Heath Ledger has passed away :MEMORIAL PICS POSTED

[Doesney]

I want my children to have no tolerance for drugs and to have nothing but contempt for those who do them. I want them to think that if they do drugs it will harm or kill them and that smart people will laugh at them for being so stupid. I want them in the group of kids who are laughing at how stupid the ones who are taking the drugs are.

When they are older, they can feel sorry for people who get themselves that screwed up. But for now, I want them to have no tolerance for those folks. In fact, the further away from the druggies that I can push my kids, the better.

I don't want anyone to die. But when they do, I take full advantage of it. As upset as this seems to make some DISers, it doesn't actually do the dead person or those who grieve them any harm.

You should hope and pray that your children are not pre disposed to the disease of addiction. That would suck for you.

 

[Disney1fan2002]

What I find so sad is how the media is just chomping at the bit to be able to report that it was drugs.

How sad.

A celebrity can't just die anymore. Esecially a young one. It HAS to be drugs, right? Even though his friends have come out and said he not a partier. That if he did have a drug problem, he hid it well.

Do you know that there are 28 yo men who die every day from being run down, exhausted, haven't slept in Lord know how long, and suffer from anxiety? A person like that would have a really messed up immune system, and I think I heard he had pnuemonia.

My dad died from pnumonia. Granted, he was 70, not 28, but his body could not fight it. If Heath suffered from all the things listed above, his body would not have the strength to fight off something as serious as pnumonia.

I am going to bet, if the reports come back as being drugs, we are going to be hearing about Heath and his "messed up" life for months. If it comes back that he was just very sick, and he died, the media will give us one day of talking about how sad too lose such a young talent, and POOF.....back to Britney and her escapades.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

You might think you're teaching your kids to avoid drugs, but the real lesson you're teaching is to be judgemental, hard hearted and lack compassion. Either your kids will grow up to be the same or if the time comes when they've made a mistake, they'll realize that you and your husband are the last people they'll want to turn to. Either way I hope you reconsider your tactics. By all means use current events to teach lessons. Just don't forget that compassion is just as important as staying away from drugs.

If I died tonight, the police would find "nearly full bottles" of a WHOLE assortment of anti-depressants, pain medication (narcotic and otherwise), sleeping pills, and anti-anxiety drugs. They have been prescribed to myself or my husband over the last 5+ years and have either worked or not. The "not" ones would denote most of the nearly full bottles. TMZ's report means jack squat.

As for the nonsense of Cool-Beans....not that she cares, but I think I may have found a candidate for my very first use of the ignore feature. I've heard enough. I feel very sad for her children. My mom didn't need to secretly pray for the death of any celebrity to be drug-induced in order to teach me to lead a drug-free life. She had more class than that.

These 2 posts sum it up for me.


We were able to have the "drug" talk w/ my girls. They are extremely interested in the story, d/t the fact that he was playing the Joker.

We talked about mistakes that people make, and how they can hopefully avoid them. Really the same talk as with Vanessa Hudgins, or Britney, or Jamie Lynn.

No name calling, no being glad, and definately no laughing that someone lost their life.

The whole thing is just beyond sad. No matter how he died, and if it is determined that it was just a bad mix, of prscriptions, there will still be those judgemental idiots who feel he somehow deserved it, and will write him off as a "druggie".

 

[Galahad]

Do you know that there are 28 yo men who die every day from being run down, exhausted, haven't slept in Lord know how long, and suffer from anxiety? A person like that would have a really messed up immune system, and I think I heard he had pnuemonia.

I never even heard of this guy until this week. His death is no more or less "tragic" than any other 28 year old that dies too young - from whatever cause.

 

[RitaZ.]

My parents were quite effective in their conversations with us about not using drugs. They didn't have to wish harm or disparage others to get their message across.

It's very sad about Heath Ledger. I liked him. He was so young and clearly talented. Just very sad.

 

[ImMarcik]

I am sure if you searched my house today you would find at least 5 prescription bottles. Does that mean if I died unexpectantly it would be drugs? It's just sad they report all that.

 

[kejoda]

Even if he did die of an overdose it wasn't recreational drugs that caused his death. All that it would show is that this was a tragic accident and a lesson for all of us to know what we are taking.

 

[DaParkers]

COOL-Beans- How do you feel about people that drink? Or smoke cigarettes. I personally don't understand why anyone would do either. I don't drink or smoke, but I would never suggest laughing or not having compassion for those that might be addicted to either.Or even worse, hoping that someone's death were attributed to either. I've learned that most people are addicted to something, even if it's certain foods. I figure that if I don't have control over every aspect of my will power, Who am I to look down on someone else who doesn't?

 

[Christine]

I know a minimum of five people that take Ambien regularly--along with other meds. If they were to die in their sleep with their Ambien on their nightstand would we all be so harsh in judgement?

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

Cool Beans- Would you be so judgemental of a "druggie" who bottomed out their blood pressure, by taking too many blood pressure meds, or a diabetic who died of a low, or high blood sugar, and mishandled their medication. These type of things happen too.

Maybe its just the fact that the prescriptions found were anti-anxiety, hynotics, and the like. Does the need for pysch type meds make him a druggie. Well color me a druggie, because I fall into that category. You can laugh at me too.

I understand that the cause of death hasn't been determined, but it seems to be pointing in the direction of accidental prescription related. Nothing illegal so far.

 

[Mady/Sophiemom]

I know a minimum of five people that take Ambien regularly--along with other meds. If they were to die in their sleep with their Ambien on their nightstand would we all be so harsh in judgement?

Unfornunately--some ignorant people would. Many are very unaware, and see people who take any pysch meds, as weak, sad, and unstable.

 

[LukenDC]

When you exaggerate and/or over inflate effects of drugs and present info that your children could in some way in their adolescent minds doubt you set yourself up to be doubted by your kids. IF they doubt you on some small things they will discount all of your drug info. Not good.

Good point. Some researchers believe that the over the top anti-drug scare flicks of the 1950s and 1960s actually resulted in young people doubting the anti-drug message of authority figures. The anti-drug crowd lost credibility with youth for disseminating inaccurate information.

 

[debster812]

My vulture butt? Seriously?

I give up. Nobody has explained why one hoping for one COD over another is better. All I'm hearing is "because it is" and "because you're horrid."

Other than the family, which I already addressed, I just don't get it.


So sue me.

.

I'll take a stab, at it. It's cruel, callous, and heartless. You 'hope' that one families tragedy can be used by YOUR family as a teachable moment. It's opportunistic and just plain cruel.

 

[MzDiz]

My cousin, who was my closest friend during childhood, died of an overdose this past July. He was a druggie. He had struggled with drugs and alcohol from back in his teen years, and most of the family is predisposed to alcoholism. He was a beautiful person though. He was sweet natured, kind, loving, compassionate, funny, and smart. Just sick. He is missed so bad by so many people who knew him. There's an empty hole in my heart where he used to be, and it hurts so bad. I cried for two days, unconsolably, when he died.

He should have been on antidepressants, but without insurance he went without proper medical care and resorted to self medication with drinking and drugs.
He went on a binge after losing his job, and a close friend, on a failed business venture that he was really excited about. He drank too much, took a few pills, panicked, and went to his mother's house where he died in front of her on the kitchen floor. The paramedics were able to resuscitate him once, for a few moments, but he died shortly after they arrived.

Beans, I've always liked you, and I don't know what to say about your opinion. If you want to laugh at my cousin with your family, there's his story for you. Laugh it up. I actually have one other first cousin and one second cousin that died of drug/alcohol related deaths. I had a great uncle that died on the street with a bottle in his hand after leaving his family and living like a bum for several years. I have another cousin who we all know is well on his way to killing himself with alcohol. All we can do is be there for him and let him know that he's loved and he's valuable enough to help.

You're teaching your kids to be cold and heartless. I have two teenagers and they're not drug addicted. Yet, we've never had to laugh at someone else to accomplish this. Maybe you need to look to your faith to understand why laughing at someone and calling them names is not a good way to raise your kids. What happened to love the sinner, hate the sin?
I'm so upset by your posts. I really didn't see you that way.

 

[Mickey'sMainMami]

I too want my kids to think that drug use is stupid and dangerous, and I do feel bad for any celeb or person that has done or died from drugs. Drug addiction is a horrible habit, one that is the hardest to break. I think all us non-drug users will never know what it's like to deal with a habit like that, thank god. I guess that's why many sit back and judge so harshly, for me, I will never be able to comprehend what a drug user goes thru, or what an ex-drug user thinks. I've heard most recovering addicts say that even though you are clean, there isn't a day that goes by that you don't want to use, you just have to force yourselves not to do it. That is why I will also tell my kids that drugs are stupid, and I might use some celebs as examples, but I don't think putting them down, is the answer. I do however feel a lot different when it comes to like Britney or Amy Winehouse or some of the other walking drug disasters who completely refuse help/rehab and obviously don't want to get help. I mean I still feel bad for them, but I guess with people with known drug problems, if they were to od tomorrow, I would never be happy about it, but it might be a little less shocking because for them, it almost seems inevitable. Maybe that's why this is all such a big thing, because it is so shocking and who knew he had a problem.

With that being said, I think judging Heath when you don't know the circumstance behind his death is ridiculous. I have just been listening to news reports and no one has come forward and said that he was a known drug user, and if he was he must have hid it pretty well. Well let me tell you, if he was as much of a drug user that he od'd, then he had to have been using pretty heavily, then I am pretty sure some one along the way must have known something was going on if he was using heavily enough to od. I mean you mean to tell me his housekeeper, his ex-fiance, people on the movie sets where he was working who would be around for 16 hours a day would have known if something wasn't right. I think it would be a little hard for drug addict to work and not show any signs that something was wrong. I think for a lot of people with high stress jobs, and yes I know that acting isn't really that hard of a job in some of our eyes, but some need some help dealing with stress. Heck a lot of normal people have stress and anxiety/depression issues and need some rx drugs. I mean he admitted being stressed, having anxiety issues, not being able to sleep, it is possible that a combination of the drugs could have messed him up considering he was sick like they said. Also, I know how I react when I have had one bad night's sleep, I feel like I am walking around in a fog all day, imagine him who said he slept for like 2 hours the whole week, it's possible, he accidentally took more meds than he should have. Until I get more proof that he was abusing drugs, I am going to think it was an accident and therefore he shouldn't be judged, but sympathized for. Even if I do find out he had a rx drug problem, it's not going to make me think he is stupid, it's going to make me even more sad that some one with so much talent and so much going for him couldn't over come his addiction and get help.

 

[bigmerle1966]

I was watching ET last night, late. What I posted about it didn't make it on here, my internet conked out just as I hit submit. That show gets worse all the time.

One "reporter" was talking about Heath and being in the spotlight and how in one interview he seemed so uncomfortable and was peeling an orange! Like this was some clue to his death.

And then Mary Hart was doing this little monologue thing and said that there had been 1,000,000 visits to the ET website and they have all the up to date info and made it seem, at least to me, that they would get the info from the coroner before anyone else.

Then she went on to talk about other celebrities that died too young. The thing that really got me was when she said that ET was the first on the scene to report that John Belushi had died. Like that was some great thing that they were there first to get the footage of his body being wheeled out of the hotel.

 

[princesspiglet]

When people commit suicide, they have their reasons. I tend to leave them alone after that.

But I do like it when the celebs die from drug overdoses. It gives DH and I the opportunity to talk to the kids about drugs without actually doing it. You lecture, it generally goes in one ear and out the other.

Something like this, though, would be an excellent opportunity. I'll say, "Did you hear another of those Hollywood morons did himself in?" He'll say, "No!" Then I'll say, "Heath Ledger. You know who he was, Mindy?" and DD will say that she does and she likes him, he was in this or that. And I'll add, "Well, now he's nowhere. He's dead. Idiot." And I'll turn back to DH and say, "Will those people NEVER LEARN?! You take drugs, you might die!" And he'll add that they won't learn because they're stupid. We'll laught at him and then move on to some other topic.

It sounds mean, but it is how we drive it home to our kids. Taking drugs is stupid and can kill you. If you do it, you are stupid and risking your life.

I don't personally care about this guy or mean him any harm. But I take my opportunities where I can grab them. So, I'm kind of hoping - if he has to be dead, anyway - that it was drugs.

Wow, you are very cold-hearted. I can't not even fathom "wishing" it was drugs so that I could teach my DD a lesson. What kind of parent would wish that? And to call him an idiot and laugh??? I am just in total shock and disgust right now.

 

[ChristmasElf]

When people commit suicide, they have their reasons. I tend to leave them alone after that.

But I do like it when the celebs die from drug overdoses. It gives DH and I the opportunity to talk to the kids about drugs without actually doing it. You lecture, it generally goes in one ear and out the other.

Something like this, though, would be an excellent opportunity. I'll say, "Did you hear another of those Hollywood morons did himself in?" He'll say, "No!" Then I'll say, "Heath Ledger. You know who he was, Mindy?" and DD will say that she does and she likes him, he was in this or that. And I'll add, "Well, now he's nowhere. He's dead. Idiot." And I'll turn back to DH and say, "Will those people NEVER LEARN?! You take drugs, you might die!" And he'll add that they won't learn because they're stupid. We'll laught at him and then move on to some other topic.

It sounds mean, but it is how we drive it home to our kids. Taking drugs is stupid and can kill you. If you do it, you are stupid and risking your life.

I don't personally care about this guy or mean him any harm. But I take my opportunities where I can grab them. So, I'm kind of hoping - if he has to be dead, anyway - that it was drugs.

Wow! Hope you don't ever get sick and accidently overdose on the Tylenol.

Heath Ledger also had pnuemonia. Unless you have ever had it, you just feel misersable and just want to feel better and breathe easier. So it's not that hard to believe that he may have accidently taken something for the pnuemonia that counteracted with the other meds he was taking for sleeplessness or anxiety.

I highly doubt Heath Ledger was a "druggie" that intentially tried to overdose.

 

[Nancyg56]

For his family, I hope that. For mine, I hope the other way. It doesn't matter what I hope for. My hopes don't change anything. If you need proof of that, call the Ohio Lottery Commission.

But, however he died won't make much difference to his family. A medical condition won't make him any less dead. But, I suppose that it not being drugs would mean they didn't have to blame him and be angry and go through all that. So, for them, I'll hope medical.

I am afraid to comment on your previous posts other than to say that I have managed to bring 3 children into adulthood who neither use drugs nor alcohol. They also do not smoke. I never wished for another's death to be a drug overdose to accomplish this.

As to cause of death not making any difference to the family......while I know I will never be able to convince you that you are wrong, I can assure you that cause makes a great deal of difference to those who love someone. The pain and anguish loved ones suffer over a death that is senseless is excruciating and leave those family members wondering and questioning if there was anyway that they could have helped. They question the pain that their son or daughter must have been in to turn to drugs or alcohol in order to medicate themselves and then they grieve again. They seldom blame the drugs as they know the drugs were the manner of death, not the reason for it, they blame themselves.

I would pray that you never experience the pain that I have seen others suffer, but I would caution that while you are teaching scorn and ridicule, you remember that these are your children. In the event that they stray from your teachings, and it has been known to happen as I don't know many parents who advocate drug use, you may wish that you had left a door open for them to use. If they are embarrassed to come to you, if they fear your own scorn, ridicule and their humiliation because of that teaching, you may be the parent mourning a beloved child always wondering if you could have done something to take the pain away.

 

[LadyTrampScamp&Angel]

I use these stories as teachable moments too, but more in the vein of that is so sad and please think about consequences before you act, think for yourself and please ask for help if you need it. There are a lot of influences out there for kids, at some point they will be stronger than the parent's influence. To use ridicule, not show compassion and understand that people might make mistakes, or need help - might prevent children from turning to you when they need it.

Just a thought.