Random Thought for Thursday 3/6/14

Look, I understand that forced sterilization quickly slides down the slope toward Nazi/Hitler/eugenics territory ... but I also have to be honest and say that's the first thing that crossed my mind when I saw the story played over and over again on the news of the lady driving into the ocean with her kids crying out for help.

Yes I get it's a drastic measure ... but my heart just breaks to think she tried to take those kids down with her.

Of course, after that first visceral reaction, I do understand that there is not enough support for the mentally ill, and that the silver lining in the story is that there were heroes nearby who managed to save everyone (despite the fact that it looks like she was trying to fight them off), so these kids weren't completely Yatesed.

When it's all said and done ... please please please ... if you are feeling like you might drive into the ocean ... or into a lake ... or down the wrong way on an interstate ... please please please talk to someone ... and save your damn kids even if you ultimately can't save yourself.

FLORIDA HAS THE BAKER ACT ... BUT THIS WOMAN DIDN'T MEET THE CRITERIA:
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2014/03/05/woman-drives-into-ocean/6095197/

AT LEAST THE KIDS WEREN'T COMPLETELY YATESED:
http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/03/10-years-later-the-tragedy-of-andrea-yates/254290/

OK OK I KNOW ... IT'S DRASTIC AND SHOULD NEVER BE A GOVERNMENT THING:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/genetic-crossroads/201309/involuntary-sterilization-then-and-now