I don't want them to say "he's as good as dead" because there's the teensiest-weensiest chance that it might not be true.

What I want is less of Our Special Reporter hanging around at the hospital gates mouthing bromides. I want short, dignified medical updates and if there's no new information lets talk about something else.

We saw this same ghoulish deathwatch with Pope John Paul II. I think its lazy and stupid and unpleasant.