Posted on 01/11/2002 3:20:52 PM PST by GMMAC
HB said:***Probably not.***
You have shown yourself to be disrespectful of other peoples requests.
It is not my right - nor yours - to request silence from those who disagree with our views. Such a request, aside from being just plain silly, is un-American, and goes against the very spirit of the Free Republic forum. Were such requests commonly made and "respected," I daresay that JimRob would have the forum all to himself.
Now sit down and eat your peas. They're getting cold.
You questioned whether my brother understood what he was doing because of his illness, and that is a legitimate thing to ask. I can tell you with total confidence that he did. He spent the weeks before he drowned himself saying goodbye to all of us in various ways; for example, I received a very touching and mysterious letter, which seemed totally out of the blue. It only made sense to me after his body was found.
I realize you have committed yourself to a position here. All I can say is that I pray you never have an up-close-and-personal experience with suicide like this, and that you might find in your heart some compassion for people who so desperately seek relief from their despair that they would want to die. We can all thank God we are not in that place. Beyond that, the judgment is His.
I *do* have compassion for people in the midst of such turmoil. But I *do not* condone suicide as an end result.
Declaring that there is "hatred" in the heart of a suicide does not help us to understand what you mean by "compassion."
"But I *do not* condone suicide as an end result.
Not a single person on this thread has condoned suicide. Quite the contrary... I think the overwhelming majority, including me, are here to understand, in hopes of preventing, or possibly healing.
And in all of this, let's not lose sight of the original thesis... that, statistically, men and boys are at greater risk. Doesn't it just make sense to ask why and discuss the possibilities? Apparently it's not just feminists who'd rather the subject remained taboo.
I wish for you that you someday find yourself healed of this pain and anger that you project so vociferously onto others. I would say, from experience, that the healing begins with forgiveness. Understanding often follows.
This is the attitude to which I refer. You're wrong.
By condoning I meant that some on this thread 'understand why this fellow would actually commit the deed based on the personal turmoil and court fiascos', or so it would seem. I honestly do not see how suicide would benefit his children even though his personal pain was great. There *has* to be a way to make certain such an act would *not* happen. If a beginning to change means that restructuring the family courts then it should happen. Besides that is personal responsibility for all individuals and seeking help from the medical community when needed.
I will agree (with a previous poster) that the family court system favors women overall...and that sometimes the mothers aren't the best providers for the children. I've personally seen how the court system can seek to destroy a parental relationship (both mother and father). I've experienced another side of it where my father chose not to pay support or have a relationship with his daughters (but again, please know that issue is in the past and we enjoy a wonderful father/daughter relationship now). I know of a woman who abandoned her family including 3 very small children to 'find herself'. This father has done a wonderful job of raising these youngsters to high school age thus far...fantastic kiddos because of the love and nurturing HE gave them...certainly not their mother.
My issue is with the actual act of suicide. It benefits no one...especially the children.
Is it any wonder?
The destrustion of the Nuclear Family, the constant mantra of the men haters and the increased strain brought on by divorce and a court system more focused on handing money to a spouse than on fairness and justice. The unfair standards that apply to women and minorities in hiring and employment. The open racism/sexism and thinly veiled hatred of Males that we must deal with daily.
Frankly, I am suprised there are any white males left.
I used to manage a store for a nationwide retailer of Medical Uniforms and Supplies. Being one of the only male employees or Managers I was discriminated against constantly.
The company was run like a sewing circle from the Corprate level on down and I had to deal with sexism on a daily basis. The black females told me I was a racist bastard once when they found out I voted for Dubya in the general election. And, generally disdained me because I was white.
Now, if the situation were reversed what do you think would have happened? Bet I would have been lucky to have time to clean out my desk.
I read somewhere that love does not keep a record of wrongs. Free Republic, unfortunately, does.
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