Vice-President Joe Biden’s Son Dies Of Brain Cancer
[guest post by Dana]
Joe Biden’s statement:
It is with broken hearts that Hallie, Hunter, Ashley, Jill and I announce the passing of our husband, brother and son, Beau, after he battled brain cancer with the same integrity, courage and strength he demonstrated every day of his life.
The entire Biden family is saddened beyond words. We know that Beau’s spirit will live on in all of us—especially through his brave wife, Hallie, and two remarkable children, Natalie and Hunter.
Beau’s life was defined by service to others. As a young lawyer, he worked to establish the rule of law in war-torn Kosovo. A major in the Delaware National Guard, he was an Iraq War veteran and was awarded the Bronze Star. As Delaware’s Attorney General, he fought for the powerless and made it his mission to protect children from abuse.
More than his professional accomplishments, Beau measured himself as a husband, father, son and brother. His absolute honor made him a role model for our family. Beau embodied my father’s saying that a parent knows success when his child turns out better than he did.
In the words of the Biden family: Beau Biden was, quite simply, the finest man any of us have ever known.
Beau Biden was only 46 years old.
May God comfort the entire Biden family at this difficult time and envelop them in His love.
–Dana
UPDATE BY PATTERICO: This is something, isn’t it?
Happy Birthday to the best coach I could have asked for. Love you Pop. #TBT pic.twitter.com/LPf2QxuE9h
— Beau Biden (@BeauBiden) November 20, 2014
Hello.
Dana (86e864) — 5/30/2015 @ 10:32 pmHello, Dana.
Sad news for the Biden family. I just read the report on the Fox News website. What I can’t seem to figure out is whether it was widely known that he was stricken with brain cancer. The article mentions that he sought treatment in 2013, but it doesn’t mention nor do I recall if he kept it private at that time.
JVW (8278a3) — 5/30/2015 @ 10:44 pmJVW,
I don’t recall it being mentioned in the news. When he was admitted to Walter Reed a few weeks ago, a local radio station said it was “for undisclosed reasons”.
Dana (86e864) — 5/30/2015 @ 11:00 pmI wonder if it was a hereditary thing. I mean Biden had the brain surgery.
Sorry Joe. Tough break.
papertiger (c2d6da) — 5/31/2015 @ 12:07 amUPDATE BY PATTERICO: This is something, isn’t it?
Patterico (3cc0c1) — 5/31/2015 @ 12:07 amsad
mg (31009b) — 5/31/2015 @ 1:28 amBiden has certainly had bad luck with his children.
On December 18, 1972, a few weeks after the election, Biden’s wife and one-year-old daughter Naomi were killed in an automobile accident while Christmas shopping in Hockessin, Delaware.[23] Neilia Biden’s station wagon was hit by a tractor-trailer as she pulled out from an intersection; the truck driver was cleared of any wrongdoing.[42][nb 1] Biden’s sons Beau and Hunter survived it and were taken to the hospital in fair condition, Beau with a broken leg and other wounds, Hunter with a minor skull fracture and other head injuries.[43] Doctors soon said both would make full recoveries
Hunter is the only one left.
Mike K (504df3) — 5/31/2015 @ 6:09 amwhat happened to ashley
happyfeet (831175) — 5/31/2015 @ 7:10 amCancer sucks
JD (3b5483) — 5/31/2015 @ 8:34 amWhen Hillary! Rodham Clinton’s father died early in their first term, I sent a condolence note to the family. Don’t recall why; I think it was partly because Mr. Rodham had been a Republican and partly because I had lost my grandmother at around the same time. Anyway, the Classy Clintons then proceeded to put me on the mailing list for DNC donors.
I don’t imagine that the Bidens would be as gauche, but just in case I’ll probably limit myself to sending them good thoughts.
JVW (8278a3) — 5/31/2015 @ 8:45 amAnyway, the Classy Clintons then proceeded to put me on the mailing list for DNC donors.
People like that have every angle covered.
I still recall the public memorial service in 2002 for Minnesota Senator Paul Wellstone, following his death in a plane crash, being crudely, crassly politicized. It therefore wouldn’t surprise me to see such folks compose obituaries with: “In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Democratic National Committee.”
Mark (8dd415) — 5/31/2015 @ 9:30 amObama campaign soliciting birthday, wedding gifts in fundraising ploy*
happyfeet (831175) — 5/31/2015 @ 9:34 amThe recent politicization of everything has made it difficult to see political opponents as people. The left has certainly vilified every opponent, and many allies, when it was convenient. I try not to do the same which echoes the “using their tactics against them” posts over the past few days.
Joe Biden is a left-wing ideologue, doing whatever it took to advance his career while bent on destroying the Constitution and Republic. His beliefs are variously vapid, insipid, vile and destructive and he frankly says some of the stupidest things imaginable at frequent intervals.
And yet, it is not inconceivable that he was a good and loving father and husband. He certainly experienced a tragic loss early in his adult life. I understand some of that pain due to personal experiences.
I wish them comfort during this difficult time of mourning and grieving.
WarEagle82 (d35bad) — 5/31/2015 @ 9:51 amBeau Biden was diagnosed with and treated for brain cancer in 2013 at M D Anderson. I feel for them. The Bidens seem like a close family.
DRJ (e80d46) — 5/31/2015 @ 10:27 amWrong link, I think DRJ.
Gazzer (94c2c7) — 5/31/2015 @ 10:39 am==Hunter is the only one left.(Mike K.)==
==what happened to ashley (happyfeet)==
Ashley’s mom is V.P. Biden’s current wife, Jill. Hunter is the only living child left of the original three from Biden’s first marriage (the wife who was killed). I’m sure this is what Mike K. meant.
elissa (1e59a3) — 5/31/2015 @ 11:20 amHunter and Ashley have a lot in common
happyfeet (831175) — 5/31/2015 @ 11:22 amI have known two people — one of them 14 years old — who died of glioblastomas. It’s a tragedy for all concerned, and more so due to the hopelessness of the condition.
I’m hardly a political fan of Joe Biden, but my heart goes out to him and his family.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/31/2015 @ 12:46 pmIf this were happening to my son, I’d be staring out windows, too.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/31/2015 @ 12:49 pmGazzer 15,
Sorry and thanks for catching that. Here is the correct link.
DRJ (e80d46) — 5/31/2015 @ 12:55 pmYes, Kevin M. It does give that photo a new meaning.
DRJ (e80d46) — 5/31/2015 @ 12:56 pmI’m struck with the responses here and on other conservative sites with the concern and best wishes for the Bidens. True class and heartfelt condolences. But somehow, if the shoe were on the other foot, I rather doubt the left would react in the same way.
Bill M (906260) — 5/31/2015 @ 1:46 pmI rather doubt the left would react in the same way.
Many would, some would not. People here are actually less anonymous than most places wince we “know” each other. True anonymity encourages a lack of restraint.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/31/2015 @ 2:13 pmI note that John Kerry broke his femur today.
Kevin M (25bbee) — 5/31/2015 @ 2:15 pmKevin, I am reminded of this song somehow. Dunno why…
Gazzer (d90d8d) — 5/31/2015 @ 2:56 pmhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7l4L6HW5mQE
That photo is awesome. Thanks for finding and sharing that.
carlitos (56c27e) — 5/31/2015 @ 4:01 pmHey look, this thread has 26 comments (not counting mine) but the idiotic right wing crap before and after it has plenty more. So much for compassion or empathy.
yezz (4d644b) — 5/31/2015 @ 4:49 pmVice-President Joe Biden’s Son Dies Of Brain Cancer
Wait, doesn’t someone’s parent have to have a brain for them to have one? Isn’t that basic genetics?
Whose child was this, really…? I smell scandal!!
Inquiring minds want to know!! 😀
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 5/31/2015 @ 9:59 pmRIP
Rodney King's Spirit (b31520) — 6/1/2015 @ 4:58 pm#27 FU
Rodney King's Spirit (b31520) — 6/1/2015 @ 4:59 pmHey look, this thread has 26 comments (not counting mine) but the idiotic right wing crap before and after it has plenty more. So much for compassion or empathy.
yezz (4d644b) — 5/31/2015 @ 4:49 pm
It’s unfortunate someone had to insert politics into this thread. Apparently, sorrow for a man who has just lost his son doesn’t have priority over cynicism, thus crassness becomes inevitable. Some people cannot simply and quietly express compassion for those hurting so deeply. Instead, their desperate need for attention compels them to jump up on their soapbox and make it about them.
Dana (86e864) — 6/1/2015 @ 5:32 pmIOW, I knew some asshole would come along and slime this thread because they wouldn’t be able to resist. Self-consumed and heartless. Even in the face of a father losing his beloved son.
Dana (86e864) — 6/1/2015 @ 5:44 pm1) I don’t feel obligated to have compassion or empathy for a political HACK like Biden, in general
2) There’s a considerable difference between saying something negative to his face, or in the presence of his family, and saying it in some blog he’s never heard of. In other words, “no harm, no foul”.
3) Do you really WANT us to reply with the kind of MASS lack of empathy or compassion constantly demonstrated by The Left when someone notable on the Right has an issue? Often publicly and to their face?
Here’s JUST ONE EXAMPLE of “3”:
Did you have anything negative to say about that? Or any other of the thousands of widely available examples of similar open and **public** crassness by The Left?
Or are you just a homer hypocrite, with “rules for thee, but not for me”?
I’m betting it’s the latter — So take your faux indignation, print it out in 200 point type on a laser printer, fold each and every page until it’s all sharp corners, and then use every one of them as a suppository.
In case that’s got too many Big Words for you: “F*** off, asshole.”
N’kay?
IGotBupkis, "Si tacuisses, philosophus mansisses." (225d0d) — 6/2/2015 @ 5:46 pm