Polyps Found In Bush Colonoscopy

Doctors To Test Growths Removed In Procedure; Bush Resumes Powers Temporarily Transferred To Cheney

(CBS/AP)  Doctors removed five small growths from President Bush's colon Saturday after he temporarily transferred the powers of his office to Vice President Dick Cheney under the rarely invoked 25th Amendment.

The polyps, extra tissue growing inside his large intestine, were found during a routine colon cancer scan performed at the Camp David presidential retreat.

"All were less than 1 centimeter (about four-tenths of an inch) and none appeared worrisome," White House spokesman Scott Stanzel said. Outside medical experts agreed.

They were sent to the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Md., to be microscopically examined for signs of cancer. Results were expected in 48 hours to 72 hours. Polyps can turn cancerous, so finding them early is one of the best ways to prevent the disease and improve the odds of surviving it.

"The standard procedure is to remove all polyps that you see," said Dr. David Weinberg, director of gastroenterology at Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, who was not part of the medical team at Camp David. "But the majority of polyps taken out that are less than 1 centimeter in size are very unlikely to have cancer in them."

During the procedure, doctors use a flexible probe — outfitted with a tiny camera at one end — to examine the patient's large intestine for any abnormal growths or bleeding, reports CBS News correspondent Joie Chen.

Bush invoked the presidential disability clause of the Constitution at 7:16 a.m. EDT. He transferred his authority to Cheney, who was at his home on the Chesapeake Bay in St. Michaels, Md., about 45 miles east of Washington.

Nothing occurred during the 2 hours and 5 minutes of the transfer that required Cheney to take official action, Stanzel said.

First lady Laura Bush was in Midland, Texas, celebrating her mother's birthday. The president spoke with her on the phone before and after the colonoscopy.

Stanzel said the exam was performed under what he called "monitored anesthesia care," not general anesthesia. Under general anesthesia, a patient loses consciousness. Stanzel said Bush was asleep but responsive during the colon check. The medical team stopped administering anesthesia at 7:41 a.m. EDT; Bush was up 3 minutes later.

During the 31-minute procedure, Bush was sedated with a drug called propofol.

"The advantage is that it works faster and wears off considerably faster than the standard agents," Weinberg said. He said some other drugs can leave a person groggy for hours after a colonoscopy.

Afterward the examination, Bush ate breakfast with chief of staff Joshua Bolten, White House counsel Fred Fielding and national security adviser Stephen Hadley. Bush played with his dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley. He also planned a bike ride around the presidential compound in the Catoctin Mountains of western Maryland.

"The president was in good humor and will resume his normal activities at Camp David," Stanzel said.

Dr. Richard Tubb, the president's doctor, supervised Bush's colonoscopy, which a team from the Bethesda medical center performed.

For the general population, a colonoscopy to screen for colon cancer is recommended every 10 years. But for people at higher risk, or if a colonoscopy detects polyps, follow-up colonoscopies often are scheduled in three- to five-year intervals.

Doctors discovered that Bush had two polyps during a similar scan in 1998 and two more were found during a colon screening in 1999, while Bush was governor of Texas. That made the 61-year-old president a prime candidate for regular examinations. The screening done in 2002 revealed no polyps or abnormalities.

"The more polyps you have, the more frequent you need to have a colonoscopy," said Dr. Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist at New York University Medical Center who was not involved in the exam. "But because they're small in size, it's not that worrisome even though he had five."

According to the National Cancer Institute, an estimated 112,340 new cases of colon cancer and 41,420 new cases of rectal cancer will be reported this year. About 52,000 people in the United States will die this year of colon and rectal cancer.

Given the war in Iraq and terrorist threats across the world, the president invoked Section 3 of the 25th Amendment "out of an abundance of caution," Stanzel said. The amendment, approved in 1967, four years after President Kennedy was assassinated, provides for the temporary or permanent transfer of presidential power in case the president is unable to fulfill the duties of the office.

It had been used only twice before.

In July 1985, President Reagan had colon cancer surgery and turned over power to his vice president, George H.W. Bush. During the president's colorectal screening on July 29, 2002, Bush relinquished powers to Cheney for more than two hours.

This transfer of power took place with letters Bush faxed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., president pro tempore of the Senate. Bush reclaimed his authority at 9:21 a.m. EDT with follow-up letters to both lawmakers.

"This letter shall constitute my written declaration that I am presently able to resume the discharge of the Constitutional powers and duties of the office of the president of the United States," Bush's one-paragraph letter said.

[rushman71]

I wonder how the Pres felt before the Colonoscopy, if he had to drink that whole gallon of whatever-that-***-was-that-taste-like-shiiit!!! Then continuously having to let it all out!!! UGGHHH!!!!

[pvperson]

Funny, this has happened twice with Bush, that is, giving up the presidency when someone puts something up his ***. I got a gay friend that does the same thing.

[lars008-2009]

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace--but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! March 23, 1775 Patrick Henry

USA's PLEDGE 2 THE WORLD GIVEN BY JFK!!

"Let every nation know, whether it wishes us well or ill, that we shall pay any price, bear any burden, meet any hardship, support any friend, oppose any foe, in order to assure the survival and the success of liberty."
--John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

"Ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country." --John F. Kennedy, Inaugural Address, Jan. 20, 1961 "

One ought never to turn one's back on a threatened danger and try to run away from it. If you do that, you will double the danger. But if you meet it promptly and without flinching, you will reduce the danger by half. Winston Churchill

"The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing." Albert Einstein

Edmund Burke: All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

[lars008-2009]

Character is far more important than intellect in making a man a good citizen Theodore Roosevelt

I would rather go out of politics feeling that I had done what was right than stay in with the approval of all men, knowing in my heart that I had acted as I ought not to. - Speech to the New York Assembly 1884 Theodore Roosevelt

In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing. Theodore Roosevelt

Our country offers the most wonderful example of democratic government on a giant scale that the world has ever seen; and the peoples of the world are watching to see whether we succeed or fail.- Saratoga, New York September 27, 1910 Theodore Roosevelt

We believe in all our hearts in democracy; in the capacity of the people to govern themselves; and we are bound to succeed, for our success means not only our own triumph, but the triumph of the cause of the rights of the people throughout the world, and the uplifting of the banner of hope for all the nations of mankind. - Saratoga, New York September 27, 1910 Theodore Roosevelt

Avoid the base hypocrisy of condemning in one man what you pass over in silence when committed by another. - Cambridge, Massachusetts March 11, 1890 Theodore Roosevelt

[lars008-2009]

...the man who really counts in the world is the doer, not the mere critic-the man who actually does the work, even if roughly and imperfectly, not the man who only talks or writes about how it ought to be done. (1891) Theodore Roosevelt%u2026..

It behooves every man to remember that the work of the critic is of altogether secondary importance, and that, in the end, progress is accomplished by the man who does things. Theodore Roosevelt

Rhetoric is a poor substitute for action, and we have trusted only to rhetoric. If we are really to be a great nation, we must not merely talk; we must act big. Theodore Roosevelt

Great thoughts speak only to the thoughtful mind, but great actions speak to all mankind. Theodore Roosevelt

The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything. Theodore Roosevelt

The pacifist is as surely a traitor to his country and to humanity as is the most brutal warmonger. Theodore Roosevelt

The reactionary is always willing to take a progressive attitude on any issue that is dead. Theodore Roosevelt

The things that will destroy America are prosperity-at-any-price, peace-at-any-price, safety-first instead of duty-first, the love of soft living, and the get-rich-quick theory of life. Theodore Roosevelt

[lars008-2009]

It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt

Criticism is necessary and useful; it is often indispensable; but it can never take the place of action, or be even a poor substitute for it. The function of the mere critic is of very subordinate usefulness. It is the doer of deeds who actually counts in the battle for life, and not the man who looks on and says how the fight ought to be fought, without himself sharing the stress and the danger. (1894) Theodore Roosevelt

To sit home, read one's favorite paper, and scoff at the misdeeds of the men who do things is easy, but it is markedly ineffective. It is what evil men count upon the good men's doing. - The Outlook December 21, 1895 Theodore Roosevelt

[klingon69]

I had my appendix out in 2004 with no insurance. I will be paying for it until I die. (after that I will not give another dime to the hospital) :-)
Posted by Boston1954 at 06:30 PM : Jul 21, 2007
Most hospitals you only have to pay for 3 years. Any remaining balance owed after that is written off.

[killtheliars]

are they sure it is a growth and not Condi Rice. She has been MIA for a while and we all know she is usually pretty far up Bush's a$$

[rharrin1]

Gannon was supposed to have bush all reamed out.

Did they find Bin Laden up there as well?

5 polyps in Bush's colon?

Now we know where singinrick, lars008, didntinhale, mudrose and nunesbras all hangout.

[rushman71]

Bush:"Ooh, eeh, ahh, uhh, ooh, ahh, outch, Your getting closer, ooh, eeh, ahh, Cut and Shoot, ooh, ahh, eeh, My fellow Americans, ooh, ehh, yalp, ugh, ouch, That really chaps my hide, ooh, ahh, eek, burp......."

[rharrin1]

These things are probably from all of those congressional "Probes" from Pelosi & Reid looking into everything from what he eats for dinner to whether or not he beats his dog.
Posted by tcoleman12 at 08:25 PM : Jul 21, 2007

He doesn't just his meat.

[randalds]

Bush's colonoscopy was a failure! After all that looking and poking around and when they were done he STILL has his head completely up his as*s!!

[ecuadoriana]

"No! Bush is President and beyond suspicion!...

...Many good Americans would agree to it [having their private 'bedroom relations' & bathroom activities monitored] if it makes us safer. After all, we'd have trusted government workers doing the monitoring...Recordings would be kept in a secure location..." Posted by UnderMyBoot at 04:41 PM : Jul 21, 2007

HAHAHAHAHAHA snort chuckle (wiping tears of howling laughter from eye) "...trusted government workers...", indeed!!!

Lil Bootsie, yer a riot! The fact that you actually believe what you're saying is hilarious! You should get your own show on Comedy Central! Maybe you can get a slot after the airing of Lil Bush.

You're a hoot.

Now go do something useful, like spying on your neighbour for a while, Lil Boot Licker.

[zootallures2]

lars008, considering, the PNAC, AIPAC, Larry Silverstein.... think polyps!

[jetranger7]

Wait-Wait-Wait, They've re-programmed the President, probably most likely, they went inside his Head and have Planted a Different Micro-Chip inside his Neo-Con Brain. Now we'll be witnessing a more Arrogrant, Repulsive, Cocky, Bush than ever before. They've re-programmed him to believe he's taking over the World by any Disasterous means possible !! Everybody Watch out, Now the World is in Trouble, he's been Re-Programmed for Destruction, Will somebody please short circuit his Micro-Chipped Brain !

[lars008-2009]

It is convenient for fascist nazi Islamic muslims to forget that the "Grand Mufti of Jerusalem" went to Germany as a guest of Hitler during WWII...and begged Hitler to find the "final solution" to the jewish problem. This same Grand mufti used his influence to raise Two Muslim SS Divisions in Yugoslavia (Kosovo) and Albaina. These divisions were responsible for the murder of almost 1 Million jews, Serbs and Gypsies.

This same Grand Mufti was the maternal uncle of Yassir Arafat! The Mufti's war continues today worldwide.
http://www.sullivan-county.com/immigration/nazi_arab.htm
http://www.sullivan-county.com/id4/mufti.htm
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=grand+mufti of jerusalem

fascist nazi terrorislamic muslims
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nazi muslim
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=nazi islam
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fascist islam&btnG=Search
http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=fascist muslim
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=nazi muslim&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=nazi islam&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://search.yahoo.com/search?p=fascist islam&fr=yfp-t-501&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF-8
http://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0geuqkyKctFlMAArxtXNyoA?p=fascist muslim&ei=UTF-8&fr=yfp-t-501&x=wrt

[generey]

Very low standards... LOL Wait until the Undies come of and you find that Ann is really not a Girl! ROFLMAO
Posted by skyk at 10:22 PM : Jul 21, 2007

OUCH!!!!! LOL.

[grumpas]

MCVet, why is everyone who disagrees with YOU a Nazi??? Do you know anything about Nazis, or do you just casually throw that term around in every comment you post? You need to read a history book, dumba**! You are talking about sh*t you don't know anything about, boy.
Posted by S_Temper

It looks to me like you are the one who needs to read history if you are so stupid you don't see the resemblance between the two regimes!