Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

NNguyenMD

(1,259 posts)
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 03:56 AM Oct 2014

Ben Carson was wrong about Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol

In August Ben Carson joined in on the CPAC chorus of Ann Coulter and Donald Trump in sharply criticizing the repatriation of Dr.Brantly and Nurse Writebol after they had become injected with Ebola in Liberia. What was worse was that these two medical missionaries were criticized for choosing to serve the poorest of countries afflicted with the most deadliest of diseases. When the most inflammatory wing of the tea party thoughtlessly turns it's guns on evangelical missionaries, it could only mean that they don't have enough twitter followers or are not selling enough books to line their pockets.

Their comments were cruel, inhumane, and unequivocally unchristian.

On Monday Dr.Brantly, after having survive a disease with a mortality rate of 70%, traveled to Dallas to donate plasma to save the life of Nina Pham, the critical care nurse infected with Ebola after caring for Thomas Eric Duncan. During his first few days infected with Ebola, Dr.Brantly received a plasma transfusion from a 14 year old boy who's life he saved from Ebola. A plasma transfusion from an Ebola Survivor is one of the few therapies available to combat this horrifically virulent disease by providing the recipient with antibodies capable of targeting the virus.

I wonder as a physician, what Dr.Carson has to say to Ms.Pham and her family after being one of the most proponent cheerleaders of denying Dr.Brantly care back in the states? What does the former Hopkins Neurosurgeon have to say to Dr.Rick Sacra or freelance journalist Asoka Mukpo, both Ebola patients in the recovering stage, and also both recipients of Dr.Brantly's plasma?

Before I became a physician, as a young high school student I was a great admirer of Dr.Carson and of the obstacles he had to overcome to achieve his successes in life. Unfortunately his egomania and disdain for the poor has overcome his better judgement and compassion as a physician and human being. Kent Brantly and I are the same age, and I having practiced out of training a few more years than he. There is no doubt in my mind that Dr.Brantly has saved more lives, touched the hearts of more patients and families, and exacted more change on the field of medicine than I or Ben Carson could have in our cummulative careers 10 times over.

Nina Pham, Richard Sacra, and Asoka Mukpo owe their lives because American doctors and nurses at Emory, Univ. Nebraska, and the CDC remembered their oath to patients, and weren't afraid to open their hearts and risk their lives to care for Dr.Brantly and nurse Writebol.

At my current hospital, I wonder when the tide comes, who will run and who will stay to care for the sick? Well I know where Dr.Carson stands on that qurstion.

14 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Ben Carson was wrong about Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol (Original Post) NNguyenMD Oct 2014 OP
I was a nurse for many years and I hit all the high spots in Boston Warpy Oct 2014 #1
I think JustAnotherGen Oct 2014 #2
Mahalo, NNguyenMD, for making us aware this. Cha Oct 2014 #3
this is an excellent post, making great points. cali Oct 2014 #4
Excellent! GeorgeGist Oct 2014 #5
I was told by a mentor ... littlemissmartypants Oct 2014 #6
Asoka Mukpo is a reincarnated Tibetan tulku lama. vlyons Oct 2014 #7
Actually, it was Dr. Brantley who Carson criticized cali Oct 2014 #8
I took Carson's criticism to be aimed vlyons Oct 2014 #10
Yes. Fear mongering is an essential republican tool cali Oct 2014 #11
Ben Carson is a dangerous person. TerrapinFlyer Oct 2014 #9
I actually think we don't have to do anything. Carson will implode all on his own. yellowcanine Oct 2014 #13
People are displaying their "Run, Ben, Run" bumper stickers bullwinkle428 Oct 2014 #14
Ben Carson is an Uncle Tom SoCalDem Oct 2014 #12

Warpy

(111,261 posts)
1. I was a nurse for many years and I hit all the high spots in Boston
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 04:44 AM
Oct 2014

because I did agency nursing for some of those years. While there, I had ample opportunity to observe many docs and researchers who were at the top of their fields. What I found, other than most brilliant people are multifaceted, was a significant few were utter failures at anything outside their field, including being human beings.

I suspect this is what Dr. Carson is, someone who achieved breakthrough pediatric surgeries but who was utterly lost at anything else and angry about that. The far right loves angry guys who can talk, so there he is.

I can't discount his brilliance in pediatric surgery. I just wish he'd stuck to what he was good at.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
4. this is an excellent post, making great points.
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 05:33 AM
Oct 2014

Dr. Carson's remarks struck me as well. They were jarringly cruel and callous.

k&r

littlemissmartypants

(22,656 posts)
6. I was told by a mentor ...
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 05:55 AM
Oct 2014

Do something every day that terrifies you and for the 30 years I worked in healthcare, I did.

Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Courage is more exhilarating than fear."

Risking one's life for another, so another person has a better life, always requires courage and sometimes it is terrifying.

These character traits are easily identified but rarely seen.

Thank you for your interesting and thoughtful post.

Love, Peace and Shelter.
~ littlemissmartypants 🙏

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
7. Asoka Mukpo is a reincarnated Tibetan tulku lama.
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 06:25 AM
Oct 2014

As an infant, he was recognized as the 9th Khamnyon Tulku, or reincarnated lama. He was the stepson of the very great Chogyam Trungpa, who was the first Tibetan lama, and a tulku himself, to come to the west, after the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Mukpo does not live the traditional role of a tulku lama, but he certainly lives the life of enlightened Buddha activity to bring compassion and to aid in the relief of the suffering of others, especially as an aid worker in Liberia. I find it very ironic that an ignorant and arrogant Dr.Carson would criticize Mr. Mukpo.

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
8. Actually, it was Dr. Brantley who Carson criticized
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 06:48 AM
Oct 2014

or more specifically, the act of bringing back ill medical (and other) personnel to the U.S.

and yes I know about Mr. Mukpo. Karme Choling is my Sangha. I took vows from the Sakyong.

vlyons

(10,252 posts)
10. I took Carson's criticism to be aimed
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 07:57 AM
Oct 2014

at the policy of bringing Ebola patients to the USA for treatment. Such fear mongering from the RWers about ebola. Well if it weren't ebola, they would fear monger something else. I'm in deep red East TX. My congressman (Jeb Hensarling TX-05) spent his entire town hall this summer going around the room, asking everyone what they feared most about the immigrant kids down on the border.

Glad to see another sangha friend on DU. My vows were with the KTC in Dallas. Actually, I'm both Gelugpa and Karma Kagyu. Karmapa Chenno!

 

cali

(114,904 posts)
11. Yes. Fear mongering is an essential republican tool
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 09:08 AM
Oct 2014

and in tandem with hate, as your story about Hensarling demonstrates.

I feel lucky to live in Vermont. I'm about 40 minutes from Karme Choling. And lucky to live in a state where I feel represented by my elected politicians, both on the national and local levels.

 

TerrapinFlyer

(277 posts)
9. Ben Carson is a dangerous person.
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 06:55 AM
Oct 2014

The GOP is going to prop him up and he is going to attack liberals with everything has can muster.

The time to stand up against him is NOW!

yellowcanine

(35,699 posts)
13. I actually think we don't have to do anything. Carson will implode all on his own.
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 09:49 AM
Oct 2014

His comments on Ebola are evidence of that. And even Republicans appear to know that. Why else would they be pushing Mitt Romney to run again? If Carson is the Great Black Hope who is going to save the Republicans they sure don't need Mitt Romney.

bullwinkle428

(20,629 posts)
14. People are displaying their "Run, Ben, Run" bumper stickers
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 10:03 AM
Oct 2014

and lawn signs locally where I live (eastern Iowa). Not in big numbers, but enough to be noticeable.

I'm guessing the jerk will be making lots of visits to this state in the next year.

SoCalDem

(103,856 posts)
12. Ben Carson is an Uncle Tom
Wed Oct 15, 2014, 09:48 AM
Oct 2014

a novelty, token-black in a sea of pinkies who trot him out like Clarence Thomas as their vanguard.. He's a lackey who's paid to toe their line, and to spread their venom..and he's well-paid..

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Ben Carson was wrong abou...