Hell On Earth?

I have no problem with physician-assisted suicide. I don’t believe that anyone, anywhere should be forced by the government to suffer when the outcome is a foregone conclusion. There’s a slippery slope there – I’m well aware of that. But I don’t think that anyone has the right to legislate the decisions I make about myself.

But suicide as entertainment?

Tampa Bay band Hell on Earth promoted an upcoming show by letting their fans know there would be an onstage suicide. Apparently a terminally ill fan is perfectly willing to put a plastic bag over his or her head and suffocate onstage to help the band draw a crowd (“Killing Me Softly,” anyone?). If you’re lucky, lead singer Billy Tourtelot may also sodomize a skinned pig, something he’s known to do when he’s feeling frisky.

Billy responded to recent criticism by saying “This is about standing up for what you believe in, and I am a strong supporter of physician-assisted suicide." Since when is a plastic bag over the head physician-assisted suicide?

I’m not easily offended. I think I’m open-minded, non-judgmental, liberal, forward-thinking but for me, this crosses the line. There’s a perversion here that I just don’t understand.