Judith Latham wrote:
> If you're really serious about the best way to commit a public suicide,
> nothing can compare to self immolation. Not only is it great
> entertainment for the viewing public, but it also sends a message to
> those who care that your intentions are true. Remember those monks who
> did it in Vietnam? Of course you do; everybody who saw it does. That's
> the kind of lasting impression you want to leave. I'd hate to see you go
> (I've become quite fond of you) but if you're going to do it, do it in style.
If I'm serious? What difference does that make when it comes to entertainment. I want suggestions. To this day I am amazed by the sight of the stoic self immolation people toppling over wordlessly. I often wonder, if not for the flames engulfing their mouths and throats, would they have cried out or would they have endured the crazy wild heat with silent courage? A pretty remarkable way to die. I would not choose it.
However, if I were to choose it I would first consult the advice of physical education teachers and others with knowledge of immolation side effects, then try to get in the best physical shape of my life to be strong enough to not just sit there and burn till I slowly fall over - but in shape enough to run crazy wild through the streets after setting myself ablaze. I would have a heavy metal flame-resistant tape recorder attached to the soles of my feet. As I run toward people they will hear, "Please help me", over and over again as instead of helping, even though some would like to, they turn in the opposite direction to get away from me. Can you imagine someone on fire rushing up to you for help and all they see is you turning and running away screaming, "He's on fire - run for your lives!"
I will never commit suicide. Anyone wanting me dead is going to have to kill me. Or at least try. They will find it not so easy. I want to live, badly. My desire to live is so strong that I believe I could literally take on and defeat the world's entire population - one after the other, not all at once of course. It would have been funny if the monks who did the immolation thing with other monks would have played a long running tape of pre-recorded screams that continue even after they have keeled over and crumbled into ash.