Open Forum Discussions and Debate

yes, it's true

Mamacita 2: It's hard to tell given the formating constraints of this media, but what you have written almost sounds as though it was written in the Spencerian sonnet style.

It seems obvious that if you aren't sick, depressed, freshly split from a partner, having a birthday, or be the owner of a brand new puppy, and very excited about it, don't expect a response. Could THIS get me banned????

Jeb
good to see you back again.
do we need another crumb?

I would say, Rosemary, we need MANY more crumbs. Wouldn't you? Anything to get away from the depression, the separation, the whingeing and the sorrowful. I only wish I had something to moan about, then someone here might pay attention!

Ok open for discussion 'Euthenasia'
Should people be allowed to die with dignity?

oops Euthanasia

Everybody that wants to, Rosemary, everybody that wants to.

But dignity has nothing to do with it. Compassion is the correct reason.

It's really late here so will make an early, perfunctory remark about youth in asia, speaking anecdotally. Dignity is the operative word. I was impressed by the way my father died of heart failure. He held on as long as he could and with most of his family nearby finally said 'I can't do this anymore' and was gone. His father, on the other hand, shriveled to nothingness with Alzheimers. The question I have asked myself is; was one death more dignified than the other? Pain was not a factor in either, so that is right out as a consideration. Death by cancer is not something I'm too familiar with but understand that it is quite painful which can be mitigated with heavy doses of morphine (great stuff by the way). As I understand euthanasia, it is defined as an assisted, planned death. Doesn't that border on suicide? From what I have learned about euthenasia, its proximity to suicide is what has made the subject such a controversial one. One which ethicists have argued ad nausiam. I'm sure everyone has an opinion on the subject, and rightly so, but can anyone say for sure what they would do when faced with the decision? It's right in line with whether or not you would shoot someone who had broken into your home. It's easy to say yes but nobody knows for sure until they are faced with the actual event. Interesting posit, Rosemary. If Gob can't or won't wrap his/her mind around this subject, then there is no hope there.

Why can't I wrap my mind around this subject? I thought I had! The fact that dignity has nothing to do with it is an opinion that I have. I would never say some-one's life should cease because of a lack of dignity! That's a terrible wish!

Outstanding! An impassioned statement, that's the spirit. I was sure that a little poke in the ribs would elicit a heartfelt response. Now that you are fired up, expand on your idea. Why do you feel that dignity is not involved?

I would never say some-one's life should cease because of a lack of dignity! That's a terrible wish! I thought that was enough reason why dignity has nothing to do with it!

I mean, does that mean those who are not dignified should be put down? God I hope not. Me and most of my friends and a few rellies would not be around for long!

An interesting misinterpretation of 'Dying with dignity', Gob - I suspect a deliberate one in order to create controversy. I'm sure you're well aware that it's not about those who have lost dignity being 'put down'. It's about people having the right to choose at what point their suffering should end so that they do not descend into a level of suffering beyond what they are prepared to endure - and to be able to do it legally so that they do not have to choose means such as overdose, hanging, shooting, etc.

No misinterpretation here Judy. How can you misinterpret the word dignity? Dignity is what it is - check the dictionary, or what ever you want. If there is any misinterpretation it must be yours.Having the right to choose at what point their suffering should end so that they do not descend into a level of suffering beyond what they are prepared to endure - and to be able to do it legally so that they do not have to choose means such as overdose, hanging, shooting, etc. has nothing to do with dignity. It is a term that someone has coined. The word you might be looking for is compassion. There is nothing dignified about death!

Gob - you are amazing!Your misinterpretation is not of the word 'dignity' - it is by deliberately choosing to interpret the term 'dying with dignity' to mean that those who have lost dignity should therefore die. This is a silly way of interpreting the term and I'm sure you know that. As for death not being dignified - I have sat with people dying and it can be dignified, peaceful and gentle. Unfortunately, it can also be painful and prolonged and distressing for the person dying as well as those who keep vigil with them - which is one of the reasons that many people advocate euthanasia.

There is no misinterpretation. You are one fortunate person. I too have sat with people who have died, and found no dignity in it. I could go on about that too, but there is no dignity in that either.

I see Dann has decided to post on some pages..........that's nice.I think.

Am I catching a tone of dogmatic thinking here?

dig·ni·ty /ˈdɪgnɪti/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[dig-ni-tee] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -ties. 1. bearing, conduct, or speech indicative of self-respect or appreciation of the formality or gravity of an occasion or situation.
This has the omnibus sound of something that could include death and dying.

not sure why I can't log in...Judy - you said it for me...ty.

I've been checking up on the chat room and haven't seen anyone there...at all. Has it fallen out of favor? If it's not used anymore, what's the point of signing up?

Jeb
I think so many other things happening on the site of late that the chatroom has been left during our daytime.
from my point of view been very busy also during the day.

So, Rose, too much of a good thing has scattered the covey? The webmaster has certainly been busy, that's fer shur. Oh well, I'll just poke me nose in once in a while to see does anybody else show up.

Chatroom obit was posted on previous page.

so was the discussion obit....oh lookie here!!! cripes it's still going - is this what they mean by an 'after-life'?

Billy, By golly I think you are right. Talking about death with dignity..... and talking things to death. Discussions become quarrels for no good reason.

Jeb, You may be right about the comments made prior to today having a Spencerian sonnet style, but I see more W. E. Henley, perhaps. More than likely, it was the leftover style from trying to rhyme during the competition...lol!

OK, Mamacita, then for no good reason, let's incite a knock down drag out quarrel over the virtues of say Ogden Nash vs. Ezra Pound or Dr. Seuss vs. Carl Sandburg. Then sit quietly and watch. That should liven things up a bit and be good for a few laughs.

Jeb...Go for it my friend...lets hear you do that great pontificating thingy you do so well to stimulate others to come forth in all of their glory. For those of you who may think I'm calling Jeb pompous or stuffy, I'm not..he just has a way of bringing it out in others...lol.

I think the thing to do now is to lie in wait for someone to make the first gambit. With Johnny Carson timing, I'll jump out and blindside their declaration with an obfuscating hiaku while you sneek up from behind with your Spencerian sonnet. They'll never know what hit 'em. If I knew more about poesy, think of the havoc we could wreak.

Jeb, Have a few brewskis on me as you lie in wait! Lol

not falling for it jeb...but i would like to see your haiku...

To reveal my lair
Lying and waiting to pounce
Gives the game away

Billy in handcuffs
gothic shadows trace the wall
darkness broods beyond

I gave her a double barreled block lick, Mamacita, now whap her upside the head with your sonnet. Falling for it or not, she asked for it. That's one, we're on a roll now.

Whoa...Whap her upside?
Lame double barreled block licks
Ricochet off me

er....what exactly are barreled block licks???

and slightly embarrassed to bring this up as a discussion point as no doubt you will roll your eyeballs and shake your very sensible heads...but has anyone been to a clairvoyant? Waste of time? Better off spending my $'s on some shoes?

Ha! And I quote; 'to stimulate others to come forth in all of their glory', also 'he just has a way of bringing it out in others...lol'. Didn't even have to call in air support for a high density quatrain drop. Now its left to Mamacita to administer the coop da Gracie.

Strictly for entertainment purposes. For five or ten bucks, have a lark. Any more than that, get a pedicure. Then you'll need some open toed pumps to show off your pretty toes. But then you'll need a new dress to go with the shoes. Probably don't have a handbag to go with the new dress... let's see, an accent piece and might as well go for a new hair style. And look at those nails. Time for some new polish. What the heck, check into a spa for a three day makeover and step out a new woman. If you want your palm read, visit a hardware store paint department and pick you favorite shade. The Great Houdini proved unequivocally that it is all hocum.

hocum - had suspected this all along...but you have a compelling argument for a total make-over, my nails are a tad grotty...

Jeb my man, you did it again..and with nary a sigh from me...how great thy art. Now you show a flair to dress em up and send them away in glee, ah, sweet mystery of life...oh gee!!