The US Tour for American Idol 2 has kicked off, starting with Minnesota. Catch all the action on the forum, which has gone into major overdrive. :D Terrific photos are available on this thread. Sounded like a fantastic show!

As expected, the deaths of the Iranian twins has caused some backlash from various sources, both medical and non-medical. But at least a number of neurosurgeons overseas did express support and understanding. I suppose the major issue being debated is whether anyone should've even tried to separate them in the first place, knowing it's never been done before, and fraught with numerous risks.

The general impression I get from reports is that Ladan and Laleh made their wishes clear to everyone who knew them -- they wanted a chance to lead their own lives, were aware of the dangers involved, and were intelligent people who were well-informed about all aspects of the operation. Despite the odds, they willingly went under the knife, knowing they may not survive. They even made arrangements regarding which twin to save should the surgery turn bad.

Detractors may argue that if a procedure is deemed too risky, it is the doctor's call no matter what the patient says. But if this had remained the case from the beginning of life as we know it, many medical advances would not have been made. There's always a first time for everything, and if a surgeon deems it possible, and the patient accepts the risks, how can anyone blame either of them for the outcome?

My two cents. It's 5 am in the morning. Apologies if I don't sound too lucid. Time to rotate to the resus area! :)