Beau Biden

May 30, 2015 7:08 PM

Joseph R. Biden, known as Beau, died today, at the age of 46. Mr. Biden had previously served as Attorney General of Delaware, and had reportedly been battling brain cancer for several years.
posted by roomthreeseventeen (136 comments total)

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Wow, father Joe has had an amazing run of terrible family luck. This truly sucks.
posted by nevercalm at 7:09 PM on May 30, 2015 [31 favorites]

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posted by pemberkins at 7:11 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Xavier Xavier at 7:12 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Going To Maine at 7:13 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by AlonzoMosleyFBI at 7:13 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by sele at 7:15 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Smart Dalek at 7:19 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by RainyJay at 7:20 PM on May 30, 2015

Not fair. Not fair at all.

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posted by gwint at 7:22 PM on May 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

It can't be said enough: Fuck Cancer.
posted by briank at 7:24 PM on May 30, 2015 [24 favorites]

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posted by naju at 7:25 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Peach at 7:26 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Ray Walston, Luck Dragon at 7:27 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by maryr at 7:34 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by JoeXIII007 at 7:34 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by a lungful of dragon at 7:37 PM on May 30, 2015

This is horrible.
posted by kafziel at 7:38 PM on May 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

RIP
posted by jonmc at 7:43 PM on May 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by The Wrong Kind of Cheese at 7:45 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by 1367 at 7:48 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by pjern at 7:52 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by chicainthecity at 7:54 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by X4ster at 7:56 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by idb at 7:56 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by brecc at 7:58 PM on May 30, 2015

No one, right or left, should have to endure the string of family tragedy that Joe Biden has.
posted by Fnarf at 8:00 PM on May 30, 2015 [65 favorites]

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posted by no mind at 8:00 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Unioncat at 8:03 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by MCMikeNamara at 8:06 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by bitter-girl.com at 8:15 PM on May 30, 2015

From all reports, he was a good guy, and he leaves behind two young children. Very sad.

I recall some right wingers were bitching about him being in a military hospital despite not currently being on active service. But I guess we know why now; he was dying, and Walter Reed was probably the only place secure enough that his father could visit him daily without disrupting the hell out of the hospital.
posted by tavella at 8:15 PM on May 30, 2015 [70 favorites]

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posted by cazoo at 8:16 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by twsf at 8:17 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by fremen at 8:17 PM on May 30, 2015

46. My age. So sad.

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posted by xingcat at 8:27 PM on May 30, 2015

Wow, I did not know he was sick.

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posted by Drinky Die at 8:28 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by condour75 at 8:28 PM on May 30, 2015

As Delaware Attorney General he was a vocal supporter of trans rights and gender identity legislation.
posted by naju at 8:28 PM on May 30, 2015 [35 favorites]

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This hit me extra hard because my brother-in-law died of brain cancer earlier this year; he was also 46.
posted by mogget at 8:28 PM on May 30, 2015 [8 favorites]

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posted by 1066 at 8:29 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Blue Jello Elf at 8:31 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by adamcarson at 8:32 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by mondo dentro at 8:34 PM on May 30, 2015

Though I was born in the original Walter Reed Army Hospital, I'm not clear on who exactly qualifies for treatment, but I thought that, as a veteran, Beau Biden would be eligible. That said, fuck cancer and those who would complain about where he was treated.
posted by etaoin at 8:34 PM on May 30, 2015 [15 favorites]

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Tragic. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.
posted by arcticseal at 8:38 PM on May 30, 2015

Hits home here, my favorite uncle passed away this week at 52, just 4 years after his younger brother was killed in a car wreck at 39.

Good people gone early, while Dick Cheney is on his 7th heart. Not fair at all.
posted by T.D. Strange at 8:47 PM on May 30, 2015 [26 favorites]

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posted by scaryblackdeath at 8:47 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by saturday_morning at 9:04 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by pearlybob at 9:08 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by The Great Big Mulp at 9:26 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Lyn Never at 9:30 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by offalark at 9:31 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by oneswellfoop at 9:32 PM on May 30, 2015

There's some additional pictures and overview of Beau's career here.
posted by Lyn Never at 9:35 PM on May 30, 2015 [2 favorites]

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five years younger than me, too. damn.
posted by Halloween Jack at 9:35 PM on May 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

It's cold and rainy outside.

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posted by Samizdata at 9:44 PM on May 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by mazola at 9:44 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Skorgu at 9:49 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by arnicae at 9:51 PM on May 30, 2015

Too young. Way too young. Cancer is such an asshole.

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posted by MissySedai at 9:53 PM on May 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by cashman at 9:58 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by Cash4Lead at 10:12 PM on May 30, 2015

Terrible news. I actually met Vice Pesident Biden years ago, when he was still a senator.
The Biden family have suffered a lot.
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posted by Katjusa Roquette at 10:14 PM on May 30, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by roll truck roll at 10:14 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by bearwife at 10:36 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by BigHeartedGuy at 10:39 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by cotton dress sock at 10:41 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by haiku warrior at 10:46 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by flippant at 10:54 PM on May 30, 2015

. Way too young.
posted by biddeford at 10:58 PM on May 30, 2015

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posted by fingers_of_fire at 11:01 PM on May 30, 2015

. Such a surprise. No idea he was so close to the brink.
posted by What'sAPedantWalter? at 11:01 PM on May 30, 2015

My sister was diagnosed with a brain tumor a few years ago - they thought it was going to be a "relatively easy" Stage 2 tumor, but once they went to operate, found it was Stage 3 with "fingers" of it growing into vital brian regions. After chemo and radiation, and a long period of time, thankfully she is now in good shape as far as they can tell. Tomorrow, she is getting married to a wonderful guy. I know that cancer sucks for everyone, but now every time I hear about someone dying from brain cancer, I can't help but think of her, and think about how brutal, sudden, and horrible it can be.

Biden can be a bit of a punching bag, but he's gone through so much in his personal life -- I feel badly for him and the rest of the family. Hope one day we can prevent/cure such diseases.
posted by newper at 11:05 PM on May 30, 2015 [13 favorites]

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posted by toerinishuman at 11:19 PM on May 30, 2015

46. Goddamn, that is not far from my age. This really gets me when someone's children--even grown, adult children--die before them. I can't imagine the heartbreak of Joe and Jill Biden, or any parent that loses a child. I sure as hell hope I don't outlast my kids.
posted by zardoz at 12:20 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by discopolo at 12:21 AM on May 31, 2015

Condolences to the Biden clan. Cancer is a real bitch, and 46 is way too young.
posted by easily confused at 12:25 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by Token Meme at 12:39 AM on May 31, 2015

Fuck cancer.

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posted by So You're Saying These Are Pants? at 12:43 AM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by Stynxno at 4:18 AM on May 31, 2015

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Damn, 46. Way too young.
posted by octothorpe at 4:27 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by Kinbote at 4:36 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by dbiedny at 4:48 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by Westringia F. at 5:18 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by biggreenplant at 5:29 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by allthinky at 5:30 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by sammyo at 5:37 AM on May 31, 2015

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I've always thought that VP Biden had reached some sort of zen state after going through so much suffering in his early life.

I have a lot of affection for the man, and there's nothing you can say except I'm sorry and fuck cancer.
posted by angrycat at 5:53 AM on May 31, 2015 [13 favorites]

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posted by The Michael The at 5:57 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by kinnakeet at 6:08 AM on May 31, 2015

Oh, VP Joe. You've buried a wife and two children now and ... damn. This just sucks.

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posted by kimberussell at 6:11 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by Joey Michaels at 6:13 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by darkmatter at 6:18 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by the sobsister at 6:21 AM on May 31, 2015

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Fuck cancer, and brain cancer in particular. RIP.
posted by GrammarMoses at 6:32 AM on May 31, 2015 [2 favorites]

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posted by Orange Dinosaur Slide at 6:35 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by boofidies at 6:51 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by prodigalsun at 7:07 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by sydnius at 7:26 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by scottymac at 7:27 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by killy willy at 7:31 AM on May 31, 2015

Rotten. Rotten, rotten.
posted by cookie-k at 7:34 AM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by jessian at 7:43 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by cooker girl at 7:43 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by The Bellman at 8:11 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by Renoroc at 8:13 AM on May 31, 2015

It's sickening to me that anyone would try to make political hay of where this poor dying man was treated.

...Beau Biden deployed to Iraq and served there for one year — except for a trip home in January 2009 to see his father take the oath of office as vice president.

Beau Biden was awarded the Bronze Star.

Anyone who says Beau Biden didn't deserve to be treated at Walter Reed is full of shit. He earned his place there, regardless of what any chickenhawk says.

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posted by double block and bleed at 8:43 AM on May 31, 2015 [12 favorites]

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posted by mathiu at 8:45 AM on May 31, 2015

I had no idea he was sick. In my head, I assumed we would have him running for national office when Joe retired. This is heartbreaking for his family, and for a nation that lost an actual good politician.
posted by dejah420 at 8:51 AM on May 31, 2015 [3 favorites]

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posted by wheek wheek wheek at 9:10 AM on May 31, 2015

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posted by rtha at 9:15 AM on May 31, 2015

How the hell much is one family supposed to take?
posted by The Underpants Monster at 9:35 AM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]

I am so sorry to read of Beau Biden's passing. I send my prayers and best wishes to his family and friends. What an agony it is to lose a loved one who should have been in the prime years of his life.
posted by Lynsey at 10:51 AM on May 31, 2015

I have family in Wilmington DE. They know the Beau Biden family. The family member is a Republican. He told me that the only democrat he would vote for was Beau. Said he was just a good guy and a honest man.

RIP Beau.

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posted by AugustWest at 11:30 AM on May 31, 2015

Who specifically said that it was inappropriate for Beau to be treated at Walter Reed?
posted by AugustWest at 11:31 AM on May 31, 2015

This guy for one.
posted by tavella at 12:02 PM on May 31, 2015

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posted by jadepearl at 12:16 PM on May 31, 2015

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Life really isn't fair.
posted by sallybrown at 12:35 PM on May 31, 2015

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Gone way too soon. Beau Biden was only a few years older than I am. My heart breaks for the Biden family.
posted by SisterHavana at 2:04 PM on May 31, 2015

VP Joe Biden speaking at the Yale Commencement two weeks ago:

I got elected in a very improbable year. Richard Nixon won my state overwhelmingly. George McGovern was at the top of the ticket. I got elected as the second-youngest man in the history of the United States to be elected, the stuff that provides and fuels raw ambition. And if you’re not careful, it fuels a sense of inevitability that seeps in. But be careful. Things can change in a heartbeat. I know. And so do many of your parents.

Six weeks after my election, my whole world was altered forever. While I was in Washington hiring staff, I got a phone call. My wife and three children were Christmas shopping, a tractor trailer broadsided them and killed my wife and killed my daughter. And they weren’t sure that my sons [Beau, 3, and Hunter, 2] would live.

Many people have gone through things like that. But because I had the incredible good fortune of an extended family, grounded in love and loyalty, imbued with a sense of obligation imparted to each of us, I not only got help. But by focusing on my sons, I found my redemption.

I can remember my mother -- a sweet lady -- looking at me, after we left the hospital, and saying, Joey, out of everything terrible that happens to you, something good will come if you look hard enough for it. She was right.

The incredible bond I have with my children is the gift I’m not sure I would have had, had I not been through what I went through. Who knows whether I would have been able to appreciate at that moment in my life, the heady moment in my life, what my first obligation was.

So I began to commute -- never intending to stay in Washington. And that's the God’s truth. I was supposed to be sworn in with everyone else that year in ’73, but I wouldn’t go down. So Mansfield thought I’d change my mind and not come, and he sent up the secretary of the Senate to swear me in, in the hospital room with my children.

And I began to commute thinking I was only going to stay a little while -- four hours a day, every day -- from Washington to Wilmington, which I’ve done for over 37 years. I did it because I wanted to be able to kiss them goodnight and kiss them in the morning the next day. No, “Ozzie and Harriet” breakfast or great familial thing, just climb in bed with them. Because I came to realize that a child can hold an important thought, something they want to say to their mom and dad, maybe for 12 or 24 hours, and then it’s gone. And when it’s gone, it’s gone. And it all adds up.

But looking back on it, the truth be told, the real reason I went home every night was that I needed my children more than they needed me.

[ transcript | video (Biden takes stage ca. 1:10)]
posted by Westringia F. at 2:15 PM on May 31, 2015 [35 favorites]

My heart goes out to that family.

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posted by BibiRose at 2:21 PM on May 31, 2015

For those who wish to do so, whitehouse.gov has set up a webform to share your memories, thoughts, and condolences with the Biden family.
posted by Westringia F. at 2:52 PM on May 31, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by ignignokt at 2:53 PM on May 31, 2015

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posted by foodbedgospel at 4:06 PM on May 31, 2015

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posted by Belle O'Cosity at 11:32 PM on May 31, 2015

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posted by exact_change at 12:51 AM on June 1, 2015

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posted by Gelatin at 5:52 AM on June 1, 2015

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posted by Ambient Echo at 6:54 AM on June 1, 2015

>This hit me extra hard because my brother-in-law died of brain cancer earlier this year; he was also 46.

Oh, so much this. An ex-turned-friend was diagnosed with glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, in May 2009 and died on Christmas Day 2010 at the age of 50.

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posted by virago at 9:14 AM on June 1, 2015 [1 favorite]

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posted by aught at 9:31 AM on June 1, 2015

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No one should have to go through this. My heart goes out to the Biden family.
posted by blurker at 9:40 AM on June 1, 2015

It's weird that anyone would even complain about Walter Reed, given that it's not even one of the known best centers for this type of cancer. It's a great facility I'm sure and it's where the President goes and all, but my assumption is that he went there after the treatment at M.D. Anderson (which is renown for their brain tumor center) was no longer effective. Pure speculation, but it sounds more like he went to Walter Reed for palliative and hospice care.

Also, of course, condolences to his family. Brain tumors are a special kind of hell.
posted by otherwordlyglow at 4:03 PM on June 2, 2015

Ted Cruz, tonight, mocking Joe Biden on the night before Biden buries another child. Sometimes I wish Hell was a real place.
posted by sallybrown at 8:45 PM on June 3, 2015 [1 favorite]

Remember when Louis C.K. spent an entire interview asking Donald Rumsfeld if he was a lizard person? Isn't that basically the only question anybody should be asking Ted Cruz right now?
posted by Drinky Die at 9:20 PM on June 3, 2015 [3 favorites]

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posted by Anhedonic Donkey at 5:54 AM on June 13, 2015