Debating is Fun... Showing 1,151-1,200 of 1,623

[Jayda]

Thalia wrote: "Okay, from what I can gather, this is a debate about death penalty vs. no death penalty.

I support the use of the death penalty and also those who choose not to use the death penalty. Something wa..."

Basically, I agree with everything you just said :)

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Thalia wrote: "Brigid, I believe the girl was sixteen or seventeen. It was awhile ago; I think in the nineties. The only survivor was her father. I think she had...four or five younger siblings? It's just...that ..."

Gosh, that is really terrible. O_o

Yes, I think that's basically what I've been saying ... No one likes war, but it sort of has to be done because it's so hard to avoid. So although I wish it didn't have to happen, I don't think there's a realistic solution to ending it. If that makes sense.

And I agree about that entirely. I don't care if people are against the war, but I think it's wrong to blame it on the military and disrespect the people who are fighting. They're in a terrible situation and have to go through horrific things, and I don't think anyone is in a place to judge them unless they've experienced warfare themselves. Not only that, but soldiers don't necessarily choose what they're fighting for. So it's not fair to blame it on them.

[Thalia]

See, my grandpa snuck into the Navy when he was seventeen during World War II. He wanted to get out there and defend his family so badly that he couldn't wait another year to get out there and help his country. I have a tremendous amount of respect for my grandfather, so I get really pissed off when people start making comments like that, about the military and the soldiers fighting are all so stupid, because war is stupid, and we shouldn't kill people trying to kill us. It just makes me mad.

Sorry, I don't even know if war was originally a subject in these debates at all, hahaha. It's another one of those things that I can go off on a tangent about.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Haha, it's okay. War was kind of a subject being discussed, since the discussion of execution led to the topic of violence in general.

[Picture]

Hmm...I feel like getting worked up. Let's talk about assisted suicide. How do you feel about it?

[Thalia]

You mean doctor assisted suicide?

You know, I don't know if I have an opinion. Oregon is the only state where it's legal though. Figures. *headdesk*

I think it kind of...depends. Like, if a person can't live on their own, hooked up to a bunch of machines and whatever, and the doctor and patient thinks it's best to pull the plug; I think that should be okay. If there's no chance of living beyond those machines keeping you alive? I'd hate that. I'd probably pull my own plug.

I don't think it's okay under any other circumstances though.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Hmm, assisted suicide is a tricky one. I guess it's probably better to be assisted in suicide if you're going to do it anyway. It would be better to be guided through it by a professional.

I don't really support the idea of suicide, though. Because once you make that decision, you can never take it back and you're gone forever. I guess it might not matter to someone if he/she was really old and had no family/friends left. But, personally I'd prefer to live as long as I could naturally, because you never know what will happen. Of course, that's not everyone's view. So, I think it's hard to judge the idea as a whole. It would vary from case to case.

[Isaac]

Rebekka (harmony, harmony, oh love!) wrote: "I think being stuck in prison for the rest of your natural life is a pretty huge punishment and just knowing it's all going to be over with soon, I think, would be quite comforting.

However, lik..."

Oh my goodness, I saw Ted Bundy I like flipped out. >.< This thing I have is becoming unhealthy.

Anyways, can I give my view on the death penalty real fast?

I think that if a person has killed an extraordinary amount of people (e.g. Ted Bundy or a terrorist, as Rebekah said) they deserve to die. If they just killed one or two people, to prison they go, but if they killed like forty people just for sex or something, that's just sick and wrong and we don't need people like that even in jail and they should just die.

And for suicide, it's not right in any case, assisted or not.

[[deleted user]]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Hmm, assisted suicide is a tricky one. I guess it's probably better to be assisted in suicide if you're going to do it anyway. It would be better to be guided through it by a professional.

I don'..."

I don't really understand your first paragraph. What do you mean by "professional"? A professional at helping other people die? Or do you mean a mental health professional or something like that?

If the latter is what you mean, I doubt they would help someone commit suicide. Professionals are the ones that daily try to talk people out of killing themselves, whether it's in therapy sessions or on suicide/crisis hotlines. No offense intended towards you; I just don't understand what you mean.

Suicide... It's a selfish and impulsive choice, but a choice, nonetheless.

[Picture]

Hey, guys, just a heads up. Assisted suicide isn't talking about some emo kid saying he wants to kill himself.

Assisted suicide can be like when your sister's a vegetable. Do you pull the plug or not? Or it could be like when this guy's paralyzed and doesn't want to keep on living that way.

It's a complicated issue. I wrote a persuasive paper on it. I get it. I think I should have that right because people just don't understand that some people cannot handle pain. Some people just want to give up. Just because you think you won't give up doesn't mean you should deny the right for someone to do that.

The only problem with assisted suicide is that sometimes families do not know in some cases. Doctors don't want to do that either.


When I say assisted suicide, I'm talking about people with physical pain and just cannot live in the state their in. I'm not talking about psychological pain though I guess there isn't a boundary for that really. I support assisted suicide more for physically handicap people who lost all hope.

“In a society such as ours that is very concerned with issues of autonomy and personal rights and guarantees and is quick to make heated argument on both sides, there is no reason why our freedom to choose should end at the right to die a peaceful death if a medical situation is hopeless and causing unending pain and suffering”

“‘My husband is slowly dying. If you get to the point where the pain killers aren't working and life has become agonizing, why prolong the agony for yourself or for your family? The only thing that entered our minds was that if the pain became unbearable or too ugly, we want Robert to have that choice. We all are going to die. We are just talking about shortening life.’” (Witters, A Village Life Exclusive)

[Isaac]

Oh. Well, if the person doesn't know that they're going to die, it isn't suicide, is it?

It's quite puzzling though, if you are aware of what's going to happen.

[Picture]

Actually, families have the write to make decision for family members. Technically, it can be kind of like suicide.

To tell you the truth, a lot of people go through so much pain with terminal illnesses. Death seems like a delight instead of a fear.

Assisted Suicide is also called Death with Dignity because patients can choose.

I really speak for the option of assisted suicide. But I agree. It is very complex and needs to be severely regulated because like abortion, it can be abused.

[Isaac]

Well, if the families decide for the patient, I don't really see it as suicide.

[Picture]

Like you really care. wrote: "Well, if the families decide for the patient, I don't really see it as suicide."

Legally, the family is not penalized for deciding to pull the plug. That's where the "kind of" comes in. Okay...maybe it's not "suicide." But it can be assisted suicide if the patient did decide before hand that he or she would want for that to happen if he or she ever went into the vegetable state.

ERGH! I'm rambling. Okay. It's not suicide. But I was just trying to talk about a type of way the doctor can help the patient in assisted suicide.

And really, I think I would want that method for myself because dude, medical bills cost a lot of money. I don't want to be a burden when I'm in a vegetable state.

Unless....what if I lived in Everlost and became a skinjacker. In that case, I would be like, "No." Because being a skinjacker is the best thing even though I'm not one.

And I'm not even going to reference what I'm talking about because I want to confuse people. *confused faces* I know, I know, I'm cool like that.

And I wouldn't be surprised if Sarah Palin got shot in the head too. Is it just me, or is Michelle Bachman and Sarah Palin cousins? I really think so. They're so related.

Do you think it's weird that I could drive to Michelle Bachman's house easily from where I live? Technically, I'm not mentioning where I live. I didn't specify the degree of easiness. Hmm...

Oh, because I don't feel like doing math homework, I rambling to myself. How do guys feel about the West Baptist Church? I think that the serial killer who killed all those innocent teenagers in Norway should just have killed Harold Camping and his followers. Die, Harold Camping! Die, Stupidity!

Did you know that the church actually protested against putting the killer from Norway in jail? HOLY ****! Yup, that's what I thought too. Apparently, they thought that the serial killer was doing god's deed as a punishment or whatnot because the homosexuals in Norway were allowed to marry.

And now, I'm rambling. *tapes mouth*

Oh, wait, I'm dumb. Bahahaha. My fingers keep typing. rj; aierrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr;


Eh...what's up, doc?

[Isaac]

Wow, you went from assisted suicide to homosexuals in Norway. XD

[Jayda]

As a person who's sibling tried to commit suicide last year I don't agree with assisted suicide in the least bit. I mean, it's their choice. But I just disagree with it. The thought of someone killing themselves, whether on their own or assisted, just kills me. It was bad enough when my sibling did it on their own, but knowing that a doctor is willing to help kill someone? I just... I don't know.

Tonight I've been experiencing emotions from when that happened with my sibling so I'm a little distraught, which is probably why the idea is seriously bothering me right now. But I don't know all of the technicalities behind it. I just know that the idea of suicide, in any form, just seems selfish to me. That's coming from someone who's been on the other end. I understand that if someone is deathly ill asome people might think it's better for them to just go ahead and die, but... I don't know. It still seems wrong to me?

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Maxy wrote: "Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Hmm, assisted suicide is a tricky one. I guess it's probably better to be assisted in suicide if you're going to do it anyway. It would be better to be guided th..."

Oh sorry, I thought we were talking about like Dr. Kevorkian type assisted suicide.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Jayda wrote: "As a person who's sibling tried to commit suicide yesterday I don't agree with assisted suicide in the least bit. I mean, it's their choice. But I just disagree with it. The thought of someone kill..."

Oh gosh Jayda, I'm so sorry. :( This must be a really sensitive subject for you right now. I hope everything is okay. Sending positive energy your way. <3

[Jayda]

Sorry, I meant last year, not yesterday. I have noooo idea why it posted yesterday! But it is still a topic I'm kind of sensitive to, especially since it could happen again, any time, since my sibling still deals with severe depression.

But, it is a discussion to debate about. I just think it's one that needs to be taken with both sides considered, you know? I've gotten into debates about assisted suicide where the people were angry with me because I said killing yourself is a selfish thing to do. What they don't think about it the affect that stays with everyone alive. A lot of people don't realize that even if that person was suffering in some way, the agony of losing someone who chose to end their life, whether on their own, or with help, is a painful and long experience. I'm not over it yet, and it happened last year. I have no idea when I'll be over it, and my sibling didn't even succeed. So I don't really understand how someone can do that to their loved ones.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Ah, okay ... Well, I see how the topic hits too close to home for you. Must be scary. :(

I'm not angry at you for saying that, because I totally agree. I also think that suicide is selfish, because you leave everyone you love to grieve for you. It's like, you only think about getting out of your own pain and don't think about the pain you're inflicting on everyone else.

I see how people could perceive that statement the wrong way, though. To clarify, I don't disrespect anyone who's committed suicide. I just think it's tragic that so many people make that decision without thinking about what they're doing.

[Jayda]

It was definitely scary. I was in denial for a while until I found out they'd left a note, and then I didn't know what would happen when we got to the hospital. I didn't sleep for about 36 hours straight. After that, the emotional roller coaster I was on was awful. Luckily, I've been getting better with everything, but I still have times where I relive those emotions (like right now) and I'm still angry with them, though I've gotten better with it all.

I definitely think it's tragic. It's a horrible thing when someone thinks that they have no other way out of their pain than death. I hate to hear when people take their lives because they no longer believe they're worthy to live, or want to live, or can live.

But it was definitely a selfish thing, and it can create hate, anger, anguish, pain, sadness, distrust, etc. I didn't hate my sibling, but I was close, which is saying something considering I don't hate anyone. I was so angry that a couple of times I woke up with my stuffed animal thrown across the room. That anger came from pain and suffering, especially considering why they did what they did. It was selfish and stupid, but it was a choice and now they have to live with it. Luckily, they've made progress. But at this point I don't know what'll happen.

[Picture]

I'm sorry, Jayda, about what you're going through. I'm not encouraging suicide at all. I'm encouraging the option of having patients and families choose how they want their family member or they want to die. It's also called death with dignity. I know you may not know all the specifics, but dude, people deal with pain in different ways. Physical pain. Sometimes families aren't able to communicate that well with sick family members because of pain medication side effects and all that. It's a mutual thing between the families and patients in which the doctor assists. Or, at least, it should be a mutual thing.


Of course, it's illegal now. It will probably be illegal until they can get it all worked out.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Jayda wrote: "It was definitely scary. I was in denial for a while until I found out they'd left a note, and then I didn't know what would happen when we got to the hospital. I didn't sleep for about 36 hours st..."

Once again, I'm really sorry you've had to go through that. And I hope everything works out and that your sibling will be okay. *Hugs* And I agree with you about how sad it is.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Okay, I'm a little confused about the topic right now. Are we talking about assisted suicide or euthanasia? And/or is there a difference? (Maybe this is a stupid question...)

[Jayda]

Picture - really? Hm... In the debates I've been in the family wasn't allowed a say in the decision, just the patient. If it's a family thing I suppose that's better, in a sense, because then it's mutual, but if it's just the patient's decision I think I disagree with it. If someone is brain dead then I'm fine with people "pulling the plug" considering there's no chance for them to return from that. But if the person is alive and can make progress, I disagree with it entirely.

Brigid - it's okay, it all gets better at some point :) I was just feeling those emotions again last night so I was in a bad mood. I feel better today :) Hopefully everything works out with my sibling. Only time will tell, I suppose.

But yeah, I'm confused if euthanasia and assisted suicide are the same thing, because I thought they were, but I'm not sure...

[Acacia]

As far as I understand it, euthanasia is without patient consent, and assisted suicide is with.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Okay, that's what I thought. Picture's comment kind of confused me because she seemed to be talking about euthanasia.

[Picture]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Okay, that's what I thought. Picture's comment kind of confused me because she seemed to be talking about euthanasia."

Gahh! Sorry, I kind of blend them together sometimes. I really suck at debating, but I like it anyway. O.o

Jayda: Um, I think that it's the patient's decision at first, but families should be informed of the patient's decisions. From that, family members will learn how to except that decision. That's what I think should be the rule of thumb, but there's been cases where families don't even know.

It's really difficult to debate these topics without putting in suggestions to improve opinions. You can't just have it one way without some rules or something.

So, do you guys want to talk about legalizing marijuana? Yeah, I know. I'm a total pothead. *rolls eyes*

I think marijuana should be legalized so we can tax it. Hey, there are a lot of potheads out there. Maybe we'll finally get to reduce the amount of debt we have in this country. I'm not marijuana is healthy or anything. I'm just saying that people will smoke marijuana sometimes whether it's legal or not. That's how people are sometimes.

[Jayda]

I wouldn't vote for it to be legalized, myself, but I really could care less. The only thing I'd want is for it to be where you could only do it in your house, and you had to be a certain age (like 18 or 21) to buy it. But, I'm kind of nonchalant either way. I won't ever smoke marijuana, but I know people will, no matter what.

[Isaac]

My dad thinks they should, I get where he's coming from. That way, we don't have so many people smuggling around the US. If we legalize it, well, there would be incidents, but is no different then now. People who smoke it now wouldn't be any different. You just arrest them for doing what they did if they harmed somebody, but otherwise it's their choice to screw themselves up.

[Picture]

Yeah, I agree with both of you. I seriously do not care if other people screw up their lives because they won't listen. And alcohol has been found to be worse than marijuana, I believe. Or it can be worse. Hmm....

[Acacia]

I think marijuana should be legalized. It could be properly taxed and regulated, which would bring the crime down and put a little more money into the economy. Sure, it may still be purchased illegally, but at least this way you're keeping an eye on it. And (I'm fairly certain) it's not as harmful to your health as, say, cigarettes.

Also, people who smoke marijuana don't always "screw their lives up". Like Picture said, it's less harmful than alcohol and most other drugs, if I remember correctly.

[Isaac]

I don't know much about marijuana. If you get involved in any drug, I think you screwed up your life 'cause you get addicted, and people do things for addiction, but I say that marijuana should be legalized.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Well the thing is, since marijuana isn't as damaging to your health as many other drugs, more people smoke it. And more people get addicted, because they're under the impression that, because it's not as harmful, it's less addictive––which isn't necessarily true.

But anyway, there are some health benefits of marijuana and there would definitely be some benefits of legalizing it. Personally, I don't really care whether it gets legalized or not since I don't use it. I doubt it would affect my life much. My college is out in the middle of nowhere and everyone smokes pot here ... so I inhale it all day every day anyway. :P

[Jayda]

I totally agree with you, Brigid :) Haha

[Jayda]

Minus the part about inhaling it anyway... I've never been around pot smokers :P

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Really? Wow ... a lot of people smoked it at my high school. And like I said, even more people smoke it here. But, I live in Massachusetts. So. :P

[Jayda]

Well, I was home schooled haha :) I just try not to hang around those kinds of people, anyway. My ex used to smoke it, but by the time I met him he'd quit, which is the only reason I dated him.

[Acacia]

Emily [Like you really care.] wrote: "I don't know much about marijuana. If you get involved in any drug, I think you screwed up your life 'cause you get addicted, and people do things for addiction, but I say that marijuana should be..."

Except... not everyone who smokes marijuana becomes addicted.

Sorry, I've got a friend who smokes marijuana, so I am automatically kind of defensive about the whole "It screws you up forever" concept.

[Jayda]

But it can become addictive, if you use it enough. People can use it and it not be addictive at first/for a while, but if used enough even your friend can become addicted.

Along with that, a lot of addicts hide their addictions until it's obvious that they are addicted. I'm obviously not saying your friend is an addict, I'm just saying that even if I had a friend who smoked marijuana it would be possible that they were addicts but would deny it.

[Baxter, butts butts butts]

The thing to remember is that with marijuana you don't become physically addicted to it, only mentally.

[Acacia]

I know it's potentially addictive. I'm not saying it's not. Any drug is. I just don't believe that smoking it automatically ruins your life, that's all.

[Annemarie, hi]

I mean, freaking cigarettes are more addictive than pot, and more dangerous. I don't, honestly, see why marijuana isn't legal.

[Picture]

I told my parents that I think marijuana should be legalized. I think they think I'm a pothead now. Lol. I don't even take my vitamins. How the heck am I going to smoke marijuana? Anyway, some kids who smoke marijuana are really annoying though, but I suppose it's just their nature. Heh. Stoners.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Annie (Juliet) wrote: "I mean, freaking cigarettes are more addictive than pot, and more dangerous. I don't, honestly, see why marijuana isn't legal."

Except tobacco doesn't get you high, it just destroys your lungs. Marijuana impairs your judgment and whatnot AND it's not good for your health. I mean, it has some health benefits in small doses, but if someone's addicted to it, it can be very damaging to their brain.

Man, this reminds me of the "Freaks and Geeks" episode I was watching last night. BEST SHOW EVAHHHH.

[Annemarie, hi]

Noooo marijuana won't do anything to your brain. If you're going for the impairs your judgment thing, I'm pretty sure alcohol is just as ba da marijuana.

[Baxter, butts butts butts]

Annie (Juliet) wrote: "Noooo marijuana won't do anything to your brain. If you're going for the impairs your judgment thing, I'm pretty sure alcohol is just as ba da marijuana."

Oh yeah, it's been proven time and time again that alcohol is worse than marijuana.

[Brigid ✩, No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader.]

Annie (Juliet) wrote: "Noooo marijuana won't do anything to your brain. If you're going for the impairs your judgment thing, I'm pretty sure alcohol is just as ba da marijuana."

Um, yes it will. Especially if you're a teenager, it can damage your brain development if you use it heavily. And no one said it was any better/worse than alcohol.

Do I care if it's legalized or not? Not really. I'm just saying, the stuff is not good for you.

[Acacia]

Well no, of course it's not good for you, except in the case of medical marijuana. But with all the legal things that aren't good for you, why is this illegal?

[Jayda]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Annie (Juliet) wrote: "Noooo marijuana won't do anything to your brain. If you're going for the impairs your judgment thing, I'm pretty sure alcohol is just as ba da marijuana."

Um, yes it will. E..."

Agreed!