Ariel Sharon turns 78 today..

[Winston]

Israel's stricken Sharon turns 78

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has turned 78, while remaining in a critical coma in a Jerusalem hospital.
Family and friends marked the leader's birthday on Sunday with visits to his bedside in the Hadassah hospital. Well-wishers left flowers and cards.

Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert mentioned it at the cabinet meeting, and added: "We all pray for his health and wish for his speedy recovery."

Mr Sharon has been in a coma since he suffered a massive stroke on 4 January.

He has undergone several operations since he was admitted to hospital, but doctors hold out little hope for a meaningful recovery.

BBC story



What a horrible fate for this accomplished man.

[alva]

If he does ever wake up, I'm sure he'll love to hear hamaz(sp?) has won the election, that should really cheer him up.

[Last Conformist]

Consider that even if he should regain consciousness, he won't be able to resume his duties as PM, why don't they relieve him of the job?

[Footie Mad]

Because even while incapacitated he provides some sort of stability, his last political act so to speak. So everyone has lots of time to prepare for changes.

[Solver]

Because the normal procedure is for the job to be taken by the Deputy PM if the PM is incapacitated, as it happened. The Deputy PM can only stay as the acting PM for 100 days, but since the elections were less than 100 days away when Sharon had the stroke, there was never any reason to legally relieve him.

But it's now even doubtful he'll wake up, it was sort of hopeful a week after his stroke, but doesn't seem too probable now.