Suicide

     I have yet to find a place Jaqui White does not like, from Saudi deserts to the rainy state of Washington. We once lived in Vancouver, British Columbia, and understand Jaqui's love of the area. She writes:
     We lived many years in the Pacific Northwest north of Seattle. I absolutely adored it -- I think it is the most wonderful place on earth. I love the lowering skies, the rain, which oozes out of the sky, and find the cool temperatures very exhilarating. One is surrounded with towering emerald green firs, grasses and undergrowth year round. The waters of Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands are jade green and full of salmon, seals, and otters floating around in the kelp cracking clams open on their chests. Eagles soar in the skies. Unfortunately some people find the lack of sunshine depressing and feel the need to do themselves in. I have always thought that that was the reason that the suicide rate was so high in Scandinavia also. I know that there are many Norwegians where we used to live -- they find it very similar to their homeland.


     My comment: Scandinavians settled in America in areas similar to their homelands, including Minnesota. We must check the statistics to find out if those areas have suicide rates above the rest of America. Also, has the suicide rate in Minnesota risen since Jesse Ventura became governor?

Ronald Hilton - 11/2/99