Excerpts:
Police did not immediately identify the couple and were trying to determine a motive for the deaths.
The 77-year-old man and his 80-year-old wife were a "very kind, gentle older couple that appeared to be very close," said Murray Ramsden, CEO of the Interior Health Authority.
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/6420AP_Canada_Hospital_Shooting.html
Commentary:
In listening to the CBC news this morning (30 Aug.) of this event, I was incensed at the news reader's implication that somehow the husband did not love his wife enough that he should commit such an act. And indeed, the authorities in general sound a bit perplexed over this. I would suggest that he loved his wife so very much, that he would rather be done with life (for the both of them), rather than drag out the remaining few years with nothing more to add to the life they had forged and enjoyed together.
Are we so blind in this society that all we can see is life at any cost, and it simply doesn't matter about the quality? Are we so afraid of examining the whole issue of elder care and quality of life issues? Has the plight of the elderly in this society reached the point where few of us can relate to our grandparents as humans anymore? Are we completely ignorant of the values our elderly lived by, because ours have become so different (and so self-serving)? We increasingly insist on shutting the elderly up in boxes, and away from the children they (often labouriously) raised, and for what reasons.....because they "smell"? Or because they offer "opinions" we don't want to hear? Or because they are an "expense" and an "inconvenience"?
Then we express "shock and outrage" when we find out they've had enough of living.............
Note: http://seattlepi.nwsour...
Elderly Man Fatally Shoots Wife, Self At B.C. Hospital
Posted on Wednesday, August 30 at 16:41 by RPWContributed By
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How many of us would like to live out our days, helpless, in pain, or in a fog of drugs, at the mercies of others for our care?
If I am ever unable to end my own life, they will help me, and I would return the favour should the situation be reversed.
I suspect this couple had made a similar agreement. And I applaud them for their dedication to not let the other suffer needlessly.
"I have lost the will to live.
Simply nothing more to give.
There is nothing more for me,
need the end to set me free." 'One.' Metallica.
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"I think it's important to always carry enough technology to restart civilization, should it be necessary." Mark Tilden
And I also, would choose death over a life of misery and pain.
I salute this old guy, and his courage. May they live together now, hand in hand, forever in love and free of pain.
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“The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous, the essential act of warfare is the destruction of the produce of human labour”
I guess my point is, just because hes had enough, doesn't nessesarily mean she has. Remember that if we devalue life for ourselves it won't be long before we look at enforced euthenaisa by loved ones who do not care or cannot afford care. Our pioneers deserve our love and respect. Suicide is the end result of despair so don't force them down that path by indifference.
My father gets depressed sometimes but thats what your family is there for.
Where you guys applaud his choice I simply see sadness and tragedy.
And I know they are together now, and sure, he's in the doghouse for shooting her and all
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“The war is not meant to be won, it is meant to be continuous, the essential act of warfare is the destruction of the produce of human labour”
- Justice Louis Brandeis
Maybe... just maybe we should go back to multi-generational family dwellings where we can see the family age and be a part of their lives until the end as I beleive it is meant to be. Not break up the family unit to make us feel more alone in the world. This is fundamental in fear production.
- Justice Louis Brandeis