Barry B's Blog: Recent Comments

Comment on Barack Obama and Me

Barry B — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 14:37:34 GMT

Thanks for your confidence. IMHO the “war on drugs” is much different to what some call “war on cancer”

The cancer industry as you refer to it is what some call the free market forces.

“Support business and the market will solve the problem.”

When it comes to cancer, IMHO that is crap. That is why I believe that Federal Funding outside the market place needs to play the biggest role in the war on cancer. When you don’t cure cancer and in a cynical view, you continue treatments to make big profits until that patient is lost. If you have not cured it, then you have a renewable resource, another patient with the same affliction. Now that is cynical and why the private sector is not positioned or equipped to win the war on cancer. We need to do what is after all civilized, have good health care that improves the lives of those unfortunate enough to be sick.

My sister told me about someone she heard on one of those free market forces. “Well if the company gives you a car as a benefit, they give you what is appropriate for the task. If you want a different car then you can opt to buy one. The same should hold true for health care”

I say “what the heck! I just don’t want to be sick, and if I get sick I want the best health care that is available.” I want the same for everyone. It is the right and civilized thing to have, the best health care that is available. The fact that people go bankrupt in America because of cancer or any other illness is a national disgrace. The fact they die because they are not covered, or should I say because they are denied care is a national disgrace.

There is a problem with letting the free market dictate the scientific discovery when it comes to health care and cancer. As an example more people use Viagra than those that need chemotherapy or other cures/treatments for cancer. In other words where do your stockholders want your scientific research? Where are the profits? Now you can call me cynical.

Economically speaking curing cancer keeps people living, paying taxes, creating wealth, growing families. Okay, now you can call me a dreamer, naive even. Call me what ever you want, but do the right thing and letting people suffer, humans, mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, friends is not the right thing to do. Letting the funding at the NIH and NCI be cut for the first time in over 30 years is not the right thing to do. Less funding, means less trails, means less patients in trials, means less discovery means more suffering and more death.

My view is that the NIH and the NCI should do what they were founded to do, serve the people of this country with scientific discovery. Out of that discovery comes a healthier and more productive population. Breaking the cycle of the cancer industry is the right thing to do. The people can make it happen; we need just enough of them to have the will to change the things as they are.

Comment on Barack Obama and Me

Barbara Bingnear — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:55:27 GMT

Dearest Barry,
I trust YOU 150% but before knowing you and your passion and sincerity, I became very cynical. So here goes - - -First, I hope the war on cancer makes more sense than the war on drugs which continues to drag on with no end in sight. I wonder if you need a different slogan.

Secondly, I believe there is a "cancer industry" that includes pharmaceutical companies, researchers, hospitals, politicians and so much more. A cure for cancer would be an economic disaster that cannot and will not be allowed. OK, call me a nut job or a conspiracy theorist or just a cynic but that's my 2 cents.
With love, Barbara

Comment on Speaking with a leader

Barbara Bingnear — Fri, 23 May 2008 12:40:12 GMT

You are so awesome, Barry. Congratulations!
Love,
barbara

Comment on Do you know the way to San Jose.. We do!

Joy — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 15:31:00 GMT

Way To Go Barry! Next, State Senate!

Comment on Do you know the way to San Jose.. We do!

Crazy Ken — Sat, 20 Oct 2007 22:24:28 GMT

If you want to be successful in life, help someone else to reach success. If you want to be happy, help someone else find happiness. If you want to fulfill your dreams, help someone else to realize that their dreams are not impossible. I believe as the years pass, we will find our impossible dreams are not so impossible after all.

Barry your life is successful because you help others do all the things above, from just one person that you have helped I thank you. Crazy Ken

Comment on Not just for 5 minutes

Debbie Moore — Wed, 16 May 2007 13:27:57 GMT

Hi Barry, Tell Sean's dad that I am walking the Rock and Roll Marathon on June 3 in San Diego and that I want to put Sean's name on my shirt. Please let me know if this is ok with him. E-mail me at dmoore54@hotmail.com
thanks

Comment on Just trying to matter

Sandi Hall — Thu, 22 Mar 2007 09:59:10 GMT

Barry I have just finished your blog and was so very touched. What a total, unselfish committment you and Michelle have made. I am so blessed to consider you both friends and so very proud of all you have accomplish. I wish you all the luck and most of all wish these sufferers all the luck.

Sincerely,

Sandi Hall

Comment on Real Heroes are Real Fighters

Amy Narvaez — Wed, 13 Sep 2006 15:29:30 GMT

What a wonderful speech. I am so proud of Kelly for getting up there to share Jessi's story with other TNT participants. She reminds me of Jessi with her strength and courage.