Dr. Gupta, I Presume! - Page 2 - U.S. Politics Online: A Political Discussion Forum

jviehe · #16 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by AjaxPress

Gupta seems qualified to do all those things. Keep in mind Gupta is a practicing neurosergeon and a reporter on CNN. The job requires that the individual be a mouthpiece who knows what he's talking about. There are better doctors but don't have Gupta's reporting experience. There are better reporters but don't have Gupta's medical background. And of course there are probably people who are better at both but weren't interested in the job. Seems like the criticism has all of a sudden gone from "how is Gupta qualified" to "there are better people out there". Ironically enough these same people aren't throwing out names of these so called individuals.

Perhaps jviehe and Conyers would prefer Dr. Gregory House?

Now that would be cool. He would do an LP and then have an epiphany and save us all at the last moment. After he ransacked our homes. I never claimed he wasnt qualified. So take your criticism elsewhere.

pramjockey · #17 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si modo

I think Gupta is a most excellent choice for Surgeon General.

Wholeheartedly agree.

Hooray bipartisanship!

daddio · #18 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si modo

Gupta's neurosurgery skills are at least on par with Koop's pediatric surgery skills. Both are excellent physicians. One simply has better communication skills.

Narrow comparison of skillsets are not the issue. I would not see either of them for actual work but for different reasons. Gupta has too much else on his plate so how is he going to look after me. Koop's focus is on medicine on the broad scale as opposed to when he was actually a practicing doc.

In the end, I can't see Gupta taking the pay cut. But it doesn't make all that much difference who does it unless Gupta will not get on board with single payer as whoever gets it will have selling that as job one.

Si modo · #19 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio

Narrow comparison of skillsets are not the issue. I would not see either of them for actual work but for different reasons. Gupta has too much else on his plate so how is he going to look after me....

If he accepts the appointment, Gupta will no longer be doing his snipets on the tube or reporting. Not allowed.

Quote:

.... Koop's focus is on medicine on the broad scale as opposed to when he was actually a practicing doc....

No more or less so than Gupta.

Quote:

.... In the end, I can't see Gupta taking the pay cut. But it doesn't make all that much difference who does it unless Gupta will not get on board with single payer as whoever gets it will have selling that as job one.

I bet Gupta takes it. Shall we bet a Coke (that's all I bet, usually)? Let's not forget that the Surgeon General's primary and fundamental role is educating the public about health and medical issues. Gupta has an excellent track record in that already. He can communicate with the lay (his CNN work) and his peers (professor of medicine) equally well.

daddio · #20 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si modo

I bet Gupta takes it. Shall we bet a Coke (that's all I bet, usually)? Let's not forget that the Surgeon General's primary and fundamental role is educating the public about health and medical issues. Gupta has an excellent track record in that already. He can communicate with the lay (his CNN work) and his peers (professor of medicine) equally well.

I'll concede mainly because it should already have been agreed on before it was leaked. Still surprizing money-wise.

Yes, they're a mouthpiece and thats why its not terribly importent who does it as they'll generally be reading reports fomr NIH etc. Thing is, I kinda liked Koop in a Normal Rockwell way. He just looked like he knew what he was talking about. Give me a younger surgeon as they're looking to hone their skills and really keep up with deveoplments in their field but give me a older doc for the general practitioner as they know how to diagnose better than kids.

Si modo · #21 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio

I'll concede mainly because it should already have been agreed on before it was leaked. Still surprizing money-wise.

Yes, they're a mouthpiece and thats why its not terribly importent who does it as they'll generally be reading reports fomr NIH etc. Thing is, I kinda liked Koop in a Normal Rockwell way. He just looked like he knew what he was talking about. Give me a younger surgeon as they're looking to hone their skills and really keep up with deveoplments in their field but give me a older doc for the general practitioner as they know how to diagnose better than kids.

Koop was a great Surgeon General. His beard did bug me, though. That's all.

daddio · #22 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si modo

Koop was a great Surgeon General. His beard did bug me, though. That's all.

it was creepy but a good creepy ! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA

chassisman · #23 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guy Fawkes

Here's a link,
Dr. Gupta, I Presume! - Defending the Truth

You need anymore? He posted on a dozen sites.

Which means we're on his spam list.

TheLastBoyScout · #24 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

I wonder if Gupta would constitute some kind of ethnic first.

He was not born in India, but does seem to have full Indian heritage. I'm not aware of an ethnic Indian being appointed to such a high post in the government. Maybe I'm just not remembering someone....

In any case, I think he's hightly qualified and a great choice. I think he's also much more medically focused than politically focused, which is a good thing.

TheHighForester · #25 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

He gets to design his own uniform. Some of his predecessors have been decked out better than Napoleon, with more medals than Audie Murphy.

daddio · #26 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheLastBoyScout

I wonder if Gupta would constitute some kind of ethnic first.

He was not born in India, but does seem to have full Indian heritage. I'm not aware of an ethnic Indian being appointed to such a high post in the government. Maybe I'm just not remembering someone....

In any case, I think he's hightly qualified and a great choice. I think he's also much more medically focused than politically focused, which is a good thing.

Bobby Jindal is a governor, far more responsibility than SG.

TheLastBoyScout · #27 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by daddio

Bobby Jindal is a governor, far more responsibility than SG.

True...

But I guess I was thinking federal Govt. rather than state.

The BKP · #28 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

I think another variable is that Gupta and Obama share a belief that government can actually step in and have a positive impact on people's lives; an almost idealistic view of the power and role of government, if you will.

And yes, he will undoubtedly be the highest profile Surgeon General since Dr. Koop; another outstanding physician and SG.

drgoodtrips · #29 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by AjaxPress

Perhaps jviehe and Conyers would prefer Dr. Gregory House?

That would be the best thing ever.

solletica · #30 (**permalink**) 01-09-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si modo

Gupta is an excellent choice, IMO because he is a very accomplished neurosurgeon.

Accomplished neurosurgeon? Last I checked, he has no Ph. D. at the end of his name.

Furthermore, has anyone checked his patient testimonials?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Si modo

Lately the Surgeon Generals have had their expertise in pediatrics or public health, so this is a good change. Not only is he very qualified academically and with experience, he is an excellent communicator, which is not an easy combination of qualities to find.

Who would you prefer?

It doesn't matter. The SG's traditional role has been that of the innocuous smiley face guy who tells Americans to exercise and eat their veggies from time to time, along w/putting warning on cigarettes and beer that say they're bad--a perfect job for media fluffhead Gupta.

Of course, the office could always use someone a bit more interesting, i. e. Jocelyn Elders.

If she didn't resign, schoolkids across America could've jerked off in class.

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