Liberty Blitzkrieg – by Michael Krieger
Police were also vague about the sign, saying only that it related to “social justice.” Bishop said two others who witnessed the shooting told him that it said, “Tax the one percent,” and that he seemed to raise it just before pulling the trigger.
Jim White was at the Capitol Visitor Center when the announcement of the lockdown came over the loudspeaker. He said there was no panic, just chatter about what could be going on outside. His 1:30 p.m. tour went on as scheduled. The only indication that something was amiss: The tour guide kept stretching and extending his talk.
Bernard called the incident “a bit unfortunate,” especially with all the tourists in town to see the cherry blossoms.
Yes, so unfortunate that someone blowing their brains out potentially due to economic serfdom got in the way of cherry blossom selfies.
– From the post: Illinois Man Commits Suicide in Front of U.S. Capitol Holding a “Tax the 1%” Sign
If you’ve lived life on this planet more than a handful of years, you’ve undoubtedly had your fair share of tough times, some of us more so than others. The fact that you’re here today reading this is a testament to your ability to overcome these struggles, and the experiences these hard times have provided you has shaped the person you are today.
For some people, a combination of life circumstances, mental and emotional difficulties, and lack of support from friends and family can lead to suicide. The thought that some people can become so overwhelmed with hopelessness and desperation they take their own lives is a haunting one.
Sadly, it is undeniable that this reality has become more and more prevalent in America as the 21st century has unfolded, and I don’t think it’s a coincidence that we’ve seen this flare up during a decade and a half characterized by a pummeling of the middle class, a decimation of civil liberties, and the entrenchment of a callous and corrupt political and economic oligarchy.
My heart goes out to the families of all those affected by this growing problem, and those who are currently struggling with suicidal thoughts. Although I can’t relate to such thoughts, I can sympathize.
The Washington Post reports:
The U.S. suicide rate has increased sharply since the turn of the century, led by an even greater rise among middle-aged white people, particularly women, according to federal data released Friday.
Last decade’s severe recession, more drug addiction, “gray divorce,” increased social isolation, and even the rise of the Internet and social media may have contributed to the growth in suicide, according to a variety of people who study the issue.
But economic distress — and dashed hopes generally — may underpin some of the increase, particularly for middle-aged white people. The data showed a 1 percent annual increase in suicide between 1999 and 2006 but a 2 percent yearly hike after that, as the economy deteriorated, unemployment skyrocketed and millions lost their homes.
Hey, at least we bailed out the bankers.
“People [were] growing up with a certain expectation . . . and the Great Recession and other things have really changed that,” said Julie A. Phillips, a professor of sociology at Rutgers University who studies the demography of suicide. “Things aren’t panning out the way people expect. I feel for sure that has had an effect.”
The U.S. homicide rate is also down: There are more than two suicides for every homicide. Among whites, there are more than seven suicides for every slaying.
Overall, the new data show, the age-adjusted suicide rate in the United States jumped 24 percent between 1999 and 2014, from 10.5 per 100,000 people to 13 per 100,000 people. The rate increased for both sexes and in all age groups from 10 to 74. The pace has continued into the first two quarters of 2015, separate data show.
Among white women ages 45 to 64, for example, the suicide rate jumped 80 percent, from 7 per 100,000 in 1999 to 12.6 per 100,000 in 2014.
Simply heart-wrenching.
“Here everyone, grab a napkin to wipe off those chunks of brain matter.” “Oh, aren’t those cherry blossoms beautiful with blood splattered over them!”
“Anyone who says the economy isn’t doing fine is peddling fiction” ~ An Constitutionally-unqualified traitor
Hey…. what the hell is wrong with these people?
They’ve been so conditioned to be so completely passive and helpless that they take it to the grave, by shooting themselves rather than the people responsible for their problems.
You’re poor and hungry because YOU WERE ROBBED. Don’t shoot yourself for that. Find out who robbed you and blow their heads off instead, you idiot.
Well, when they come to suicide me I’ll be ready……hahahaha
are these deaths tragic indeed they are,
what i do see is that somehow we’ve become a much weaker
nation, i believe by design. during the great depression then too
many men walked behind the barn to take care of thier troubles one and for all
some women as well,children were abandoned wholesale,
yet over all the country endured, but today i trully believe we have a much
weaker nation in morals, character,work ethic,and over expectations in life.
when the ballon goes up i believe we will see suicides on an unprecidenal
scale,cause people have had the ability to cope under the worst times
that moral fiber seems to be lost on many americans in this generation.
People who blow their heads off are weak anyway. I like the fight , f’k em…..
You wanna see mass suicides… wait till all the meds run out. There will be plenty of suicidal zombies then.
Unfortunately, the rest will likely have to be ‘cured’ by the sane ones left.