Sen. Kennedy diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor

... and it's survival rate is only 1 to 5 years. [headdesk]

Malignant gliomas are a type of brain cancer diagnosed in about 9,000 Americans a year — and the most common type among adults. It's an initial diagnosis: How well patients fare depends on what specific tumor type is determined by further testing.

Average survival can range from less than a year for very advanced and aggressive types — such as glioblastomas — or to about five years for different types that are slower growing.

News of the diagnosis hit hard for colleagues on both sides of the aisle.

Well. I will have to step up my prayers. Like one of the commenters at Little Green Footballs said, "I have always wanted him to be out of our Government, but this is never the way I had wanted it to happen. I hope the best for him and his family at what must be a horribly difficult time."

I would also like to note, for the benefit of the Kossacks and their ilk, that, for all they vilify LGF and other right-leaning sites and people for being "mean and hateful," the LGF comment thread was well over 300 when I read through, and only three or four had had to be deleted. The rest were overwhelmingly supportive, wishing the Senator and his family well, and offering up prayers for strength and healing.

I doubt that would happen if President Bush had been so stricken.