Concerned About Peter
It looks like our friend Peter is going through a very rough time.
I spent the night reflecting on the complete loss of 15 years — actually more — and all the things I missed out on and will never be able to experience and all the memories, fun and even personal growth that would have come with it. I want to go back and actually experience it, but I can’t. And for that I am resentful … and likely to strike out at anything and anyone who reminds me of what I have missed out on and will never get to experience.
One thought that came to me during the wee hours of the morning was, “Is this what being in prison feels like?” I might as well have been in prison the last 20-25 years.For a crime I haven’t committed, other than having been born who and what I am. I wouldn’t wish my life on someone I despised.
Is this the final post here? I don’t know. I may take the weekend to think about it. I know I have a birthday coming up in three months that marks yet another milestone that I can use to measure my lack of accomplishment, and right now, I am not sure I want to go through that again.
I hope that Peter realizes the impact that he has had on so many lives, even if he never knows who or how. We are all part of this web of life and when somebody plucks a string on the one side, it reverberates through every fiber of the web.
You have friends out here that care about you, Peter.
While I’m sure we can all exercise compassion of Peter’s suffering, and extend our sympathies and hope for a recovery from whatever it is that’s afflicting him, I can’t help but wonder what about having a blog might’ve strained him so.
In many cases, it’s very hard for someone with a narrow world-view to encounter the diversity of opinion. They like the adulation from people who think like them. Perhaps that admiration buoyed him. But because they appreciate the intellectual banter, it’s also taxing for them to have their beliefs challenged by other deep thinkers.
And I say as as one of the folks he booted from his blog. And for what? Search for the Feb. 1 post titled “A values-free zone” on his blog to see the innocuous posts that got me banned.
Posted by John Foust on June 09, 2007 at 0932 hrs
“In many cases, it’s very hard for someone with a narrow world-view to encounter the diversity of opinion. They like the adulation from people who think like them. Perhaps that admiration buoyed him. But because they appreciate the intellectual banter, it’s also taxing for them to have their beliefs challenged by other deep thinkers.”
Now that’s an example of some real compassion. John, I hope you don’t ever have to talk someone off a building.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1023 hrs
I don’t even know “Peter” but have enjoyed his comments on B&S. Many give thoughts of looking at a comment from a different view than before
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1057 hrs
John is totally right. It’s probably not a good idea for someone like Peter to be throwing his opinions out there. (Note: Peter banned me too for something really lame. Is there anyone he hasn’t banned?)
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1110 hrs
I got banned for pointing out Sharia law does not, nor will it ever, exist in France.
If Peter was not so angry all the time he might feel a little better about himself.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1114 hrs
Whether or not you’ve been banned from his blog shouldn’t be a reason of concern right now. Glenn is right. Try showing some compassion.
Posted by rebecca on June 09, 2007 at 1133 hrs
I disagree rebecca. I bad person is boo-hooing about essentialy nothing because he wants a little attention. When he has been such a tremendous a-hole to so many people, what makes you think he deserves that attention?
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1206 hrs
What, you expect any compassion from the left. Once they see an any conservative’s blood in the water, it’s time to move in for the kill.
It sound like he has some form of depression based on his words. Depression’s cause cannot be determined soley on as the compassionate attacking Johns put it, “narrow world view”. The big D doesn’t do logic, believe me. Trying to analyze it is an exercise in futility because the reasons are so complex like life. Unfortunately in our de-evolving world society, we expect everything to be nice, neat and simple. For example, everyone seems to look for a pill to solve whatever problem like weight loss and diabetes.
I’ve notice that depression doesn’t have a political affiliation, nor does the true compassion for people with depression. Most don’t, can’t and will never understand what it’s like to go through this either themselves or someone close to them. It is in that, you see who is really compassionate. The first thing that the Johns did was to attack. I can only imagine the enormous glee that was going through their minds when they read the post like most of the left I’m sure.
As for Peter, reach out and seek help of friends or family, this too shall pass, but you have to want to seek help and not let it get worse. If you would like to talk, I’ll listen even though I may not have the answers.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1221 hrs
Hey Jesus, maybe you should pick up where Dr Kevorkian left off. That type of comment is common among those who don’t understand one thing about depression, only to have someone commit suicide under their nose. But then again, you’d probably be happy if he did
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1224 hrs
First of all Jimmy, I am most definately not “on the left.” Where would you even get such a crazy idea? Seond of all, Dr. Kevorkian wasn’t assisting in suicides for people that were simply depressed. He was treating terminally ill patients that were often in a lot of real physical pain. Third of all, based on what I know of him, I don’t think that Peter is doing anything but looking attention. Finally, I don’t believe in making excuses for people. You people on the left (heh)are always looking to make excuses for people. If a guy kills another in a turf war, they’re victims of society or whatever. If a guy is a total jerk, it’s becasue he’s depressed. Well I call bullshit. People are responsible for their actions. Peter chooses to be an asshole. He deserves the response that that draws.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1329 hrs
So if someone you don’t like commits suicide, then you’re happy with it. I hope you savor and enjoy every person that commits suicide to end their depression. Apparently, you’re the second coming of Jesus, because you must have no character flaws at all.
Also, thanks for reinforcing the stigma of depression that keeps people from seeking treatment.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1401 hrs
John, I hope you don’t ever have to talk someone off a building.
Oh John most certainly talk someone off a building…and right onto the asphalt below!
Posted by Michael J. Cheaney on June 09, 2007 at 1403 hrs
And I don’t care if it’s Rosie O’Donnell who is suffering from depression, my heart goes out to her on this issue, just like Peter.
Check YouTube every now and then. Some people actually had the courage to voice their problems, opening themselves up to all sorts of vile and hateful comments like Jesus.
Or check this link http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17190411/site/newsweek/
I guess Mass State Senator Bob Antonioni (D) is just a gynormous jerk and deserved it right?Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1406 hrs
Oh stop. Quit being so melodramatic. I never said I’d be happy if anyone committed suicide. When did this become a discussion about suicide anyway? Or even about clinical depression? You can’t diagnose all of that from a blog post. The post is about whether we should feel sorry for a jerk because he’s sad. And since we know nothing more about it than that, I’m sure not losing sleep over it.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1412 hrs
And no one said you had to lose any sleep over it. That’s the beauty of America were you can chose not to be concerned, but you attacked because you have a personal beef. You didn’t even have the decency to ignore it.
You also cannot diagnose it’s an attention ploy form one blog entry either because there’s much better ways to draw attention to your blog, just say something really controversial.
You wouldn’t kick someone in a wheelchair, I think, but now I’m not so sure.
Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 09, 2007 at 1430 hrs
I don’t think that it’s a ploy- just my personal opinion- however based on past postings he has made, specifically the one titled
“adoption vs. abortion” where he says things like:As an adolescent and young adult, I was constantly taunted as not being man enough or desireable enough to be a father and I tried very hard to prove them wrong, only to wind up proving them right. Adding something else to a laundry list of things I’ve failed at. Having someone else’s kid around 24/7 would be a constant reminder of that failure.I’d rather adopt a dog or a cat from the pound; it’s pretty much the same. It still isn’t really yours, but at least an animal doesn’t remind you of something you weren’t good enough to do. In fact, I don’t even like the animals I have much any more and can hardly wait for them to have to be put to sleep.
or this one:
In fact, I stopped liking people in general a long time ago. I figured it out when I realized that I don’t matter to anyone, that the only people who show any interest in me as a person really want something — usually money. That’s the only time my phone rings, when someone wants to borrow 10 bucks.
I am very uncomfortable around strangers and other than going to work, I don’t leave the house much.
Now I am not a psychiatrist but if that doesn’t sound like someone who is going through a bout of either depression, or at the very least a SEVERE case of loneliness, I don’t know what is.
Posted by Michael J. Cheaney on June 09, 2007 at 1636 hrs
I got kicked off his blog because I’m a moon bat. Whaa Whaa.
He should stew in his own juices, because I got kicked off his blog for being a troll. Whaaa WhaaaI notice for all your bold talk, none of you has visited his site.
Owen has clearly linked to it.Quit your whining and take your complaints to the source of your crying and explain why you despise him so.
You people are a hoot, you come around here and don’t even attempt to see another point of view. You troll around and espouse your narrow minded views without even giving a thought that you might be wrong.
Tell your story walking.
If your so brave as to hide behind a keyboard, at least show the slightest intestinal fortitude and tell the man what you think to his face. Your use of this blog as a proxy shows all who and what you really are.Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) on June 10, 2007 at 0125 hrs
I’d agree, I’m no dcotor, but he sounds depressed one way or another. Yes, it’s no excuse, but it can be an explanation if you’re wondering why someone is acting a certain way.
Glenn - I’m not here to talk Peter down from the ledge. I’m not here to attack him, either. B&S cross-posted his story because they were concerned, right? Then I think it’s fair game to try to discuss what would make someone “physically ill” to read my web page, or as others have quoted here, have such a misanthropic view of the world.
Drop the instant “whaa whaa” and “moonbat” dismissals. They’re not a substitute for thinking or compassion, are they? I see compassion and concern in Owen’s original post and James’ comment. But how many others here thought it would be more fun to lash out, just as Peter has done, again and again?
My original observation stands, I think: Peter blogged because he liked the adulation and praise from the perhaps slightly less-depressed and less-misanthropic sympathizers who shared his beliefs. But he also didn’t like the controversy from “strangers” who didn’t. Until he gets on a more even keel, do you really think he should be blogging?
Posted by John Foust on June 10, 2007 at 1037 hrs
What’s really sad is there’s more “discussion” here than on Peter’s post. Wouldn’t that be the better place?
Posted by Sean Hackbarth on June 10, 2007 at 1940 hrs
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