David Carradine And Death Without Dignity
I feel bad for David Carradine and his surviving family members and friends. He was an interesting performer, he carved out a couple of great characters during his long career, and he SHOULD have been able to advance deeper into old age as a respected and versatile actor who successfully carried on his famous family’s name.
Now he’s going to be remembered as the old Kung Fu dude who died in the closest of his Thailand Hotel room with a rope around his neck and his privates. So much for death with dignity.
The nature of his death raises many questions, including this one: if there’s a moral to this story, what is it? Perhaps that a public person—or any person—has an obligation to his family, children, and descendants to exit this mortal coil in a way that doesn’t make you an international punchline. I believe people can do what they want for pleasure, as long as it doesn’t hurt others. In the Carradine case, it could be argued what he reportedly did that cost him his life DID hurt others. Right now, his family, rather than mourning the loss properly, are having to deal with this:
“Carradine's family called on U.S. authorities on Saturday to help explain how he died, and a U.S. embassy official in Bangkok said the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was discussing the case with Thai police.” - Washingtonpost.com
However I might eventually depart the earth, I hope to God it in no way involves police in Thailand.
I’m not saying the answer to my moral question is ‘yes.’ I’m just asking. Does taking responsibility for your life mean also taking responsibility for how you’ll be regarded after your life, within the bounds of whatever control we have over that? As for me, after my death, I’d prefer that my children not have to call for an autopsy and an FBI investigation. I look forward to your thoughts.
Comments: 8
I don't think he intended to die, just thought he was going to feel good. Of course, this is all still pending investigation. I don't think any of us know how we are going to die, unless we plan it. Just look at the guy who robbed a Capital One bank today and died jumping from the train tracks. Even suicides don't go as planned. As the saying goes, "The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry".
He inspired many to workout and try to learn kungfu. We'll miss ya Grasshopper.
I am not familiar with this guy, but I start to think it is another kind of yellow journalism.
A guy, even he is an actor, just because he died in a strange way (but is not murdered by someone), he deserve such spotlight? And even involves the FBI??
If the guy is a big name politician and/or murdered in a strange way, then it is fair. But this case??
The world is going crazy...
I have absolutely no sympathy for this perv. He's too old for such nonsense. Imagine that, will ya? I mean, at his age, still playing with his peepee! Still choking his chicken at the ripe old age of 72 -- and with ropes, no less! Didn't he know that "choking the chicken" was just an expression? Why didn't he simply purchase the erotic services of a young, smooth, hairless, golden-brown, professional Asian boy, which is what most pervs do in Thailand? Or why didn't he just take a cold shower? What a dope. What a moron. Shame on you, Kung Fool.
Damned perverted old fool, playing with ropes and shoelaces and such, getting all tied up in knots which even the great Harry Houdini wouldn't be able to extract himself from. "Oh, what a tangled web we weave..."
I wonder if the "crime scene" photos will eventually make their way onto the Internet. If so, it'll serve him right.
Thank you, Jim, for raising such an important question. You cut to the heart of the matter, which is responsibility to family.
What is missing these days is just that, a lack of responsibility to your loved ones, your family.
The preoccupation with whatever makes you feel good doesn't concern anyone else is self-absorption at its worst.
Dying like that is the ultimate definition of inconsideration. Also, for those actresses or actors who think nothing of doing nude scenes or even porn aren't thinking about how their Mom and
Dad might feel, and even worse, one day their children will have to deal with it on the playground or in high school. I never could understand that and never will.
Jim, if you make even one person think about responsibility and stop them from stupid behavior, you've accomplished something really important with this blog.
Thank you for being so smart and so wise.
ACCORDING TO ACCESS HOLLYWOOD, DAVID CARRADINE'S LAST WORDS WERE "I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU JIM WATKINS!"
David Carradine, me love you long time! Me so horny!
Stupid kung fu man should have used Bangkok hooker. She will tie up his wee wee in nice tight knot and wank him til he gets happy ending, but loosen the strings before he is asphycsiated.