His less charitable opponents, jokesters, jackasses and low grade humorists might make the untimely comment that Danny Williams’s impending heart surgery is astonishing news in as much as it reveals he has a heart. Well he certainly does, and for those of us who admire him we know his heart beats mightily for Newfoundland and Labrador. Like many others from home, my thoughts and prayers are with him as he undergoes his procedure. My father had cardiac issues a number of years ago and I know it can be a very tough period, not just physically but emotionally. However, not unlike my own Dad, I am sure the Premier will return as fighting fit and strong as ever.
Regrettably, it seems the Premier’s personal journey for healing has been assumed by some to require de-facto full public disclosure. I take issue with this perspective. While Danny Williams does run a provincial government he is no different than any other citizen in retaining the right to divulge and discuss the nature of his health, or not. His health is his business. As it relates to the discharging of his responsibilities, he appointed a capable Deputy Premier, Kathy Dunderdale, who will now manage the province during his absence. The ship of state will still sail while her Captain goes in for some tinkering.
Both yesterday and today the government of Newfoundland and Labrador did openly report the Premier would be away and would be getting care. That was the proper thing to do. No attempt has been made to hide his absence – that would have been egregious. However, when it comes to the details of what the Premier is having done a firm line should be drawn. If the Premier wants to talk about it after the fact, which I gather is the case from government news conference this morning then so be it. But it is his call and no one-else’s whether he proceeds in that manner or not. The last thing anyone we needs regardless of employment is a circus-like atmosphere of public speculation about their health while they are focusing on recouping. It is going to happen anyway to a degree, but why feed it further and drive it into different dimensions? That helps no one get better other than the odd medical commentator getting some more TV time or a political correspondent doubling as Dr. Oz.
As for Danny getting medical care out of province and out of country, that is his choice. Initial reports suggest the procedure could not be done at home. Had surgery in St. John’s been open to him I suspect he would have been charged with queue jumping if he went ahead of other Newfoundlanders. That is now a moot point as he is not taking anyone’s bed. Before we turn this incident into a slight on the medical system in Newfoundland and Labrador let us get all the facts. Yes, we may have to wait as this is one person’s preference for their own individual treatment and talking is in their timetable not ours.
Premier Williams is not dumb. He understands the choices he has made. He knows how his treatment could play politically. But in a choice between health and politics health should always come first. No doubt he feels on that score the people of Newfoundland and Labrador will agree with him.
