especially the really specialized surgeons, it helps them make the decisions they have to make.

It also makes them among the most unlikable individuals you'll ever come across. I know a few of them that would be hard pressed to find more than a couple of sentences they speak in an average setting that doesn't start with "I".

social disasters and terrible leaders outside the OR.

It must be watched all the way through to really get how outrageous it is.

I truly believe that he thinks he is god.

I posted this speech in a religion thread about him yesterday because I think it gives the best insight into his character.

I watched the movie "Gifted Hands" yesterday after another DU suggested it. It's all about his childhood and surgical career.

It focused entirely on his childhood and medical career and it is, truthfully, hard not to love him after watching that movie.

Had it included any of his batshit and bigoted political positions, it would be very easy not to love him.

And since I know about that part of him, clearly I don't love him and am not endorsing him.

FWIW, the movie could really be an asset to him in his campaign. It is rather entirely positive about him.

Tag teaming me?

Have you seen the movie. What is disturbing about it is that most people, even including you and kd, would probably come away with exactly the same feelings I had.

It paints a picture of him that is idealized to the max. It includes nothing about his politics at all, only about his childhood and medical career.

If you can watch that movie and not shed a tear or feel a tremendously positive reaction for the character that is portrayed there, I would be very surprised.

Those that know nothing of his politics will see this movie and have strong, positive feelings for this man. That's a problem.

But it's wrong. I just tend to get a little irked when a poster on a board for Democrats and Liberals professes their love for a honking jackass like Ben Carson. Which, by the way, is exactly what you did; your attempts to walk it back now are unconvincing. (Link to original comments available on request)

Another thing. If you know ANYTHING WHATSOEVER about this man and you "shed a tear" for him or experience "a tremendously positive reaction" for him (he is the character being portrayed, you do grok that, yes?) while watching that movie you have serious issues.

I made a comment after watching a movie about him that was recommended to me by another member. Prior to watching it, I agreed that he was damaged. After watching it, I expressed that it was hard not to love him after seeing it. That was a comment about the emotion the character in the movie evoked.

Do you really, honestly think I am a supporter of Ben Carson? Are you really, honestly so blinded by your personal feelings towards me that you think I would support this man? Really?

I know everything I need to know about him. I wouldn't vote for him if a gun were put to my head.

I watched a fucking movie. Watch it and get back to me.

Serious issues? You two need a mirror.

Edited to add this: I promise you one thing. I won't go into another group and talk about you, mock you or accuse you of really horrible things. You can take that to the bank.

Apparently so is the movie.

I looked it up. It sounds like an after school special.
Yes yes, it has gotten many good reviews, But with quotes like "I believe everyone can perform miracles." I lean towards the Washington Post's assessment: "It is a treacly, plodding affair stunted by awkward transitions and a syrupy soundtrack."

And if such an inspirational path has led wise ol' Ben to where he is now, I want nothing to do with that type of inspiration.

I doubt I'll see it. I'm not interested in Ben and I prefer Peter Greenaway and Stanley Kubric films.

I don't think it could be an after school special. It had some very graphic surgery scenes, including the removal of half of a child's brain, that most (non-medical) adults would find quite difficult to watch.

Treacly is a good word to describe parts of it and the soundtrack is trite. It also makes a joke out of the actual sequence of events involved in becoming a pediatric neurosurgeon, but it's still pretty inspirational. The acting i pretty good, particularly Cuba Gooding, Jr.

I liked it generally, but it caused me concern because those that see it and don't know anything else about him are most likely going to love with the character that is portrayed. Like I said, it's hard not to. I didn't, because I know who he is, but that's me.

Whether you see it or not is inconsequential. Whether you judge me for seeing it and responding it is a different matter.

I credential physicians (verify licenses, hospital privileges, malpractice coverage and cases) and see most physicians, in all specialties, now practice into their 70's. The ones, such as neurosurgeons, who have physical issues that prevent them from active surgical practice, still stay in the hospitals and office practices as consultants. This guy was an extremely gifted pediatric neurosurgeon, and there aren't a whole lot of those to spare. For him to just walk away from medicine just seems strange, to me.

got bored. He needs challenge and stimulation and adulation.

Being the chief of the most specialized field of medicine at the top medical facility in the world doesn't leave much room to move up.

Which would give more credence to his gargantuan ego. I know some phenomenal physicians who are pretty much at the top of their field, and you would have to drag them kicking and screaming, away from their calling. It's just too bad he didn't see the value to humanity for him to teach his skills to others.

Being THE big fish in a very big pond might be less so.

Teaching would have been a wonderful thing for him to do, but that's not how you get applause from the public.

The movie "Gifted Hands" is very telling.

St. Peter is manning the pearly gates, and the people in line awaiting entrance notice a guy carrying a medical bag go running thru the gates.

"What's going on? Is someone sick?", asks one of those in line.

"No," says St. Peter. "That's God coming back from a house call - he thinks he's a doctor."

Carson, presumably one of the smartest passengers on the clown car--an ACTUAL brain surgeon--has proven willing to say some of the dumbest shit we will hear in the entire campaign. The linked spot is a desperate attempt to stand out, but there appear to be no anti-intellectal depths to which he won't sink in his bid for that Fox News sinecure...I mean White House. His bid for the White House.

You name it; if it's money, Dr. Carson will tumble for it.

He is blinded by his ego and the video is a testament to exactly how special he thinks he is.

There's surgeon money, and then there's real money.

Carson's after big bucks, or the fame which big bucks follow.

and I also think he's got plenty.

Based on what I know about him, money isn't what drives him.

It's success, power, knowledge, public accolades and being better at something than everyone else.

Where do you get the idea this is about money.

Crony capitalism is the entirety of the party's platform.

I could perhaps believe that Carson or any other candidate isn't just shucking and jiving, but I haven't the faintest idea how it could be proven.

He could have taught or gone on the lecture tour or done consults or written a book and made a shitload of money.

I tend to think he is entirely driven by ego.

Public service apparently not being his thing.

But if he became a candidate for his ego, he has to be hating life right now. I think it takes an exceptionally stupid or lazy mind to sell oneself so completely to an agenda totally at odds with one's Hippocratic Oath--and I don't think Carson can be that stupid.

but I think he truly believes he is "chosen" in some way.

I watched the movie about him earlier this week and his upbringing was difficult, but not brutal. Being black at the time he attended college/medical school/surgical residency/neurosurgery residency/pediatric neurosurgeon residency has to have had a profound effect on him.

And then there is the impact that being very, very wealthy has on someone.

If he was driven into medicine for the right reasons, and I'm not convinced of that, I think he has completely lost his way.

Stupid he is not. Frightening in his ideology he is.

All of his statements seem cobbled together from Fox talking points. If he has an ideology, it goes no further than the worship of money.

To be fair, we might say nearly the sam of any of the Republican slate.

but after a few years down here seeing doctors foam at the mouth over any mention of Obama/Obama care, I am getting used to
such contradictions.
And becoming more wary of what my doc proscribes and prescribes.

if you know what I mean.

People don't get admitted to medical school just because they have charming personalities and a sincere wish to help people.

I don't think I've ever seen anything more appropriate for DU.

As I've posted several times here, I watched Ted Cruz argue before the US Supreme Court.

He was clearly smart, prepared, funny, and likeable. In short, a top notch lawyer I'd call if I was in trouble.

He was also completely wrong.

He went straight for the emotions.

Carson, along with other Republicans usually play the fear-card-emotion to rile people.

With this video he went one step further by trying to capture President Obama's inspiration of hope and change. Though Carson's change is the hope of returning to the America of yore. The America that never really existed.

I'm sure he'll sway (bamboozle) quite a few people.

I bet this video cost a pretty penny.

And the Americana overspew that inevitably comes with political advertising.

Of course, Carson's big bit is that he's supposedly not a politician but an outsider, so to see such a polished political product like that runs contrary to his outsider message.

was triggered by somebody (parents or other significant figure). Something about their (good?) looks, striking name ("HITLER&quot , or a particular talent that they got mixed up as an overall specialness about them. There's also a mixing of roles: politicians and ministers who confuse the two roles, a craving for the celebrity spotlight. CARSON fits my theory perfectly. It's a case of more self-esteem than they can handle.

It sure isn't him.