suicide or manslaughter?

[mikko]

Killers of feeble mind occasionally get convicted of the lesser crime of manslaughter rather than murder, the argument presumably being because if you can't count to seven then malice of forethought is beyond you.

Cannot a suicide therefore be deemed manslaughter on the same puny-minded grounds?

(NB. No need to pass my details to the Samaritans. I may be stupid but I'm not about to kill myself.)

[daffy654]

'feeble mind' and 'puny-minded' ???
You really do need to sort out your vocabulary.
I presume you mean mentally disabled in some way by these terms?

I don't see how suicide can be considered manslaughter as victim and perpetrator are the same individual.

[mikko]

Get a grip, daffy. "Of feeble mind" and "puny-minded" are fine. You need to sort out your artistic license. If you haven't got anything interesting/amusing to add then don't bother.

[sara3]

manslaughter involves another party. you can't manslaughter/ murder yourself.

which is why suicide is often recorded with "whilst not of sound mind".

[mikko]

Sigh. Maybe I should have posted this in body and soul. I know murder and manslaughter don't apply to suicide; I was hoping to tease out some interesting comments about how a similar classification might be applied to suicide. What was I thinking?! Now I do want to kill myself. :-)

[daffy654]

I am offended by those terms mikko.Artistic license is irrelevant here.
If you were to call my son either of those terms (he has aspergers syndrome) I would probably smack you one!

[mikko]

Why bring your son into it? I would never call someone with Aspergers feeble minded. You're totally out of order. I asked a light hearted question and now you're threatening me with violence.

You offend me, Daffy.

[daffy654]

You are in the wrong here for using those terms mikko,not me!
I'm glad I offend you,maybe you'll think twice before you post a 'light hearted' but offensive question next time.
Have a nice day :)

[sara3]

it's not really a light-hearted question though, is it?

in fact, it was a ridiculous question.

[mccfluff]

how can a question about suicide or manslaughter be lighthearted?

[mikko]

It's light-hearted *because* its ridiculous.
I never meant to cause offence and now Daffy is revelling in the offence he's caused me. It's not my fault he's so sensitive.
Forget it. Humourectomy alert...

[daffy654]

I'm actually female mikko. I have a really good (and quite sick) sense of humour usually.except when it comes to things like this.

[ummmm]

That's not Mikko's fault Daffy.

Aspergers and feeble minded do not go hand in hand.....you should know that. You are coming across as over sensitive.

[daffy654]

Ummm,don't preach to the choir.I know better than most that Aspergers and 'feeble minded' don't go hand in hand.
I have suffered all sorts of comments on my son's behalf over the last 12 years and I am entitled to be offended.If people are not pulled up on using these outdated and awful terms they will continue to use them.I suppose that it is ok to someone who doesn't have to deal with it on a personal and day to day basis.

[mikko]

This is getting ridiculous.
Daffy, I'm sorry you took offence at my remarks.
I regret that you can't see there was no intent to cause offence.
Let's move on...

[daffy654]

I accept your apology and I can see that you didn't intend to cause offence initially.

[ummmm]

Daffy....my son is autistic. Although mildly but still....!!!!!

[mikko]

Excellent. And now I don't mind admitting that it was rather a rubbish question anyway. :-)

[daffy654]

Ummmm,my last line wasn't aimed at you,just a people in general who have no dealings with learning disabilities.