Chastized St. Petersburg doctor resigns leadership post

Prominent St. Petersburg neurosurgeon Dr. David McKalip is resigning as president-elect of the Pinellas County Medical Association.

The move follows statewide and national uproar over his forwarding an e-mail of a picture showing President Barack Obama as a witch doctor, wearing an exotic headdress and with bones in his nose.

"I believe that it would be in the best interests of the Pinellas County Medical Association and its mission to serve patients, if I step down from the association at this time," McKalip wrote in his resignation letter. "I will remove myself from the debate on health system reform so that my efforts do not become a distraction to the efforts to protect patients from intrusion into their medical care by government and insurance companies."

The county medical association has released a statement denouncing McKalip's action, and accepting his resignation.

"The Pinellas County Medical Association regrets and is appalled by the statements and act of Dr. David McKalip. Dr. McKalip acted in poor taste and on his own accord when preparing and issuing his message," it notes.

Read the full text here: Download McKalip

More details coming in tomorrow's St. Petersburg Times.

-- Letitia Stein, Times health reporter

Comments

[Greetings Comrades]

Meet your Governmant Assigned Doctor under Obama-Care

[SickNTired]

Dr. McKalip,

I for one do not believe you should resign. Someone of position has to stand up for the people.

I and many others do NOT support this heavy handed push toward nationalized health care.

In poor taste, maybe, but don't quit now!

[Sick and Tired]

THE NEW WAY OF GETTING RID OF PEOPLE: Scream racism until the do-gooders corner him into resigning.

[how 'bout them repiggies]

Good riddance...

Keep spinning it that way you do, repiggies. You will just keep driving away the intelligent voters.

[Blazin]

If this man did not intend this to be racial, he should not have succumbed to the pressures of the politically-motivated and fabricated illusion – as supported by an irresponsible and culpable media – and apologized or resigned for something he did not do… for it only serves to feed the beast and perpetuate the danger.

This is yet another sad episode in the ignorance and danger that is the mindset that “perception is reality”. What’s even more tragic is that even though we as a people have suffered the consequences of that ignorance time and time again, we have yet to learn from it.

Before 9/11, we were under the foolish “perception” that we were untouchable. On 9/11, “reality” showed up in the form of terrorists on our airliners and thousands died as a result of that foolish “perception”.

After 9/11, we allowed ourselves to be manipulated into the “perception” that Iraq was connected to 9/11 and sitting on WMD ready to pounce. We have since learned the “reality” of that situation, but not before thousands (and growing) have died as a result of that foolish “perception”.

We had better wake up, America, before we are once again lead down the destructive and dangerous path of “perception” by elected leadership and their minions that no longer live in, understand, or operate in the realm of “reality”.

But what do I know; “Mongo only pawn in game of life.”

[how 'bout them democraps]

Good posting, pig...
Keep posting it that way your left-wing nutjob puppet masters tell you to, pig. At $5 a-clip, you will soon be able to get of the backs of decent taxpaying Americans and pay your own rent, buy your own food... and still have money left over to support your happy juice and hippie lettuce addiction!

[Holdon Caulfield]

What about the way George Bush and Condeleeza Rice were depicted in cartoons. No one said a word. Furthermore, he forwarded an email. He didn't draw it. Let it go. How about when Obama referred to Palin as a pig?? Where was the uproar??!!

[andrew]

Intelligent voters..? He's a BRAIN SURGEON!!

You can make up your cute names (repiggies??), but look at the statistics of the exit polls of who voted for Obama, before you claim to have the "intelligent" voters.

[Yeah right]

If Dr. Mckalip didn't intend for that picture to be racial why is he stepping down? That the million dollar question.

[Dogbert]

I think it is appalling that the Party of Lincoln has sunk to the level of the Ku Klux Klan. Racist and ignorant.

[cassius]

I have it on good authority that McKalip quit as the next president of the Pinellas County Medical Society because they refused to rename it the Imperial Wizard.

[Sandy]

And the point? The doctor should stay.

[Debi]

I did not see the cartoon, and I think they did similar things to Hilary Clinton, so it doesn't sound racist to me. What I DO believe is that Obama and many of his supporters are the ones who play the race card to distract from the real issues at hand!! Look at what happened after Obama's latest news conference and his off base remark about an unrelated arrest in Massachusetts. I appreciate that the doctor is willing to speak out for the freedom of American patients. We shall all be nothing but numbers if this "Health Care" bill passes - totally at the government's mercy (whoever the governing ones are) as to whether we get the care we need or do not - as to whether we live or die in some cases). Just one more step to kissing FREEDOM goodbye... I am sorry, this is not a change I can possibly believe in.

[A sad day in what was, America]

“St. Pete doc quits post over Obama cartoon”

Funny how the media now calls it a “cartoon” after the intended damage is done. Congratulations members of the irresponsible media! You now completed the transition from an integrity-based watchdog of the people… to a partisan-based hitman of the corrupt political system.

[how 'bout them repiggies]

The repiggie party has degenerated into a cult of paranoids, racists and conspiracy theorists, all whipped into a rage of impotent fury by FoxNews and the talk radio bilge that is their crack cocaine.

In the final days of the McCain/Palin campaign, the white supremacists and racists were all over the place with all their vile crap, never once condemned by their more "genteel" repiggie partisans. One can still find videos posted on-line depicting so many of these instances.

This racist stuff just flows so naturally and so easily from the typical repiggie these days.

[MarkMarsh]

I thought Dr's were supposed to be SMART.

[Tyrone]

Political correctness runs wild yet again. Hey everyone, lets stop this football game mentality and remember what these people do affects our lives. Enough with "repiggies" (could be WAY more creative anyway), enough with "left-wing nutjob". This is not a team sport, this is something that affects your actual real life! Stop using party affiliation to make choices, and start using your own brain. Do some research to determine what is best for you and vote accordingly. Do not let the news give you the fact, becasue they are all bias. Is it not a sad day when the most intelligent point comes from someone with a name "Blazin", an obvius reference to something he does recreationally? No offense Blazin, you really did make some very valid points. The whole political system is a joke, and so is anyone getting fired or "resigning" for having an opinion.

[Debi]

Funny how people like the last couple of posters, who can't put their own name to a post, can do nothing more than name-calling against those who disagree with them. Pretty juvenile, I'd say.

[I guess people don't like Fascist-Libertarians]

Now he can devote more time to his real passions - denying health care to the poor and unemployed, and representing the medical establishment in it's neverending quest to wring ever higher profits from government health care plans.

[MarkMarsh]

Debi, How about learning a little about what "single payer" means before spouting your uninformed drivel. Oh, and what is your last name?

[Yeah right]

Debi
Its kinda of funny that you would say what you just did. It seem kinda of pretty juvenile also.How can you make that statement and do the samething that you are talking trash about?

[birdman]

What he did was in poor taste. I do not care how a person feels about about proposed changes in health care. I think that regardless of race, position, or beliefs, you just do not depict another person in a demeaning way. Once we stop thinking that anyone is open game, then we can start to discuss things in a dignified and intelligent manner.

[blah blah lies and spin blah blah i hope america fails blah blah me selfish]

Debi - is that your real name, McToady?

[sigh]

Sad day for the free speech movement!

[Peace Frog in Pinellas Park]

I can't hear the true issue at hand with all the shouts about racism and political affiliations!

The bottom line is Dr. McKalip is truly a dedicated physician that remains true to his oath. He cared for my sweet mother as she fought brain cancer. At least he did what he could when when he wasn't being bullied by her health insurance carrier.

Wake up people and stop letting the insurance companies dictate your health.

[Thorny]

12:42

I feel your anger and understand your feelings are hurt. That was uncalled for. There is no reason to pick on pigs, you have it bad enough already. I like using the term republiSCUMs, it rolls of the tongue just as easily and doesn't offend a higher life form. So rest assured some of us really do care about your fragile state of mind despite your predisposition to wallowing in dung.

[Thorny]

12:42

I feel your anger and understand your feelings are hurt. That was uncalled for. There is no reason to pick on pigs, you have it bad enough already. I like using the term republiSCUMs, it rolls of the tongue just as easily and doesn't offend a higher life form. So rest assured some of us really do care about your fragile state of mind despite your predisposition to wallowing in dung.

[Tom]

When is Adam C. Smith going to resign for smearing conservatives? Dr. McKalip used poor judgement in forwarding the email, but that doesn't mean he's a racist. The email was a good representation of Obamacare; voodoo health care and modeled after communism. Dr. McKalip's resignation only shows that he knows the battle for our health care isn't about him; too bad Obama will never learn this lesson as his quest is all about him. Obama = malignant narcissism.

[MarkMarsh]

Peace Frog, The Doc wants to keep things just the way they are. That is why he is against any change to the system.

[question]

So if I forward a news story containing the cartoon, am I guilty too?

[P.C.S]

Earth shaking, I don't think so.

It appears that he does not support nor respect our President. but not everyone does.

Yes, it was in bad taste, but too much is being made of it.

I for one am tired of those who can't wait to play the race
card for lack of any other intelligent responses

They do much more harm than good.

(By the way, I am a Obama supporter, and voted for him).

[Simon]

That depiction is probably one of the oldest racist dipictions of the 19th and 20th centuries. There's absolutely no way an educated person doesn't recognize that.

Bottom line- he thought it was funny and didn't think he'd get caught.

[Simon]

"Sad day for the free speech movement!"

Free speech does not mean that there are no repercussions for your words. Free speech works both ways- you can say what you like but you have to be mature enough to understand the consequences of those words.

[ChangeNow!]

I get it. I'm muffled hours in the waiting room (while being charged outrageous premiums) and he's busy on his computer getting his jollies, while his services are administered with an eye dropper.

[Pic of McKalip with Angelo Cappelli]

http://saintpetersblog1.blogspot.com/2009/07/continuing-coverage-of-doctors-racist.html

[Robert Goorey]

WHAT IS IT WITH THE PEOPLE THAT DO NOT BELEIVE IN THE FREEDOM TO SPEAK OUT WHEN
THEY WANT TO.

[Kathleen in Tampa]

Dr. Mckalip believes in the hippocratic oath and taking good care of his patients and preventing government rationing and taking away our healthcare choices.

Another victim of the liberal thugs.

We support you Dr. Mckalip and we will pick up the baton to fight for all our medical freedom and this takeover of our healthcare by the government. We will remember you everyday and use our first amendment right stronger than before.

[Scott]

It became very visible during the McCain-Palin rallies. Now it is undeniable. The racists have completely taken over the Republican party. Anyone who isn't a member of the KKK has left. What happened to the true conservatives?

[Josey Wales]

So you've run off a prominent brain surgeon and you're so proud of yourselves...but when welfare baby number 6 needs a prominent brain surgeon who you gonna call? You "first time voters" are brilliant...

[Marco Rubio won't say whether he will sever ties with McKalip.]

McKalip held a fundraiser for Rubio in June...http://bit.ly/575MT

[Deon]

Shameful. I'm black and I wasn't offended; we're just too gd sensitive these days.

I swear if we blacks aren't crying racism, White Liberals do it for us, and God forbid ANYone make a joke about Obama. Noone blinked an eye over 8 years of Bush jokes, but we can't have a single one against Obama.

[LOUISE....]

GOOD, NEXT. LOL

[MR BILLL]

DEBI-
DO NOT USE YOUR REAL NAME. THESE BLOGS TURN UP IN A GOOGLE SEARCH. I HAVE ALREADY HAVE SEEN A BLOG FROM A POTENTIAL EMPLOYER TELLING A BLOGGER HE DID NOT GET THE JOB BECAUSE OF THE BLOG HE WROTE. THE INTERNET WILL BE AROUND LONG AFTER YOUR FORGET YOUR CURRENT COMMENTS.

[Buzzard.]

It was in bad taste, no doubt. But nothing to resign over. Compare this little dustup with Times unabashed support of Sotomayer. She issued at least one racist judgement that we know of and even implied that as a latino woman she's smarter than some white dude. Where was the outrage then?

[BOTH political parties have issues...]

What most people (and certainly the two mental giants who sign themselves "repigges" and "liberal nutjob") fail to realize is that BOTH parties are corrupt.

Yes, Obama will selectively play the race card, and since he's half-black (even though he never knew his father -- at all) he can actually play that card and feel good about it.

Sure, the "cartoon" was in poor taste. One, it was insulting to REAL witch doctors, who more than likely do not want to be compared to Obama.

But what EVERYONE -- and that includes both Democrats and Republicans -- needs to realize is that we DO NOT need a President who is in a hurry to push MAJOR legislation through. It's indicative of someone who is attempting to hide something (a politician would never hide something, would they....?), and is certainly not the correct course of action.

SMALLER government is what we need. It's been proven time and time again that governments are inefficient at doing ANYTHING, so the last thing you want is for them to have a hand in the health care industry. Perhaps it's time to closely monitor Big Pharma, and eliminate lobbyists. Those moves alone should clear up quite a few problems.

[Equalizer]

And why didn't obamafascists listen to the poster below instead of taking it to Bush, Rice, Palin etc.? Progressives don't believe in civil discourse and the Constitution. They only believe in playing the race card and whatever the ACLU tells them. Of course it is okay for their hero sotomayor to make her rascist views known and defend discrimination against white men without them running her out of town.

xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
What he did was in poor taste. I do not care how a person feels about about proposed changes in health care. I think that regardless of race, position, or beliefs, you just do not depict another person in a demeaning way. Once we stop thinking that anyone is open game, then we can start to discuss things in a dignified and intelligent manner.

Posted by: birdman | July 24, 2009 at 01:13 PM

[McKalip says he will no longer appear publicly in oppo to health care]

McKalip has told fellow conservative activists he will no longer appear publicly in opposition to health-care reform. http://bit.ly/575MT

[JStraum]

Notice how he mentioned "protect patients from intrusion into their medical care by government and insurance companies" - AND INSURANCE COMPANIES? He knows it's tough on both sides, why are some of you so hard headed?

The government in your healthcare may stike fear in the minds of many, but what do you propose we do about the insurance companies? People w/o insurance may welcome some form of gov healthcare, while YOU may lose your insurance for whatever reason - we didn't see it coming, are you prepared?

Who can argue that our system doesn't need a tune up? Get off your high horses! We need to work TOGETHER to find SOLUTIONS for this mess...

[Kelly McGee]

Good riddance. We don't need racists in the medical profession. The blatantly racist email does not compare in anyway to the photoshopped pics of Bush, Cheny, et al. that I've seen. Its one thing to receive the email, its quite another thing to foward them to others. Once you forward the evil thing, you own the sentiment in all it's redneck racist awfulness. Grow up and fight for what you believe in like an adult, not like some grade school bully.

[MarkMarsh]

Poor equalizer expects to be taken seriously when he makes comments like "Progressives don't believe in civil discourse and the Constitution" Instead he looks like a poo flinging monkey. If you step away from the AM radio you might learn that the ACLU defends the Constitution on a daily basis. All of it, not just the parts conservatives don't like.