I’ll go ahead and admit that former Republican presidential candidate Mike Huckabee’s Heimlich maneuver on GOP Lt. Gov. candidate* Robert Pittenger has an air of humor to it. It’s just not something that generally happens at political conventions.
Maybe I’m the hypersensitive type, but this LA Times post has an extra bite to it:
Mike Huckabee saves a life — and it’s a Republican’s!
It looks like Mike Huckabee, the former radio announcer, Baptist preacher, governor, bass guitarist, author and Republican presidential candidate, can add another occupation to his resume: paramedic.
Republican presidential nominee-to-be Sen. John McCain, take note.
At a luncheon preceding the North Carolina state Republican Party convention this weekend, Huckabee, the convention’s keynote speaker, noticed that a fellow diner appeared to be choking on some food and having difficulty breathing.
The other diner was state Sen. Robert Pittenger, a GOP lieutenant governor candidate. This appearing to be a bad year for Republicans, they can’t afford to lose even one vote.
Whatever. But on a serious note, I’ve been struck by the number of public officials who’ve died suddenly in recent days. Guilford County planning director Greg Niles died suddenly on May 31st, while Rockingham County school board member Jim Austin also died suddenly yesterday morning.
But it was the obituary of a non-public person that got to me last week:
Mark Stuart Watson, 55, died suddenly Wednesday morning, June 4, 2008, at his work at McKnight Hardware.
A memorial service will be held at 7p.m. Saturday, June 7, at Hanes Lineberry North Elm Street Chapel with the Reverend Mark Shelley officiating.
Mark was an engaging, bright man with a zest for life, a wonderfully dry sense of humor and a deep and abiding love for his family and his work.
Mark was my plumbing guy at McKnight Hardware and really knew the meaning of customer service. While the guys at Lowe’s walk right by as you’re obviously puzzling over a fitting, Mark not only made sure you had the right part but took the time to explain what you needed to do.
So as we slug it out on this Monday morning, let’s remember that none of us are guarateed to make it to the end of the day.
*Left out a word.
