Wednesday, February 1, 2006

Kubby Appears in Court

Steve Kubby had an arraignment hearing yesterday. The next court appearance is on Friday the 3rd. One interesting point from the article in the Auburn Journal: "Jail officials are forbidden to answer direct medical questions, but have said Kubby is receiving medical treatment as necessary and is being cared for as all inmates are."

While things may have changed after his interview Sunday with indybay, at the time Steve was painting a distressingly different picture:

PM: So, let me get this straight again. They have not tested for
blood in the urine yet?

SK: No, they have not.

PM: I see, Steve.

SK: The only follow-up I've had in three days was a blood-pressure check today.


The most important thing for us to do right now, requested by his wife: "ATTENTION! KEEP CALLING THE JAIL MEDICAL CENTER @ 530-745-8660 AND REQUESTING THAT STEVE SEE AN OUTSIDE DOCTOR. CONTINUE TO CALL THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE ABOUT THE MOTION INTO COURT FOR EDIBLES TO BE GIVEN TO STEVE. THANKS EVERYONE!"

Edibles refers to having marijuana mixed into his food. He is currently receiving an inadequate dose of Marinol, which is helping with the nausea somewhat, but Steve needs a lot more medical help than the jail medical center can give him.

To me, this is such a disgustingly unnecessary no-brainer. The man has stabilized a medical condition for decades with the help of the "demon weed." Most folks with this sort of adrenal cancer would have died long ago. Even if we are skeptical, as we should be, that his treatment regimen has been the cause of his longevity, what is the harm in allowing it to continue? Why throw this man in jail to die alone?

This is one of those areas where my skepticism and my love of freedom wrestle. I don't like to use the phrases "alternative medicine" or "conventional medicine." To me, there is medicine that has proven itself, and medicine that has not proven itself. Kubby's anecdotal evidence should be studied for wider practicality. Even if it is shown subsequently (as many "alternative" therapies are) to be fraudulent hokum at worst or wishful thinking at best, in a free society, diseased individuals should not be made criminals because they are desperately seeking relief from their symptoms. Snake-oil salesmen should be held accountable for the claims they make about their wares. Snake-oil drinkers should be left the hell alone.

Peace,

Tor

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