabetes With Discipline." Stolberg suggested that Sotomayor's "no-nonsense" approach to her insulin injections was a sign of how she will tackle Supreme Court cases.
Judge Sonia Sotomayor carries a small black travel pouch, not much larger than a wallet. It contains the implements she needs -- a blood sugar testing kit, a needle and insulin -- to manage diabetes, a disease she has had for 46 years. Friends say she is not shy about using it.
"She'll be eating Chinese dumplings," said Xavier Romeu Matta, a former law clerk to the judge, "and she'll say, 'Excuse me sweetie,' and pull out the kit and inject her insulin."
That no-nonsense attitude, combined with the attention to detail that characterizes her legal opinions, has been a hallmark of Judge Sotomayor's approach to Type 1 diabetes, according to friends, colleagues and her longtime doctor, Andrew Jay Drexler. An endocrinologist in Los Angeles, Dr. Drexler pronounced her "in very good health" in a letter provided by the White House.
Stolberg treated Sotomayor as almost heroic for keeping her diabetes under control and never suggested her medical condition could be a hindrance to performing on the highest court in the land.
So, when John McCain picked Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate, did Stolberg laud Palin as heroic for being both a governor and mother of five children? Of course not. In fact, Stolberg took the opposite approach, suggesting the job of both vice president and mother would be too much for Palin to handle.
From the September 1, 2008 "Political Points" podcast on nytimes.com, recording during the Republican convention in St. Paul, Minn.
Reporter Sheryl Gay Stolberg: "...I think that the campaign was really calculating that the standard that was used for Chelsea Clinton and the Bush girls and now the Obama girls would be applied to the Palin family, which is that the kids are left out of it. But frankly I'm not sure that it will work this time, precisely because of what Jackie said, they've made a big issue of her personal life. She herself, Gov. Palin, has a new baby, and so one question that comes up, is this is a woman that has a lot going on in her personal life, she's got a new baby herself, her daughter's about to get married and have a baby, a lot going on there. I do think it's a fair question to ask how she will juggle those responsibilities. Maybe it's a question that wouldn't be asked of a man, as Steve Schmidt said, but it is a question that I think Americans will ask."
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.
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Chinese Dumplings?
July 12, 2009 - 10:24 ET by HoosierEmI was under the impression that if you have diabetes, foods like Chinese dumplings should not be on the menu. Does that mean if she eats a piece of cake, she just pulls out an injection to allow herself to do that? Is that really discipline?
I wonder how much her co-pay will be for her insulin on the new government health care plan. Oh, that's right, she won't be subject to that health care program.
Oh, big deal
July 12, 2009 - 10:27 ET by StarAZI have friends with diabetes and they sometimes inject discreetly at the table--does this make me trust them more with my secrets or projects? What nonsense. If they must bring Palin into this (why oh why), how about observing that she is in sparkling good health after having a bunch of kids, giving each one the special attention they need, traveling, governing, fishing, hanging out with her cute hubs, jabbing the press, and making her own decisions. And she can walk in heels! I bet she even reads a couple of papers a day, if we have any papers left. Note to editors: She will be standing when you are combing journalismjobs.com.
combined with the
July 12, 2009 - 10:39 ET by Jack BauerForget whether her opinions are anti-constitutional, wrong-headed, or weird... at least she has an "attention to detail."
Well you you know who also had a fanatical attention to detail? The Nazis. So much so, that they documented their monstrous crimes in remarkable detail.
It's what helped convict them at the Nuremburg War Crimes tribunal.
Poor health
July 12, 2009 - 10:46 ET by slickwillie2001Surprising that the Bamster would select someone for his first appointment that appears to be not too healthy. She looks like a candidate for a heart attack. I can't see her lasting as long as some of the other Supreme Court judges have or will.
Sweetie??
July 12, 2009 - 10:55 ET by delmar"Excuse me sweetie" said her former law clerk. Stolberg let that one slide without comment. I wonder if Justice Thomas or Roberts or Scalia could get away with that too.
Lame, but...
July 12, 2009 - 11:06 ET by delmarI suppose it's lame to reply to one's own post, but...
I should have asked if Sarah Palin could've gotten away with calling an aide Sweetie by the MSM, since it's Palin and Sotomayor compared here.
Lame?
July 12, 2009 - 11:26 ET by jaywlActually, I've had very good conversations with myself. Go ahead, it's alright.
Same
July 12, 2009 - 19:53 ET by well99It is when I lose a argument to myself that I start to worry.
Uh Uh
July 12, 2009 - 10:57 ET by jaywlLets see. Lives in NYC, writes opinions that make no sense, most opinions are overturned, carries around a little kit with needles, doesn't even worry who watches as she does her "nursin". And she's a Republican! Just what is she juicing?
Oh. Democrat. Never Mind.
Yet another tasteless,
July 12, 2009 - 11:03 ET by MazziYet another tasteless, tactless person associated with Obeyme. Yuck.
Didn't her mother (or anyone) ever teach her that you keep personal hygiene and medical necessities private? You just DON'T inject yourself at a dinner table. You also don't adjust your incontinence garments, brush your teeth, pick your nose or scratch your armpits.
I would never ever dine with someone like this. It's revolting. And, for the record, I am also diabetic.
"I would rather be historically accurate than politically correct" ~ My husband's T-Shirt
My dad has type 1 diabetes.
July 12, 2009 - 11:12 ET by ricklailMy dad has type 1 diabetes. He does not inject himself until he checks his blood sugar. It is not a stuggle for him to live. He lives about a normal a life as any 80 year old can.
If she has it that bad then she has more problems like with her kidneys. If she gets a hangnail on a toe it could turn to having that toe amputated, then the foot, the leg. If she has it so bad that she injects insulin with out a blod sample then she is not medically fit for the job.
If they are trying to get me to have pity on her well they are not going to get it.
Semper suprene nitens
North Carolina now has the worst government money can buy.
My problem is with the
July 12, 2009 - 13:16 ET by motherbeltMy problem is with the doctor who said (according to the article):
She is free from eye, kidney and nerve complications and not expected to develop any (emphasis mine)
I can't believe that any doctor would ever say that about any diabetic. Diabetics are always at risk of complications. My brother-in-law was religious about controlling his diabetes and still developed eye problems, blood pressure problems, and kidney problems ("wore out" one transplanted kidney and got a second one).
To say she is "not expected" to develop any complications is not rational. I'm not a doctor, but it seems to me that he should have said something like nothing appears imminent, and if she continues to be well controlled it will minimize the chances of complications.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
...Court Nominee Manages
July 12, 2009 - 11:35 ET by PeskyDane...Court Nominee Manages Diabetes With Discipline."
No, she manages it with modern medicine, precisely because she lacks discipline.
The pink elephant in the room is the extra 50 - 60 pounds she is carrying on her spine.
There is diabetes in wife's side of the family. The only one who was "struggling" with it and and effectively beat it was my sister-in-law by loosing over 50 pounds. "Struggle" over.
If it were Palin, the press
July 12, 2009 - 12:25 ET by eaglewingz08If it were Palin, the press would go ballistic about Sotomayor's refusal to control her diet which led to her coming down with diabetes. Then they would call her a junkie who shoots up insulin every day.
My father RIP, had adult onset diabetes and the daily grind for managing this disease was gruesome and was more than a little 'distraction' for him. I assume that it must be the same for Judge Sotomayor as well. But at least we know why her decisions got reversed, they must have been made when her blood glucose levels were out of whack.
If it were Palin, they would
July 12, 2009 - 14:45 ET by PeskyDaneIf it were Palin, they would find a way to squeeze it into her kyron every time she popped up on the tube. :-)
But at least we know why
July 12, 2009 - 15:01 ET by motherbeltBut at least we know why her decisions got reversed, they must have been made when her blood glucose levels were out of whack.
Are you saying it was after three, her blood sugar was low...she should have eaten those Emerald nuts.....? LOL
Seriously though, Sotomayor has Type I diabetes, which appears in childhood. The adult type, Type II is often "developed" later as a result of diet and obesity.
That's why Type I diabetics suffer more complications...they've had it longer. Which is why I find it strange, as I commented above, that her doctor says she is "not likely" to develop any complications!
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Pesky, there is a big
July 12, 2009 - 15:06 ET by motherbeltPesky, there is a big difference in Type I and II diabetes...Type II occurs in mid-life, usually as a result of weight and diet factors.
Type I diabetics will ALWAYS need insulin; no matter how careful they are with their diet. I commented elsewhere that my brother in law who had it was scrupulous about every aspect of his health, and he had all kinds of complications.
We shouldn't let dislike of Judge Sotomayor influence opinions on her health or her diabetes and how she takes care of it.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
OK, message recieved.
July 12, 2009 - 17:27 ET by PeskyDaneOK, message recieved.
Didn't mean to come off as
July 12, 2009 - 18:34 ET by motherbeltDidn't mean to come off as heavy-handed or pious...sorry if I did.
I didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
Stolberg and Journalism 101
July 12, 2009 - 13:14 ET by jdlybrandShe exposed herself as a very bad reporter when she uttered "I think". Simply more tripe from the Slimes at the Times.
"What a revoltin' development this is!"
Chester Riley
May she
July 12, 2009 - 13:34 ET by Delsanever misplace her little black bag
The New York Times bias is
July 12, 2009 - 13:47 ET by needleThe New York Times bias is inspiring to the rest of the Media (with a few exceptions), but troubling for the nation.
- Relying upon the MSM for your information is like relying upon an embezzler to manage your portfolio.
Unremarkable
July 12, 2009 - 15:13 ET by nkviking75If they have to stretch that far to make Sotomayor admirable, maybe she shouldn't be on the court. Most diabetics can control their condition with a little discipline.
This woman is not nearly as special as they'd have us believe.
When you put the clowns in charge, don't be surprised when a circus breaks out.
The thing to remember is the
July 12, 2009 - 19:42 ET by nadadhimmiThe thing to remember is the newsroom mindset: democrat;good. Republican;bad. person of color;good. Caucasian;bad. liberal;good, conservative;bad. If you recognize these precepts, you've got the msm attitude. Do you understand now what it's like to live in American today??
Broken Bone & Now This!
July 12, 2009 - 20:18 ET by NortoSeems they are dragging out all the sympatico they can. She is still a lousey candidate.
But she's a Latina!!!!
July 12, 2009 - 21:40 ET by motherbeltI didn't think it was physically possible, but this both sucks and blows. -Bart Simpson
special needs
July 13, 2009 - 04:49 ET by m1xramI saw an interview with a news woman who kept claiming that Sarah Palin should have stepped down to take care of her specail needs child. The woman didn't supply any illustration of how the kids needs went unmet. She just knew it because she had a special needs child and didn't quit her news job? What? I'm confused.
Sorry, don't have a link. Maybe someone here also saw the interview? If so, please paste a link. Thanks
He has already failed... his country.
jessieH
July 13, 2009 - 09:25 ET by jessieHjessieH It doesn't matter if she has diabetes, or if Palin has a child. What matters is she(Sotomayor) has had, what, 60% of her cases overturned. That means she has been wrong 60% of the time.
Imagine a minor league
July 13, 2009 - 10:55 ET by Tom PaineImagine a minor league baseball player. Now imagine that player makes errors 60% of the time, and the plays he does make are routine and can be made by anyone playing at that level. Would that player ever be called up to the starting lineup in the majors?
according to friends,
October 14, 2009 - 14:59 ET by hanahaccording to friends, colleagues and her longtime doctor, Andrew Jay Drexler. An endocrinologist in Los Angeles, Dr. Drexler pronounced her "in very good health" in a letter provided by the White House.drug and alcohol rehab