I bothers me that someone as kindhearted as Michael J Fox has to suffer from that dreaded disease. I don't think it's fair that someone as lovable like him should have to suffer like that.

It also bothers me when some of the conservatives feel the need to put down Michael J Fox, just because they disagree with him on embryonic stem cell research. People have a right to their own opinions, so I can respect a person's right to disagree with embryonic stemcell research - but when they feel the need to malign and degrade Michael J Fox, well, they're only making their side look bad.

The other thing that upsets me is how some people (American nationalists and Canadian nationalists alike) feel the need to make such a big freaking deal about his nationality. It really shouldn't matter what country he is a citizen of. He is a HUMAN BEING! It's not like being a citizen of a different country makes you a member of a different species. For some reason, this probably bothers me even more so than the people who put him down for supporting embryonic stem cell research.

It also bothers me when people make him out to "wild party animal". He did have problems with alcohol, and he did smoke - but he never did any other kind of drugs. I would hate to think that, in high school, he was one of those kids that parents would not want their kids to associate with. I'm sure he was always a nice fellow who tried to be friendly to everyone.

I'm sure he very seldom ever lost his temper, but that fight with his family shortly after his father's death tends to bug me. I mean, it's my understanding that he's usually the one trying to maintain peace and harmony in his relationships - so I was bothered by that fight where he and his sibling weren't even speaking for awhile.

I don't think he ever was a jerk, even though his sense of humour may be taken the wrong way by people who don't know him too well, like when teased Tracy Pollan about having "scampi for dinner". Tracy did definitely overreact - and I know some accuse me of overreacting, but I don't think I would've ever cussed MJF out like that.

Also, I would like to think of his Alex P Keaton character as being a kind person who cared about others - but I was bothered by some of the attitudes he expressed about women, like in the episode where he gave Mallory's French tutor bad advice. I tend to wish he wasn't casted as a conservative character - but, on the other hand, Alex P Keaton is much nicer than Rush Limbaugh and some of the other conservatives of today. I would like to think that Alex P Keaton was a tender-hearted person - like, well, like Michael J Fox.

I don't think one can truly like Michael J Fox while hating liberals OR hating conservatives - and MJF is often thought to be a liberal, but I don't think he really likes to identify himself with one particular political party. My views do lean more liberal, but I don't like some liberals hate on the conservatives. The members of Democratic Underground can be just as hateful and intolerant as the members of Free Republic are. I'm also very much of a cosmopolitanist, which is why the whole dispute over MJF's nationality really bugs me. I just want to be able to enjoy Michael J Fox, without all that icky political stuff surrounding him. I hope a cure for Parkinson's disease can be found very soon.

I just want to give Michael a big hug! My heart really goes out for him, and there's nothing that upset me more than people who feel the need to put him down. He maybe isn't perfect, but he always has been a very kind soul who cares about other people. I'm so glad he's never played a villian - although his character on Interstate 60 probably comes the closest, as he was pretty rude and temperamental. This picture sometimes breaks my heart, and I want to take him into my arms and hold him tightly - while lovingly running my index finger through that soft dimple in his left cheek.

I never knew that the subject of his nationality is such a big issue.

Well, I don't think it is generally (at least, I hope not) - but some of the members of YouTube (as well as a few other websites) took great issue with his "Americans like me" portion of his ad for Claire McCaskill - and that just really upsets me, because I just don't see why it should make a difference. Then there were also a few who took issue with his retaining his Canadian citizenship, while becoming an American citizen - and that really pisses me off! It's not like Canada and the US are at war with each other, even if the Canadian government is in strong disagreement with the Bush administration. I get very upset by some of those "Canada vs the US" fights that seem to permeate the internet, where people from both sides of the border are putting down people who happen to live opposite of the border and bragging about how their country is so much better than the other - and I'm sure Michael J Fox wishes to have nothing at all to do with these childish arguments, and would prefer to see Canadians and Americans living in harmony with each other. That is one issue that truly irks and upsets me. Why should a border on a map make us hate each other? We're supposed to be friends! Sheesh!

I heard he grew up in BC. That's the only Canadian province I've visited.

What was it like for you, when you've visited Canada?

I think, if I remember correctly, he was ten when his family moved to Burnaby, BC. Before that, his family moved around a lot - because his father was in the military.

It wasn't much different from America. It was somewhat nicer. Where in Canada do you live?

Manitoba. Winters do get pretty cold here, but it's not all bad. It's festive to have a white Christmas.

As to not get too off-topic, I don't Michael is really in any danger of dying anytime soon. It does sadden me that such a nice guy like him has such a terrible disease, but it's nice how he's raising awareness for cures - not just for Parkinson's, but also for other diseases.

My old math teacher has Parkinson's. He doesn't twitch much. His left hand just shakes a lot.

Actually, when I picked up Season Two of Family Ties - Michael J Fox didn't seem as bad in the interviews, so it looks like there is hope for him.

In the wake of the whole Heath Ledger thing, I've really started to see things in a new perspective. I mean, yeah, it's still sad that Michael has such a terrible disease - but he is still making the most out of life, and maintaining his positive attitude. Heath Ledger was only 28, when he passed away - but Michael is almost 47 (the same age as Marty '15), and he's got a very wonderful and supportive family. So it really helps to see just how lucky he is.

BTW, I mean no disrespect to Heath Ledger. I've never watched anything with him in it, so I can't say I'm really a fan - but my heart does go out to his family and friends.

I feel sorry for Heath. His daughter is only two.

Yeah, it's sad to lose him so young. Did you watch anything with him in it? I heard there's a new movie coming out, with him in it. I can imagine it would seem freaky... and surreal.

I saw Ten Things I Hate About You. It's based off the Shakespeare play "Taming of the Shrew".

Off topic - Burnaby is a very nice city, if anyone goes I suggest visiting the "Michael J. Fox Theatre" its beautiful, the only problem is Burnaby has a fair share of gang violence.

I agree, it is a real shame that a nice person like MJF has Parkinson's disease. I hope that a cure can be found for it so that he can get better. And yes, I don't like how people make such a big deal about his nationality.

I really do hope a cure can be found in Michael's lifetime. With all the controversy over stem cell research, it's good to know that there might a way to turn regular cells into stem cells (or something like that). I personally don't have a problem with the former - but, either way, anything that can bring us closer to a cure would be lovely.