Heath Ledger has passed away :MEMORIAL PICS POSTED

[AuntieM03]

Whatever the cause I feel sympathy for his family, especially his daughter. God rest his soul.

 

[hellokitty86]

I probably shouldn't do this, but in a way I partly agree with what cool beans is saying. If a seemingly healthy young man dies from a drug overdose, then there's an avoidable reason for dying. That can't happen to me because I don't do drugs. If a seemingly healthy, young man dies from who-knows-what, that's kind of scary. That's something that can happen to me. Either way it's, of course, tragic for his family.

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This logic would make some sense if it were confirmed that he were a user of illegal drugs or abused his prescription meds. That is not confirmed at this time, so her making that comment to her kids at this time is just ridiculous IMO (actually, her saying that is ridiculous anyway but thats for another post ) He could have been sick, (he was, the ME said so) exhausted, took his sleeping medicine and antibotics, and it was too much for his body. Just because someone overdoses does NOT mean they are abusing their medication or using illegal drugs. Mistakes happen. And calling a human being an 'idiot' because they overdose is very harsh and judgemental. I'm glad my parents didn't talk this way to me. My parents would NEVER talk about a human being like that- no matter what they did in their life time or how they died.

 

[crazee4mickey]

Will someone please explain to me just why it is that hoping the cause of death was drugs as opposed to, say, a heart attack is so evil?

Either way, the guy is dead. Why does me hoping I can use it to teach my kids a lesson make me evil?

Why does hoping it was a stroke (or whatever) make you a good person and me hoping it was drugs make me a bad one?

Okay you have asked and this is off topic from the original purpose of this thread but I will answer your question and this is totally, 100% my opinion.......

First of all, I personally do not have to know someone to feel sorry over their death or to feel sorry for their friends and family, its something I was raised with...that is what I call empathy and also respect for other human beings.

The fact Heath Ledger died at a young age with a 2 year old daughter who will most likely never remember her father is a tragedy in itself. Whether he died of natural causes or not-it is a senseless tragedy that this little girl no longer has her daddy.

For me, plain and simple, its the fact you want to make a "teachable moment" for your children from someone's tragic death.

I think maybe it was the scenario that was used how casually talking about someone to the kids, asking if the child knew them(or whatever, can't remember your exact words) and then saying basically "Too bad their dead. Idiot".

To me that's not teaching about the dangers of drugs that is more a lesson on how not to care about others.

There are other ways to teach children things...I have 4 kids and have not used the death of someone to frighten them into not doing something.
I taught them from a young age that drugs are not good for your mind or body...all 4 of my kids (oldest 21) have never done drugs and are strong advocates against them.

I also give my kids the credit in knowing that what I have taught them through our many years of "heart to heart" talks has kept them from trying or doing drugs--they know drugs ruin lives, that they are "dangerous and stupid", etc.

Sorry but I just couldn't do that to my kids....

 

[N.Bailey]

Again, I ask why it is worse to hope it was one cause of death over another.

I honestly consider other viewpoints. If someone can explain to me why it is better to hope the guy had a pulmonary embolism instead of ODing, then maybe I'll understand why everyone is so up in arms over me wanting to use it to drive home the "drugs are bad" thing.

Maybe I'm wrong, but don't see why hoping for one COD over another makes one person an angel and another the devil incarnate.

I get that everyone thinks I'm evil and disgusting. I'd just like the explanation of why.

I've read plenty of your posts to know that I won't be adding you to my ignore list anytime in the near future. We do happen to disagree here, though. Maybe my analogy here won't be the best fit for the scenario, but then again, what do I have to lose?

I think we can all agree that you're as repulsed by the Phelps group as the rest of us, right? Well, you see, they're saying the same thing you are, but their reasoning isn't the same. They think he deserved to die because he'd enabled homosexuals (and that's giving them the benefit of the doubt because we all know, that's not the word they choose to use). They of course take it one step further than you by making plans to picket his funeral, but they're still spreading hatred.

While you want to use this as an example to teach your children (and if it's drug related, things like this could really have the most impact), that in and of itself isn't where the problem most have with your point of view stems from. It seems you're wishing this upon people so you can stress the point. Wishing it and celebrating (not saying you're going that far), is what the Phelps group do.

I don't know, maybe you just can't see what I'm trying to say? I in no way put you on their level. I was just using their tactic as a way of trying to show why some are repulsed by your POV.

BTW, I also want to stress that I in no way believe you wished for his death.

 

[DaParkers]

R.I.P Heath Ledger! After reading a few pages of this thread, I realize that there are some truly sympathetic people in this world and some truly misguided ones too! Either way, may God bless his soul and all of yours too.

 

[PrincessTiff]

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.

I want the kids to be judgemental about drugs. I want them to think that people who do drugs are stupid - because they are. It is just about the stupidest thing a person can do.

I want them to think "dangerous and stupid" when they think about drugs. And I like it when the celebs OD because it lets me drive the point home.

So sue me.

FWIW, I totally agree with you.

People die every day from accidental OD but when a celebrity does it's headline news. Sickening really.

 

[N.Bailey]

FWIW, I totally agree with you.

People die every day from accidental OD but when a celebrity does it's headline news. Sickening really.

Forget that you're talking about ODing. People die everyday from a wide variety of reasons, but when a celeb does, it's headline news. It might be sickening (I personally don't believe anyone's life is more valuable than the next), but this isn't a double standard.

 

[momrek06]

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.

Are you kidding me?

 

[palmtreegirl]

It's so sad. I really enjoyed his movies and thought he was a very talented actor, he will be missed.


Matthew 7:1-2 (NIV)

1"Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

 

[PammyK]

You know, I think everybody can agree that whatever the cause of Mr. Ledger's death, the result is still a terrible and senseless tragedy. IMO, anytime a 28 year old dies it is pretty terrible. We really need to wait and see what the medical examiner's findings are; however, this has not stopped the media from creating speculation about drugs playing a role in Mr. Ledger's death.

In this particular case, some people like cool beans have decided that if Mr. Ledger's death is drug related they can use it as an opportunity to remind their kids of the dangers of drugs. However, I think that unlike cool beans most will take a compassionate approach to the lesson.

Cool beans expressed joy at the thought that this sad death might be a drug overdose because it aids her plans to use mockery and derision to try to drill home the fact that improper drug use isn't cool or hip but senseless and stupid. The callous and heartless approach that she described in her post is really what most of us object to, not the fact that she is trying to use this situation as a lesson. Frankly, I think most people feel like her approach will backfire because as one other poster already said, in addition to teaching her children the dangers of drugs she is also teaching them that if they do make bad decisions in their lives she will not respond with love and compassion but with cruelty and derision.

I would hope that others who choose to use celebrity drug related deaths as a life lesson for their children are more compassionate in their approach. "I can't believe that so and so died from a drug overdose. Didn't you like to watch him in that movie? It is a stupid way to die and I feel really badly for his family and friends who have to try to live with this. It really makes me sad and angry when people make such bad decisions and I just don't understand how it could happen. How does it make you feel?" It still gets the point across, it opens up opportunities for further dialogue about the risks of drugs (prescription or otherwise) and it serves as a reminder that even if we don't have to live with the consequences of our decisions, there are others who will. For those of a Christian bent, it also addresses the situation from a perspective of hating the sin but loving the sinner.

 

[JennyMominRI]

You know, I think everybody can agree that if this was a drug overdose, whether deliberate or accidental, the result is still a terrible and senseless tragedy. IMO, anytime a 28 year old dies it is pretty terrible. In this particular case, some people like cool beans may even take this opportunity to use said senseless tragedy as an opportunity to remind their kids of the dangers of drugs. However, I think that unlike cool beans most will take a compassionate approach to the lesson.

Cool beans expressed joy at the thought that this sad death might be a drug overdose because it aids her plans to use mockery and derision to try to drill home the fact that drug use isn't cool or hip but senseless and stupid. The callous and heartless approach that she described in her post is really what most of us object to, not the fact that she is trying to use this situation as a lesson. Frankly, I think most people feel like her approach will backfire because as one other poster already said, in addition to teaching her children the dangers of drugs she is also teaching them that if they do make bad decisions in their lives she will not respond with love and compassion but with cruelty and derision.

I would hope that others who choose to try to use this or similar celebrity deaths as a life lesson for their children are more compassionate in their approach. "I can't believe that so and so died from a drug overdose. Didn't you like to watch him in that movie? It is a stupid way to die and I feel really badly for his family and friends who have to try to live with this. It really makes me sad and angry when people make such bad decisions and I just don't understand how it could happen. How does it make you feel?" It still gets the point across, it opens up opportunities for further dialogue about the risks of drugs (prescription or otherwise) and it serves as a reminder that even if we don't have to live with the consequences of our decisions, there are others who will. For those of a Christian bent, it also addresses the situation from a perspective of hating the sin but loving the sinner.

To add to what you said ad there is no evidence whatsoever that he was a drug abuser, you(general) could us this as a chance to teach your children about the SAFE use of legal prescription drugs... You can sit here and rail about *druggies* all you want but the fact is the only evidence we have right now is that this man had several bottles of nearly full meds..Some for anti-anxiety, some sleeping pills..
The fact is at some point in everyones life they will have to take prescription drugs of all kinds and irrational rants about druggies does nothing at all to protect anyone from the accidental overdose or bad interactions you risk having with prescription drugs..

Police report nothing at the scene looked like illegal drug use was going on
The 20 dollar bill has tested negative for drugs and may very well have been the tip for the masseusse.
There were NO illegal drugs in the house
The fact that the bottles of pills were all nearly full indicated that it was very likely not a case of abuse of prescription drugs.
Maybe we can wait for the toxicology reports before we slander a dead man?

 

[natenapril]

you could take your vulture butt down to the morgue and hang out waiting for an od and point at them and show your kids. You could then wait for the remorseful family to come in and let them see the tears.

While I probably wouldn't have went so far as to call her a vulture butt....
My MIL overdosed on Morphine. Did I decide to use it to teach my kids a lesson?
"Hey kids there's Gramma. Isn't she stupid for messing with dugs? Now she's dead/ Idiot." Which is what COOLBEANS would have me say.
I guess I should have said that to them when my DH was saying his goodbyes to her. Or when her mom was at the casket crying that she buried another one of her daughters.
And it was an accidental overdose. Maybe this is the case with H.L.. So many people are quick to judge. So many doctors are willing to prescribe more drugs than the patients need( her medicine cabinet was full of prescription drugs). Which one of the two are the IDIOTS? The ones who judge or prescribe? You tell me, COOLBEANS>>>>

 

[DISUNC]

.
Maybe we can wait for the toxicology reports before we slander a dead man?

And even if it turns out to be true...WHY slander the man? Has he hurt anybody? Was he mean or cruel in his life? Did he beat babies & kick small animals?

If someone has Legal Perscriptions, They can STILL ACCIDENTALLY overdose. Its very easy to do.

How many times has anyone here had a headache, and taken 2 asprin...then 1/2 hour later forget you even took them and take them again????
Now instead of asprins, what if you had Legal Perscriptions for a REAL medical condition and took them BY ACCIDENT????
This happens all the time. ITS SAD, and no ones memory should be marred cause they had a ACCIDENT!

 

[PammyK]

Or since there is no evidenc whatsoever that he was a drug abuser, you could us this as a chance to teach your children about the SAFE use of legal prescription drugs... You can sit here and rail about *druggies* all you want but the fact is the only evidence we have right now is that this man had several bottles of nearly full meds..Some for anti-anxiety, some sleeping pills..
The fact is at some point in everyones life they will have to take prescription drugs of all kinds and irrational rants about druggies does nothing at all to protect anyone from the accidental overdose or bad interactions you risk having with prescription drugs..

Police report nothing at the scene looked like illegal drug use
The 20 dollar bill has tested negative for drugs and may very well have been the tip for the masseusse.
There were NO illegal drugs in the house
The fact that the bottles of pills were all nearly full indicated that it was very likely not a case of abuse of prescription drugs.
Maybe we can wait for the toxicology reports before we slander a dead man?

Apparently the "if" preceeding "was an overdose" was not clear in my post. I'm sorry about that. I will try editing my previous post to make it more clear that I am not assuming to know how Mr. Ledger died and I completely agree that we should let the medical examiners do their job to determine the actual cause of his death. Unfortunately the media gets airtime by sensationalizing things and they are playing up the fact that Mr. Ledger did have prescription drugs in his apartment to create headlines which does create an opportunity for parents to open a dialogue with their kids about the risks of all drugs - even prescription drugs taken as prescribed. My actual point is that if you are going to try to use a celebrity death as a life lesson for your children, it does not benefit anybody to do so in a cruel, callous and derisive manner such as that presented by cool beans.

 

[JennyMominRI]

:How many times has anyone here had a headache, and taken 2 asprin...then 1/2 later forget you even took them and take them again????
Now instead of asprins, what if you had Legal Perscriptions for a REAL medical condition and took them BY ACCIDENT????
This happens all the time. ITS SAD, and no ones memory should be marred cause they had a ACCIDENT!

You're not kidding me and I worry about this every day with Eds....Hes having so many problems keeping his pain under control and they try different things all the time..He also has a terrible memory. It was really scary the first few months he was home when he also took sleeping pills...He doesn't take them now at least..He takes pain meds, nerve meds, heart meds, thyroid meds, BP meds .. He has to wake up during the night to take some so he's sometimes taking them when he's not fully awake... I check on him several times a night..I'm always checking to make sure he's breathing , that he'sstill warm . That he's even alive...It's scary. It's scary for him.. He's now seeing a pain specialist to see if there is a better way to deal with the pain.
He's not an idiot or a druggie. He's a very sickman fighting still to stay alive and if he were to overdose on day or have a bad interaction and die, I'd like to think he wasn't though of as some idiot druggie when he's the bravest man I know

 

[JennyMominRI]

Apparently the "if" preceeding "was an overdose" was not clear in my post. I'm sorry about that. I wasn't assuming anything as I completely agree that we should let the medical examiners do their job to determine the actual cause of Mr. Ledger's death. Unfortunately the media gets airtime by sensationalizing things and they are playing up the fact that Mr. Ledger did have prescription drugs in his apartment to create headlines which does create an opportunity for parents to open a dialogue with their kids about the risks of all drugs - even prescription drugs taken as prescribed. My actual point was that if you are going to try to use a celebrity death as a life lesson for your children, it does not benefit anybody to do so in a cruel, callous and derisive manner such as that presented by cool beans.

Sorry to you..I was agreeing with you and sort of jumping off your post..I was not in any way accusing you of callousness

 

[DISUNC]

You're not kidding me and I worry about this every day with Eds....Hes having so many problems keeping his pain under control and they try different things all the time..He also has a terrible memory. It was really scary the first few months he was home when he also took sleeping pills...He doesn't take them now at least..He takes pain meds, nerve meds, heart meds, thyroid meds, BP meds .. He has to wake up during the night to take some so he's sometimes taking them when he's not fully awake... I check on him several times a night..I'm always checking to make sure he's breathing , that he'sstill warm . That he's even alive...It's scary. It's scary for him.. He's now seeing a pain specialist to see if there is a better way to deal with the pain.
He's not an idiot or a druggie. He's a very sickman fighting still to stay alive and if he were to overdose on day or have a bad interaction and die, I'd like to think he wasn't though of as some idiot druggie when he's the bravest man I know

It is scary. Both my parents have either dimensia or alzheimers. Mom is only various perscriptions for a host of medical conditions. I have to dish them out at certain times of the day. And even keeping charts & notes & pill holder things (mon, tues...etc whatever they are called) IT STILL ! Ya HAVE to check, double check & recheck. Always easier said then done!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

You're not kidding me and I worry about this every day with Eds....Hes having so many problems keeping his pain under control and they try different things all the time..He also has a terrible memory. It was really scary the first few months he was home when he also took sleeping pills...He doesn't take them now at least..He takes pain meds, nerve meds, heart meds, thyroid meds, BP meds .. He has to wake up during the night to take some so he's sometimes taking them when he's not fully awake... I check on him several times a night..I'm always checking to make sure he's breathing , that he'sstill warm . That he's even alive...It's scary. It's scary for him.. He's now seeing a pain specialist to see if there is a better way to deal with the pain.
He's not an idiot or a druggie. He's a very sickman fighting still to stay alive and if he were to overdose on day or have a bad interaction and die, I'd like to think he wasn't though of as some idiot druggie when he's the bravest man I know

My Uncle died two years ago due to an accidental OD. He got his meds mixed up and took too many of the wrong one, he died two days later. He wasn't an idiot or a druggie, he was an older man who had lived a full life and made a mistake, the mistake cost him his life. We certainly didn't pull our kids aside and make a huge deal out of it, but there were plenty of tears.

 

[CheshireVal]

No, I'm really not. Some people might be, I'm just not one of them.

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.

This is really harsh.

The funny thing is, I want my children to have nothing but contempt for people who lack compassion.

 

[grlpwrd]

No, I'm really not. Some people might be, I'm just not one of them.

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.

I am all for "learning experiences," but man, this is over the top.

And for those who give her support and/or agree with her... What - is this like a clique thing?