BillW,
May I ask that you (and everyone) please continue to post any commentary you may have about Lightfoot's medical condition. Whether or not we truly have been advised to cease and desist, as long as we do not yell "Fire!" in a theater, we ought to be free to openly express our opinions and concerns.

Annie,
Get your gun.

RE: "since the family has the apparent right to keep a lid on any information other than whether or not Mr. Lightfoot is alive and in the hospital..." It's not an 'apparent' right - it's absolute, at least in the US and likely in Canada as well, for all patients, not just public figures. See HIPAA regulations, excerpted:

Hospitals and health systems are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and patient information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated regulations that govern privacy standards for healthcare information. HIPAA regulations specify the purposes for which information may and may not be released without authorization from the patient.

As long as the patient has not requested that information be withheld, the hospital may release the patient's one-word condition and location without obtaining prior patient authorization.

Condition. For the one-word condition, the terms “undetermined,” “good,” “fair,” “serious” or “critical” are used.

Are celebrity cases different?
No. Celebrities, public figures and public officials are not subject to different standards than other patients when it comes to hospital policies for releasing information to the media.


******************************************
For an up-close idea of what it's like from the inside when dealing with celebrity hospitalizations, read "Entertainer seeks privacy --- and gets it ---
as she gives birth" (Madonna) at
http://www.medicalnewsreport.com/med9612.htm

*******************************************

RE: "since the family has the apparent right to keep a lid on any information other than whether or not Mr. Lightfoot is alive and in the hospital..." It's not an 'apparent' right - it's absolute, at least in the US and likely in Canada as well, for all patients, not just public figures. See HIPAA regulations, excerpted:

Hospitals and health systems are responsible for protecting the privacy and confidentiality of their patients and patient information. The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) mandated regulations that govern privacy standards for healthcare information. HIPAA regulations specify the purposes for which information may and may not be released without authorization from the patient.

As long as the patient has not requested that information be withheld, the hospital may release the patient's one-word condition and location without obtaining prior patient authorization.

Condition. For the one-word condition, the terms “undetermined,” “good,” “fair,” “serious” or “critical” are used.

Are celebrity cases different?
No. Celebrities, public figures and public officials are not subject to different standards than other patients when it comes to hospital policies for releasing information to the media.


******************************************
For an up-close idea of what it's like from the inside when dealing with celebrity hospitalizations, read "Entertainer seeks privacy --- and gets it ---
as she gives birth" (Madonna) at
http://www.medicalnewsreport.com/med9612.htm

*******************************************

This is completely ridiculous folks! I do not understand the touchiness that exists among fans. This thread does sound like bickering and "us versus them." Could someone please respect those of us who simply are frustrated that there is a lack of information about Gord's condition. This is not disrespectful!!! We are fans. We are concerned. Yes, we pray. And yes, we are eager to hear what is going on. We want to know Gord is going to be OK. And if he is not, we want to know too. It's natural for us to be concerned. He has involved us in his life through his music. He is a public figure. I personally think that 99% of the posts in this bulletin board are tasteful. Any speculation presented has been supported with reasons and has been labelled as such. And the fear that Lightfoot's children may read this is simply not relevant. They know more about their Dad's condition than any of us. Once again, I will make my position clear. I do not want to know details, I just wish that the hospital releases would not sound like press releases from a company that is covering stuff up. I wish I didn't have these doubts that I have. Is that disrespectful? No! It's my emotional response to something that I feel emotionally involved with. And yes, I do take exception to intimations that I am a "conspiracy theorist" and that I am somehow dishonouring Gord by wondering what is going on. Can we please treat each other with respect???

By the way, I will not post any speculation about Gord's health unless it is not speculation so don't worry Char.

This is completely ridiculous folks! I do not understand the touchiness that exists among fans. This thread does sound like bickering and "us versus them." Could someone please respect those of us who simply are frustrated that there is a lack of information about Gord's condition. This is not disrespectful!!! We are fans. We are concerned. Yes, we pray. And yes, we are eager to hear what is going on. We want to know Gord is going to be OK. And if he is not, we want to know too. It's natural for us to be concerned. He has involved us in his life through his music. He is a public figure. I personally think that 99% of the posts in this bulletin board are tasteful. Any speculation presented has been supported with reasons and has been labelled as such. And the fear that Lightfoot's children may read this is simply not relevant. They know more about their Dad's condition than any of us. Once again, I will make my position clear. I do not want to know details, I just wish that the hospital releases would not sound like press releases from a company that is covering stuff up. I wish I didn't have these doubts that I have. Is that disrespectful? No! It's my emotional response to something that I feel emotionally involved with. And yes, I do take exception to intimations that I am a "conspiracy theorist" and that I am somehow dishonouring Gord by wondering what is going on. Can we please treat each other with respect???

By the way, I will not post any speculation about Gord's health unless it is not speculation so don't worry Char.

Considering her lifetime spent pathetically craving attention and adulation, Madonna is not the finest example of a public figure who deserves privacy.

Considering her lifetime spent pathetically craving attention and adulation, Madonna is not the finest example of a public figure who deserves privacy.

I appreciate that hfan. I too have spent countless hours worrying and speculating since that night in Orillia a month ago about things concerning Gord. It does no good to do so is the conclusion I have come to. I would dearly love more info but since it won't be coming my way any time soon I try to take the negative thoughts and make them positive by thinking of the next time I will see The Legend that is Lightfoot walk out on stage and how profoundly greatful we all will be. Even if the Lightfoot children don't ever look on the net for things about their father I would like to uphold the families' wish for privacy. Whether I agree or not - it is their wish. I would only hope the same would be done for me if circumstances were switched.
My thoughts also go to the EMP folks (Barry and Anne)and of course the boys in the band.
Stay strong and keep the faith.
Char

Hi folks. This is my first visit to an internet talk site (jargon unfamiliar). BUT my concern for Gord forced me here and now i find a lot of loyal fans who are real tight about this situation. I am ashamed to have come here now, but he is an icon that we all obviously are not prepared to part with as yet. When leaving here now the only thing i wish to identify with in regards to Mr. Lightfoot is the great concert and jamming good time we had together during this summer at the Highland Theatre in Akron...hope you all have a great past memory, too. Please, hold on to it. Please pray for us all, especially gord. It is great to know so many people care. You're swell sensitive people.

------------------
gwen

Hi folks. This is my first visit to an internet talk site (jargon unfamiliar). BUT my concern for Gord forced me here and now i find a lot of loyal fans who are real tight about this situation. I am ashamed to have come here now, but he is an icon that we all obviously are not prepared to part with as yet. When leaving here now the only thing i wish to identify with in regards to Mr. Lightfoot is the great concert and jamming good time we had together during this summer at the Highland Theatre in Akron...hope you all have a great past memory, too. Please, hold on to it. Please pray for us all, especially gord. It is great to know so many people care. You're swell sensitive people.

------------------
gwen

Hi folks. This is my first visit to an internet talk site (jargon unfamiliar). BUT my concern for Gord forced me here and now i find a lot of loyal fans who are real tight about this situation. I am ashamed to have come here now, but he is an icon that we all obviously are not prepared to part with as yet. When leaving here now the only thing i wish to identify with in regards to Mr. Lightfoot is the great concert and jamming good time we had together during this summer at the Highland Theatre in Akron...hope you all have a great past memory, too. Please, hold on to it. Please pray for us all, especially gord. It is great to know so many people care. You're swell sensitive people.

------------------
gwen

Hi folks. This is my first visit to an internet talk site (jargon unfamiliar). BUT my concern for Gord forced me here and now i find a lot of loyal fans who are real tight about this situation. I am ashamed to have come here now, but he is an icon that we all obviously are not prepared to part with as yet. When leaving here now the only thing i wish to identify with in regards to Mr. Lightfoot is the great concert and jamming good time we had together during this summer at the Highland Theatre in Akron...hope you all have a great past memory, too. Please, hold on to it. Please pray for us all, especially gord. It is great to know so many people care. You're swell sensitive people.

------------------
gwen

Hmmm... Perhaps now we can debate the potential interpretations of Gwen's somewhat cryptic post.

Hmmm... Perhaps now we can debate the potential interpretations of Gwen's somewhat cryptic post.

Agreeing with Char and thanking Annie.

Thanks,Char and Auburn Annie.
Heather

quote:Originally posted by char:
I appreciate that hfan. I too have spent countless hours worrying and speculating since that night in Orillia a month ago about things concerning Gord. It does no good to do so is the conclusion I have come to. I would dearly love more info but since it won't be coming my way any time soon I try to take the negative thoughts and make them positive by thinking of the next time I will see The Legend that is Lightfoot walk out on stage and how profoundly greatful we all will be. Even if the Lightfoot children don't ever look on the net for things about their father I would like to uphold the families' wish for privacy. Whether I agree or not - it is their wish. I would only hope the same would be done for me if circumstances were switched.
My thoughts also go to the EMP folks (Barry and Anne)and of course the boys in the band.
Stay strong and keep the faith.
Char

Thanks,Char and Auburn Annie.
Heather

quote:Originally posted by char:
I appreciate that hfan. I too have spent countless hours worrying and speculating since that night in Orillia a month ago about things concerning Gord. It does no good to do so is the conclusion I have come to. I would dearly love more info but since it won't be coming my way any time soon I try to take the negative thoughts and make them positive by thinking of the next time I will see The Legend that is Lightfoot walk out on stage and how profoundly greatful we all will be. Even if the Lightfoot children don't ever look on the net for things about their father I would like to uphold the families' wish for privacy. Whether I agree or not - it is their wish. I would only hope the same would be done for me if circumstances were switched.
My thoughts also go to the EMP folks (Barry and Anne)and of course the boys in the band.
Stay strong and keep the faith.
Char

Auburn Annie,

Thank you for your post. The main thing is, Gord's improving & that's the best news we've had since the start.

james hill

quote:Originally posted by Auburn Annie:
Sorry I bothered.

Annie,
You jump right over everyone's attempt to apologize, for what I'm not sure, and launch into a lecture. What's up?

Bill

Bill, what Annie posted wasn’t a lecture. It was just one more in a long line of possible explanations as to why we aren’t getting the details that some feel we should be getting.

Moving on to a comment directed to everyone: Restless keeps saying that we should continue to ‘post commentary’ and yet every time someone does, it is met with ridicule. I’m talking about comments and ridicule from BOTH sides of the fence that has been erected here. If all of you keep this up, no one will feel comfortable posting and this wonderful site will fizzle away like I’ve seen so many others do - a lot of the regular posters have already stopped posting. I have watched this forum go through a lot of changes in the last three years. Until now, they have been positive changes. All I can say is, I finally give up. Knock yourselves out! The last one standing can stand all alone in what used to be a friendly, supportive place to come and talk about Lightfoot’s music. A bit melodramatic, you say? Maybe so, but ‘fed up’ sometimes leads to melodrama.

Janice,

I'm cool with AA, I was just concerned that she was upset. As for the longtime posters who aren't posting anymore: some announced they were leaving before the current crisis, some, IMO, are in shock, which is normal. This type of stress tears up even "real" families so I'm not surprised at what's going on. Saddened but not surprised. If you change your mind, we'll leave a light on for you. Farewell.
Bill