Treasury Secretary Tim Geithner was admitted to George Washington University Hospital in D.C. today for minor surgery.
He's having a kidney stone removed.
I'm wondering if some surgical team member might try to make some money off the results of the procedure. What would Geithner's kidney stone be worth on eBay?
Yes, I hear the collective "eeeewwwww" across the Internet. But there's precedent.
Back in 2006, actor William Shatner got $25,000 for his kidney stone. The man I prefer to think of as Capt. James T. Kirk rather than a profane social media father donated the money to Habitat for Humanity.
Not only did Shatner add to his campy Hollywood persona with the outrageous sale, but his subsequent gift of the proceeds netted him a nice charitable tax deduction.
That same year, someone sold a half-eaten dinner roll that then Harvard University head Lawrence Summers left on his plate.
Summers' leftover went for $12.50.
I wonder if it would have gone for more if the meal scavenger had held onto it until Summers was tapped by Obama to be director of the White House National Economic Council?
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kidney stone passing
I don’t imagine Geithner’s kidney stone going for much. Captain Kirk on the other hand… he’s the man!