Former Palliser Dave Batters MP commits suicide
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- Barry MacGuire
- - September 18th, 2009 at 18:05:50
My condolences to Mr. Batters family and friends.
If there ever is a moment to understand the tragedy of one of the most serious diseases a human can encounter in their life, addictions,... it is now.
Addictions are a health issue, and there is no difference to the way the human brain responds to legal (prescription) or illegal drugs. Abusing them can cause outcomes such as this. This is not a criminal issue, it is not a moral issue, it is however a Health issue....it is most assuredly a very deadly disease.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Harper is enacting legislation to punish illegal drug addcits. Locking people up because they are addicted to drugs and getting it from a street corner, but excluding people if they have it prescribed from a Doctor ...is 19th Century thinking.
Stephen Harper, our Prime Minister referred to Mr. Batters Depression...a recognizable disease, he should have also recognize addictions as a disease . The Prime Ministers appears to think addictions are a disease if a Doctor prescribed the drug use, yet for street addicts, Harper calls them criminals and demands they be locked up. This is the hugely ridiculous two sides to the conservatives ' drug policy. ?
Harper's Drug policy dicotomy: if you are afflicted by a legal drug addiction, you are suffering from a disease and deserve treatment
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Suffering from an Illegal drug addiction, then you are a criminal and deserve jail time! .....again 19th Century thinking.
Obama's got it correct, addictions are a health issue, inot a moral issue! -
- don
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:55:06
I feel bad for him and his family. May he find the peace he didn't find here!
God Bless Dave Batters.
May God strengthen his family and friends. -
- from Moose Jaw
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:48:28
I want to say thank you to the family and to Mr. Batters for the very brave thing that they have done. Depression is a very disabling disease. My hope is that Mr. Batters will be able to find some peace, and with being open and honest about his struggle with depression and addiction it helps us all understand and accept it better. Even if it just touches one person that needs the push to find help.........
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- Fred
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:31:59
This is a very tragic loss no doubt, but kinda upsets me he took the easy way out and left the rest of his loving family to deal with the aftermath of his choice!!
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- Chi Chi
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:30:03
I had never heard of Dave Batters before since I am from the US, but I saw this story on Wikipedia and I had to comment. Depression is a crippling disease that still is not as well understood as it should be. It is so painful and difficult to go through, it's so hard to describe unless you've suffered yourself. Family suffers, friends suffer, work suffers, everything and everyone suffers. I hope Dave is at peace now. It's such a sad story. To his wife, parents, siblings and all who loves him, may you find the strength to cope during this difficult time.
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- What?
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:25:40
I'm sure the first thing that was thought of in this whole mess was your feeling Fred , you selfish fool.
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- lisa
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:16:36
He was indeed one of the good guys.
It was a loss when he stepped down from office for the community, Now its a loss for his family.
I sincerely hope that something positive will come out of this, such as recognition of how serious this desease can be
Thoughts and Prayers
He will be missed
Lisa -
- Stevo
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:14:48
My condolences to his family during this difficult time.
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- Chad
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:04:40
May he rest in peace. Sadly, depression is a severely misunderstood disease. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
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- Elihu
- - September 18th, 2009 at 17:02:10
REALLY sorry to see this. My best wishes go out to the family.
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- Shocked
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:48:45
It's a matter of semantics, really, but '...takes his own life' rather than 'commits suicide' follows the wording chosen by his family in their press release, and would therefore be more appropriate.
At any rate, a tragedy for this family and the province; hopefully, some good will come from gaining further recognition of the illness / disease. -
- We Just Lost A Great Guy
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:45:58
What a tragic loss of a wonderful person and friend. Dave will be sadly missed by our whole family.
Denise our sympathy and thoughts are with you. -
- Terry B
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:43:32
Deeply saddened and heart-broken that this should have happened. I have always held high regard for this shining young man, who showed so much promise, sincerity and integrity. From the moment I first met with David, when we were interviewing him for his initial candidacy, right through to election night victory. Thank you David, for your friendship, and all of the private moments we were able to get to know each other. I will never forget you. God bless Denise, there are many of us thinking of you tonight. May the love of God give you the strength and peace you need at this awful time.
Rest in peace my friend..................... -
- another dave
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:41:14
Mr. Novak:
This is how it was released to the newspaper by the family. You can't always make assumptions about how news is reported. -
- Jeff
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:37:04
I got to know Dave very well during his time as our MP, and I was shocked to see this story. My condolences go out to Denise and the family. May perpetual light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace.
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- June
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:27:18
Farewell, good, kind soul, you will be missed. Thank you for the time you spent with us on this earthly plane. I honour your spirit and your goodness. As I light a candle and play my music I send love to help the family cope. Love will surround and guide them. This world is a better place because you were here. You are timeless.
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- Bert
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:22:01
I grew up with Dave and had the opportunity to work with him in youth politics. He was always very passionate about what could be done and what we as a society are capable of. It has been several years since I last talked to him (ironically at another friend's funeral), but I shall miss him. I was very proud of him for pursuing what he wanted and for his successful entry into public life.
Sincere Condolences from our family to yours. -
- Tracey
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:18:33
I went to school with David. He did really well in life as i knew he would. He had lots of ambition, smart and also fun. I am sorry that this horrible disease beat David as I am well aware of how this disease affects people. RIP David, I wish there could of been the proper help for you as this disease is most of all humilating to many and not understandable at times.
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- Chad
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:09:36
I'm not saying cover it up, I'm just saying the headline could have been a bit more tasetful, like 'Dave Batters dead at 39' or something like that. Yes, he did the unthinkable, but that doesn't need to be said in the headline. Those that care will read the story to find what happened.
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- connie
- - September 18th, 2009 at 16:06:38
In view of this devastating tragedy I urge everyone to read a series of articles and recommendations on the Toronto Globe and Mail website.
The series is BREAKDOWN: CANADA'S MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.
Also click onto 'A 12-step program for Canada: Setting priorities and solutions to address the mental health crisis.'
To quote Andre Picard at the Globe and Mail, 'Canada does not have a mental-health system, for all intents and purposes. Rather, it has a patchwork of programs that have left the 3 million Canadians afflicted with mental illness the orphans of medicare and relegated them to the shadows. ...... we offer a dozen recommendations to create a basis for the comprehensive system that is so desperately needed........'
Far too many children, youth as well as adults are living in quiet desperation due to the lack of mental health services.
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- Darlene
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:53:17
My thoughts and prayers to the family and friends of Dave. I AM TERRIBLY SHOCKED !! I go to know Dave over the past years! What a wonderful person...
May he be our angel -
- Moose javian
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:52:47
Very sad news...my thoughts and prayers go out to his wife, family and friends....may he rest in peace.
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- Chad
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:45:51
On a side note, I'm hoping this headline gets changed to something a little more tasteful when it gets printed in the hard copy of the Times. Hoping this didn't get printed with this headline. Tact is hard to find in today's society.
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- Lynn
- - September 18th, 2009 at 15:43:05
Novak why cover up the obvious... there is nothing wrong with this headline as it speaks the truth, that is what happend.
