11 Comments
User's avatar
Chiara's avatar

This is a beautiful essay. It's the kind of essay that makes one still, quiet, and--even--reverent.

Christine A Myres's avatar

In tears, at this post and the way we face our ultimate fate … and lost in admiration for all who choose laughter regardless. Thank you!

SCM5's avatar

Wow. Kept reading and waiting for a new perspective or enlightened moment as he faces his illness where he wishes he had done something differently and then it ended. This entire thing could have been “Ben Sasse has a terminal cancer diagnosis and is starting a podcast”

Betsy Covell's avatar

Does he laugh at all damage done by his republican policies?

KellyG's avatar

Thank you for this Steve. Two of my favorite guys having a very human conversation. For those who didn't catch it on NPR, here's the link: https://www.npr.org/2026/03/06/nx-s1-5729065/former-sen-ben-sasse-talks-about-the-state-of-us-politics-and-his-fight-with-cancer

Sandra's avatar

Thank you, Kelly!

S.B Snip  Dasnip's avatar

Karma is a bítch¡

Mike Troiano's avatar

I’m very sad to hear of Mr. Sasse’s diagnosis. We didn’t have much in common politically, but I met him in person in California and later read his book, finding him to be thoughtful, principled, and sincerely patriotic. America needs more people like that right now, especially among Republicans.

Cliff Nickerson's avatar

Dying of cancer sucks; however, Sasse was an evil man throughout his adult life