Blogging/Health Update

I was struck down recently by a nasty ailment called acute pancreatitis.

This was caused by gallstones, which in turn was probably caused either by me having been overweight for a number of years, or by me recently losing all of that weight quite quickly.

Whatever the cause, I was in the hospital for a while, was discharged, and have more recently been resting at home/going to specialist appointments.

I'll be going in for surgery on September 8th or sooner (if there are any cancellations); I'm to undergo a Laproscopic Cholecystectomy, which doesn't sound too bad (knock on wood). After that, no more gall bladder and hopefully, no more pain/weakness.

It was for the above reason(s) that I haven't felt up to blogging recently, so for the few people who are still checking By and Large on occasion, I do plan to start posting again in the near future. If I don't post anything new between now and my surgery, look for new posts at or around September 12th (guesstimate - depends how I feel).

A Grim Reminder

From AP, via CNN, here is a 'grim reminder' that George Bush dehumanizes non-Americans and views American tragedy as an opportunity to push his agenda of perpetual fear and violence:

Bush: U.S. will complete Iraq mission

Latest U.S. military deaths a 'grim reminder'

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AP) -- President Bush lamented the deaths of 14 Marines in Iraq Wednesday, calling the deadly attack a "grim reminder" America is still at war.

"These terrorists and insurgents will use brutal tactics because they're trying to shake the will of the United States of America. They want us to retreat," Bush told some 2,000 state lawmakers, business leaders and public policy experts gathered here.

*skipping ahead*

"Make no mistake about it," Bush said. "We are at war."

In other news, it is highly likely that some Iraqis died too on Wednesday, but we didn't hear anything about it.