Oregon Senator (Smith) Grieves Over Son's Suicide

guardian.co.uk ^ | 03/02/04 | AP

[tcuoohjohn]

Brit HUme established two scholarships in his son's name and asked the National Press Club to created the " Sandy Hume" Award for best young journalist.

[af_vet_1981]

``For me time stopped,'' Smith said. ``My public career seemed vain, my hopes and dreams in ashes. I felt I had failed at my most important duty, as a father.''

I can't even imagine the torment. May G-d comfort those who mourn in this family.

[tcuoohjohn]

Superior to you?...of course. But that is a very small achievement at best.

[doug from upland]

The fear of every parent. Lord, may I never experience such pain.

[Clinging Bitterly]

Odd timing for the ping to this thread. My cousin just killed himself yesterday, and it was a bit of a surprise. My understanding of his problems was just that he was a heavy drinker. He had some problems in life, but nothing that unusual - we just about all know someone who will pound down a half rack or better between quitting time & bedtime, and that's what I'm talking about. I used to hang out with him fairly regularly, but I rather dislike hanging around people who drink all the time and it having come to that with him, we grew apart, though he had been my closest cousin and shared a name.

I don't know what I could have done, but learning what I have over the past day, the issues in his life, except for the drinking, weren't a lot unlike those in my own. And while a final solution like that wouldn't be my cup of tea, I think it would be hard to communicate the work it out vs. end it all side of the argument to someone with judgement constantly impaired by alcohol or other substances.

Not sure what sort of legislation would address that issue, we already tried the prohibition thing.

[fish hawk]

I dont know whether to feel sad or not. Was his son a Liberal or a Conservative? This should help me make up my mind. (I'm not cold, I'm on Maui)

[flashbunny]

I understand the need to memorialize. But memorializing with our money is wrong, no matter what event you use to justify it.

[philetus]

From the replies on this thread, I guess if there is a tearjerker reason, most people will give the gov. everything it wants.

[George W. Bush]

From the replies on this thread, I guess if there is a tearjerker reason, most people will give the gov. everything it wants.

These "compassionate" conservatives are actually even more loathsome than the Dems. At least the Dims actually believe the stuff they spew.

Maybe it's worth pointing out that Smith, along with Voinovitch (R, OH) will be joining with Dodd (D., CT) to introduce this suicide porkbarrel soon. And the same three all voted for the AWB renewal today.

Enough of this stupid compassion.