Why is Ma Gov. Patrick's wife's depression

[Raven]

a public story? She's not the governor, she hasn't committed a crime. The Gov apparently made this public and I can't understand why. My father used to say "Stick to the main tent and avoid the sideshows" this is a sideshow!

[jobycom]

1. Different people have different reasons for caring about the stories they do.

If the story is made public and people talk about it, it's a public story. Heck, even you have found something in the story to make you post, even if it is in the negative.

[MADem]

2. Because they've been beating him up lately for a few missteps.

I think the press is feeling a bit shitty for the piling on, and giving him a gentler story line for a change. He's handling it fine, and so is the LT GOV.

The contrast, really, is with Mittsy Shittsy, who spent most of his time in NH at his summer house, on the road glomming up to conservative groups in his quest for cash and support for a presidential run, and who was an absentee governor in every sense of the word.

[hiaasenrocks]

3. I don't see the problem.

It's a personal choice whether it is made public. Do we know if the Governor did this without her permission?

Unlike most diseases, there's still a stigma attached to mental illness, because many people are ignorant about it. If someone out there is helped because of seeing a story about someone else getting help, that's a good thing.

[Bucky]

4. These days the only scandal is someone not being depressed about our country

Being depressed is about the most patriotic response I can imagine right now. Well, that and being hopeful

[rox63]

5. He wanted to explain why he'd be less available for public events for a while n/t

As a person who suffers from chronic major depression, I'm glad when influential people admit that they struggle with it too. Makes me feel like a little less of a wierdo.

[flashlighter]

6. Because Deval's looking for a little sympathy, so he's

using his wife's illness to get the press off his back. It's disgusting.

Like we'd even notice if our Gov went to fewer functions, our last Gov spent more time out of the state than in it.

I am so disappointed in Deval Patrick. I was so hopeful, so excited about a new kind of politician.

"Meet the new boss, same as the old boss" :cry:

[Bluebear]

8. That's a pretty strong allegation. Care to back it up? nt

[flashlighter]

9. Sure.

Look, the car, the curtains, I really don't care. That's nonsense that the Herald and Howie Carr care about, not most people.

Calling Citigroup to intercede on behalf of his old company is old time political corruption. What makes it worse is that this man was supposed to be better.

[Bluebear]

12. Citigroup is a different story. Saying he is using his wife's illness, I can't say that. nt

[Bluebear]

7. Because he announced he would be sca;ing back extra hours n/t

[TayTay]

10. Because it will affect the time he spends on his job

This is also a story because Diane Patrick got to know a lot of people during the campaign last year and made personal contact with a lot of voters who care about her. She is a warm, intelligent and passionate woman who can really make something of the platform that being First Lady of the Commonwealth affords her.

Obviously, the Patricks feel that this illness is worth paying attention to and it is worth it to let the citizens of Massachusetts know why their Governor has curtailed his public schedule somewhat. Diane Patrick is ill and she requires some of the her husband's attention. Diane Patrick is ill, the illness is depression and it should not be hidden away as if it is shameful. It isn't. I am sure this wonderful lady will, in time, recover. The good people of Massachusetts will understand and maybe even take a lesson from this.

I cannot tell you how much more respect I hold for the Governor for seeing that he has a responsibility to be there for his family in a time of need and making sure that he fulfills his obligations therein. That is not a story to be hidden away either.

[ends_dont_justify]

11. I am beginning to think...

That the majority of people would rather poke fun at another's misfortunes than pick up the fight for something they believe in. American idol is a good demonstration...I just pity the people who need help and instead get media coverage like this.