by Ben Frayser

Created on: September 26, 2008   Last Updated: October 07, 2008

"If I should take a notion, to jump off into the ocean, tain't nobody's business but my own"
"I never hurt nobody but myself and that's nobody's business but my own"

- Billie Holiday

"TTH, baby"

- nabenom (Thin The Herd)

We cannot legislate morality nor can we legislate rightness, hope, want, need or greed. Why do you think we should? For many years, America had laws against suicide. Did we think we would maintain the body in the penitentiary? People died by their own hand anyway.

It's hard for me to imagine the feelings of despair and hopelessness that such people feel. I've never had this. For me, there is a wide, wonderful world out there that always has something else and more. For others, however, life holds nothing but the promise of more pain.

"Do not go gentle into that good night."

-Dylan Thomas

I don't understand the feelings of those who wallow in despair and desperation and move to the final solution meekly. many taking the only way out of their pitiful misery that they can imagine. I can't speak to that side of it, but I can speak to the side of those who would choose the quick, easy and painless over the protracted agony of ALS or pancreatic cancer or even Alzheimer's. I've cared for them. Walked them to the end with as much grace and dignity that I could help them maintain and I fervently hope my road winds away from there.

Would you separate the two? Would you regulate suicide so that those who deserve to be able to choose are allowed to do so and those who are just whining will be arrested for attempting it? Who would decide? Will you do it?

Do you think it should go before a Judge and (S)He would make that determination? If you can afford a better lawyer, you will get the okay for being a spoiled brat who finally got told "no", while the indigent cancer patient will be told to wait for another year. Would those bold enough to seek special dispensation from the President or the Governor get the okay and the right to stand before cameras in a reality based TV show and snuff their pukey thin lights?

The problem with legislating something is that you must follow through. You must have a solid foundation and fact. You must be able to manage it. We can't. We can only offer help through counselling and mental health centers. We can't make someone take the offerings. We can't make them see that they have only to move to Las Vegas to enjoy their life once more.

"If I should take a notion...". Yes, this is your right. If you keep it personal. Don't make us dispose

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