As the debate over mandatory quarantines rages senselessly on, the total number of Ebola cases in the U.S. has just dropped to one, and the cure rate has risen to 87.5%. On Tuesday afternoon, barely two weeks after her diagnosis, 26 year-old nurse Amber Vinson was released from the hospital, cured of the Ebola virus she contracted while treating Thomas Eric Duncan. Duncan, who was initially sent home from the hospital when he presented with symptoms, died nearly three weeks ago, and two of the nurses who treated him became infected. Nina Pham, the first nurse infected, was released from the hospital Friday.
At a press conference at Atlanta’s Emory University Hospital this afternoon, Vinson repeatedly thanked God for getting her through the disease, the caregivers and plasma donors who aided her treatment, as well as friends and family whose prayers sustained her.
I’m so grateful to be well. And first and foremost, I want to thank God. I sincerely believe that with God, all things are possible. While the skill and dedication of the doctors, nurses and others who have taken care of me have obviously led to my recovery, it has been God’s love that has truly carried my family and me through this difficult time, and has played such an important role in giving me hope and the strength to fight.
Vinson’s grace and humility stand in ironic contrast with the belligerence and arrogance of counterproductive bullies like Gov. Chris Christie (R-N.J.), because even as Vinson thanks God, it is people like her who are due thanks, and people like Christie who deliver that thanks in the form of cowardice and ignorance. Amber Vinson and Nina Pham, like so many American health professionals who are fighting Ebola in west Africa, put their lives on the line, and yet there’s a popular movement to repay that bravery by locking them up in a tent with no shower for 21 days, even when they’re not symptomatic. The irony is that these people are immune both to science and to God, preferring to put their faith in their own fragile sense of well-being.
When Vinson was diagnosed with Ebola, there was widespread concern over the fact that she had traveled in an airplane while running a fever. Since then, though, none of the 132 people on that plane, nor anyone who came in contact with Duncan outside the hospital, nor anyone who had contact with any of the nine U.S. Ebola cases outside a highly infectious hospital setting, has contracted the disease. There is unanimous medical consensus that mandatory quarantine for asymptomatic people would make things worse, not better. In a few weeks, everyone who went bowling with Dr. Craig Spencer will turn up clean, and Christie will look like the idiot he is, but by then, how many other states will have followed suit?
Amber Vinson can thank God, but we all ought to be thanking the doctors and nurses who are fighting Ebola, here and in west Africa, and giving us their best advice. We should start by taking it.
Tommy Christopher is The Daily Banter's White House Correspondent and Political Analyst. He's been a political reporter and liberal commentator since 2007, and has covered the White House since the beginning of the Obama administration, first for PoliticsDaily, and then for Mediaite. Christopher is a frequent guest on a variety of television, radio, and online programs, and was the villain in the documentaries The Audacity of Democracy and Hating Breitbart. He's also That Guy Who Live-Tweeted His Own Heart Attack, and the only person to have ever received public apologies from both Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck.
122 responses to Amber Vinson Thanks God For Curing Her Ebola
Well we’re given free will. We create the wars, murder, the atrocities, etc. I don’t know what causes Ebola, so I can’t say. Also, I don’t understand why the world is the way it is, but humanity has certainly earned a lot of the blame.
Does the person who built an engine have to keep moving every piston, control each internal explosion, make each spark from every plug? No, he put into place a set of things that run on its own, with little to no intervention, or just when needed/wanted. That’s how some view an omnipotent god; he built/put into place a universe w/certain ‘laws’ to govern/run it… and intercedes when wants to.
Just a thought.
Oh come one! “God” either is omnipotent or not. Cracks me up to hear people thanking supernatural beings for “saving” them–who do they think gave them the disease in the first place.
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
Were asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
I have yet to see you post like this when POTUS evokes his God…
your misunderstanding of an omnipotent god is indeed ‘cognitive dissonance’… there is a difference between ‘could have’ and ‘did’.
You are making my point. I know that I have often posted that I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech, and that they should also not go to the National Prayer breakfast.
And I DO understand the concept of an omnipotent god–it’s ridiculous.
No I’m not, not even close.
#1, ” I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech” is a far cry from belittling people and posting things like “but the cognitive dissonance is deafening” and such.
#2, I didn’t say you don’t understand the concept of an omnipotent god, I said you didn’t understand the difference of being an omnipotent being and using that power.
As for it being ridiculous or not, pure opinion on your part, which is fine, but why be insulting to billions believing otherwise, especially since you can’t back up your belief with any data, only belief?
That you have a belief is fine, but why the constant abusing of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
Billions of people can be wrong. They prove it over and over every day. I just believe in one less god than any of them do. I just can’t decide which one to pick–so many gods, so little time…and the cognitive dissonance IS deafening.
So long as ‘getting real’ is understanding that both points of view can be the correct one yet, since no quantifiable proof exists for either side, I’m all for it.
Now that sounds like a cop out. Besides my point being valid, neither side has ‘proof’, both sides are just beliefs. And you are making just as much of a claim that a god doesn’t exist.
But, again, that’s not the topic…why the constant abusing/belittling of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
Well we’re given free will. We create the wars, murder, the atrocities, etc. I don’t know what causes Ebola, so I can’t say. Also, I don’t understand why the world is the way it is, but humanity has certainly earned a lot of the blame.
Does the person who built an engine have to keep moving every piston, control each internal explosion, make each spark from every plug? No, he put into place a set of things that run on its own, with little to no intervention, or just when needed/wanted. That’s how some view an omnipotent god; he built/put into place a universe w/certain ‘laws’ to govern/run it… and intercedes when wants to.
Just a thought.
Oh come one! “God” either is omnipotent or not. Cracks me up to hear people thanking supernatural beings for “saving” them–who do they think gave them the disease in the first place.
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
Were asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
I have yet to see you post like this when POTUS evokes his God…
your misunderstanding of an omnipotent god is indeed ‘cognitive dissonance’… there is a difference between ‘could have’ and ‘did’.
You are making my point. I know that I have often posted that I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech, and that they should also not go to the National Prayer breakfast.
And I DO understand the concept of an omnipotent god–it’s ridiculous.
No I’m not, not even close.
#1, ” I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech” is a far cry from belittling people and posting things like “but the cognitive dissonance is deafening” and such.
#2, I didn’t say you don’t understand the concept of an omnipotent god, I said you didn’t understand the difference of being an omnipotent being and using that power.
As for it being ridiculous or not, pure opinion on your part, which is fine, but why be insulting to billions believing otherwise, especially since you can’t back up your belief with any data, only belief?
That you have a belief is fine, but why the constant abusing of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
Billions of people can be wrong. They prove it over and over every day. I just believe in one less god than any of them do. I just can’t decide which one to pick–so many gods, so little time…and the cognitive dissonance IS deafening.
So long as ‘getting real’ is understanding that both points of view can be the correct one yet, since no quantifiable proof exists for either side, I’m all for it.
Now that sounds like a cop out. Besides my point being valid, neither side has ‘proof’, both sides are just beliefs. And you are making just as much of a claim that a god doesn’t exist.
But, again, that’s not the topic…why the constant abusing/belittling of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
People need to stop throwing God into the mix every time there is a “miracle” when it wasn’t a miracle at all. It was the skills of the doctors and nurses that saved her…period…
People need to stop throwing God into the mix every time there is a “miracle” when it wasn’t a miracle at all. It was the skills of the doctors and nurses that saved her…period…
How dare she thank god. The proper entity would be satan or allah, then when the fundies complained, she could be defended by those espousing tolerance.
If it were my sis or mom I would let them thank whomever.
How dare she thank god. The proper entity would be satan or allah, then when the fundies complained, she could be defended by those espousing tolerance.
If it were my sis or mom I would let them thank whomever.
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 05:30
It is part of the Christian faith to thank God for things we feel He made possible. He didn’t create this disease.
Budda October 29th, 2014 at 09:06
Yes he did. If he didn’t then who? The devil?
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 09:49
Well we’re given free will. We create the wars, murder, the atrocities, etc. I don’t know what causes Ebola, so I can’t say. Also, I don’t understand why the world is the way it is, but humanity has certainly earned a lot of the blame.
R.J. Carter October 29th, 2014 at 09:51
Ironically, some of God’s best work is done through humans. Like doctors and nurses and neighbors.
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 14:25
God is the greatest doctor and he doesn’t even need a TARDIS.
R.J. Carter October 29th, 2014 at 14:33
“Before Abraham was, I am.” That’s some advanced understanding of temporal mechanics, right there.
Spirit of America October 31st, 2014 at 17:53
Does the person who built an engine have to keep moving every piston, control each internal explosion, make each spark from every plug? No, he put into place a set of things that run on its own, with little to no intervention, or just when needed/wanted. That’s how some view an omnipotent god; he built/put into place a universe w/certain ‘laws’ to govern/run it… and intercedes when wants to.
Just a thought.
Anomaly 100 October 31st, 2014 at 18:11
<3
M D Reese October 29th, 2014 at 12:29
Oh come one! “God” either is omnipotent or not. Cracks me up to hear people thanking supernatural beings for “saving” them–who do they think gave them the disease in the first place.
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 12:38
We’ll just agree to disagree. It’s my faith, my choice to believe or not.
R.J. Carter October 29th, 2014 at 13:22
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
Were asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
— Natalie Grant, “Held”
M D Reese October 29th, 2014 at 15:06
True–but the cognitive dissonance is deafening.
Spirit of America October 30th, 2014 at 18:46
I have yet to see you post like this when POTUS evokes his God…
your misunderstanding of an omnipotent god is indeed ‘cognitive dissonance’… there is a difference between ‘could have’ and ‘did’.
M D Reese October 30th, 2014 at 19:23
You are making my point. I know that I have often posted that I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech, and that they should also not go to the National Prayer breakfast.
And I DO understand the concept of an omnipotent god–it’s ridiculous.
Spirit of America October 30th, 2014 at 19:56
No I’m not, not even close.
#1, ” I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech” is a far cry from belittling people and posting things like “but the cognitive dissonance is deafening” and such.
#2, I didn’t say you don’t understand the concept of an omnipotent god, I said you didn’t understand the difference of being an omnipotent being and using that power.
As for it being ridiculous or not, pure opinion on your part, which is fine, but why be insulting to billions believing otherwise, especially since you can’t back up your belief with any data, only belief?
That you have a belief is fine, but why the constant abusing of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
M D Reese October 31st, 2014 at 16:45
Billions of people can be wrong. They prove it over and over every day. I just believe in one less god than any of them do. I just can’t decide which one to pick–so many gods, so little time…and the cognitive dissonance IS deafening.
http://www.godchecker.com/
Spirit of America October 31st, 2014 at 17:48
:)
M D Reese October 31st, 2014 at 18:34
Exactly. Let’s get real. Life’s too short.
Spirit of America October 31st, 2014 at 20:34
So long as ‘getting real’ is understanding that both points of view can be the correct one yet, since no quantifiable proof exists for either side, I’m all for it.
M D Reese November 1st, 2014 at 16:48
The burden of proof is on the one making the claim. I don’t need to prove that the Easter Bunny doesn’t exist, either.
Spirit of America November 1st, 2014 at 16:56
Now that sounds like a cop out. Besides my point being valid, neither side has ‘proof’, both sides are just beliefs. And you are making just as much of a claim that a god doesn’t exist.
But, again, that’s not the topic…why the constant abusing/belittling of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
tracey marie October 29th, 2014 at 13:14
I thought god was omnipotent and the creator of everything?
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 05:30
It is part of the Christian faith to thank God for things we feel He made possible. He didn’t create this disease.
Budda October 29th, 2014 at 09:06
Yes he did. If he didn’t then who? The devil?
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 09:49
Well we’re given free will. We create the wars, murder, the atrocities, etc. I don’t know what causes Ebola, so I can’t say. Also, I don’t understand why the world is the way it is, but humanity has certainly earned a lot of the blame.
R.J. Carter October 29th, 2014 at 09:51
Ironically, some of God’s best work is done through humans. Like doctors and nurses and neighbors.
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 14:25
God is the greatest doctor and he doesn’t even need a TARDIS.
R.J. Carter October 29th, 2014 at 14:33
“Before Abraham was, I am.” That’s some advanced understanding of temporal mechanics, right there.
Spirit of America October 31st, 2014 at 17:53
Does the person who built an engine have to keep moving every piston, control each internal explosion, make each spark from every plug? No, he put into place a set of things that run on its own, with little to no intervention, or just when needed/wanted. That’s how some view an omnipotent god; he built/put into place a universe w/certain ‘laws’ to govern/run it… and intercedes when wants to.
Just a thought.
Anomaly 100 October 31st, 2014 at 18:11
<3
M D Reese October 29th, 2014 at 12:29
Oh come one! “God” either is omnipotent or not. Cracks me up to hear people thanking supernatural beings for “saving” them–who do they think gave them the disease in the first place.
Anomaly 100 October 29th, 2014 at 12:38
We’ll just agree to disagree. It’s my faith, my choice to believe or not.
R.J. Carter October 29th, 2014 at 13:22
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
Were asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
— Natalie Grant, “Held”
M D Reese October 29th, 2014 at 15:06
True–but the cognitive dissonance is deafening.
Spirit of America October 30th, 2014 at 18:46
I have yet to see you post like this when POTUS evokes his God…
your misunderstanding of an omnipotent god is indeed ‘cognitive dissonance’… there is a difference between ‘could have’ and ‘did’.
M D Reese October 30th, 2014 at 19:23
You are making my point. I know that I have often posted that I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech, and that they should also not go to the National Prayer breakfast.
And I DO understand the concept of an omnipotent god–it’s ridiculous.
Spirit of America October 30th, 2014 at 19:56
No I’m not, not even close.
#1, ” I would like to see the Presidents stop saying “god bless America” after every speech” is a far cry from belittling people and posting things like “but the cognitive dissonance is deafening” and such.
#2, I didn’t say you don’t understand the concept of an omnipotent god, I said you didn’t understand the difference of being an omnipotent being and using that power.
As for it being ridiculous or not, pure opinion on your part, which is fine, but why be insulting to billions believing otherwise, especially since you can’t back up your belief with any data, only belief?
That you have a belief is fine, but why the constant abusing of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
M D Reese October 31st, 2014 at 16:45
Billions of people can be wrong. They prove it over and over every day. I just believe in one less god than any of them do. I just can’t decide which one to pick–so many gods, so little time…and the cognitive dissonance IS deafening.
http://www.godchecker.com/
Spirit of America October 31st, 2014 at 17:48
:)
M D Reese October 31st, 2014 at 18:34
Exactly. Let’s get real. Life’s too short.
Spirit of America October 31st, 2014 at 20:34
So long as ‘getting real’ is understanding that both points of view can be the correct one yet, since no quantifiable proof exists for either side, I’m all for it.
M D Reese November 1st, 2014 at 16:48
The burden of proof is on the one making the claim. I don’t need to prove that the Easter Bunny doesn’t exist, either.
Spirit of America November 1st, 2014 at 16:56
Now that sounds like a cop out. Besides my point being valid, neither side has ‘proof’, both sides are just beliefs. And you are making just as much of a claim that a god doesn’t exist.
But, again, that’s not the topic…why the constant abusing/belittling of others for no other reason than to do so? Tolerance isn’t a two-way street in your mind?
tracey marie October 29th, 2014 at 13:14
I thought god was omnipotent and the creator of everything?
fredoandme October 29th, 2014 at 08:30
oh, brother.
god would have let her die.
fredoandme October 29th, 2014 at 08:30
oh, brother.
god would have let her die.
crc3 October 29th, 2014 at 09:28
People need to stop throwing God into the mix every time there is a “miracle” when it wasn’t a miracle at all. It was the skills of the doctors and nurses that saved her…period…
crc3 October 29th, 2014 at 09:28
People need to stop throwing God into the mix every time there is a “miracle” when it wasn’t a miracle at all. It was the skills of the doctors and nurses that saved her…period…
gilligan October 29th, 2014 at 10:04
What do you expect. Its fucking TEXASS!
gilligan October 29th, 2014 at 10:04
What do you expect. Its fucking TEXASS!
craig7120 October 29th, 2014 at 10:08
How dare she thank god. The proper entity would be satan or allah, then when the fundies complained, she could be defended by those espousing tolerance.
If it were my sis or mom I would let them thank whomever.
craig7120 October 29th, 2014 at 10:08
How dare she thank god. The proper entity would be satan or allah, then when the fundies complained, she could be defended by those espousing tolerance.
If it were my sis or mom I would let them thank whomever.
M D Reese October 29th, 2014 at 12:28
Did she remember to thank the gods for giving her ebola in the first place?
M D Reese October 29th, 2014 at 12:28
Did she remember to thank the gods for giving her ebola in the first place?