What Should I Say ?
July 9, 2009
Filed under Life and Death, Media
Tags: Elvis Presley, Forbes, Kate Woodthorpe, Marvin Gaye, Michael Jackson, Open University, People, United Kingdom, Us
There has been an enormous outpouring of media coverage since Michael Jackson died . Magazines from People to Us and more have had covers and lengthy articles. Some of their coverage has been appropriate, some not so appropriate. I think of one cover in particular that showed Jackson on a stretcher being taken to the hospital. It made me wonder, how did they get the picture and why would they chose to publish such an invasive photo on their cover, no less? Oh yeah, money. Predictably, there has been a big surge in record sales since his death and that will likely continue. I was talking with someone about this the other day and he mentioned the list of highest grossing dead celebrities, a list which is typically topped by Elvis Presley. It is somewhat amazing to me to realize that many years after their death that entertainers still make large sums of money.
Forbes has been publishing such a list of the top 13 since 2001. The most recent list showed Elvis at #1 with $50 Marvin Gaye #13 with $3.5 million.There is alas, already speculation about how much money Michael Jackson will make relative to the above referenced list. Dr Kate Woodthorpe was quoted thusly, “We could see some kind of continuing bond with a dead pop star on a scale that has never been seen before. The question that remains at this point is whether the momentum of nostalgia can, and will, continue, or whether people’s disposable cash will quickly move on to the next big thing.” (Woodthorpe is on the faculty of The Open University, a distance learning university founded in 1969 by the government of the United Kingdom.)
A Perspective on Deaths
July 2, 2009
Filed under Life and Death
Tags: Billy Mays, Brad Zinnecker, cancer, Ed Thomas, Farrah Fawcett, First Congregational Church, Iowa, Michael Jackson, NFL, Parkersburg
Over the past several days, there have been some very high profile deaths with which we are all somewhat familiar. The most prominent and the most puzzling is probably that of Michael Jackson. To me, it has been eerily similar to that of Elvis Presley in a number of ways. Of course, there has the less unexpected but very public passing of Farah Fawcett due to cancer. Another quite unexpected death was that of television pitchman Billy Mays whose death was tragic but due to an all too common cause.
The vast majority of us have never met these people. We have seen them on television on the movies or in concert, but there remains a disconnect for most of us, although their deaths were all regrettable. In fact, both Jackson and Mays were younger than I am. Deaths in that particularly age group seem to impact me more.
But there was yet another tragic death of late. This one, except in Iowa, has been somewhat under reported due in large part to its more regional impact. I am speaking of high school coach Ed Thomas who was shot to death at age 58. Thomas was killed on June 24 by a former football player in the school’s weight room.
There have been some amazing stories about Thomas, NFL national coach of the year 1n 2005, winner of 2 state titles and owner of a coaching record of 292-84. He even had several former players who played in the NFL to serve as pallbearers. Somehow, I don’t think that is why his funeral drew a crowd larger than the 1,800 population of Parkersburg, Ia. He was doubtless a n excellent coach but had to be much more than that. For one, when an F5 tornado struck the town last year , he was in the forefront of the rescue and rebuilding.
Perhaps 2 people said it best. Pastor Brad Zinnecker of First Congregational Church said of the mourners, ” They recognized a man after God’s own heart. His personal life and public life were one and the same.” And, one of his sons, Aaron, said that his dad would have wanted the community to “get going” and do something to improve the town.
He left behind his wife as well as two sons, a brother and his mom. Our heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Thomas family. But they go as well to those family members of Billy Mays, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson.
“Bete Noir”
June 15, 2009
Filed under Life and Death
Tags: Iran, Jablonowo, Physicians, Poland, Television
The French call it the black or dark beast, some call it anathema. In any language, it is something strongly detested or avoided. We all have at least one of these, if not more.
For me, at the the top of the list has always been to be buried alive. I have seen television shows where this was deliberately done and in other cases done by accident. It never ceases to give me a cold chill when I imagine the body bag being zipped up and being unable to prevent it. I suppose my fear works in tandem with the fact that I have long dreaded being in the hospital and being powerless to communicate what is wrong with me. Being buried alive takes this fear to a much greater level.
I was reminded of my “dark beast” when I read of an 84 year old Polish woman being prematurely declared dead. Seems that the lady from Jablonowo in central Poland fell unconscious at home. Her husband called an ambulance and an ems doctor declared her dead. Several hours later at the morgue, an employee noticed her moving and called for a doctor. Upon examination, he discovered that her vital signs had returned. She was taken to a local hospital where she remains in serous condition.
Please, no Polish jokes. I can only imagine the lady’s horror and am very thankful for the alert employee who noticed her alive. Here’s hoping she makes a complete recovery.
FYI: Pray for the people of Iran. I sense a big-time crackdown coming.
Making Death More Palatable
May 11, 2009
Filed under Life and Death
Tags: AMA, Compassion and Choices, Douglas LeBlanc, euthanasia, Francis Schaeffer, Hippocrates, Oregon, Robb Miller, Washington
Try these descriptive phrases on for size. Euthanasia, assisted suicide, right to die and death with dignity. All describe the same thing but each one seems somehow a more “humane” description than its predecessor. Of course, all describe the process by which someone dies with the overt assistance of someone else.
This has long been a troubling topic for me, well before the growing push for its legalization. I suppose my thoughts hark back to a video series I saw in the early 80’s, put together by the late Francis Schaffer. Euthanasia was not the only subject addressed but it was the one that seemed most chilling to me. Those feelings have never really departed and they return almost every time I am reminded of the issue by various media outlets.
The “movement” if that is accurate seems most active on the west coast, i.e. Washington and California. Douglas LeBlanc wrote an excellent post on the topic on Get Religion on May 8 and articulated many of my thoughts. He used phrases such as “the breezy dismissal of moral concerns” by some advocates, a thought that really resonates with me.
He wrote of an advocacy group in Washington called Compassion and Choices, headed by Robb Miller. The group says that through 2008, some 41 people in Oregon and 3 in Washington have legally obtained prescriptions allowing them to facilitate their own demise. Predictably the American Medical Association opposes the group’s efforts and the law that these 44 people used I would think that virtually all physicians would have difficulty with any type of assisted suicide. How does it square with the Hippocratic oath’s admonition to first do no harm? Don’t know, I’m afraid.
It just seems to me that if the “death with dignity” movement gets momentum and maybe even gets a law passed ensuring a” right to die”, still another manufactured right would have appeared from thin air.
Questions for me at least, multiply. Who has the ultimate right to decide who dies? The sufferer, the physician , the family. the state? Can you say, rationing of health care? Or perhaps, get rid of the old, they are useless?This is no doubt a troubling issue and I fear that it isn’t going away.
How Significant Is It?
April 4, 2009
Filed under Culture, Life and Death
Tags: Binghamton, New York, North Carolina, Oakland, Pittsburgh, violence, Washington
I really don’t like writing about these types of things but the rapidity with which they are happening makes it almost unavoidable. I speak of the rash of multiple killings that have taken place within the past 2-3 weeks. From a nursing home in North Carolina to a domestic shooting in Washington to two separate cases of police officers being killed( Pittsburgh and Oakland) to perhaps the biggest of the group, in Binghamton, NY. at a community center.The news reports coming so close together seem somehow surreal in their assault on our senses.
Even a cursory glance provided no common denominator between theses tragedies. Two appear to be domestic violence while two others targeted law enforcement. The only commonalities are the weapon of choice- firearms- and that all the alleged shooters were male. as is usually the case in these types of violence.
So, what can one say, save to grieve over those who lives were taken? Is it the fault of easy gun laws, poor environment, perceived or real grievances? I don’t think anyone can say with certainty. These five instances whereby violent death occurred affect us all, those with relatives or friends as victims, obviously far, far more.
If you are so inclined, I would urge you to pray for those who suffer, as victims, as friends or relatives and as communities who know great loss.
There Are Too Many People
March 25, 2009
Filed under Culture, Life and Death
Tags: abortion, Chris Rapley, England, euthanasia, Gordon Brown, Jonathon Porritt, Optimum Population Trust, Phil Woolas, Queen Victoria
An adviser to British Prime Minister Gordon Brown seems to think there are too many of us, of them, that is. Jonathon Porritt is one of the leading “green” advisers to the British PM. He seems to think that there are far more Brits than need be. His report to the Optimum Population Trust will say that the population in the mother country needs to be reduced from its current 61 million to about 30 million, about what it was in Queen Victoria’s day.
At this point, few political leaders are jumping on board, but by no means is Mr Porritt alone in his point of view. Others chiming in to favor this view include Immigration Minister Phil Woolas and director of the science Museum, Professor Chris Rapley.
Now, it would be easy to dismiss these folks as part of a lunatic fringe, but that would be unwise. These kinds of theories and viewpoints doubtless resonate with others who might approach the issue from a pro-euthanasia stance or an anti- business bias. Of note is that the developed world is seen as a greater drain on the environment and as such is the area that needs to shrink.
Just think about this idea for a moment- of reducing population. How would it be accomplished? Fewer babies – more abortion; too many old people- you know that answer, too many sick- ration health care and so it goes. How scary would it be if this type of thinking got traction? Who would make the live or die decisions)? How many people should we have(why 30 million, why not 28 or 27?) and how do you best achieve that magic number you have chosen? Couldn’t happen you say, not here- I don’t know, i just don’t know.
Kay Yow
January 31, 2009
Filed under Christian living, Life and Death, Sports
Tags: Bible, cancer, Kay Yow, N C State, North Carolina, Soviet Union, women's basketball
For some, the name above is unfamiliar unless they are N C State fans or women’s basketball fans in general. And that is truly a shame. Ms Yow died a week ago at age 66 after a 20 year battle with breast cancer. I know her only from what I have read , both in recent days and over the years. It must have truly been a privilege to know her and count her as a friend or coach or colleague. She was an excellent, probably a great coach and yet that pales in comparison to how she both lived and died.
I have read a good bit of that written in recent days(today being her funeral) and am humbled by much of what I have learned. She planned her funeral, as many people do but took things somewhat further by recording a video that was shown at her funeral. I would like to quote just a bit from her comments for they are exceptionally moving and profound.
“‘…. I hope you won’t be really hearing Kay Yow speak, but you’ll be really hearing the Lord speak through me. I hope that he opens your ears, your eyes that you might see him in a very special way.” She went on to talk about heaven and encouraging all to rejoice with her in the realization that she was at rest. Bear in mind that this was prepared by one who knew her time was very short, but was assured of her final destination.
She was an individual who lived courageously, even smuggling Bibles into the Soviet Union in 1986 when coaching Team USA. However it could be that she has touched more lives in the last 2 years and even the last week than ever before.
Even though I see sports through a Carolina blue filter, I join the N C State family in saluting one of the best. May her legacy live on.
What is Important
Continuing along the mortality path begun with yesterday’s post , I had some thoughts about a death that is less familiar to virtually all of us than that of Mr Russert . However it seems to me to be more tragic and yet an amazing example of Romans 8:28 IN action. On May 21st , the adopted five year old daughter of Steven Curtis Chapman ( a popular Christian singer ) was accidentially killed in a driveway accident. The vehicle was driven by one of Mr Chapman’ s older sons , thus compounding the impact on the family. Having two children by birth and two more by marriage along with two grandchildren, I cannot conceive of the impact on this family . I along with many others have sent condolences and prayers . There can never be too much of either. This , however is the kicker to me. The family asked that in lieu of flowers that donations be sent to a charity that they founded to aid in adopting and caring for orphans . In just over a month over $500 K has been raised mostly by small individual donations. Amazing ! To me this is nothing less than God at work .
Musings on Mortality
Musing on Mortality
After much prompting from my son, i have entered the brave new world of blogging. I am told that i should blog since i have a lot to say about a lot things . Whether that is true only time will tell. Having said that , I have been thinking about the death of Tim Russert and the varied responses to it. I was not overly familiar with Mr Russert but his book Big Russ and Me caught my attention when it was published. About all that he and I shared was a common age; consequently his sudden death captured my attention . I have marveled at the outpouring of tributes and their depth of feeling. I will admit to thinking that were I to pass from the scene in a like manner, what would the response be. More on this as time goes on. As with anything i might say, comments are welcome.
