Antrax suspect Dr. Bruce Ivins' archived letters to the editor (wrote against assisted suicides)

[gatorboy]

http://www.fredericknewspost.com/sections/news/display.htm?StoryID=78274

A sample

Conservative Christians now feeling their oats
Originally published November 21, 2004

I would like to comment on the letter to the editor, "Wants off Christian Nation Express," of Nov. 12.

I am certainly pleased that the writer is dedicated to service in the love of God, even though I find her theological focus on agony and suffering rather than the hope, joy and salvation of the resurrection to be puzzling.

Whether Americans like it or not, the results of the presidential election have propelled charismatic and evangelical Christians into new heights of political power. Many of those individuals would agree that the laws of this nation should be compatible with the Gospel, if not actually based upon it.

Whether we're on the "Christian Nation Express" or not, we all need to be ready for a wild political ride these next four years through a landscape of issues deemed important by conservative Christians.

-------------------------------------------------------

From another letter.

Today we frequently admonish people who oppose abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide or capital punishment to keep their religious, moral, and philosophical beliefs to themselves.

Before dispensing such admonishments in the future, perhaps we should gratefully consider some of our country's most courageous, historical figures who refused to do so.

[ck4829]

1. Seemed like a real delightful person

:sarcasm:

"All aboard!"

I read Deborah Carter's column of Nov. 7, "Election blues," and I have three comments for the good woman, and for everybody else, as well.

First, it's clear that views like hers would put Jesus on that cross again. Second, thy loom and churn best be still, come the Sabbath. Third, you can get on board or get left behind, because that Christian Nation Express is pulling out of the station!

[gatorboy]

3. dupe

[wuushew]

6. Also he was Catholic

isn't suicide a big no-no? :shrug:

[gatorboy]

5. I though this was an interesting quote:

Today we frequently admonish people who oppose abortion, euthanasia, assisted suicide or capital punishment to keep their religious, moral, and philosophical beliefs to themselves.

Before dispensing such admonishments in the future, perhaps we should gratefully consider some of our country's most courageous, historical figures who refused to do so.

--------------------------------------------------------------------

Sounds like he was against the suicide option.

[DJ13]

2. He sounds like the kind of guy Cheney could manipulate

[ThoughtCriminal]

4. He was Roman Catholic and he commited suicide?

Hmmm... it happens, but given his rather conservative religious views (including one letter attacking assisted suicide), doesn't this make his cause of death a bit more suspicious?

[Junkdrawer]

7. Excellent Point. Not just run-of-the-mill Catholic, but pathologically Catholic..n/t

[gatorboy]

9. Good point. Thread title fixed.

[screembloodymurder]

10. It's the only unforgivable sin and a certain path to Hell.

I should know.

[sabra]

8. AP has some more info about the guy

http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2008/aug/01/ivins-had-mild-persona-but-some-saw-dark-side/

<snip>

Neighbor Bonnie Duggan, who brought her daughter, Natalie, to Ivins' home near Fort Detrick on occasion to see the family's elaborate gardens, was also incredulous at the charges.

"It's not the Bruce that I knew," Duggan said. "It doesn't jive with anything about the Bruce that was my neighbor."

The Duggans maintained their faith in Ivins even though FBI agents had watched his home for a year, sitting in vehicles with tinted windows.

"They said, 'We're on official business,'" said 16-year-old Natalie Duggan.

Ivins is survived by his wife Diane and two adult children: a son, Andy, and a daughter, Amanda, as well as two brothers, Tom R. Ivins of Middletown, Ohio, and Charles W. Ivins of Etowah, N.C.

Diane Ivins was a stay-at-home mom who ran a daycare center out of the family's home, and the Ivinses were heavily involved in their children's activities, Bonnie Duggan said.

"They had this big red van and were always taking a bunch of kids to swim meets," she said.

Ivins could frequently be seen walking around his neighborhood for exercise. He volunteered with the American Red Cross of Frederick County, and he played keyboard and helped clean up after Masses at St. John's the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, where a dozen parishioners gathered Friday after morning Mass to pray for him.

The Rev. Richard Murphy called Ivins "a quiet man. He was always very helpful and pleasant."

An avid juggler, Ivins gave juggling demonstrations around Frederick in the 1980s.

"One time, he demonstrated his juggling skills by lying on his back in the department and juggling with his hands," said Byrne, who described Ivins as "eccentric."

Whenever a colleague would leave the bacteriology division, Ivins would write a song or poem for that person and perform it, accompanying himself on keyboard, Byrne said.

[AnnieBW]

11. Another Fundie Terra-ist?

This will get as much media play as the UU Shooter.

[ColbertWatcher]

12. I came here to say exactly this. n/t