A Note to the PEGC Distribution List...
=========================================

On the day of the inauguration, I posted a brief note on the PEGC blog which
mentioned that I've been having some serious health problems.
Unfortunately, my attempt at optimism has fallen a bit flat ---

I've been diagnosed with lung cancer, and yesterday I saw the oncologist for the
first time. I have stage III or IV non-small-cell carcinoma; a further test is
required to pin down my exact status and decide on treatment, but surgery is not
an option because I also have emphysema (COPD). The statistics are pretty grim:
approximately 10-15% of people with my diagnosis are still alive one year later.
It isn't entirely hopeless, but it's definitely not good.

So there it is. I'm in pretty good spirits considering, and not in any great
physical distress as yet. I just have some mild aches / soreness that come and
go a bit. My health is pretty good otherwise, and I'm told that the greatest
dangers going forward will be colds, bronchitis, or flu.

I mean to continue the project as best I can, and that will include passing on
my files and the web site if possible. I've been biding my time through the
Obama transition trying to figure out how to approach my next big task, which is
basically to report my effort and findings over the last seven years to the new
administration. Now it's time to get busy and do it. Yesterday was also the
fifth anniversary of filing my Supreme Court amicus brief in Hamdi. (It's
amazing how many little coincidences like that I've had over the last eight
years, dating all the way back to 9/11 in the year *2000*, when I was laid off
my job and broke up with my girl-friend in the space of a couple of hours.) I
figure what I have to write now will be easier than that one was, since there
are no word limits or printing requirements at least. But as always, the tough
part is figuring out exactly what to say and how to say it... even though I've
been consciously aiming at this particular task for seven years now.

At any rate, I want you all to know how much I appreciate the support,
encouragement, and friendship so many of you have given me -- and also, how much
I appreciate and admire the good efforts so many of you have made through your
own work. I'm proud to know each of you just the little bit that I do.

Best Regards,

Charly



Charles B. Gittings Jr.
Fort Bragg, California

+1-707-964-2151

Project to Enforce the Geneva Conventions (PEGC)
http://www.pegc.us