Top LGBT-Rights Lawyer Commits Suicide by Igniting Himself in NYC.

Talk about firey passion!

I guess he had a burning desire to make a statement!

This is sad. Don't be an asshole about it. It's OK to disagree with someone and realize they were sick. Making jokes about someone that killed themselves. ATS has gone to #.

originally posted by: Domo1
This is sad. Don't be an asshole about it. It's OK to disagree with someone and realize they were sick. Making jokes about someone that killed themselves. ATS has gone to #.

Indeed, but don't go calling anyone a trumpard or you will be reprimanded and have posts removed for a manners violation.....

a reply to: carewemust

Perhaps off topic.

I had a friend whose back was terribly scarred. When I asked about the scars he looked embarrassed and said, 'I was meditating in front of a gas fire wearing a loose cotton shirt. The shirt caught fire and I asked inwardly what I should do. The answer was 'Sit still and wait'. My brother smelled smoke and rushed in and put it out.'

Monks have been known to sit still during self immolation. It may not be painful depending on your state of mind, but I won't test that theory.

a reply to: NarcolepticBuddha

Sorry to say but...I don't think this is just a case of 'close to suicide' and pushed over the edge.

Self-immolation is next level crazy.

I have no idea what this dude's deal was and yeah, self-immolating over the burning of fossil fuels doesn't seem like the action of rational mind. I'm sure that a lot of people who go that route are already suicidal. It's also true that two of the most famous (and impactful) protests in history were self-immolations.



"No news picture in history has generated so much emotion around the world as that one." -- JFK

I don't think Thich Quang Duc was either crazy or suicidal. Mohamed Bouazizi on the other hand, by all accounts was at his wit's end and had snapped. You've got a 26 year-old fruit vendor who pushes a cart into town every day to sell his fruit. He's supporting his mother and siblings. Crooked cops had frequently harassed him and the final straw was when they took away his scales and toppled his cart (and by some accounts beat and kicked him). He sought and did not receive redress.

His self-immolation kicked off a revolution in Tunisia that not only resulted in the ouster of its autocratic leader (Ben Ali) but started the Arab Spring.

It's all about the motivation and how it resonates with people. Burning yourself alive because "fossil fuels" isn't really a sacrifice that's going to inspire people to take action. Self-immolation as a protest by an actually repressed person, protesting a repressive government in a climate of already widespread discontent is a whole different thing because people can identify with it.

Meh!.. So what? "Society" has one less "lawyer"? ... Do you know how many "graduated", when it killed itself? Them, that will take, his/her/its, place?.. A heep, of a lot! Don't get to emotional about it. America will survive. "Lettuce, Guacamole, Bacon and Tomato", sandwiches,..will survive! Because there's nothing unnatural about that... I'm glad this "officer of the court" defended tasty before "passing over". I'm sure it'll be rewarded in that great "courtroom" in the sky.

originally posted by: carewemust
a reply to: Whoisjohngalt

I'd never seen a person burned alive until that ISIS video in 2016. You're right..it's a horrific death.

But, he wanted to demonstrate one way that fossil fuels can kill humans.

I would have maybe drank a glass of gasoline. I don't THINK that would be as agonizing?

If you drink gasoline slow enough you might not even realize your dying. Huffing and drinking gas is a well documented recreational activity of the desperate, though its usually cut.

Let me tell you, Ive been pepper sprayed, tasered, stunned, and suffered a 2nd degree burn on the back of my hand and wrist, and the burn was the worst. And that was just on about 6 inches of my body. I am going to guess that this guy had never had an experience with fire, or he would have picked a way to make a statement that didnt involve intense constant pain everywhere. But hey, mental illness.

a reply to: theantediluvian
The parallel that occurred to me was Jan Palach.
en.wikipedia.org...
This is the fiftieth anniversary of the Prague Spring and the Russian invasion. This man would have been ten years old. Perhaps that inspired him.

originally posted by: carewemust

originally posted by: Zanti Misfit
a reply to: carewemust

Will he be Buried on Fire Island ?

He'll probably be poured into an urn, and placed at the LGBT headquarters.

They could get Ian Mckellen to do the honors. At the eulogy he can dress up as Gandalf and say "So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion"

I hope no damage was done to the environment around him when he set himself on fire. Very selfish act.

a reply to: carewemust

I find it ironic how a dude used fossil fuels to protest against fossil fuels-It's like someone taking up smoking and dying from lung cancer to prove the dangers of smoking. And besides anyone who has seen the cover of the self titled Rage against the machine album will tell you self immolation won't solve anything.

originally posted by: Whoisjohngalt

originally posted by: carewemust

originally posted by: Zanti Misfit
a reply to: carewemust

Will he be Buried on Fire Island ?

He'll probably be poured into an urn, and placed at the LGBT headquarters.

They could get Ian Mckellen to do the honors. At the eulogy he can dress up as Gandalf and say "So passes Denethor, son of Ecthelion"

Damn. That was thoroughly awesome.
Made me squirt coffee right out my nose.

How cool would THAT be? (Ian, not coffee)

a reply to: MteWamp

I am relieved now. I was afraid no one would get the denethor at minas tirith reference.

Is this what is meant by the term “flaming homosexual”?

originally posted by: Domo1
This is sad. Don't be an asshole about it. It's OK to disagree with someone and realize they were sick. Making jokes about someone that killed themselves. ATS has gone to #.

At first I had "And it burns burns burns, my ring on fire, my ring on fire..." stuck in my head.
Then I had the guy from Jordan in a cage stuck in my head (Thanks carewemust)
Now I just feel bad

a reply to: hopenotfeariswhatweneed

Orf to the self-immolation chamber with you. Post Haste!

BYO matches.

originally posted by: Kester
a reply to: carewemust

Perhaps off topic.

I had a friend whose back was terribly scarred. When I asked about the scars he looked embarrassed and said, 'I was meditating in front of a gas fire wearing a loose cotton shirt. The shirt caught fire and I asked inwardly what I should do. The answer was 'Sit still and wait'. My brother smelled smoke and rushed in and put it out.'

Monks have been known to sit still during self immolation. It may not be painful depending on your state of mind, but I won't test that theory.

I dunno man, Confucius say:

Dumb monk sit and burn,
Smart monk put fire out.

originally posted by: murphy22
Meh!.. So what? "Society" has one less "lawyer"? ... Do you know how many "graduated", when it killed itself? Them, that will take, his/her/its, place?.. A heep, of a lot! Don't get to emotional about it. America will survive. "Lettuce, Guacamole, Bacon and Tomato", sandwiches,..will survive! Because there's nothing unnatural about that... I'm glad this "officer of the court" defended tasty before "passing over". I'm sure it'll be rewarded in that great "courtroom" in the sky.

Uhhh... well then.. and I thought I was feeling rather mental until I read this.



Who the hell puts guacamole on a bacon sammich?

a reply to: theantediluvian

Well said.

In contrast to the street vendor, I bet that lawyer had a six figures sports car and an oversized mansion and had an expensive taste. The irony ...

originally posted by: Metallicus
Is this what is meant by the term “flaming homosexual”?

Maybe he was emotionally fragile, and the internet bullies finally got to be too much to take.