Activist's Fiery Death...
Not much time to share today...but I came across this sad story at Blondesense and wanted to share it. He carefully planned the details of his suicide...
At 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 -- four days before an election caused a seismic shift in Washington politics -- Ritscher, a frequent anti-war protester, stood by an off-ramp in downtown Chicago near a statue of a giant flame, set up a video camera, doused himself with gasoline and lit himself on fire.
Malachi Ritscher envisioned his death as full of purpose...by reading it...it just may give him some sort of purpose afterall...I'll never forget as long as I live seeing the Buddhist monk many years ago do this very thing...it was 1963 and I was a very young teenager when Thich Quang did this to himself...of course in those days things like that were shown on the news. I've seen some rough stuff on TV in my day. I even new someone killed that fateful night at Sharon Tate's thanks to the Manson bunch...yeah...I've got some memories in that vein. I didn't mean this to be a downer post really. I feel so badly when people feel they have to resort to this sort thing.
At 6:30 a.m. on Nov. 3 -- four days before an election caused a seismic shift in Washington politics -- Ritscher, a frequent anti-war protester, stood by an off-ramp in downtown Chicago near a statue of a giant flame, set up a video camera, doused himself with gasoline and lit himself on fire.
Malachi Ritscher envisioned his death as full of purpose...by reading it...it just may give him some sort of purpose afterall...I'll never forget as long as I live seeing the Buddhist monk many years ago do this very thing...it was 1963 and I was a very young teenager when Thich Quang did this to himself...of course in those days things like that were shown on the news. I've seen some rough stuff on TV in my day. I even new someone killed that fateful night at Sharon Tate's thanks to the Manson bunch...yeah...I've got some memories in that vein. I didn't mean this to be a downer post really. I feel so badly when people feel they have to resort to this sort thing.
Sadly, what he did will make no difference in the world and perhaps he could have made a difference if he had allowed himself to live.
Posted by
pissed off patricia |
2:53 AM
Remember how tense it was pre-election? The poor guy was so wrapped up in it that he just lost it. He is a good reminder for all of us to keep balance and perspective, cause I plan to be on hand to celebrate when we finally truly bring down the Bush regime and get out of Iraq.
Posted by
Peacechick Mary |
4:22 AM
It is too bad he resorted to suicide. Things will get better..
Posted by
Anonymous |
5:47 AM
Didn't hear of it until now. I guarantee he thought it would make news and that it would do some good. So often we are lead to believe that just one act will change everything in this society. The truth is you have to slog through life everyday and hope each little contribution will echo throughout the world. Patricia is so right.
Posted by
Frederick |
6:03 AM
It is definitely too bad he felt the need to resort to that, but unlike HB2 & POP's sentiments, things will not get better so it really doesn't matter I suppose if he opted to live or die. And his action didn't even register a blip. Awful.
On the other hand I hope you had a good Thanksgiving, Sumo. We all need to take the moments of happiness when we can get them, right?
Posted by
glomgold |
10:28 AM
I'm afraid Maria2 has it pegged. Suicide is a selfish act and usually, especially in the political context make little difference. He would have had far more lasting impact had he lived and fought another day.
Posted by
fallenmonk |
6:55 PM
I don't believe that suicide is selfish. For some, life is simply too great a burden, but I do agree with the Fallenmonk that his life would have had more impact if he'd chosen to live and keep fighting.
Posted by
Anonymous |
8:49 PM
I agree living to fight another day is a good philosophy.
Posted by
sumo |
9:53 PM
That's what the opposition wants from us--total and utter despair to the extent that we would choose death over continuing the fight. Never.
Posted by
Unknown |
10:10 PM
The tragedy of his suicide is that it probably stemmed from untreated depression, and had nothing to do with the politics. What a sad waste.
Posted by
DivaJood |
11:18 PM
He may have been trying to be like that monk. But I (and probably many) did not even hear about his action until now, so sad.
Posted by
PBS |
5:04 AM