Journal Em Emalb's Journal: Dude jumped off a bridge on my way to work this morning 37

Journal by Em Emalb on Thursday August 26, 2004 @09:11AM

the bridge was only around 25' high, but that's plenty of distance to kill yourself, especially at 4:30am, and especially if someone in a 18-wheeler comes along and makes road paste out of you.

So, it took me over 2 hours (I left at 6:15am, got here to work at 8:30, was supposed to be here at 7am) to get to work this morning. At first, I was kinda distraught that I was angry at this person for deciding to kill themselves during rush hour. Then I decided, fuck that, I can be angry at some dumb asshole who decides the best way for them to get their message of no one cares about me across is to jump off a bridge on one of the busiest roads in the frigging US. Good job, asshole. No one, and I mean NO ONE will remember who you are, except for the couple of people who may have cared about you. All any of us will remember is "the time some asshole committed suicide on 400 right before rush hour".

So, to reiterate: FUCK YOU. It's a damned shame you weren't crippled for life instead of killed.

Look, if you feel the need to kill yourself, then by all means, feel free. Don't include all of us in your plans though, you asshole.

Speaking of assholes....I guess I'm one for calling it like I see it. Suicide is such a cop-out. So weak. Blah. Whatever.

Dude jumped off a bridge on my way to work this morning

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I have to agree (Score:2)

by Patik ( 584959 ) * writes:

Your point may sound harsh, but really, did he have to mess up everyone else's day? Everyone has their own problems, you're not special, so don't drag us into it. Hopefully not too many little kids saw what happened.
- Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)
  
  by Em Emalb ( 452530 ) * writes:
  
  It takes a lot of courage to end your own life.
  
  No it doesn't. It takes a lot of courage to step up and get out of the depression/face your problems. Anyone can pull the trigger, or jump. Not everyone can take the hard road.
  
  As to the selfishness of doing it in a way that impacts on others, well, that's not exactly important if you're about to kill yourself, is it?
  
  I'd imagine this poor bastard figured this was the only way to get noticed. If I had known this person in life, I'd have recommended th
  - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)
    
    by KshGoddess ( 454304 ) writes:
    
    Depression in its most severe forms could make someone rather mentally unstable, but I agree. Suicide is not the answer. It takes things getting really dark to contemplate suicide (hey, most of us have probably done it), but if you end it, how do you expect things to get better?
    
    I thought about it when I was much younger. I came to the conclusion that it's not worth throwing my life away just because things weren't working the way I wanted them to. It's a very self-centered and short-sighted view of things
  - AOL (Score:2)
    
    by Red Warrior ( 637634 ) * writes:
    
    What you said, but more so.
    Suicide is the cheap, "get out of jail" way out. It is in no means brave, noble, long sufferring, or anything else vaugely good. If "life is hard", then the couragous course is to slog through it.
    I'm all for people having the right to end thier lives in whatever cowardly way they want. But PLEASE don't expect any approval or respect for the choice from this corner.
    /Rant off
  - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
    
    by Abm0raz ( 668337 ) writes:
    
    I have no problems with suicide, but if you're gonna do it, grow a set and be sure to get your whole head in front of the shot gun. Don't f'up everyone else's day. It's noone eles's business but their own if they want to end their life, but do it in a way that doesn't effect the rest of the world.
    
    there is NOTHING in life that is worth killing yourself over. NOTHING.
    
    I disagree wholly, it's just that most things are worth killing yourself slowly. Very few are worth killing yourself quickly. Remember,
    - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
      
      by Liora ( 565268 ) writes:
      
      Yeah, I politely disagree. There is no way to commit suicide that is purely your own business. It WILL fuck up someone else's day. It will fuck up the person who found you's day no matter how you do it. You will also fuck up the day of the person who has to clean up the mess you left - especially if you do it the way you have described above. In the event you make sure no one will ever find you, it will fuck up the people who miss you, the cops who have to investigate your disappearance, and the famil
      - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)
        
        by Em Emalb ( 452530 ) * writes:
        
        thing is, I have never known anyone who was remotely close to killing themselves.
        
        I agree with it's not just the person's fault if they kill themselves.
        
        However, unless it is a medical error, blaming the doctor is wrong, imo. But in the case you describe, yeah, the doctor is in error.
        
        I hope I never have to be a friend for a suicidal person. That would be too scary.
        
        If people would be nice to each other, I'd have nothing to whine about. :)
        
        Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Liora ( 565268 ) writes:
        
        When I was in middle school and high school I contemplated suicide a lot. I had good reasons to believe that I sucked and shouldn't bother living because I was worthless and ugly and fat and would never amount to anything - my schoolmates and family told me that. Fortunately I had a bunch of friends who had more sense and helped me - one friend made me throw up repeatedly after I had gotten in a fight with my mom and had taken around 100 Tylenol in front of my mom - and she hadn't even cared!
        
        I lived thro
      - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Abm0raz ( 668337 ) writes:
        
        I respect your opinions, but disagree with them on a basic principle: I can't make you feel emotion. Happy, sad, guilty, depressed, elated, curious ... those all come as INTERNAL reactions to external stimuli. Let me elaborate:
        
        If action A is the cause of outcome B, then that is a linear relationship of causation. (If I poke you with a pin, you feel pain. My poking caused your pain). Now, if action C causes outcome D, E, or F, then action C is NOT the cause for any of those outcomes. Those out comes h
        
        Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Liora ( 565268 ) writes:
        
        Yeah, but that's not what my post was about. Go listen to the third song (song switch button is in the bottom left corner, song titled "Hero") at http://www.superchickonline.com/index2.php and you'll understand what I was getting at. Make sure you listen to the whole song.
        
        See... you are responsible to help people out, whether you care about them or not. We as people are responsible for doing right by every single person we ever encounter. I am responsible for being patient and pleasant with the cashier
        
        Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Liora ( 565268 ) writes:
        
        Actually, I probably am that sort of person, there is probably at least one person out there I have been mean to that was in a bad place and contemplated suicide as at least a loose result of my comments. I am guilty of hurting them, but there is forgiveness for me. There is forgiveness for you too.
        
        Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Abm0raz ( 668337 ) writes:
        
        I'm taking a little offense at the insinuation that i'm a mean person. This is what's known as the "binary fallacy" in arguments. "If you're not A, then you must be B" without any consideration of options C through Z and beyond. I'm not mean (I'm an asshole, but not mean). But that doesn't mean I'm an enabler, giver, over-protective/caring person either. I'm a "non-involvement" person. I let each to live their own lives. I don't pretend that I'm a mind reader and know what they want or need. I don'
      - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by arb ( 452787 ) writes:
        
        If however, that person wasn't undergoing treatment, that person seemed depressed and was not getting help, and you knew they were depressed and did nothing to help them (or perhaps were a real asshole to them, and actually made things worse) I would say that person's suicide is somewhat your fault. If people would just be nicer to each other, that kind of shit wouldn't happen nearly as often.
        
        Having battled with depression in the past, I would like to point out that quite often, not even close friends and
  - Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)
    
    by Safety Cap ( 253500 ) writes:
    
    It takes a lot of courage to step up and get out of the depression/face your problems.
    That's like saying, "It takes a lot of courage to step up and start walking on your fractured leg."
    Depression is an illness, plain and simple. The more severe forms---if left untreated---can cause someone to do something extreme, like take his own life. No amount of will-power, "bucking up," "toughing it out," or other platitudes will change the fact that the person is not in control; the disease is.
    - Re:Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)
      
      by Iamthefallen ( 523816 ) * writes:
      
      Depression is an illness, plain and simple. The more severe forms---if left untreated---can cause someone to do something extreme, like take his own life. No amount of will-power, "bucking up," "toughing it out," or other platitudes will change the fact that the person is not in control; the disease is.
      But there is a way out of a clinical depression, treatment, therapy, medicines if need be. Hell, even simple positive thinking helps quite a bit. Too damn many revel in their depression though and enjoy bein
      - Ahh (Score:2)
        
        by Safety Cap ( 253500 ) writes:
        
        But there is a way out of a clinical depression, treatment, therapy, medicines if need be.
        
        Very true
        
        Too damn many revel in their depression though and enjoy being miserable way too much to get better.
        
        From that remark, I will conclude that you have never suffered from clinical depression, nor are you acquainted with anyone who does.
        
        Re:Ahh (Score:2)
        
        by Iamthefallen ( 523816 ) * writes:
        
        And your conclusion is incorrect. I am very much familiar with it including in my immediate family. Far too often I see that the person makes concious choice not to seek help so they can wallow in selfpity and misery. I'm not saying that's the case for everyone who suffers from depression. But it comes down to that if they made a choice to get better, despite the hardship and the negative feelings and lack of energy and motivation involved, they could. They could at least reach a point where they function.
        
        Re:Ahh (Score:2)
        
        by Zirnike ( 640152 ) writes:
        
        "They could choose to seek help"
        Depression saps the energy. It's not the choice of the battery not to run the gameboy advance.
        
        Re:Ahh (Score:2)
        
        by Iamthefallen ( 523816 ) * writes:
        
        Yes I know, but they still have a choice in that they can start the treatment and seek help. Of course it's hard to pick up the phone and place a call, but, it's definitely doable if they make the concious choice. Even in the middle of a depression you have concious, rational thought albeit slanted towards the negative.
        
        Re:Ahh (Score:2)
        
        by Abm0raz ( 668337 ) writes:
        
        I replied to SC before reading yours. Same thing, just yours is better said. 90% of the time, just accepting the fact that the world isn't out to get you, that you make your own choices, and that others may get to influence your life, you alone in the end get to make the final decision and you alone can make it better makes a world of difference towards getting rid of depression.
        
        -Ab
    - Re:Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)
      
      by Abm0raz ( 668337 ) writes:
      
      I don't by that. Depression is a mood. IMO, it's no more an illness than happiness. It's a natural reaction to external stimulus.
      
      From my observations (and this is far from a case study or verified experiment) but most people I know that "suffer" from extended bouts of depression are people who were raised in families that were 1 of 2 types:
      1. Everything's perfect, the world is perfect, we're all happy, over protective family that prevent their children from hurting themselves and learning how to dea
    - Re:Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)
      
      by sillypixie ( 696077 ) writes:
      
      I think the analogy is accurate, provided that we add the following:
      
      It takes a lot of courage to step and start walking on your fractured leg, when you are 20 miles into the wilderness alone, with darkness approaching.
      
      That's how I see depression. You are far from help, you feel like it is a situation that you can't ever get out of, even if you try to help yourself it may not work.
      
      But the thing is -- if you don't try, you will DIE. Some people are strong enough to drag themselves to safety, no matter ho
  - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
    
    by Zirnike ( 640152 ) writes:
    
    "It takes a lot of courage to end your own life"
    "No it doesn't"
    How about some reading? [ashbusstop.org] Especially section 5.
    "I'd imagine this poor bastard figured this was the only way to get noticed"
    I don't know about that. It seems likely that he figured 1) that falling 25 feet and being hit by a semi is one of the few ways of being sure you'll actually die, instead of merely being paralized and being unable to complete the job. 2) As for the timing... At 4:30 there's enough traffic to be sure you get hit, and
    - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)
      
      by Em Emalb ( 452530 ) * writes:
      
      your reasoning on why they do this is flawed.
      
      "Oh, they are just being conscientious. BS. If they were being considerate, they wouldn't cause trama to whomever had the extreme displeasure of hitting them.
      
      Further more, I don't know where your from, but traffic here isn't a joke. It's an 8 lane highway. 4 lanes of which were stopped for well over 2 hours.
      
      It's an asshole move by someone who was thinking about their "impact" alright. Suicide is the ultimate expression of being a selfish asshole. That's
      - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Zirnike ( 640152 ) writes:
        
        "If they were being considerate, they wouldn't cause trama to whomever had the extreme displeasure of hitting them"
        This is true. But look at it from the perspective of harm minimization: Realistically, they would have only affected 5 or 6 people (driver, cop first to arrive, maybe 2 EMTs from an ambulance, coronor), assuming they actually managed to clean things up in a reasonable timeframe. There are other ways, but in California (that where you are?) it wouldn't be realistic to assume they have acces
      - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
        
        by Some Woman ( 250267 ) * writes:
        
        A. I thought 8 lanes was pretty standard.
        
        B. I kind of hope that you get to deal with a suicidal person some day. It's not a rational mindset.
  - Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)
    
    by daoine ( 123140 ) * writes:
    
    Oh, btw, this is about the 6th time this has happened in the past year. Not even an original idea, this guy. Sheesh.
    I was just about to point that out. I've been out of the area for over three years now, but I do recall that jumping into oncoming traffic on 400 is apparently a popular means of taking yourself out...and the morning traffic along with it.
I'm sorry, that was me (Score:2)

by Ethelred Unraed ( 32954 ) * writes:

But because of my cartoon character nature, I bounced back.
It was me the other six times this year, too. I just can't get enough.
That's all folks!
Ethelred
PS: On a more serious note, my prayers for whomever he left behind...
Suicide is weak (Score:2)

by sielwolf ( 246764 ) writes:

but Murder-Suicide, especially with Suicide-by-Cop? That's the shit. Really, go into a crowded area, light up a bunch of people. Choke the rivers with their dead. Who can forget Phil Hartman's psycho bitch wife? I wonder what impersonation he did right before she shot him? The one that might actually save his life? Frank Sinatra? Troy McClure? They were all the fucking same anyway. In 20 years he'll only be remembered for the ignobility of his death.

"Another nigga deceased/Another story is told"
- Re:Suicide is weak (Score:2)
  
  by Some Woman ( 250267 ) * writes:
  
  No. He will be remembered as Bill on the best TV show ever that went to pot after he died and had to be cancelled. At least that's how I'll remember him. :^)
- Re:Suicide is weak (Score:2)
  
  by TPFH ( 92944 ) writes:
  
  but Murder-Suicide, especially with Suicide-by-Cop? That's the shit.
  
  I always figured if you are gonna go and kill yourself, you might as well do the world a favor and take a spammer or two or as many as you can with you.
  
  Do spammers ever have conventions?
It oughta be legal (Score:2)

by bethanie ( 675210 ) * writes:

to kill people who inconvenience others with their pathetic suicide shit. And maim those who don't succeed. Hell, you should be thanked for decking any pansy-ass bitch who whines too much.

Can I get an Amen?!

....Bethanie....
- Re:It oughta be legal (Score:2)
  
  by Doctor O ( 549663 ) writes:
  
  As always I'm a bit late to the party, but I want to add some trivia to your pool. Did you know that in Germany, if you are a civil servant, you can and will get sued by the state for trying to commit suicide?
  
  In case you wonder, it's the compulsory military service game over here and you can choose to become a civil servant instead (that's a lot of paperworks and several mandatory "discussions" with military people), and special laws apply to you while you are one. To be fair, there are special laws while
How interesting (Score:1)

by redhead-kitten ( 775093 ) writes:

My friend's brother killed himself a couple of months ago. He was going through a divorce and had been the stay at home dad for 7 years. He had given up his career to be a dad and felt that he had nothing to live for. He had no career, his family was being torn apart by his wife leaving, so he used alchohol and drugs to OD.
I feel bad for the family left behind, because it appears that my friend is the only one in his family dealing with his death. But then again, my friend is a fireman, and he (unfortun
Too many people die already. (Score:2)

by Ra5pu7in ( 603513 ) writes:

There's too many people in the world dying of hunger, illness, war, and all sorts of other stuff they couldn't avoid. I'm angry at people who get so wrapped up in themselves that they think suicide solves their problems is completely understandable. It is particularly bad when they choose to end their life in a way that will hurt or inconvenience others. I don't care if they felt their life was otherwise unnoticed - this isn't the right way to get attention.

Ah, well. The only time I would consider suic
He did something right. (Score:2)

by rdewald ( 229443 ) * writes:

Suicide of this kind is usually an expression of rage, intended to piss people off, so I'd say this gentlemen succeeded at that quite well.

We can't know what led him to it, the responses here say a lot about what is going on in people's (the poster's) lives, though. It's all very interesting for as psychologically-inclined types.

Nurses know how to kill themselves quietly, and it such a way that it is impossible to prove that it was suicide, or even self-inflicted. Botched suicide attempts are usually cr

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Dude jumped off a bridge on my way to work this morning More Login

Dude jumped off a bridge on my way to work this morning

I have to agree (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)

AOL (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)

Re:Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)

Ahh (Score:2)

Re:Ahh (Score:2)

Re:Ahh (Score:2)

Re:Ahh (Score:2)

Re:Ahh (Score:2)

Re:Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)

Re:Not true, mi amigo (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:1)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

Re:Suicide isn't weak... (Score:2)

I'm sorry, that was me (Score:2)

Suicide is weak (Score:2)

Re:Suicide is weak (Score:2)

Re:Suicide is weak (Score:2)

It oughta be legal (Score:2)

Re:It oughta be legal (Score:2)

How interesting (Score:1)

Too many people die already. (Score:2)

He did something right. (Score:2)

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