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"Died by suicide" is a better term, I agree.  It hadn't occurred to me either, but I've always balked at the term "committed suicide", like it's a heinous crime instead of an act of desperation.  I'm very grateful to TOL for airing this program and allowing us to share our stories.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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That's interesting--not taking care of one's health issues is a form of passive suicide I suppose, as well as lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, eating poorly, etc.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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I just want to add--my uncle was a veteran, though he did not serve during a war--but we was having trouble readjusting to civilian life.  He didn't tell us why he did it, but I suspect that was part of it.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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I'm so sorry for your loss.  You tried so hard--you were a good brother.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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My mother and I found the body of my uncle, soon after he had committed suicide many years ago.  I was 10, and the image has stayed with me ever since.  That experience and the subsequent family near-silence on the issue had a huge impact on me.  It's been difficult for me to feel safe.  Instead I have subconsiously felt that something terrible could happen at any moment, which of course is true.  Dwelling on this fact is extremely anxiety-provoking.

My best friend's older sister also committed suicide, a few years later, when I was in high school.  It was her 18th birthday, and she had stayed home, telling her parents she just wanted the day to herself.  Instead, she called her mom to say goodbye, and she used her parents' handgun to kill herself.  It was like reliving a nightmare, and reinforced my lack of security.

It's not difficult to imagine the desire to end one's own life, but it creates such chaos and misery for others.  It's so terribly sad.

posted 4 years, 3 months ago
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Regarding the idea that a large number of students with a high-paid teacher is better than a smaller classroom with lower-paid teachers: What I remember from my own education are the moments when I had my teachers' undivided attention. One-on-one time is so important for kids, and no matter how great the teacher, no one can spend much one-on-one time with 30 kids. Smaller classrooms should be a high priority.

posted 5 years ago
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I am a relatively young feminist, and I'm voting for Obama because I feel he's the better choice. He's more electable and seems more genuine. (With good reason, some loyal Republicans are switching over temporarily in order to vote for Hillary in primaries--Obama is much more of a threat.) I don't want to be a part of handing over another election to the Republicans. I'd love to see a woman become president, but now doesn't seem to be the right time. Soon, hopefully.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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