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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsGOP'er Don Young (R-AK) Doubles Down: Suicide An ‘Illness’ Lazy People Get From Government Handouts
Alaska Rep. Don Young (R) on Wednesday stood behind his assertion that suicide was caused by a lack of support from family and friends, and added that government handouts were also to blame. The Alaska Republican had drawn criticism after he told students at Wasilla High School on Tuesday that families and friends of victims were at fault for the states high suicide rates. Students found the remarks particularly hurtful because a classmate had died just days before.
Young went on to tell the students that same-sex marriage was like two bulls mating. In a statement to the Associated Press on Thursday, Young spokesperson Matt Shuckerow said that the congressmen did not mean to upset anyone with his well-intentioned message. Shuckerow said that Young had offered his regret for any offense taken during the honest and spirited discussion.
But on Wednesday, Young seemed to double down on his remarks while speaking at the Palmer senior center in Wasilla. According to the Alaska Dispatch News, Young was defiant when he was asked about his lack of support comment. Young explained that one of the students had the gall to say suicide is a disease. It is not a disease. It is an illness, he continued. Now a lot of times that illness should be recognized by a support group and it should be supported by the teachers that recognize this person has an illness. He needs help. Is it his parents or is it his friends who are not supporting him?
The congressmen went on to say that there were less suicides when he first moved to Alaska because people worked hard, and didnt take government handouts. When people had to work and had to provide and had to keep warm by putting participation in cutting wood and catching the fish and killing the animals, we didnt have the suicide problem, Young opined, adding that government handouts were saying you are not worth anything but you are going to get something for nothing, http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/10/goper-don-young-doubles-down-suicide-is-an-illness-lazy-people-get-from-government-handouts/
randys1
(16,286 posts)works as a mechanic at the local garage, full of shit so bad he stinks to high heaven, but you know the type.
Now they are mainstream and politicians.
America is badly broken, badly.
Not picking on mechanics, instead lets call him the security guard at Target.
Wait, some of them are decent people, never mind
pscot
(21,024 posts)Tell us, Don.
Politicalboi
(15,189 posts)I remember how poor Robin Williams was when he killed himself in the deep snow of California.
louis-t
(23,297 posts)alp227
(32,060 posts)Don Young must be a Savage listener.
sharp_stick
(14,400 posts)Nobody likes him, his own family thinks he's a dick and yet he still keeps going.
The only reason anybody will actually go to this assholes funeral is to confirm that it's actually him in the damned box.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Mark Twain
Kingofalldems
(38,487 posts)Or maybe what you think.
tanyev
(42,622 posts)Does he return his Alaska citizen's dividend every year?
lpbk2713
(42,766 posts)There might be something in it that makes people batshit crazy.
Bandit
(21,475 posts)Please whup this arrogant senile SOB.
butterfly77
(17,609 posts)Have ruined this country and others,they are living in the past.