The Disrespect For Life

Holy jeez.

Brandon and Parados: First of all, I think we can all agree that merely shoving food in TS's throat would have killed her, since she doesn't have a swallow reflex. SO, any debate about "food ingested orally" vs. "food put in the mouth" can, I think, be attributed to a misunderstanding. Brandon, you did cite the case of the people trying to give TS food as supporting your argument, but I am willing to accept that you only meant it as a form of "give her food."

blueveinedrobber said:


Uncool. Funny, but uncool.


Secondly, I see the removal of her feeding tube as an example of respect for life, not disrespect. By taking out that feeding tube, they honored the person she was, who, according to her husband, did not want to be kept alive artificially. If all he wanted was to get with his girlfriend, he could have just divorced her. the only motivation for taking out the tube was either homicidal(unlikely), or just out of a true respect for his wife's wishes.


Thirdly, Brandon, in the beginning of this topic you said:



However, when approached with parados' comments, you fell back upon it like a crutch.



I can understand the use of examples, but since you refused the TS example previously, only to use it yourself some 3 posts later, it is apparent that it is your only real example, which is fine, as long as you own up to that.


I think the real issue here is your inability to comprehend others' humor. Yes, Brandon, some people are assholes in their humor, but that doesn't make them miserable human beings. It makes them human. Imperfect, scared of death, and helplessness, humans who need jokes to ward off their own fears. Could they have done it more sensitively? Of course! But there's no need to brand them infidels and bar them from humanity.


I really hope we can end this endless bickering over the word "mouth" and get back to the real issue: respect for life. I would like to delve into it further, but if we're going to continue on this path of semantics, I would rather bow out. I hope to hear from you all soon.

For some people perhaps, but you appear to be denying the existence of people who mock the pain of others out of cruelty, when it is quite obvious that such people do exist. Some things really are primarily non-funny. I suppose it would be possible for someone sufficiently perverse to mock the 9/11 victims, for example the man and woman who jumped to their deaths from a burning building holding hands, but personally, I just don't find it amusing. I hesitate to point out the blindingly obvious, but laughing at three vaudevillians pretending to hit each other over the head with frying pans, is a bit different from mocking a brain damaged girl who just died.

Not only is it possible for a person to "have respect for life" and to side with those who wanted the feeding tubes withdrawn from TS and others in her situation...

...it also is possible to "have respect for life" and prefer that a life ending solution be injected into the veins of people in that condition.

In fact...it probably shows more "respect for life" to be of that mind.

Not that I think people like Brandon can ever open up their minds enough to see that!

Brandon's right about the humour - not funny. And there's nothing wrong wtih saying it. Some things just aren't funny. That's one of them.

Yes, such people do exist. If someone were to do this to one of the primaries in the case, then you might have a point.


How? Neither one is funny.




My point is that you are not the ultimate arbiter of what is or is not funny. You may believe that your taste is so universal and fine-tuned that no one may disagree with you, but you're wrong on that point just as you are on so many others.

There are several things that make up comedy. I don't remember the complete ladder of comedy from my college days but it includes things like surpise, incongruity, repetition (the 3rd time is funny).


Some people find some things funny, other people don't. It is personal. Just like finding things offensive is personal.

I find it offensive that people would attempt to interfer in the personal tragedy of others and call them all kinds of names for making a decision that is obviously not easy. I REALLY find it offensive when it is done for political gain.

When I compare the actions of the person that made the Shaivo dance website to Tom Delay, I consider Delay's actions to be much more offensive and less respectful of life.

Parados: I agree: mocking someone's tragedy, while it is abhorrent, is less repugnant than taking that tragedy and making it into a three-ring circus to further oneself, thereby making it possible for someone to mock it. Tom DeLay is not the person to lecture anyone on ethics.

Greyfan: Very well put. Is that a book? I don't think I've ever heard of it, though the rhythm of the title does sound familiar. Thanks.

Stranger in a Strange Land, by Robert A. Heinlein, is one of the best books I've ever read. I highly recommend you buy a copy for yourself - you'll want to read it more than once.

Cycloptichorn

Stranger in a Strange Land is one of Robert Heinlein's works. He remains very popular, and the book referred to was a cult classic among the young in the 1960's. Personally, i find him disgusting, but this is not a literary criticism thread. Suffice it to say, that among his self-satisfied fantasies, amidst the sexism and racism, there are to be found some "pearls of wisdom"--in my never humble opinion.

Okay, thanks for the reccommendation. I'll find it next time I'm in the bookstore.

Frank is right. I hear so much about creating a "culture of life" but what does that really mean? It means "don't accept the fact that one day we all will die." Death is just as much a part of life as anything. It's not easy to deal with, but we must. Humor is the best way we have to keep our sanity. Talk to any police officer, firefighter, ER doctor. I'll bet they have some pretty good jokes that would certainly be considered black humor.