Some of you might remember that I wrote about an internet Suicide a little bit back in the past. Well today on Yahoo I read a story about someone who killed them selves on TV in Britain and I guess it caused some controversy here is a link and at that page you can watch the video also. . Unlike in the previous story I wrote about this wasn't live and it was someone who was going to suffer as they died so it is more about the right to die and being helped as opposed to people being responsible for their actions on the internet.

Suicide on TV condemned in Britain



By GREGORY KATZ, Associated Press Writer Gregory Katz, Associated Press Writer - 1 hr 18 mins ago


LONDON - The scene is difficult to watch, even for viewers inured to the subject of dying by a steady diet of violent Hollywood and television fare. Craig Ewert, a former computer scientist from Chicago, is shown lying in bed with his wife at his side while he takes barbiturates. He asks for a glass of apple juice to mask the bad taste and help him swallow. Then he uses his teeth to turn off his ventilator - and dies on camera.

Britain's obsession with reality television reached new heights - or depths - Wednesday night with the broadcast of the assisted suicide of the 59-year-old terminally ill American at a Swiss clinic.

Showing the final moment of death had long been a final taboo, even for no-holds-barred British TV, where sex and violence are common, and the broadcast unleashed debate on an issue that strongly divides public opinion.

Photographs of Ewert's final moments dominated Britain's newspaper front pages Wednesday - "SUICIDE TV" screamed one tabloid - and prompted a debate in Parliament, where Prime Minister Gordon Brown was quizzed about the propriety of the decision to air the program.

Before he died, Ewert said taking his own life would mean less suffering for himself and his family.

"If I go through with it, I die as I must at some point," he says in the documentary, which chronicles his 2006 decision to take his own life after being diagnosed with degenerative motor neuron disease.

"If I don't go through with it, my choice is essentially to suffer, and to inflict suffering on my family, and then die."

Care Not Killing, an anti-euthanasia group aligned with the Catholic Church and other religious organizations in Britain, denounced the broadcast as "a cynical attempt to boost television ratings" and persuade Parliament to legalize assisted suicide.

"There is a growing appetite from the British public for increasingly bizarre reality shows," said the group's director, Peter Saunders. "We'd see it as a new milestone. It glorifies assisted dying when there is a very active campaign by the pro-suicide lobby to get the issue back into Parliament."

Mary Ewert wrote in the British press Wednesday that her husband had been enthusiastic about having his final moments televised.

"He was keen to have it shown because when death is hidden and private, people don't face their fears about it," she said, adding that he wanted viewers to understand that assisted suicide allowed him to die comfortably rather than enduring a long, drawn out and painful demise.

The documentary by Oscar-winning director John Zaritsky has previously been shown on Canadian and Swiss TV and at numerous film festivals, where it provoked little controversy. But it struck a raw nerve in Britain, where the divisive debate over assisted suicide remains unresolved.

Zaritsky said it would have been "less than honest" to make the film without showing the actual suicide because it would have left viewers wondering if the death was unpleasant, cruel, or carried out against Ewert's will.

"By putting it out there, and putting it out there in its entirety, people can judge for themselves," he said, adding that the documentary gives viewers an insight into how assisted suicide would work if it is legalized in more places.

Originally called "The Suicide Tourist," the film was renamed "Right to Die?" for its British broadcast on Sky TV's Real Lives digital channel, which draws far fewer viewers than the network's myriad news, sports or movie shows. Still, it generated enormous publicity, with clips shown throughout the day on Sky News and rival channels.

The televised suicide in Britain follows a well-publicized case in Florida, where a teenager killed himself on camera last month and broadcast the chilling images live on an Internet site.

Ewert, who was living in Britain when he became ill, went abroad to end his life because assisted suicide is illegal in Britain.

In the film, he says he wanted to take action before the disease, which destroys cells that control essential muscle activity such as speaking, walking, breathing and swallowing, left him completely incapacitated.

"When you are completely paralyzed, can't talk, can't walk, can't move your eyes, how do you let someone know that you are suffering?" he asked.

In an emotional message to his adult son and daughter, who appear in the program, Ewert asked for understanding.

"I would hope that this is not a cause of major distress to those who love me," he said, using a voice-activated computer to speak. "This is a journey I must make."

At the same time, he acknowledged, "My dear sweet wife will have the greatest loss, as we have been together for 37 years in the greatest intimacy."

Ewert died at an apartment in Zurich with the help of Dignitas, a well-known assisted suicide group in Switzerland, where suicide is legal in some circumstances.

Dignitas founder Ludwig A. Minelli said the presence of cameras and filmmakers did not in any way influence Ewert's decision.

"Ewert, because of his illness and his declared intent right from the start to shorten his own suffering, never once considered the possibility of abandoning his assisted suicide," said Minelli.

The case came up during the prime minister's question time Wednesday when legislator Phil Willis, who represents Ewert's district, complained that the film promoted a crime.

He asked Brown if the prime minister believed the show was "in the public interest" or simply a case of "distasteful voyeurism."

Brown did not venture an opinion, saying only that the government's "television watchdogs" will scrutinize the show after it is broadcast.

Public opinion polls suggest that 80 percent of Britons believe the law should be changed to allow a doctor to end a patient's life in a case like Ewert's, but opposition from influential religious groups remains strong and the anti-suicide law remains in place.

___

Associated Press Writers Frank Jordans in Geneva and Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

I will admit that when I first read it I was a little bit confused and thought that they only showed him dying but as I read more it was part of a documentary and that is a different case all together. In terms of the right to die I myself am kinda mixed on it. I do think that people if they don't want to live anymore do have the right to die. But at the same time changing (like in this story) and suffering is part of life. The other question is what if the reason you want to die is you being a fool is it still your right. What I mean is "I don't want people to see me like this", aka your pride. What if what will kill you can be fought off and keep you alive longer. Why not be a guinea pig for some new medicine they need to test on people that could work. Sometimes people lose there minds if they are out of it do they really have the mental capacity to have a doctor help them die. That is why I sort of feel that it is a case by case basis and sometimes it is ok and sometimes it isn't. I think because of that taking you own life should not be legal. But the other question is lets say Suicide where to be made legal then wouldn't that open up a new way to kill some one and get away with it. Yes make it look like suicide or even as if you helped them, and since it isn't a crime no looking into what really happened no cops, just a van to pick up that dead body. Maybe what should happen is all deaths should be looked into and if in the end it is found out that the person really wanted to die then no one is punished or brought up on charges, but I'm really not sure.

I don't see the restore button so here are the pictures from the journal I just lost.








































































I had a good time on Sunday but on the way home I saw this and thought it is a symbol for something not sure what but it at least seems strange.

So it is hard to really describe a Trans Siberian Orchestra concert if you you don't know their music. Think of classical music and Christmas music played as rock and roll with all most Broadway Musical type signing and that might be what it is like. Then of course there is how the concert has its first part where there is a a person who tells the story as the play music. Then after that part is over they play more music. Here is their myspace page . Yes I love their music but it is so much more then the music they also have a pretty cool light and pyro show. The thing about the lights isn't just they they do a lot of lighting and laser things but that the metal stuff the lights are in move as part of the show and are lite up to so it isn't only the stag, then sometimes the lights on on the fans as well. Next show starts at 8pm so doubt you can make it if you aren't going all ready but I'm sure it would be worth it to travel. You have to give props to the road crew I guess they where someplace in Canada yesterday and broke everything down and got it all here in time. After the night show they have a lot of work to do, not to mention the HSBC arena crew has to get things set up because at 11am there is a Bandits Open Practice (I plan to be there). As much as I like watching things at the arena if it wasn't for the stage crews and who ever sets up and changes the arena over we wouldn't see much and they get none of the glory.

Even though you aren't supposed to take pictures here are a few from the show. I have way to many to post them all so I'll guess at what ones look the best from the small size.





















































































In terms of my favorite song that is a tough question that song that is in Italian I think that is real dramatic you here a lot of places is up there then there is that killer version of Flight of the bubble bee. I would suggest going it is worth the money if that is your kind of music. Well Sunday I assuming I wake up on time it is off to the Bandits open practice.

I will admit that I don't know how to write a movie review with out giving away any of the plot to a movie or any details. When I walked in I thought that this was the 3rd Punisher movie made that retells the same story. That isn't completely true it is the 3rd movie and has nothing to do with the previous ones. The 1st movie was good. I say that because at the time it was before the comic movie boom and was pretty violent. I know some people think the 2nd one kinda sucked. I liked that i forget what wrestler was in it, might Have Been Kevin Nash, I think it was cause I called him "Big Daddy Dead". I thought that one was a cool story and had great action and was twisted and had great music and was pretty good, I think that one was a little bit better then this new one. Part of that is because I didn't know enough about this new one and the way it started out they didn't give any back story really. I still think it was a pretty bad ass movie with Mob Guys and gangs and lots of carnage and violence and it had a good story to it also. Did I mention some great music, I can't believe people would walk out with Rob Zombie playing on the credits what is wrong with people. If this is your kind of movie you will like it, if you like the Punisher you will like it I guess I would give it 3 stars.

Well yes there is something that I was planning on doing tonight but do to something I ate or my crazy insides I'm not doing it. Yes I would love to have to just turned 18 busty blond cheerleaders who just so happen to to be twins and be doing them, or two hot sexy Lantino sisters who look like the Telumundo women with the giant asses and huge tits and great face and long black hair, but then again so sexy lady who looks like Ziyi Zhang. But as nice as that would be that isn't what I was talking about. I wanted to go see the new Warren Miller movie at Rockwell Hall called Children of Winter. The problem was that something didn't agree with me, don't know if there is too much grease in my system or too many veggies not really sure. But what I do know is that the desire to dumb came out of nowhere. I'm not saying it would happen again but that is a chance I didn't feel like taking. It is to bad because if you have never seen a Warren Miller movie they are very good. They have skiing and snowboarding and sometimes some other sports and they travel all over the world and have good music in his movies. Plus then you have the event itself. They are good if you partake in the sport cause you get discounts on skiing and you can win trips and you get a free magazine for like maybe 6 months they are a lot of fun. Oh well I'll go home and watch something I taped until LA ink comes on.

So somewhere I saw an add for Cheech and Chong Roasted. Last night it was on TBS. The roasts are on Comedy Central most of the time. Not sure why or how TBS got this. If there is anyone who doesn't know what a roast is (not that thing in the oven either). Someone famous is honored. There are a bunch of people up on a stage and each one of them talks about the person being honored but they rip into them, and often (most of the time) they also rip into the other people on stage. Some of the put downs are brutal. Brad Garrett was the host last night and he ripped into some people and got ripped into himself pretty good. I can't remember the lines so I won't " " them. But there was stuff about how he won 3 emmeys on Every body loves Raymond but for being on Till Death they want them all back. Tom Arnold gave it and got it pretty good. Heraldo Rivera was kinda dull, but that isn't his thing. Raphlie mae was good. Penn & Teller where interesting. Greg Geraldo was interesting. The guy who played the forgien kid on that 70's show was pretty good. I was doing a lot of laughing it was pretty funny. I forgot there was this one part where some people on video, the way the two where put together was pretty funny. Someone said Brad Garrett was one "N Word" away from being Micheal Richards. Part of what they where talking about is that he brought some black guy on with a sign that said Al Sharpton. The story went that he was supposed to come and couldn't or changed his mind so he found some guy at like a book store. All the guy did was make faces. Then at the end Cheech and Chong had there turn. I thought it was pretty funny and from what I understand what got the roast to happen is that They have reunited. I don't know if it will be repeated (like how they do on comedy central) but if you do get a chance to see it you might find it pretty funny. I will admit that I have never seen most of there stuff together I have only seen the one in "Nash Bridges" and the other one in "That 70's show" but still found the roast to be a great hour spent.

I will admit that It is weird the sabres game is about to start and assuming on one posts before me this will only be the 5th one of today. Isn't the world's largest disco Tonight or something I'm sure there is stuff going on. December is going to be pretty Busy. Next weekend I want to go see Warren Millers Children of winter it is at Rockwell hall at Buff State. Then TSO is on Saturday and then Bandits open Practice on Sunday, guess I'll miss some football. This sounds odd but it was Nice to work today, and the day went buy quick.. I also think some movie I want to see comes out on Friday as well, I need to look into that.

So yesterday was an interesting thanksgiving. Not because it was great but because it was a change from the past. Every year it hasn't been turkey but the food was a little different this year but I tried it and liked some of it. I got to watch part of all 3 football games so that was cool. Then I went to see "The boy in the striped Pajamas". I will be the first to say I thought I would like it even though it isn't my kind of movie. I will try not to give anything away that you wouldn't see in a ad for it. The movie takes place during WWII, so you all ready know it isn't some happy go lucky good ending type of movie. There is a son of a Nazi Officer (they never use the word Nazi in the movie by the way, and there is no war footage either but they show the symbols) when he gets a promotion he and the family moves. At this new house he has no friends and through exploring he finds a fence to a what he thinks is a farm (work camp) and makes friends with a boy his age. As being a boy he doesn't really get everything and he hears things at home and those things cause him to misunderstand. I see the movie to me shows how dangerous Hate and blame and propogagda is, and you see how the older sister learns this from the teacher and the younger kid who doesn't like history only adventure books doesn't get it. I'm sure I have all ready said to much. I did kinda see the end coming right before it happened but wasn't sure how it would end exactly but I won't ruin that part for anyone who wants to see it.

Just wanted to say quickly that I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving. Things have changed this year with my sis having her baby girl so she is going to the boy friends families place. I forget the exact plans but I know eating and trying to see some football and going to see "The Boy in the Striped Pajamas" is part of the plan. I admit it doesn't look like my kind of movie but I want to see it, and I hope I like it. Then I get to go work on Saturday, I pretty much have to though, 3 days of work means we have to make up 2 days of work, well sort of. The one thing that I wonder about thanksgiving is how did the night before become a big drinking Holiday. One would think that with getting stuff togather people wouldn't want to wake up feeling like shit. Hope everyone that goes out has a great time I'll be inside watching something, oh yeah bones and Sons of Anarachy.

It is hard to believe that Christmas is only a month away but today is the 25th so that is true. Yes I have done some shopping but still have more to do. I may go out on "Black Friday" but I doubt early. Yes now that people have less money it is a good time to find "the true meaning of Christmas" or what ever holiday you celebrate (aka 3 kings day). That being said be go out and spend money and help out this economy and hey why not give to charity also. Maybe if you spend less then some of the money you would have spent can get some kid who needs it a toy. I all ways mean to give and don't like I should maybe, i'll give like I should this year. Also don't forget you can get your self something to. Come on lets jump start this economy. Oh yeah use cash or debit and not credit, and have a good time and don't let it stress you out.