Am I supposed to feel sorry for Michael J. Fox? No. He wouldn't want that.

[Philosoraptor]

His detractors, like rush and pals, have accused him of dredging up sympathy for his disability for political purposes. This is not what he's doing at all, and he doesn't want your sympathy, he wants his dignity and he wants to end a dread disease.

If you are a member of a minority group, you will stand up for your own particular minority group. The black folks in America can be rightfully proud for standing up for their so called minority group, and they weren't trying to dredge up sympathy, only demand dignity.

If someone states that he is disabled and speaks out for a cure for what ails him, he is not praying that you will feel sorry for him, dump pity on him or anything like it, he is simply asking that his minority group be treated fairly by the so called majority groups.

You might read the posts of someone for years not knowing what color they are, what religion they are, what ethnic group they come from, and not knowing what physical condition they are in unless they reveal that information. Then perhaps you might perceive that person differently knowing that he or she was gay, black, poor, rich, disabled, blind or a member of some other minority status group.

The disabled, like any other so called minority group, do not want undeserved sympathy or special treatment, they want EQUAL treatment.

[XemaSab]

1. You calling African-Americans a "so-called" minority?

Interesting....

[Philosoraptor]

2. they used to be

[XemaSab]

4. They used to be "so-called"

or they used to be a minority?

'Cause last I heard, the country was about 12% African American and many of them really weren't doing too well, so that would make them a minority both in terms of numbers and status.

[Pacifist Patriot]

3. I figured someone would jump on that instead of the message.

Despite the connotation, the syntax is correct. These groups are indeed referred to as minorities. Ergo "so-called." While I probably wouldn't use "so-called" as a modifier, I think we can ignore it and appreciate what the OP is trying to say all the same.

[XemaSab]

5. I have deep reservations about referring to the disabled as a

minority group, similar to African Americans.

I think Fox's real message that he lives out is that misfortune and disease can happen to any of us, and we should all work hard towards not just acceptance but finding a cure for disabilities and diseases. Sorry I latched on to the wording of the OP.

[Pacifist Patriot]

6. I can see that and I agree with you.

[dddem]

7. I don't feel sorry for Michael J. Fox

I admire him.

[bobbolink]

8. I want understanding, I want empathy, I want someone to cry WITH me

sometimes.

So, if that's "sympathy", then so be it.

I'm human, with human emotions, and I need to share those emotions, and have SOMEONE CARE.

That caring and understanding and crying with is ALSO DIGNITY!!

[blue neen]

9. My mom has Parkinson's Disease. She is now in a nursing home.

She's too sick to stand up for herself or advocate for herself.

You have my permission to feel sorry for her because, in all honesty, it is a sorry situation for her and for her whole family. Mom got this disease through no fault of her own, and she will be long gone before the whole stem-cell debate is resolved. That's a pity and a shame.

Who I don't feel sorry for is some low-life scumbag drug addict like Rush Limbaugh who ASKED for his listeners' sympathy when he was supposedly "deaf". He brought his problems on himself and continues to get richer by making fun of others' misfortunes. Rush Limbaugh is evil, and I hope someday he gets treated equally to what he has dished out to people like Michael J. Fox and my mom.

I will not turn the other cheek.

[Philosoraptor]

12. rush will be sick and old soon enough

and hopefully he will also be lonely. It's good that your mom has friends and family who love her, she needs it now more than ever. It could happen to anyone. My thoughts and prayers are with you and her.

[StClone]

10. There is another Group

Those that may be wealthy, successful and healthy that do not fit into a minority but put their way of life at risk for speaking out on behalf of others. Fox may not be mix of all, though more so than others.

One that falls eminently into this group, for example, is the Dixie Chicks. After seeing what they endured for speaking out on their beliefs, they were excoriated and exiled by Country Music, the South they grew to love and even fame. When I saw their 20/20 interview I pledged to buy their music. I did and though I am not a Country Music fan and can not recall a single song of theirs, the first track brought tears to my eyes:

I met the queen of whatever
Drank with the Irish
Smoked with the hippies
Moved with the shakers
Wouldn't kiss all the asses that they told me to


and this from "Not ready to make nice"

That they'd write me a letter
Sayin' that I better shut up and sing
Or my life will be over

They are not to suffer as Michael J. Fox physically. But they are three courageous women that deserve support in the face of witless haters from the likes of Freepland animals. They transcend Country Music to deliver a message to anyone that will listen to let you know that real Country Music is about freedom to pursue life in the face of isolation and adversity.

The Dixie Chicks know that better than the dense clodhoppers, rednecks, sexist and lost modern rustics of the exurbian boonies. They sing of the attacks and rough times with ember hot passion with more truth than that of other current Country Music performers in a form of Country Music the way it should be.

[Philosoraptor]

11. You can't make nice with bullies

and I too am tired of making nice.