U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones reported dead incorrectly…Updated…
This morning it was reported that last night U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones was taken to a hospital:
Tubbs Jones was taken to the Cleveland Clinic’s Huron Hospital in East Cleveland Tuesday night, said hospital spokeswoman Joyce Persuad. Family members asked that no other information on the five-term Cleveland Democrat be made public, she said.
Later it was updated that she had suffered an aneurysm and that:
“At the present time, Rep. Tubbs Jones’ condition has stabilized and she is receiving the best care available,” Nicole Williams said.
People at the hospital had a grim outlook, however. Cleveland Councilman Roosevelt Coats sobbed and said Tubbs Jones was unconscious, and that her friends were preparing for the worst.
Some have been told that she has passed away as well as Eric pointing out in that post that some of the comments left on the Plain Dealer website were disrespectful and/or harsh.
Then several media sources including CNN incorrectly reported she had died
I’m torn on stories like this, if it’s not clearly known she’s really died, doesn’t it create more harm to family and friends if it’s not true? I also think people should remember that no matter how they felt about a person, that some of this anonymous bashing that happens when someone is gravely ill or dies is really low…
While humor is not always appropriate at a time like this when someone is in critical condition, it was also hard not to think of the Monty Python skit where it’s said, “I’m not dead yet.” Let’s hope Tubbs Jones recovers and is able to tease the media about that…
Updated: It appears that U.S. Representative Stephanie Tubbs Jones has passed away. The media is reporting this and press releases expressing condolences to the family are being sent out.
At least they didn’t screw up any phone numbers!
August 20th, 2008 at 3:20 pmI think you covered it the right way – I also think the people who wrote those comments that were deleted were schmucks.
August 20th, 2008 at 3:25 pmMy thoughts and prayers to her family and friends. It is unfortunate to go through the pain.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:06 pmThe Plain Dealer has major egg on their face on this reporting. I understand the desire to be first and the competitive drive that fuels ambitious people. However, that is no excuse on a situation like this. Rushing to be first to publish a story of corruption among county politicians is understandable. Rushing to print news of someone’s passing without certain confirmation is reckless and irresponsible.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:21 pmFox News has been dancing around as well. Last I heard was they were still trying to verify their information.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:22 pmThe Blade said she died earlier today too but changed their updated link…
August 20th, 2008 at 4:25 pmThis kind of stuff is bound to happen when everyone is trying to be the first to report on something.
August 20th, 2008 at 4:47 pmI think the early reporting of her demise was wishfull thinking on a lot of people’s part. I wish her no ill will but, rather than start candy-coating her like the rst of the blogosphere, I’ll come right out and say she is a piece of crap but, wish her a full recovery anyways.
August 20th, 2008 at 5:53 pmThis is a sad event for sure. I have met Ms. Tubbs-Jones and she is a truly charming woman with a good heart.
My prayers for her recovery, and my prayers for her family in this time of turmoil and pain.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:39 pmDan Rather reported James Brady dead in the wake of the Reagan shooting. It happens in the race to be first.
Anybody with anything other than best wishes for Ms. Tubbs-Jones is just sick. I hate it when whackos from the political extremes sound off.
I learned to admire most people I worked with in public service, regardless of their party. Anybody willing to subject themselves to the degradations of public service sure as hell isn’t doing it for the money. It ain’t worth it.
August 20th, 2008 at 6:40 pmWell many in fact do it for the money: bribes, favors, cushy pensions, etc.
August 20th, 2008 at 8:37 pmhttp://blog.cleveland.com/plaindealer/2008/08/hospital_confirms_us_rep_steph.html
Family, hospital confirm Stephanie Tubbs Jones’ death
Posted by Plain Dealer staff August 20, 2008 18:52PM
U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones’ family and officials at Huron Hospital have announced that the five-term congresswoman has died.
She was 58.
This is the statement:
Tubbs Jones Family, Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic
August 20, 2008 – 6:40 p.m.
“Throughout the course of the day and into this evening, Congresswoman Tubbs Jones’ medical condition declined. Medical doctors and neurosurgeons from Huron Hospital and Cleveland Clinic sadly report that at 6:12 p.m. Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones died.
She dedicated her life in public service to helping others and will continue to do so through organ donations.
Please keep her family and friends in your thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.”
August 20th, 2008 at 9:00 pmSepp,
How nice of you to refer to a dying woman whom you probably never met as a “piece of crap”. That statement says a lot about you. Pathetic!
August 21st, 2008 at 12:10 pm# 10 Brian Schwartz Says:
August 20th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
“Anybody willing to subject themselves to the degradations of public service sure as hell isn’t doing it for the money. It ain’t worth it.”
Most folks in public service (including non-profits) are there because they can’t get a job in the real world. That includes you Brian. And certainly this person would not ever make the kind of loot in the private sector that she made in congress.
August 21st, 2008 at 12:39 pmSorry to hear about her passing.
August 21st, 2008 at 3:10 pmNot Again,
I wasn’t aware that you knew me that well. Actually, I am making money in the private sector.
I, too, am sorry about her passing.
August 21st, 2008 at 5:34 pm