Bob Novak writes about his tumor and its impact on his life.

More importantly, he writes about the response he has received from the many good people out there.

This detail brought a tear to my eye -- and made me thank God I had written what I did about Senator Ted Kennedy since his diagnosis with the same cancer.

After reviewing my case, [Allan H.] Friedman[, chief of neurosurgery at the Duke University Medical Center,] said a resection -- that is, a removal of the tumor -- was possible by surgery. He performed a similar operation this summer on Sen. Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts.

In today's world, it is up to the "informed patient" to make many decisions affecting treatment. My dear friend Bob Shrum, the Democratic political operative, asked Sen. Kennedy's wife, Vicki, to call me. I barely know Mrs. Kennedy, but I have found her to be a warm and gracious person. I have had few good things to say about Teddy Kennedy since I first met him at the 1960 Democratic National Convention, but he and his wife have treated me like a close friend. She was enthusiastic about Dr. Friedman and urged me to opt for surgery at Duke.

The Kennedys were not concerned by political and ideological differences when someone's life was at stake, recalling at least the myth of milder days in Washington. My long conversation with Vicki Kennedy filled me with hope.

I'm with Novak on this point -- we can have heated and intense political disagreements with an individual, whether they are a private person or public figure, and still respect their dignity as a human being. Going through what is surely an intensely difficult time, it would have been easy and understandable for the Kennedys to take a pass on talking to an adversary of nearly half a century. They didn't, and that speaks well of them.

And it provides a pointed reminder of how we as Americans should act towards our fellow citizens, including the ones we disagree with. We can attack their ideas and their actions, but we should never overlook their humanity.

Posted by: Greg at 05:54 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
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