Vice President Joe Biden on suicide:

[struggle4progress]

Death of my wife, daughter helped me understand why some kill selves
Biden recounted his suffering during an address Friday to survivors of slain military service members
By Brian Browdie / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Published: Saturday, May 26, 2012, 3:17 PM
Updated: Saturday, May 26, 2012, 4:04 PM

Vice President Joe Biden says the grief he felt following the deaths of his wife and daughter nearly 40 years ago helped him understand why some people are driven to suicide.

Biden recounted his suffering during an address Friday to survivors of slain military service members who gathered near the nation's capital for the Memorial Day weekend.

"For the first time in my life, I understood how someone could consciously decide to commit suicide," the vice president told attendees at a seminar sponsored by Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, a nonprofit group. "Not because they were deranged, not because they were nuts, but because they had been to the top of the mountain and they just knew in their heart they'd never get there again."

"There will come a day, I promise you, and your parents, as well, when the thought of your son or daughter or your husband or wife brings a smile to your lips before it brings a tear to your eye," Biden added ...

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/vice-president-joe-biden-suicide-death-wife-daughter-helped-understand-kill-article-1.1085092

[alittlelark]

1. Beautifully said.

[Vanje]

2. Thanks, Joe K&R

[loyalsister]

3. There is so much packed in that speech

He shows an understanding of people who have mental illnesses. Not to mention a very deep understanding of people who experienced grief- military related or not.

It was a really telling moment during that speech when he talked about people telling him they know how he feels. Until recently I didn't Biden's empathy and authenticity as clearly. This man truly gets the everyday experiences of people.

[oldhippydude]

4. i have never in my life

witnessed a politician, with such understanding and compassion... truly how lucky we are to have a man of such cloth in our leadership

[Turbineguy]

5. No wonder

the teabaggers hate his guts.

[loyalsister]

6. I think the are some who have it but don't\won't show it

Politics is such a game of strategy.
I think they have probably all sat down and identified where and when to cut Joe loose and let him be his gaffe prone self. The fact that he can and will show substantial emotion is extremely unusual in the unfeeling world of politics. It is so staged so often that we don't have access to the human side of politicians. He's not ashamed to be one of us.

[BlueIris]

7. Well, this is a first: ((( Vice President Biden )))