Something from my husband for your thoughtful consideration –
Tuesday’s edition* of MSNBC’s Morning Joe highlighted comments made by Rep. King of NY concerning his party’s candidate selections.
It matters not to me if one is Republican, Democrat, Independent, or even Green…my issue is with the flagrant tossing out of a suicide threat if his preferred candidate is not nominated as the Republican nominee.
His statement, as told to the Morning Joe panel:
“Well, first of all in case anybody gets confused, I am not endorsing Ted Cruz. I hate Ted Cruz and I think I’ll take cyanide if he ever got the nomination.”
This was my response which I sent to him Wednesday evening via his website’s comment section:
Dear Rep. King,
I recently read where you threatened to take cyanide if Ted Cruz is nominated. I can only surmise that you have never had a close relative take their life through suicide, because if you had, you would never even threaten something so horrific and hurtful as suicide. It is one thing to dislike Ted Cruz and/or his policies, but it is totally insensitive of you to even use suicide to portray such an action.
If for some reason, you really mean what you state, then I implore you to seek out help for the overwhelming feelings of helplessness that you feel. I know nothing about your personal life, but I am sure that you have family that would be totally devastated by such an action that you have stated. Please not only think of yourself, but also of your loved ones. I can attest to how devastating to a family and to the long lasting effects (lifelong) on those that are near to the one who commits suicide.
I hope that your staff will let you see this message and hope that you reconsider your actions and rhetoric.
Regards,
Terry W. Lilly
*Tuesday, April 19, 2016
Very inappropriate for him to say that. I am so disillusioned with politics this go around, from celebrities vowing to go to Canada, to people making these ridiculous, vile remarks.
Inappropriate in such a public arena where true discourse on weighty topics should be addressed rather than made to seem silly and unimportant. Thanks for stopping by, Donna.
That hit a sore spot, and I am glad that you responded.Well said.
Jane,
It most definitely hits a sore spot. Those of us that have had to live through the loss of a loved one through suicide knows all too well how much lasting pain is associated with the loss. Unfortunately, the news yesterday had a story on the dramatic increase of suicide in America. I truly hope that Representative King was not serious about his threat and will rethink his stance and become a voice on helping those that are feeling so helpless that they feel that their best course is suicide.
Terry
Terry, (I hope you don’t mind my using your first name even though I’ve never met you), your response to King’s statement struck in my mind a chord of harmony in an otherwise disturbing presidential campaign. It’s the worst one I’ve ever seen: terrible things are happening and being aired, to the point that I am at a loss to decide whom to support, or even to support anyone at all. We seem to have fallen shorter this year than ever before of any sensible democratic process, and are mired in media grandstanding and outright violence that I find frightening. I was there in the old days, and I do not want to see those days again. Your answer to King’s comment is indeed a voice of sanity and compassion. Best regards to you, David Rastall.
David,
Thank you for your response. I know your dilemma. You have heard the phrase about “voting for the lesser evil”. Years ago, I thought about that and decided that I didn’t want to vote for evil at all, and that is the stance I have taken ever since that time. Some would say that that my stance is abandoning my constitutional rights. I disagree, it is actually exercising my rights. I just choose to vote for someone better than “lesser evil”.
For your information, thank you for calling me by my name.
Terry
Is it any wonder why our society is in the state it’s in when our “leaders” are that small minded.
…and devoid of compassion of any sort.
Good for your husband for sending that message. My sister-in-law is a therapist, who conduct trainings at companies, schools, and other places on suicide prevention. It really is no laughing matter.
A final ‘answer’ to an often temporary problem; which is no ‘answer’ and leaves more problems in its wake…
All the best to your sister-in-law who is in the trenches combating this.
Bravo, Laura!
Yes, for posting it and Giving Voice to the subject matter…but accolades go to my husband for crafting the letter and sending it off…
Thank you for stopping by.