Hi,

I disagree.

Most phone pranks mean a little bit of embarrassment with your friends and/or work colleagues.

This went round the world - journos from many countries picked it up and tried to contact her, just because of the nature of the story.

To someone even slightly unsound, thinking the entire world perceives you as an idiot must be a bit of a knock.

Cheers,
KAL

Pipswich wrote:Frankly,

A person unstable enough to commit suicide over a prank, should not be working as a nurse, or anywhere near a hospital where they are exposed to tragedy, death, loss and a full spectrum of human emotions on a daily basis.  

This is sad and unfortunate, but had she done her job, this would not have happened.  Further, had her family and friends done their jobs, this would not have happened.  Finally, if the second nurse had done her job, this would not have happened.  Blaming it on the dj's is just an easy cheap shot and representative of the weak mass of people who need to blame their insecurities and failings on others.

I find myself agreeing with Pip.  Hard to believe someone this fragile was a nurse, that's really kind of frightening.  And, in the case of this, you do what any red-blooded human in the 21st century would do should they become accidentally famous:  you make money off it.  Appear on talk shows, radio shows, news shows, have a laugh about it, set up a paypal page for "funds" to support your family for Christmas in case you get fired, beg for donations, ask for free meals, whatever.  People love the underdog, I bet she'd do ok.  In a month it blows over anyway and no one remembers who you are, or care.

I have heard the lady in question is of a different nationality?   Perhaps this is why I'm not grokking the significance of having to commit suicide for making a simple mistake. Maybe it's a cultural thing.

Mike B.

Whilst the prank itself may have been harmless and in hindsight, perhaps ill-judged, my point really involved the media on this. I am pretty sure that this lady will have been hounded mercilessly by the press. And when the press in the country get their teeth into something that may sell a few more column inches they are pretty relentless. Some people may not be able to bear this, especially as these people are pretty unscrupulous in their methods, and their actions could easily affect someone negatively,  possibly to the point of tipping them over the edge if they already have ongoing issues in their lives. We cannot know what she has gone through, or what veiled threats/promises were made to her by people who only want to make a quick buck at someone elses expense, just as we don't know how good/bad/ineffective she was in the job she had been doing for several years. It doesn't really matter now, as we can't turn back time, but the media "sympathy" just seemed ironic when it has to be said the media more than likely paid a large part in this ladys death.

We should all hope that we are never in a position where the media want a piece of us - unpleasant to say the least.

gyg wrote:Whilst the prank itself may have been harmless and in hindsight, perhaps ill-judged, my point really involved the media on this. I am pretty sure that this lady will have been hounded mercilessly by the press. And when the press in the country get their teeth into something that may sell a few more column inches they are pretty relentless. Some people may not be able to bear this, especially as these people are pretty unscrupulous in their methods, and their actions could easily affect someone negatively,  possibly to the point of tipping them over the edge if they already have ongoing issues in their lives. We cannot know what she has gone through, or what veiled threats/promises were made to her by people who only want to make a quick buck at someone elses expense, just as we don't know how good/bad/ineffective she was in the job she had been doing for several years. It doesn't really matter now, as we can't turn back time, but the media "sympathy" just seemed ironic when it has to be said the media more than likely paid a large part in this ladys death.

We should all hope that we are never in a position where the media want a piece of us - unpleasant to say the least.

I've had behind the scenes looks at two "story of the week" things that have happened to people I know that the local media covered intensely for a few days before moving elsewhere. In both cases, they got almost every single fact they reported completely wrong, even after having direct conversations with the main figure involved.  It was amazing. Yeh, the media sucks balls.

Mike B.

Hi,

Chicago seemed such a nice city when we visited.

Cheers,
KAL

I live in a suburb just southwest of Chicago, and I can't wait until the state legislature approves a concealed-carry law.

It's been in discussion in the lower body (state reps) for a good year now, on and off, but they just can't seem to get enough votes to pass it.

I feel confident that by the end of next year there will be (at least) some form of concealed-carry in Illinois. I think that the governor would have to pass it, to improve his chances of being re-elected...

Invincible Overlord wrote:I live in a suburb just southwest of Chicago, and I can't wait until the state legislature approves a concealed-carry law.

It's been in discussion in the lower body (state reps) for a good year now, on and off, but they just can't seem to get enough votes to pass it.

I feel confident that by the end of next year there will be (at least) some form of concealed-carry in Illinois. I think that the governor would have to pass it, to improve his chances of being re-elected...

While I believe in giving the rights to carry to people, I can completely understand a city, county or even state restricting that right.

What makes no sense here is the logic that LEGALLY OWNED handguns by law-abiding citizens will somehow increase the violence in the inner city.  Chicago has one of the highest rates of crime and violence in the US, yet they have some of the most restrictive handguns laws in the US.  Interestingly here are the top ten most violent US cities, with none in the bastions of concealed/open carry states like Texas, Mississippi, Florida and Arizona. Instead, Detroit, St. Louis, Oakland, Memphis, Birmingham, Atlanta, Baltimore, Stockton, Cleveland, Buffalo are in the top ten.  

That and the fact that the administration is so opposed they are going to mount a multi-million dollar legal battle that has already been decided in earlier decisions, effectively wasting the taxpayer money on a boondoggle.  Maddening.

Mike B.

Badmike wrote:

Sardan wrote:You Americans and your guns. On this side of the pond we just don't get it.

Don't worry, your government will protect you in case of crime, violence or rioting.  Just like they did in 2011.

Mike B.

Well put.

As for Chicago, if they pass concealed carry, it will become a safer, less violent city.  Vulnerable would-be victims will become potentially armed citizens and the risk-reward equation for criminals suddenly becomes significantly less favorable.

...warmer in London today than it has been for a few days. So am heading out of work early and off to get my Xmas shopping done!!