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Why I Hope to Die at 75
The Atlantic ^ | 17 Sep 2014 | Ezekiel Emmanuel

Posted on 09/20/2014 6:39:25 AM PDT by Rummyfan

An argument that society and families—and you—will be better off if nature takes its course swiftly and promptly

That’s how long I want to live: 75 years.

This preference drives my daughters crazy. It drives my brothers crazy. My loving friends think I am crazy. They think that I can’t mean what I say; that I haven’t thought clearly about this, because there is so much in the world to see and do. To convince me of my errors, they enumerate the myriad people I know who are over 75 and doing quite well. They are certain that as I get closer to 75, I will push the desired age back to 80, then 85, maybe even 90.

I am sure of my position. Doubtless, death is a loss. It deprives us of experiences and milestones, of time spent with our spouse and children. In short, it deprives us of all the things we value.

But here is a simple truth that many of us seem to resist: living too long is also a loss. It renders many of us, if not disabled, then faltering and declining, a state that may not be worse than death but is nonetheless deprived. It robs us of our creativity and ability to contribute to work, society, the world. It transforms how people experience us, relate to us, and, most important, remember us. We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble, ineffectual, even pathetic.

(Excerpt) Read more at theatlantic.com ...


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: deathcare; deathpanels; evil; palinwasright
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To: Sherman Logan

It’s called a trial balloon, Sherman. In ten years it will be received wisdom.


41 posted on 09/20/2014 7:31:41 AM PDT by metesky (My investment program is holding steady @ $0.05 cents a can.)
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To: Rummyfan

The Atlantic...


42 posted on 09/20/2014 7:34:41 AM PDT by DariusBane (Liberty and Risk. Flip sides of the same coin. So how much risk will YOU accept? Vive Deo et Vives)
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To: Rummyfan
We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble, ineffectual, even pathetic.

Which apparently is quite a frightening thing for him and his ego to deal with. Understandably so, but with each experience from each new perspective, we have an opportunity to learn, to understand and to forgive, which can result in wisdom and growth. Resistance is foolish.

By the time I reach 75, I will have lived a complete life.

So arrogant, this Ezekiel, to think he's learned all God has planned to teach his soul, something He created and knows a bit better and knows better what it needs than Ezekiel himself does.

43 posted on 09/20/2014 7:36:18 AM PDT by GBA (Symbol by symbol slain, America's death cut by cut.)
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To: Rummyfan

What he says now and what he will do when he reaches 75 are two different things. Remember all of those people who said that they would leave the country if Bush was elected?


44 posted on 09/20/2014 7:39:19 AM PDT by djpg
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To: Rummyfan

Should my Aunt about this. She just turned 100 and spent the day peeling and canning tomatoes from her garden. My Uncle, 98, still writes a weekly post about organic gardening for the local paper.


45 posted on 09/20/2014 7:41:45 AM PDT by KosmicKitty (Liberals claim to want to hear other views, but then are shocked to discover there are other views)
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To: Rummyfan

“We are no longer remembered as vibrant and engaged but as feeble, ineffectual, even pathetic.”

My friends and relatives that are 75 or over are dearly beloved people from whom I can always learn something new. How emotionally bankrupt I would be if I saw them as “pathetic.”


46 posted on 09/20/2014 7:42:35 AM PDT by mrs. a (It's a short life but a merry one...)
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To: metesky
Fine. But why are his arguments wrong?
47 posted on 09/20/2014 7:42:57 AM PDT by Sherman Logan (Perception wins most of the battles. Reality wins ALL the wars.)
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To: All

"After I polished my penny loafers,
I went "shopping" at Bed, Bath and Beyond."

48 posted on 09/20/2014 7:44:08 AM PDT by Liz ("Sooner or later everyone sits down to a banquet of consequences." Robert Louis Stevenson)
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To: Cry if I Wanna
My mom is 93 and her wisdom and insights into life are an amazing gift to our extended family.

My 92 year old step father just got back from a 3 day Honor Flight to Washington DC. and said he enjoyed every minute of it.

49 posted on 09/20/2014 7:46:06 AM PDT by steelwheels
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To: Sherman Logan; txrefugee

I’ve always figured 75 was about long enough too. My mom says 73. My grandpa decided 80 was it, and used a shotgun.


50 posted on 09/20/2014 7:47:07 AM PDT by A_perfect_lady
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To: Sherman Logan
I think he's wrong and his point of view is evil and started a list of my reasons a few posts back.

I knew of him and was biased before I started to read his article, but didn't have to read very far to feel the need to stop reading.

51 posted on 09/20/2014 7:48:14 AM PDT by GBA (Symbol by symbol slain, America's death cut by cut.)
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To: djpg

Yep. On Zeke’s 75th birthday, someone should approach him and say “It’s time, sir” and hand him a loaded revolver. See how that goes.


52 posted on 09/20/2014 7:51:46 AM PDT by Right Brother
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To: Rummyfan

But here is a simple truth that many of us seem to resist: living too long is also a loss.

Mark Twain called old age a “wonton insult”. Frankly I’ve seen many a 90 yr old who seemed to not have a care in the world.


53 posted on 09/20/2014 7:58:54 AM PDT by TalBlack (Evil doesn't have a day job.)
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To: Rummyfan

I could only get banned if I post anything about this!!!!


54 posted on 09/20/2014 8:03:41 AM PDT by ontap
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To: Rummyfan

Zeke, the rest of us hope you just die and go to hell long before you turn 75, you evil scumbag.


55 posted on 09/20/2014 8:06:51 AM PDT by MIchaelTArchangel (Have a wonderful day!)
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To: Sherman Logan

You obviously don’t know who Ezekiel Emanuel is.


56 posted on 09/20/2014 8:06:53 AM PDT by Bluebird Singing
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To: Rummyfan
What he really feels:

"I want Palliative End of Life Optimum Serenity Initiative (PELOSI) for the peasant masses no later than when they reach a maximum age of 75. Now when I'm 75 and still dictating people's lives I can say, 'Hey! I said that I would be happy to die at 75.' Not that it is any business of the peasants."

57 posted on 09/20/2014 8:12:24 AM PDT by WilliamofCarmichael (If modern America's Man on Horseback is out there, Get on the damn horse already!)
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To: Rummyfan

WE will get back to him when he turns 74.


58 posted on 09/20/2014 8:13:10 AM PDT by amnestynone (A big government conservative is just a corporatist who is not paying enough taxes.)
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To: Shady

I wonder where the handicapped, premature babies, and people with chronic diseases fit in this NAZIs chart?


59 posted on 09/20/2014 8:21:27 AM PDT by ZULU (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8qLDFiQcjlY Impeach Obama in 2015 !!!)
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To: Liz

This is an ideal poster for birth control. It’s sad that their parents didn’t practice it.


60 posted on 09/20/2014 8:22:30 AM PDT by vette6387
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