OT: Hearing the stilled voice of a hile in America
After hearing the tragic new of the shootings and deaths in Tuscon, my wife gave me a sports column written by a famous retired Philly Sports journalist. Bill Lyon who wrote the Lyon's Den for the Philadelphia Inquirer was well known and respected by most of the pro managers and many of the players in our area. He considered Dallas Green, former manager of the Phillies, to be a friend.
He explained his grief upon hearing that his friend's grand-daughter had been killed by gunfire. She was just 9 years old and was the sparkle in her grand-father's eye. Bill Lyon knew how much Dallas Green loved this child. Mr Lyon remarked on how the love relationship between a grand parent and grand child is different from that of the parent-child. He had talked to Dallas Greene about this. I'll never know any of those feeling since I've never had a child. Still, my heart aches for all of the survivors.
Nothing happened between the time I began to read Mr Lyons column and the time I finished reading it. I learned that Dallas Green's grand-daughter was bright, athletic, interested in how politics work, and already planning on attending Penn State. These are all good dreams for a 9 year old girl. They will be unfulfilled dreams.
Yet, her family is standing in the shadow of this tragedy as a faith-filled and honorable American family. May we all remember that there are millions of American children who believe in the same principles that we do. We should not be clouded into judging children based on news reports of the deviants. There are very real problems with our educational system and with crimes both in and out of school. But, we should also remember that most Americans are honest, loving people, who are generally looking forward to improving the lives of their next generation.
He explained his grief upon hearing that his friend's grand-daughter had been killed by gunfire. She was just 9 years old and was the sparkle in her grand-father's eye. Bill Lyon knew how much Dallas Green loved this child. Mr Lyon remarked on how the love relationship between a grand parent and grand child is different from that of the parent-child. He had talked to Dallas Greene about this. I'll never know any of those feeling since I've never had a child. Still, my heart aches for all of the survivors.
Nothing happened between the time I began to read Mr Lyons column and the time I finished reading it. I learned that Dallas Green's grand-daughter was bright, athletic, interested in how politics work, and already planning on attending Penn State. These are all good dreams for a 9 year old girl. They will be unfulfilled dreams.
Yet, her family is standing in the shadow of this tragedy as a faith-filled and honorable American family. May we all remember that there are millions of American children who believe in the same principles that we do. We should not be clouded into judging children based on news reports of the deviants. There are very real problems with our educational system and with crimes both in and out of school. But, we should also remember that most Americans are honest, loving people, who are generally looking forward to improving the lives of their next generation.
I re-read the subject line of my post and wonder how bad my post would have sounded had I not gone over it twice before hitting SUBMIT. I've just gone back and corrected over 2 dozen errors in these past 2 lines. I had something I had to say. My problem with my brain&finger is largely silencing me and I'm severely limiting my time on-line, Bob
I've posted in the past that I am manic-depressive and that my condition is managed by medication. I know that, as I age, my condition will worsen. Therefor, I am careful with my meds and with keeping all apt with all of my doctors. I know other people who have the same condition as I do and most of them find themselves in the same situations. Although I have never attempted suicide, I do know others who have. I fear ever getting that bad but I know that recent statements about involuntary comittment are hazy at best. Society "wants" the disturbed person to ask for help but he is often the last person to realize that he needs such.
I can only go by my own experience and hope that the laws have changed since then. In Oct 1990.I was at a dinner-dance with my wife and friends. I was at a knights of Columbus function and I knew most of the men. They'd become my heros. Sometime during the evening, I tried to go into a locked area of the building (to pray at an altar-- though I/m not that religious). When I couldn't get in, I had a fit and started thrashing on the floor. Several men held me down so I wouldn't hurt myself..
When the paramedics and ambulance came, they took me away strapped to a gurney and took me to the nearest hospital. I assume that they gave me some sort of sedative to calm down. My wife and the rest of the
grroup went to the hosp and my wife began filling out paperwork to have me committed. Meantime, I woke up, got dressed and spoke to someone--probably an orderly. They let me leave the hospital as soon as I signed a statement that I was of clear mind ( yeah, right). and then they let me just walk out of the hospital with no ID, wallet, or anything else. They didn't even bother to tell my wife that I had gone. It goes on from there but welcome to our experience with involuntary committment. I assume that someone screwed up. Luckily my wife found me, got me home and had friends stay with me until I finally fell asleep. I was making outrageous statements by then. I never got committed, but did see a shrink the next day and was put on meds. I kind or guess I was a lucky one because I didn't try any violence toward myself or anyone else. I had wandered the streets in the worse area of town around midnight without any id. There should be better laws for helping people who do suffer from mental illnesses
We, as a society, should not be leaving so much of the burden of seeking help on the individual. At least examine someone who seems disturbed in any way--and mandate that that exam be covered 100% by the gov't or by any ins. God forbid some nut not go to see a doc because they don't want to contribute $25 to $50 (co-pay) to a doc. It doesn't take much to confince a mixed up person that they do Not need help. Bob
I can only go by my own experience and hope that the laws have changed since then. In Oct 1990.I was at a dinner-dance with my wife and friends. I was at a knights of Columbus function and I knew most of the men. They'd become my heros. Sometime during the evening, I tried to go into a locked area of the building (to pray at an altar-- though I/m not that religious). When I couldn't get in, I had a fit and started thrashing on the floor. Several men held me down so I wouldn't hurt myself..
When the paramedics and ambulance came, they took me away strapped to a gurney and took me to the nearest hospital. I assume that they gave me some sort of sedative to calm down. My wife and the rest of the
grroup went to the hosp and my wife began filling out paperwork to have me committed. Meantime, I woke up, got dressed and spoke to someone--probably an orderly. They let me leave the hospital as soon as I signed a statement that I was of clear mind ( yeah, right). and then they let me just walk out of the hospital with no ID, wallet, or anything else. They didn't even bother to tell my wife that I had gone. It goes on from there but welcome to our experience with involuntary committment. I assume that someone screwed up. Luckily my wife found me, got me home and had friends stay with me until I finally fell asleep. I was making outrageous statements by then. I never got committed, but did see a shrink the next day and was put on meds. I kind or guess I was a lucky one because I didn't try any violence toward myself or anyone else. I had wandered the streets in the worse area of town around midnight without any id. There should be better laws for helping people who do suffer from mental illnesses
We, as a society, should not be leaving so much of the burden of seeking help on the individual. At least examine someone who seems disturbed in any way--and mandate that that exam be covered 100% by the gov't or by any ins. God forbid some nut not go to see a doc because they don't want to contribute $25 to $50 (co-pay) to a doc. It doesn't take much to confince a mixed up person that they do Not need help. Bob
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