Darkness Falls

Never has a blogger wished to be closer to her computer more than me, as I was rushing, bleary eyed, to Triple-M by-election duties at about 7:30 this morning when I heard a piece of conversation leap from the morning tumult like a fish leaping from the sea and landing back again with a splash. "O'Farrell's quit the run for the Liberal leadership."

I'd had a long day yesterday and an early morning today - I hadn't had a chance to read the paper, let alone log on to the net. Thus, O'Farrell's sudden decision had not yet attained its tragic context.

I feel very sorry for John Brogden. Many wouldn't, and sadly, many are on his own side of politics. Some see suicide as a sort of emotional Darwinism. These are the sort of morons who spout such epithets as `if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen' and, to quote our beloved Stan Zemanek, `there's no such thing as stress'. Sorry Stan, there is.

The list of politicians who have attempted suicide is well known, so I won't recount it here. The list of those who have succeeded is not inconsiderable. No matter the circumstances - no matter which side of politics - all deserve our compassion. What happened last night in his office - regardless of how seriously he was taking his attempt - is a tragedy, and should all give us pause to put things in perspective. This is, of course, not to justify Brogden's reprehensible comments towards Helena Carr, nor to justify his silly behaviour. But just to remember - and to empathise - with someone who has faced loneliness, sadness and darkness, just like every other human being on earth. Silly behaviour is one thing. A human life is another.