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Pastimes : The Boxing Ring Revived -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Neocon who wrote (4402)	2/14/2003 5:30:11 PM
From: Rambi	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 7720

I was not objecting to the reservations someone might have about the concept of rational suicide, Neo. I think any thoughtful person should have these. I was reacting to a post that came across as having already judged a person who choose suicide as lacking in courage and character, and those who assist to be participating in the decline of civilization. If all you meant to say is that it is not a pat issue, then I certainly agree, but it seemed you had judged them wanting already. It seems a lot of us read your post that way- and perhaps wrongly so, but it did sound much more negative than just having some reservations. Anyway, I apologize for misunderstanding. Of course life can be enjoyed under many different circumstances, including living with a terminal illness or a serious condition. Dan's aunt, Helen Santmyer, was very ill, in her 80s and dying of emphysema, when she was finishing her novel ...And Ladies of the Club. It was a hard dying, yes, but she still had a goal and a reason to fight through each day. She was not about to exit early! And one of my favorite inspirational stories was that of the POW who at the end of each day rated it as good or bad, and seldom did he have a bad day because there was always something to rejoice in- the sight of the sky, the unexpected kindness of a guard. But I also believe that for some people there may be a time that they do not want to go further down the path. I see nothing to be gained by imposing extended suffering because we, who can't possibly understand another person's life and death, have decided what is the Morally Correct thing for them to do based on our own limited experience. As for how it reflects on society-- funny. I see it almost opposite from the way you do, not a decline of moral values at all, not a depreciating of life. I see it as allowing, compassionately and respectfully, personal freedom to choose the path of one's own life-- and death. A pretty evolved achievement. Again, I apologize if I offended you.