CNN Doctor – He Doesn’t Just Play One On TV – To Become Surgeon General?
Published: January 06, 2009
After getting some heat and criticism for his choice of former White House Chief of Staff Leon Panetta as our nation’s top spymaster, word comes from the Associated Press that President (again, fuck that President-elect shit!) Barack Obama has “approached” CNN’s resident resident Sanjay Gupta to become our nation’s next Surgeon General. Which is kinda awesome? Fox News Channel’s Dr. Manny must be soooo jellz! And does this mean that PR folks for pharmaceutical companies will soon begin to hand out free, branded swag again? (Thankfully, probably not.) From the AP:
The cable news network said Tuesday that it has kept Gupta from reporting on health care policy and other matters involving the incoming Obama administration since learning he was under consideration for the post…
The surgeon general typically isn’t heavily involved in shaping an administration’s policy, but it can be a very effective bully pulpit. Past surgeons general have proved instrumental in battling tobacco and AIDS.
According to the Office of the Surgeon General’s website, the ability to write, shoot video and edit just might come in handy for our latter-day C. Everett Koop:
The Surgeon General serves as America’s chief health educator by providing Americans the best scientific information available on how to improve their health and reduce the risk of illness and injury.
Health by soundbite, yay! And a sharp-witted reader now wonders if Kathy Griffin won’t get her New Year’s Eve wish fulfilled after all? In related medical TV news, Scrubs makes its season premiere tonight on ABC! (I’m a fan, sorry.) (Gupta Approached About Surgeon General Post – AP via WABC TV; CNN)
He’s already brought a sharper focus to the issue of how Americans watch too much T.V.
Now Kathy Griffin is really going to want that pap smear.
BC: “President Obama will eliminate couch potato-ry. I’m here to help.”
Sister: HAH. Editing.
He thinks organic food is a crock – he’s a weiner.
No image embedding, huh?
Sister: that’s what she said.
Reminds me of the Saturday Night Live skit – “Mel Gibson; Dream Gynecologist”
I’d be so bitter if I was Jocelyn Elders. Imagine, she could have been the one to use this office as a bully pulpit for masturbation! So many wet dreams, unrealized.
I have no problem with this.
This sounds more like a Fred Thompson move.
Fish: Hah! But Gupta’s a neurologist, so perhaps we might see a scene from Hannibal instead?
BRB: If you think about it, a bully pulpit is the perfect place to masturbate: high up where no one can see below your waist!
Helman: Neither do I. It’s more of a policy-shaping post than anything… the guy’s an MD, neurologist specifically, so at least he’s medically qualified IMHO… it’d be nice if he was also an MPH.
NAC: Law & Doctor’s Orders?
McDreamy wasn’t available? McSteamy? George? T.R. Knight would be preferable.
Michael Moore won’t be pleased. Sicko II?
Hell, even W. David Hager, total zealot freak, works cause at least he’s consistent.
Well on the upside, maybe, he can start a campaign to get teeth whitening covered by insurance.
Oh Lord, I hate this guy. I love how CNN calls him up, oh I’m sorry, “Paging Dr. Gupta” for ANY QUESTION ABOUT ANYTHING HEALTH RELATED. Because all doctors know EVERYTHING. This guy is a gynormous tool with too-white teeth. He’s in love with himself. FAIL.
Maelstrom: Ha! I didn’t even read your comments.
It’s good to know our new Surgeon General will know everything about everything though, maybe he can tell me what this bump on my ass is?*
*There isn’t really a bump on my ass. That I know of.
Oh god, I didn’t even REMEMBER the Michael Moore thing, where he shit all over his movie with baseless assertions in the interest of seeming “fair.” This guy blows.
Anyone know what his stance is on universal healthcare? (I’m too lazy to look it up!)