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The Sage of Morris, Minnesota, on the death of famed comic actor Robin Williams

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Depression is suspected cause.

Sage’s (P.Z. Myers’s) thoughts:

Sorry to report that comedian Robin Williams has committed suicide, an event of great import and grief to his family. But his sacrifice has been a great boon to the the news cycle and the electoral machinery — thank God that we have a tragedy involving a wealthy white man to drag us away from the depressing news about brown people. I mean, really: young 18 year old black man gunned down for walking in the street vs. 63 year old white comedian killing himself? Which of those two stories gives you an excuse to play heart-warming and funny video clips non-stop on your 24 hour news channel? Besides, the real story in Missouri is that businesses have been damaged by angry black people — no one is going to trash the Family Dollar in rage over the death of a popular comedian. Mike Brown’s death is confusing — the police say he was a shoplifter struggling to get a gun, while no stores reported a shoplifting event, and Brown was unarmed and shot while raising his hands in surrender. Where’s the moral clarity? We’re supposed to want to believe the police, you know, yet all the evidence points to their status as a gang of militarized thugs. That’s very uncomfortable.

Boy, I hate to say it, but it sure was nice of Robin Williams to create such a spectacular distraction. No one wants to think the police might be untrustworthy.

And think of the politicians! Midterm elections are coming up.

This was copy pasted at 4:08 EST, in case it disappears.

Jerry Coyne and many commenters do not have much use for this stuff, which says something for them.

Requiem.

Comments
A friend of mine was killed by police near Los Angelas- he was white. No one but his friends and family ever heard about it. His name was Mike Keohan. He was tasered multiple times and died because of it- January 29, 2007 He was beaten. Autopsy has been released but not the police report. No cameras- the cop's dashboard cam was (allegedly) not working. He was driving his Lexus in LA. He appeared disoriented- he waited at a green light and then at the next red light got out of his car and approached the car in front of him. Mike (allegedly) resisted arrest. No one has said what he was under arrest for- leaving his vehicle to ask directions? Mike Keohan was an overweight middle-aged white guy. He was a graduate of Villanova. On TV he was referred to as a "petrified piece of wood"- Mike took 3rd place in a recent World Poker tournament. It was broadcast on the Travel Channel. He was the calm in the eye of the storm type of guy. He was reason when none was to be found. Oh yeah- his body was unusually warm at the time of the autopsy, meaning he was most likely running a fever, which would account for any disorientation. Nothing in his system except for minute amounts of THC- nanogram level, meaning a very casual toker. And only on "Refer Madness" did dope lead to rage. I knew Mike Keohan- he was a good guy, but he was white and overweight (sarcasm). I guess that is a crime punishable by death once you are in LA. Where's the outrage? Sorry Mike you were just another Mic/ Wop American mutt. Nobody cares about whitebread anymore... Where's the OUTRAGE?Joe
August 14, 2014
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WHAT THE BIRD SAID EARLY IN THE YEAR I heard in Addison’s Walk a bird sing clear: This year the summer will come true. This year. This year. Winds will not strip the blossom from the apple trees This year, nor want of rain destroy the peas. This year time’s nature will no more defeat you, Nor all the promised moments in their passing cheat you. This time they will not lead you round and back To Autumn, one year older, by the well-worn track. This year, this year, as all these flowers foretell, We shall escape the circle and undo the spell. Often deceived, yet open once again your heart, Quick, quick, quick, quick! – the gates are drawn apart. -C.S. Lewisjstanley01
August 13, 2014
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Exactly right, Kairosfocus, and something said earlier re scientist suicides in the wake of retractions. NOT worth it: https://uncommondescent.com/peer-review/peer-review-on-scientist-suicides-over-retractions/News
August 12, 2014
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Folks, given the tendency of copycat suicides, we need to put out one urgent message. First, as anti-suicide folks say: suicide is a permanent "solution" to a temporary problem. If you have thoughts of suicide or death ideation or wishing you were dead or never born, go get help. NOW. If someone talks along these lines point them to help, and intervene if necessary. You don't want to live with a lifetime of regrets if you had just done a bit more. This is an awful thing, and we must counter it. KFkairosfocus
August 12, 2014
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I've not been able to bring myself to read about the lad's murder, until I read this. A lot of police in the US are border-line psychotics, the extremely astute and witty blogger, Dmitry Orlov wrote in one of his earlier pieces. I would add, and a fair proportion of them, seemingly, unambiguous psychopaths, in addition. Personally, I see it, rather, as the terminal stage of the degeneracy, inevitably ensuing from 'in your face', Mammon- worship values, rather than militarization.Axel
August 12, 2014
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This is a Robin Williams movie that is eerily pertinent. It is a movie, loosely based on Near Death Experiences, in which Robin Williams' character copes with the suicide of his wife. Robin Williams - What Dreams May Come(01) - movie http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xysyv6_mix-what-dreams-may-come-01_webcam Robin Williams - What Dreams May Come(02) - movie http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xysyvy_mix-what-dreams-may-come-02_webcam I was deeply moved by the ending theme music and thought it to be especially fitting towards his death and life. What Dreams May Come Ending Theme - music https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7ZOjHEqW7Mbornagain77
August 12, 2014
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