Son of Oregon Sen. Smith takes own life

orefonlive.com ^ | 9-9-03 | AP

[bicycle thug]

WASHINGTON (AP) — Garrett Smith, the 21-year-old son of Oregon Sen. Gordon Smith, died at his home in Utah, the senator's office said Tuesday.

Garrett Smith committed suicide on Monday, Gordon Smith's office said in a statement.

The senator's chief of staff, John Easton, called Garrett Smith "a wonderful young man who brought joy into the life of his family and friends. Garrett suffered from severe depression for many years. We wish the Smith family peace and comfort as they grieve this terrible tragedy."

Garrett Smith was adopted, as are the two other children of Sen. Smith and his wife, Sharon.

Gordon Smith, a Republican, was re-elected to a second six-year term last year.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

[bicycle thug]

My deepest condolences for this young man's family.

[austinTparty]

terribly sad.

[MineralMan]

Truly sad for the Senator and his family. Suicide is always tragic for those left behind.

[TheBigB]

Awful. :(

[quark]

I can't conceive the pain parents must feel when a child pre-deceases them, particularly in this manner.

[sonserae]

Sometimes even when you get an adopted child as an infant, they are troubled...deeply troubled. Something happens in the womb or being abandoned at a very young age. My friend adopted a child and he was pushing drugs at 9 years old. She had to hand him over to the state. Her natural born daughter grew up happy, normal and well-adjusted. She tried her best but he was troubled from the beginning.

[ambrose]

They are celebrating over on the Democratic Underground:

hadrons (1000+ posts)
Tue Sep-09-03 03:13 PM
Response to Original message


27. if Smith voted for the war ....

I can't feel sorry for him ...

[IncPen]

Not surprising.

They celebrate abortion too.

[fourdeuce82d]

They are celebrating over on the Democratic Underground:

unfortunately, we had some here that said similar things when Ted Tuner's daughter died.

It's ugly when anyone, of any persuasion, does something like that.

[OldBlondBabe]

Very sad. Prayers for those left behind.

[wjcsux]

They are celebrating over on the Democratic Underground:
Disgusting. There doesn't seem to be a bottom as to how low RATS will sink.

[jsbankston]

Yes, and yesterday people here at FR made light of the Indiana Governor's condition.

[jsbankston]

There doesn't seem to be a bottom as to how low RATS will sink.

And when people here at FR make light of a Democrat's death or family tragedy is that indicative of all Freepers or do you just paint "rats" with a broad stroke? I will pray for the families no matter what the political affiliation.

[Clintons Are White Trash]

How horribly tragic. Prayers for the family.

[ambrose]

No, there is a particular viciousness about the DU Vipers who enjoy spewing out their hateful venom. Recently, they devoted an entire thread to whether W. would murder Ronald Reagan to get a sympathy bounce in the polls.

Oh, and they also love to call W. a dictator, but then praise Fidel Castro to no end. I have never seen a more rabid bunch of crackpots in one place than the DU.

[catonsville]

A depression so severe that it caused the death of someone that young. Great tragedy.

[BlackElk]

I think it is safe to say that most believers on FR can find it in their hearts to pray for the Smiths and for Governor O'Bannon as well.

[Question_Assumptions]

The problem is probably genetic. There have been various twin studies (including identical twins adopted by seperate parents) that genetics influence even more subtle personality traits such as politics. If the natural parents of an adopted child are disturbed, there is a stronger chance that the adopted child will be disturbed. Note that "nurture" plays a roll, as well, but "nature" can stack the deck a certain way.

[BlackElk]

Most of us do. And for Governor O'Bannon, as well. I did not care for much of Sen. Paul Wellstone's voting record but I did not celebrate his death either.

I do not think that the percentage of actual believers is as high at DU as it is at FR. Those who do not believe in God do not pray for anyone and act on their beliefs as though death is final. Ambrose also has a significant truth here as to the DU types.

[Question_Assumptions]

While I agree that it is inappropriate for Freepers to make light of the death of liberals and their children, at least conservatives are supposed to be "mean". How do the liberals at DU square their mean thoughts with their supposed empathy?