EnMasse

Corey · Non-Threatening Boy Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 1972

...you know, that Malachi Ritscher, the Chicago musician who went to the side of the Kennedy Expressway on morning rush hour on November 3, doused himself in gasoline, and lit himself on fire, becoming one of apparently fewer than ten recorded political protests by self-immolation in United States history. He hoped that his death, he explained in a testament, would stand visible as a protest against the war in Iraq, and American culture and foreign policy.

One of fewer than ten recorded political protests by self-immolation in United States history. Had you even heard of the guy? The story is only slowly reaching wide attention now, and at that, it seems to be propelled first virally across the old Interweb, then to the mainstream media in large part by this AP feature story, headlined here: Protester immolation virtually unnoticed.

More: His testament ("mission statement"), and his obituary, written himself. The New Rules: While the Trib steadfastly ignored it, news of Malachi Ritsher's self-immolation spread virally anyway, from the Chicago Reader, and Malachi Ritscher's apparent suicide, from the Reader's music blog; comments include much appreciation from new music fans for his selfless good work in their community. iheardyoumalachi.org, from sympathizer Jennifer Diaz. Malachi Ritscher, 1954-2006, from Pitchfork Media. Obscured: the self-immolation of Malachi Ritscher, from the UI Chicago's student newspaper. Finally, right-wing media criticism site NewsBusters.org can't help Godwinizing the whole thing: "It must be remembered that the world compromised with Hitler and that compromising led to the deaths of millions." *Sigh.*

bshmr · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 9:58 pm Post subject:

Occasionally, one must demonstrate that being under a tyrant's or fool's rule is literally murderous, killing one's self. Ssuicide becomes the penultimate complaint.

The Journal of Buddhist Ethics has a well-known article on monks self-immolation during the Vietnam conflict. I haven't re-read it for a while, perhaps I will.

Senor Magoo · He's got a big one Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 8700

TS. · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject:

Trying to assassinate the tyrant?
_________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson

Hephaestion · Posted: Mon Nov 27, 2006 11:08 pm Post subject:

Corey · Non-Threatening Boy Joined: 12 Apr 2006 Posts: 1972

The Chicago Tribune finally offers a feature: Was man's last act message or madness? It mentions a webpage it attributes to Ritscher, killthepresident.net.

Senor Magoo · He's got a big one Joined: 11 Apr 2006 Posts: 8700

al-Qa'bong · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 2:30 am Post subject:

voice of the damned · Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 9:01 am Post subject: