So think about it. If someone wants to kill themselves, why is it against the law? Why are people who attempt suicide often revived by medics? Does it make sense to you? It doesn't make sense to me.

If someone wants to die that bad that they actually have the guts to do themselves in (or try), than they should be able to. -Pat

"Passing out while you try to kill yourself is like failing at failing." - Maddox

I think that quote from maddox.xmission.com sums it up...

People who fail to kill themselves in a usual way are failures. Plain and simple.

Note: The following is a fictional story creation, I’m not serious…

However, if I found out I had a terminal disease, like Ebola or full blown AIDS, I'd go out in style.

I’d think I’d try and rob a bank if I had AIDS. Either I’d die (suicide) or I’d make it out with a boat load of cash. Either way its win-win because if I was terminally ill nothing would matter anymore.

You can't commit suicide, but why don't you join the army? Instead of OD'ing in your bathroom, you can die for your country and it would be for a noble cause. You would be 'honored' (unless of course you would decide to run for president).

Yes, truly a noble cause: fighting in another war set up by another Republican blood-thursty president in office. Being sent to some other poor country full of brown people who don't give a shit about us. Another country whose name is hard to pronounce so we'll give it a nickname. Preferably something that won't take up too much headline space so we'll have enough space for our bullshit ads from money hungry businesses in the newspaper.

Facts:

Suicide deaths average at about 32,000 each year in the United States.

The "Iraqi Conflict" or "War on Terror" has cost us 7,413 lives. Vietnam cost us 58,184. Korea: 36,913. WWI: 116,516. WWII: 405,399, WWI is mild sauce compared to damage the Union soldiers had during the Civil War, as they lost 364,511 troops. Something most of these wars have in common: their casualty rate is higher than the average suicide rate in the nation.

Suicide commitments are nothing compared to the cost of war. We lose so many troops, and we honor them for volunteering to go die in a fight against another country. Suicide is a "sin" and is often frowned upon by the general public along with draft dodging. I usually consider life as a wonderful gift and to think that so many people are willing to throw it away via suicide or in the military is just disgraceful. Some of these wars (the American Revolution, the Civil War, WWII) could not be avoided, but some of these, such as Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom are too much. We find it so easy to lose lives in some struggle against a nation we don't agree with, and yet we are so reluctant to find peace within nations to settle our differences. It's astounding! Am I alone in this notion?

Many people consider these views "anti-American". I consider war "anti-American" due to the fact that has ended the lives of so many Americans.

Suicide and War, Apples and Oranges.

You aren't commiting suicide when you decide to go and serve your country, regardless of your views.

Lol at Tony Love, I can imagine the recruitment posters:

YOUNG MEN OF AMERICA! Thinking of committnig suicide? THEN JOIN THE US ARMY TODAY!

I guess suicide will be the one crime that if you do it correctly you can never be arrested for.

I'm with Pat. If you hate your life that much it's your business if you want to end it. Those that want you to stay alive just so they won't miss you are being selfish.

I have quite controversal views regarding suicide and assisted suicide. I'm all for it and think help should be given to those looking to end their lives. I'd suggest pilot runs for long term and life prisoners with a 3-6 month counselling period before action is taken.

Its kind of like prostitution being against the law. Why is it illegal to sell what you can give away for free?

What punishment is given for the people arrested for attempting suicide?

Uncle Sam with a gun in his hand

Well, considering the death penalty would be considered a gift, I imagine psychotherapy and time in one of those hospitals. They call them homes, but they're hospitals. I surely wouldn't want to live there...

Oregon already allows the terminally ill who are likely to die within six months to take lethal drugs to end their lives. Bush has tried to overturn Oregon law by various means.

I agree with Oregon in this matter.

Salad, your avatar is rather ravishing. Something about a woman's hair swinging about and the site of her armpits. Who is it?

The one and only naughty/nice Bettie Page !!

Here's where I can go either way. First as a Christian I'm against suicide, prostitution, etc. However, personally (with religion not being a factor), I'm for "legalizing" suicide & prostitution. I think if people want to end their life, fine. That's up to them. Also with prostitution, if people want to do it, fine. Some people need to pay for it and some don't. I never really understood why these were so harmful that they needed to be made illegal.