5 ms·

An assisted suicide party

23 points by colinbartlett 10y ago

Unbeliever69 10y ago
Beautiful and sad.
wycx 10y ago
Also: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/commentary/what-i-learned-helping-my-sister-use-californias-new-law-to-end-her-life/ http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/commentary/what-i-lear...
Smushman 10y ago
This typically taboo topic has now come front and center. This forces us all to consider what would we do, and what we expect from others as well. On the one hand, no one wants to publicly state that they believe death should be promoted. After all, where does that as a society leave us? What's next, suicide booths? On the other, there are individual rights, dignity and choice. Much like in Old Yeller; we do know there are times when it is better to let go. Even easier than in Old Yeller (for those of us who don't have to face this painful decision, at least not today) is the fact that these are certified sane adults making their own decision, as they are approved beforehand by the trusted of society (doctors). Choice is a basic human right we all can agree we definitely want to provide. I am also reminded we all eventually die anyway and nothing we can do will stop that. Our only 'choice' then, when it comes to death; is merely to improve its timing.
madengr 10y ago
Another reason I am against gun control. I can swiftly and painlessly end my life should the need arise.
- cairo_x 10y ago
  Unless you use hefty shot/cal, shooting yourself in the head has no guarantees. Many people shift aim at the last second and blow portions of their heads off and still survive. Also, think about the poor sod who has to clean up your body/find your exploded brains. OK, so you use a 22, so there's less mess, but again, you better hope it kills you all the way.
  - jrnichols 10y ago
    In my EMS experience, people rarely do what you described. I have yet to see one that wasn't successful.
    - cairo_x 10y ago
      I agree that using a firearm to commit suicide is still one of the most reliable methods, but it is not failsafe, and certainly not nice for the cleanup people, or discover(s) of the body... Like, It will stick with them for life. "estimated the lethality of suicide by guns as only 91.6% effective, and Farberow and Shneidman (NL Farberow and ES Shneidman, The Cry for Help, 1961.) had it as low as 84.7%. The Hawaii Department of Health (1990) had it even lower at 73%. The same studies showed the effectiveness of hanging to vary between 77% and 88%."
pmiller2 10y ago
Should not have read this while at work. :/

23 points by colinbartlett 10y ago

Beautiful and sad.

wycx 10y ago

Also: http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/commentary/what-i-learned-helping-my-sister-use-californias-new-law-to-end-her-life/ http://www.voiceofsandiego.org/topics/commentary/what-i-lear...

Smushman 10y ago

This typically taboo topic has now come front and center. This forces us all to consider what would we do, and what we expect from others as well. On the one hand, no one wants to publicly state that they believe death should be promoted. After all, where does that as a society leave us? What's next, suicide booths? On the other, there are individual rights, dignity and choice. Much like in Old Yeller; we do know there are times when it is better to let go. Even easier than in Old Yeller (for those of us who don't have to face this painful decision, at least not today) is the fact that these are certified sane adults making their own decision, as they are approved beforehand by the trusted of society (doctors). Choice is a basic human right we all can agree we definitely want to provide. I am also reminded we all eventually die anyway and nothing we can do will stop that. Our only 'choice' then, when it comes to death; is merely to improve its timing.

madengr 10y ago

Another reason I am against gun control. I can swiftly and painlessly end my life should the need arise.

cairo_x 10y ago
Unless you use hefty shot/cal, shooting yourself in the head has no guarantees. Many people shift aim at the last second and blow portions of their heads off and still survive. Also, think about the poor sod who has to clean up your body/find your exploded brains. OK, so you use a 22, so there's less mess, but again, you better hope it kills you all the way.
- jrnichols 10y ago
  In my EMS experience, people rarely do what you described. I have yet to see one that wasn't successful.
  - cairo_x 10y ago
    I agree that using a firearm to commit suicide is still one of the most reliable methods, but it is not failsafe, and certainly not nice for the cleanup people, or discover(s) of the body... Like, It will stick with them for life. "estimated the lethality of suicide by guns as only 91.6% effective, and Farberow and Shneidman (NL Farberow and ES Shneidman, The Cry for Help, 1961.) had it as low as 84.7%. The Hawaii Department of Health (1990) had it even lower at 73%. The same studies showed the effectiveness of hanging to vary between 77% and 88%."

pmiller2 10y ago

Should not have read this while at work. :/