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Saturday Afternoon Open Thread

By Big Tent Democrat, Section Blog Related
Posted on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 12:49:35 PM EST
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Amy Winehouse Is dead. RIP.

Cadel Evans has won the Tour de France.

Open Thread.

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    Saturday Afternoon Open Thread | 30 comments (30 topical)

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    What a waste. (5.00 / 1) (#2)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:00:40 PM EST
    Somehow we need to come up with better treatment for people like Amy.

    RIP

    The Forever 27 Club (5.00 / 1) (#4)
    by rdandrea on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:30:00 PM EST
    Brian Jones.  Kurt Cobain.  Janis Joplin.  Jimi Hendrix.  Jim Morrison.  Amy Winehouse.

    And sadly, my own daughter.

    I am so sorry (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by trillian on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:34:06 PM EST
    How sad

    Parent
    Thanks for your sympathy (5.00 / 1) (#6)
    by rdandrea on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:35:42 PM EST
    It's been more than a year and we're getting on with life, but the Amy Winehouse death brought back a lot of the feelings today.

    Parent
    Just ignore this question if you like. (none / 0) (#8)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:39:15 PM EST
    What is your opinion re legalization of controlled substances/decriminalization?

    Parent
    I'm for legalization/decriminalization of pot (none / 0) (#10)
    by rdandrea on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:47:57 PM EST
    Other substances should be handled on a drug-by-drug basis.  They're pretty well all different from one another, present different problems to society, and require different solutions.

    My daughter's biggest problem in life was with alcohol, which is quite legal at her age.

    Parent

    To add a little (5.00 / 2) (#12)
    by rdandrea on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:50:37 PM EST
    A problem I'm much more concerned with is the treatment of mental health on an equal basis with physical health in our society.

    My daughter had Bipolar II.

    Parent

    Thank you for responding. I recently saw (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:55:04 PM EST
    a NYT headline about student loans.  Less likely to be forgiven or adjusted due to mental illness than physical illness.  As you state:  much disparity and tragic consequences.  

    Parent
    I'm sorry for your loss, (5.00 / 1) (#18)
    by jeffinalabama on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 02:50:26 PM EST
    and thanks for sharing. I can't imagine losing a child...

    Parent
    So sorry for your loss.. (5.00 / 1) (#26)
    by samsguy18 on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 07:28:39 PM EST
    Losing a child is devastating....adequate mental health care and insurance coverage is severely lacking in this country especially for younger people

    Parent
    I'm very concerned (none / 0) (#13)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:53:51 PM EST
    about the deterioration of available help out there for those in need.  It seems like it is all disappearing if they can't make a yummy profit.  Very worrisome and troubling

    Parent
    warning: very cynical (none / 0) (#19)
    by observed on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 03:10:46 PM EST
    Comment ahead. There is more money in treating diabetes than mental illness. I am sure there are stockbrokers who advise synergistic investments in Pepsi and diabetic  supply companies. Speaking as one who had both in my  family. I am very sorry for your loss, rdandrea.


    Parent
    Condolences (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:38:27 PM EST
    Very sorry for your loss.

    Parent
    I'm so sorry (5.00 / 2) (#11)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:48:19 PM EST
    The pain that individuals and families go through is so heart breaking. Somehow, we as a society need to find better ways to help people with these illnesses.

    Parent
    That's tragic. I am so sorry. (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by andgarden on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 03:23:11 PM EST


    Parent
    I am so (5.00 / 1) (#21)
    by Zorba on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 03:44:58 PM EST
    very, very sorry for the loss of your daughter.

    Parent
    So sorry for your loss. (5.00 / 0) (#24)
    by scribe on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 05:30:26 PM EST
    Thinking back to when I was 27, it's so hard to realize when one is that age just how much good life still has in store - and how easily it can be tossed away for no good reason.

    Because of family health issues, I've been thinking a lot about mortality and such lately and looking forward to the holes that will be left when people I love are no longer here.  I can only imagine what it feels like to lose a child and don't wish it on anyone.

    Parent

    As the mother of two, I cannot imagine the (5.00 / 2) (#25)
    by Anne on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 07:00:21 PM EST
    pain you must feel about the loss of your daughter.  My dad was an alcoholic who was sober for almost 30 years when he died, and my brother, who is dual-addicted, and had been sober for many years, has gradually slipped back into a vicodin addiction likely triggered by a motorcycle accident a few years ago.  I don't know how that's going to play out, but it's on my mind a lot these days.

    I am firmly convinced that many addictions begin as self-medication to numb the pain that is psychological in nature; and what is just so heartbreaking to me is that those who, like your daughter, who suffer or suffered with bipolar or depression/anxiety disorder and other illnesses, are often some of the brightest, most creative and talented people around.

    I hope you have been able to reach some tolerable level of peace with your loss, but I can't imagine that pain is ever very far away; my heart hurts for you, and for your daughter, and for all those whose lives are ones of torment they cannot seem to find their way through.

    Parent

    I'm so very sorry (none / 0) (#22)
    by sj on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 04:34:04 PM EST
    I can't even imagine.

    Peace to you and your family.

    Parent

    So sorry (none / 0) (#29)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 08:36:28 PM EST
    for your loss. As the mother of two children, I can't even imagine the hurt it must cause you.

    Parent
    when words fail (none / 0) (#32)
    by NYShooter on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 01:38:00 AM EST
    please accept our heartfelt thoughts..

    Parent
    Some are tormented (5.00 / 1) (#9)
    by Militarytracy on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:39:49 PM EST
    RIP Amy Winehouse

    Some lighter news via eschaton (5.00 / 0) (#17)
    by MO Blue on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 02:28:41 PM EST
    Hooray for Kitty Lambert and Cheryle Rudd!

        ... the first same-sex couple to wed in New York State. The grandmothers of 12 will tie the knot before a crowd of thousands, in front of the specially rainbow lit Niagara Falls. link
    Sad (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by sj on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 04:37:40 PM EST
    Inspired by Janis, but appropriate for Amy Winehouse, too.

    Thanks for that Joan Baez tribute (5.00 / 1) (#31)
    by Peter G on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 11:10:29 PM EST
    to Janis.  I wasn't familiar with it.  Reminds me I had been meaning to post a mention of the recent death, at age 80, of Philadelphia songwriter Jerry Ragovoy, who "wrote or collaborated on such hits as Time Is on My Side, recorded by, among others, the Rolling Stones, and the Janis Joplin songs Piece of My Heart, Cry Baby and Try (Just A Little Bit Harder)."  He also wrote for Fabian and Frankie Avalon, and later for Jimi Hendrix, B.B. King, and Paul Butterfield.  The obituary in the Phila Daily News contains a disturbing anecdote about Janis:  "Val Shively, proprietor of the popular music store, R&B Records, in Upper Darby, and a friend of Jerry's, said that Jerry told him that Joplin was anxious to meet him, but when she saw him at a party, she said he looked like a 'Jewish accountant,' and turned away."

    Parent
    Peter G! (none / 0) (#33)
    by lilburro on Sun Jul 24, 2011 at 02:26:38 AM EST
    Always repping Philadelphia.  I started reading "Rabbit, Run" today.  Couldn't read it before, struck me as obnoxiously close to home.  John Updike grew up in my school district.  Did I hear a peep about him through our school system, 40 years after that novel?  No.  Shall we all aspire or WHAT.  Fun to read his books and know exactly what he's talking about though with regards to "Brewer" aka Reading.

    RIP to Mr. Ragovoy.  PA has produced a lot of great stuff, the failing is in not recognizing it.

    Parent

    RIP (none / 0) (#1)
    by lilburro on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:00:12 PM EST
    that is really sad.  A shame.

    Amy (none / 0) (#3)
    by Ga6thDem on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 01:21:27 PM EST
    was a ticking time bomb bent on self destruction. What a sad story. Yes, RIP Amy.

    She seemed to have been.. (none / 0) (#15)
    by desertswine on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 02:06:27 PM EST
    a very troubled person. Peace.

    No win (none / 0) (#16)
    by SOS on Sat Jul 23, 2011 at 02:18:55 PM EST
    The media and critics would have found a way to torment her to death even if she had gotten clean.

    Saturday Afternoon Open Thread | 30 comments (30 topical)

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