I am not sure what's the point of making suicide illegal since if someone really wants to do it and succeeds what are you going to do? give them a trial? Ok, I understand it's not that simple. Anyway here's my take. If someone is unable to live life because of some sort of physical issue (i.e. very sick) then I think they should be allowed to commit suicide to end the physical pain. But if someone is contemplating suicide for emotional distress, then everything within the power of the state or whatever should be done to prevent it. It's immoral to allow a person to commit suicide. It's so short sighted. The emotional pain someone feels today is not permanent. It's temporal. I would do whatever it took to prevent a healthy individual from committing suicide. Case in point. My best friend tried to commit suicide back when we were roommates. Luckily we found him in time and got him to a hospital. He was resentful at first for having survived but today he is happily married with 2 kids and a doctor. Should he been allowed to be given the choice to end his life? You lose nothing by playing out the game in life. There's absolutely no advantage to calling it quits early. None. Life is tough and painful at times. But you have to go on. Fortune can change for better or worse and anyone healthy contemplating suicide is clearly not in their right mind if they can not see this. I would say that in that instance the person is mentally ill and should not be allowed the choice in taking their own life. It's not about individual rights. It's about the humane thing to do.
My Body/My Rules = Your Body/Your Rules Which means you want people to change THEIR concept of "acceptance". You'll only get that kinda personal liberty in an anarchy I think.
I do believe in forms of voluntary euthanasia. If you're diagnosed with a debilitating chronic disease, you get to decide when you off yourself (24 months after official diagnosis, or something). Or more expansion of Death With Dignity to others who have other forms of insurmountable suffering physical, financial or emotional. But there's been a few too many bozos who broke up with their girlfriend/boyfriend and ended their life when you know they did prematurely and stupidly. I think there is a slippery slope of apathy allowing that kind of thing. Life if nothing else is an act of resiliency to continue itself.
6.6 billion people on the planet and growing. If you prefer eternal oblivion to your only chance to be aware, then by all means, check on out. Once you do it, it won't matter, to you.
In related news Dr. Jack Kevorkian has died. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4326523...k-kevorkian-convicted-assisted-suicides-dies/ Jack Kevorkian, convicted in assisted suicides, dies at 83 Doctor put controversy of euthanasia on the world stage Dr. Jack Kevorkian, the Michigan pathologist convicted and jailed for participating in assisted suicides of terminally ill people, died early Friday, his lawyer told local media. Kevorkian, 83, died at Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, Mich., where he had been hospitalized for about two weeks with kidney and heart problems. The lawyer, Mayer Morganroth, said it appears Kevorkian suffered a pulmonary thrombosis when a blood clot from his leg broke free and lodged in his heart, according to the Detroit Free Press. "It was peaceful. He didn't feel a thing," Morganroth told the newspaper. Morganroth told the Free Press that the hospital staff, doctors and nurses said Kevorkian's passing was "a tremendous loss and I agree with them. He did so much." No plans for memorial Morganroth told the paper that he doubts anyone will assume Kevorkian's role in assisted suicide: "Who else would take those kind of risks?" Morganroth said there are no plans for any memorial. Kevorkian, believed to have assisted in 130 suicides, was convicted of second-degree murder in 1999 and sentenced to 10-25 years in prison but was released in 2007. Last year, he was the subject of "You Don't Know Jack," an HBO movie starring Al Pacino.
I don't believe so. It's a selfish act that hurts loved ones and people around you. Having the people that you leave behind always question themselves like what if I did that would he or she still be alive. It's a ****ed up thing to do.
Sorry to hear that bro. The worst part of suicide/death is that the people left behind gets to suffer. I know it's only natural to feel guilt but it wasn't your fault at all bro.
There was a Richard Dreyfuss movie back in the early 80s "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" that made these same salient points regarding quality of life. IMO, one should have the right to die, but the choice should be allowed only after counseling by a legally qualified professional. I have a personal interest in the topic, especially since yesterday when my nephrologist put me on the kidney donor request list. As a temporary solution, next week a kidney team will rip me open to put a hole in my gut to fit me for peritoneal dialysis -- that way I can undergo daily dialysis at home while I sleep so I can maintain a modicum of normality and I can continue to carp at youse guys. However, if ever I lose the ability to walk my dog around the lake or the ability to communicate effectively, I would like to have the option of a peaceful conclusion.
