Ed's Idiocy Printed in USA Today for the World to See

**eeez the seat back** · 05.21.01, 10:26 AM

Sorry if someone already posted this.... Eddie's picture is in USA Today, with the following printed:

"Rock guitarist Eddie Van Halen, at a celebrity golf tournament in L.A. on Saturday, said he is undergoing treatment every day for cancer. Van Halen, 46, who smoked cigarettes throughout the tournament, said he is feeling fine. His wife, actress Valerie Bertinelli, said earlier this month that a lesion was removed from Van Halen's toungue, according to Reuters."

Nothing new here, but I'd say the millions that read this newspaper will have no sympathy for a celebrity cancer patient who chain smokes in front of the press and their fans. How sad.

**Van Gully** · 05.21.01, 10:57 AM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by eeez the seat back:
Nothing new here, but I'd say the millions that read this newspaper will have no sympathy for a celebrity cancer patient who chain smokes in front of the press and their fans. How sad.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Exactly! Absolutely no sympathy from this fan. Anyone who is diagnosed with cancer, of any form, and continues to smoke must be one selfish, deluded bastard. Either that or the so-called diagnosis was bullshit from the beginning.

[ May 21, 2001 at 10:58 AM: Message edited by: Van Gully ]

**Cabo1984** · 05.21.01, 11:05 AM

No doubt, all of this in front of his son, how terrible. Val should take him to the woodshed for that. What kind of role model is he supposed to be? Even if he was not even smoking them, it is still wrong, becuase you are making light of the situation. You would think he would have the will power especially after being diagnosed to give them up, guess not.

**VanEdge** · 05.21.01, 11:12 AM

role model? the man is an admitted alcoholic for over 20 years. come on! this whole cigarette bullshit is nonetheless disturbing, though. i'm so disgusted right now. [img]smilies/mad.gif[/img]

**Cabo1984** · 05.21.01, 11:15 AM

It could be worse I guess, he could be Robert Downey or Darryl Strawberry.

**ANGEL4U** · 05.21.01, 12:07 PM

[img]smilies/rolleyes.gif[/img] obviously there are a few peeps that don't know about alcoholism........drunk/drugged or sober he'll always be an alcoholic until the day he dies. The fact that he's probably been on some really potent drugs lately doesn't help his sobriety or his mental state. Just because he's alcoholic doesn't mean he can't be a role model....fuck that noise. I'll bet when he was younger, he never said:

"when I grow up, I want to be an alcoholic"....... [img]smilies/wink.gif[/img]

**Cabo1984** · 05.21.01, 12:19 PM

I'll tell you what, if I've been on potent drugs to fight a deadly disease which would not help my sobriety or mental state, the last place I would be is on a golf course.

He should can the public appearances for a while, he is only embarassing himself and his family.

**Deputy Van Halen** · 05.21.01, 12:20 PM

the man has smoked for maybe over 30 years... it's probably a little hard to stop on a dime... i know it's easy to sit back and say, "well, if i found out i had cancer, i would have no problem stopping"... but say that to someone who has been smoking for as long as ed has... maybe smoking cigarettes is not gonna affect his cancer... i don't know that, or believe it for that matter, but i'm just trying to defend the man a little... i think that whole article is whack anyway... i'm sure he didnt "lose control" of his golf cart and plow into some innocent old lady... it was probably something very minor that is very easily misinterpreted when read... sure, he should stop smoking, but it's harder than you think...

-vh fan if lizard sings

**Cabo1984** · 05.21.01, 12:26 PM

"maybe smoking cigarettes is not gonna affect his cancer..."

What? And another punch to the head is not going to effect your brain damage right Rocky Balboa?

So I guess since he is already cancer sticken, he is free to smoke free and clear than eh? Good example, maybe the next time we will see him is at the funeral home.

**Deputy Van Halen** · 05.21.01, 12:44 PM

cabo1984, whatever dude! use some class

**Glenn** · 05.21.01, 12:54 PM

Man, I don't understand all this anger. Somehow you guys can forgive Eddie for smoking from the age of 12 (as he's admitted) to the age of 45, but NOW his behavior is inexcusable?

So the cigarettes that gave him cancer are forgivable, but the ones since he got cancer aren't?

Are there any smokers here? Has Eddie getting cancer stopped any of you from smoking?

**Brett** · 05.21.01, 12:57 PM

I agree, why so angry at him??? Yes what he is doing is pretty idiotic, but goddamn I still have sympathy for him. Why didn't all you anti-smoking guys lynch him like Glenn said for his last 35 years of smoking??

**Limecuda** · 05.21.01, 01:03 PM

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Glenn:
Man, I don't understand all this anger. Somehow you guys can forgive Eddie for smoking from the age of 12 (as he's admitted) to the age of 45, but NOW his behavior is inexcusable?

So the cigarettes that gave him cancer are forgivable, but the ones since he got cancer aren't?

Are there any smokers here? Has Eddie getting cancer stopped any of you from smoking?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I think the main thing that bothers some people is the way they pecieved Ed's press release a month ago. IMO opinion it came across kind of as a sympathy/ shut DLR up type of deal. The board was flooded with the "get well Ed" type posts in support of his health. It is kind of disheartening to see him smoking again.

How many times do you have to play Russian Roulette? You can only dodge the bullets so many times.

**Cabo1984** · 05.21.01, 01:05 PM

I think it is pretty easy why we should be angry with him. He has a serious disease, and this only shows that he could care less about it. If he is too addited to give it up, fine, do it in a corner in your home, and puff your brains out, not in public. This especially after he broke a year long silence to finally admit it, and that he will soon be cancer free.

Not everyone who smokes will get cancer. However he did not get the from sitting on a toliet seat, he got it from smoking. We all want him to get better and get his ass back in the studio. This just gives a terrible impression.

**MikeL** · 05.21.01, 01:08 PM

I smoke. I do dearly recall all of the folks who professed to be giving up their tobacco when Ed's cancer news first broke last May. Remember the fervor that went with all that? Very impressive.

I've got no sympathy for Ed. His choices are his own. Who am I to feel bad for him when he makes what is popularly the wrong choice?

If he wanted to quit, he could have quit. Sometimes there are other wants that are stronger than the knowledge of what you're doing is doing to you. If Ed's been under stress the last year, from a smoker's perspective I can't see him quiting. Cigarettes are as much a coping tool for stress as they are anything else, once you've started.

Eddie isn't a role model. Why make him out to be one? He's just a guy that plays guitar, and makes poor choices.