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Friday, November 28, 2008

Aurora Bridge Suicide Barrier Design Nearly Finalized

Posted by Jonah Spangenthal-Lee on Fri, Nov 28, 2008 at 4:35 PM

This is what the Aurora Bridge suicide prevention fence will probably look like:

fence.png
Click to embiggen

The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) is working out a few final design issues and will present the proposal to the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board in January of February.

WSDOT has apparently come up with a design which will retain the view from the bridge. "As you’re driving along, the cables will become almost invisible," says WSDOT spokesman Greg Phipps. "This is a custom design. We’re trying to balance the community issues and the historic issues."

Phipps says construction on the barrier should be completed by the end of 2010.

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Comments (61) RSS

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1
This will not save a single life.
Posted by flamingbanjo on November 28, 2008 at 4:46 PM
2
Awww....now that poor emo kid with the longboard will have to hang himself.
Posted by Ziggity on November 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM
3
Are we taking bets on which bridge people will jump from now?
Posted by N on November 28, 2008 at 4:47 PM
4
Don't we have better things to spend money on right now?
Posted by Couch of the South on November 28, 2008 at 4:51 PM
5
That's one attractive looking suicide barrier.
That's one douchey looking old man with a longboard.
Posted by Iain on November 28, 2008 at 4:51 PM
6
Wouldn't it have been a lot cheaper to hook up the hotline phones to the department of go-ahead-and-kill-yourself?

But I forget, the incomming party of we-are-the-party-of-fiscal-responsibility has decided that the fiscally responsible thing to do is to spend as much money we don't have as possible.
Posted by David Wright on November 28, 2008 at 5:01 PM
7
The Queen Anne Bridge is just around the corner.

Shouldn't they have razor wire on top of the fence to really deter anyone from climbing over? A gulag style atmosphere is a small price to pay to forestall a few suicides each year.
Posted by Tiktok on November 28, 2008 at 5:06 PM
8
You made me LOL at a suicide story by using the word "embiggen"
Posted by The CHZA on November 28, 2008 at 5:10 PM
9
@David Wright:

I'm glad somebody is using that. It's one of my favorites.

@Old Seattle Naysayers

Why, oh why, won't you at least eat some crow when the suicide rate dips after this fence goes in? Just a little fucking crow. Am I asking too much?
Posted by elenchos on November 28, 2008 at 5:10 PM
10
Isn't the I-5 bridge higher?
Posted by elswinger on November 28, 2008 at 5:20 PM
11
Elenchos: I loved that phrase! One of your best SLOG contributions ever. I will continue to use it whenever possible.
Posted by David Wright on November 28, 2008 at 5:22 PM
12
sorry to piss on the hater parade, but it looks good and will work to the extent it needs to.
Posted by uncle baggy on November 28, 2008 at 5:25 PM
13
What they should really do is place a sign on the bridge indicating the best place to jump, where the likelihood of death is greatest but where the probability of hitting a passing boat or a building underneath is lowest. That should serve all constituencies: those who wish to die, and those who don't want a body plummeting down onto them from above. And it will save a lot of money.
Posted by S. on November 28, 2008 at 5:31 PM
14
ugh, all three designs are awful.

frankly, most of us fremonters think it's a sham.
Posted by mike on November 28, 2008 at 5:32 PM
15
To people who think this won't stop anyone - you sure have a lot of faith in the physical fitness of the average suicidal person.
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 28, 2008 at 5:47 PM
16
If you ride a longboard....just jump all ready.
Posted by forthekidz on November 28, 2008 at 6:07 PM
17
@15

You sure have a lot to say for someone who hasn't spent five minutes learning about suicide. What else are you ignorant about? I'd like to hear your opinion.
Posted by elenchos on November 28, 2008 at 6:07 PM
18
@7

Razor wire seems like a bonus to someone that suicidal.
Posted by just sayin' on November 28, 2008 at 6:13 PM
19
... to be paid for with a $5 million toll on attempted jumpers, and a $1 million toll on successful jumpers.
Posted by mb on November 28, 2008 at 6:20 PM
20
someone could hang themselves on the horizontal pickets, I vote for vertical.
Posted by 4f...sake on November 28, 2008 at 7:05 PM
21
These are exactly the kind of comments that egged on that kid in Florida. Suicide just isn't funny. All of your attempts at being witty just blow. Is there some reason why people cannot discuss suicide like adults? Without resorting to this callous and infantile "just go kill yourself" mentality. Seriously, you don't know why every single suicidal person is in that state. It is a horrific place to be in and you know what? Comments like the above actually DO tip people over the edge. Do you all have so little compassion for other humans that you think it is really hilarious when someone offs themselves?!? Fuck you retards!

Posted by kristinbell on November 28, 2008 at 7:26 PM
22
They should commision Chihuly into doing something out of glass. Or the guy who did the Parabala (sp?) ouy of iron or stained glass.

No offense, but do enough people jump off the Aurora Bridge to justify the expense? Do so many people jump off that it isn't news anymore?
Posted by elswinger on November 28, 2008 at 7:47 PM
23
@17 - whoo whee, hoss, hold the venom! I won't go off on you with all I know, just to say that if you knew what I do know about suicide, you'd be sorry for writing what you did.

Now then, are you telling me that suicidal people, who come in all forms of physical fitness, are all going to be able to scale small bars with foot/grabholds six feet apart? A few marines might be able to do it, and a few desperate people who are in good shape can probably do it. But I'd bet it will stop most of the people who could just hop over the 3-foot high "barrier" that's there now.
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 28, 2008 at 8:09 PM
24
I think if they just made a 15 ft. tall razor wire electric fence, they would never be able to get over it. Have another low fence guarding so pedestrians and cyclists don't accidentily bump into it. Make it low voltage so they don't die, but strong enough so it would hurt along with the razor wire, and they would fall off without climbing 6ft high.

I guess they might fall into traffic though.
Posted by Zod on November 28, 2008 at 8:17 PM
25
@23 suicidal people - while they might feel like there are no other options - are smart enough to use one of the OTHER 10,000 BRIDGES IN SEATTLE.

Don't insult their intelligence.

if the urinal is broken, i'm gonna use the toilet.
Posted by egg on November 28, 2008 at 8:31 PM
26
@ 25, maybe, maybe not. That's beside the point. (But I will thank you not to insult MY intelligence, as I know most of those bridges are nowhere near that high.)
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 28, 2008 at 8:35 PM
27
Yeah, but you can *see* the other Suicide-Enabled bridges from the Aurora--the I-5 and the Queen Anne. Dive off either of those, and you will die.
Posted by Tiktok on November 28, 2008 at 9:57 PM
28
When it's your brother or husband who gets blocked from jumping, whether you know about it or not, that barrier will, in point of fact, have helped someone. And not just your brother or husband. Really, do you people not get how many suicides are impulsive one-off kinds of things where the means yield the ends?
Posted by Juan on November 28, 2008 at 10:08 PM
29
I agree with @24. Gramps kept the hosses in the paddock with a good ol' fashioned shockin fence. That should be good enough for the wannbe jumpers.
Posted by wow on November 28, 2008 at 10:20 PM
30
You do realize that suicidal is a mental state usually due to a chemical state in the brain (depression), right? Honestly, the average suicidal person isn't in a mental state where they should be consenting to committing suicide.

I can't understand the sheer callousness of everyone in Seattle about this damn bridge and the people committing suicide from it, when they're so prone to get riled up about ads on buses, mormons, words that might offend someone, Republicans and cars.

Look, they've put up the barriers before on other suicide bridges, and it's drove down suicides. People don't go to other bridges. They want to jump from that bridge because of its view and a 100 other factors other bridges don't have. They don't shoot themselves or overdose on pills because once again, they want the death only a bridge jump brings. More importantly, anyone who survives a bridge jump doesn't reattempt it ever again (correct me if wrong, but people who fail suicide by pills, CO2 or guns usually repeat till success). So if we block it, it's doubtful people will try again.

Who gives a shit about a small railing on the bridge? I thought no one at the Stranger drove a car, or went over to uncool districts like Fremont? :p
Posted by Jaded in the 206 on November 28, 2008 at 11:00 PM
31
Roughly 30,000 Americans kill themselves each year, which accounts for about 1% of annual deaths in the US.

Of those 30,000, more than 50% end their lives via the deadly use of firearms (globally, the most popular method is hanging).

Bridge jumping as a method of suicide has gotten more press lately, and it's certainly one of the most dramatic ways someone can end their lives... but it accounts for a tiny percentage of actual suicides, and in the end, the result is the same.

I'm not suggesting that this isn't unfortunate, or preventable - but if you're genuinely interested in limiting the *number* of deaths by suicide, rather than just the ones that make the news, it could be argued that better gun control rather than higher fences are the answer.

Suggesting that "public" suicides somehow count for more than all the private ones is a mistake in my opinion. Focusing on the drama might be more emotionally fulfilling, but it misses the point.

Finally, a couple of folks have commented on how the "impulsive" nature of some suicides demands that we make it as difficult as possible to off yourself at every turn. I would humbly suggest that such a suicide-proof world would render us utterly immobile, assuming we could even afford it. More difficult solutions are needed - ones that make it easier to want to stay alive, for instance.
Posted by yelahneb on November 28, 2008 at 11:25 PM
32
stop making good tv shows, kristin
Posted by anonymous on November 28, 2008 at 11:28 PM
33
@ 31, I don't think simple suicide prevention is the only issue here. People have been leaping from the Aurora Bridge for more than 70 years, but probably due to all the development below, they've become a nuisance. I don't mean that in a dismissive sense of the word - I'm very sympathetic to the plight of the suicidally depressed - but in the sense that these suicides are now doing damage far beyond ending their own lives. I'm surprised no one has landed on an occupied car in the Adobe lot yet. It's a matter of time before that happens.
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 28, 2008 at 11:49 PM
34
There is something just so depressing about such barriers. It makes me wonder if it won't put more thoughts into other peoples minds.
I had a friend who ended up jumping from a different place. I've always told myself it was quick.
Posted by Zander on November 29, 2008 at 12:03 AM
35
Since they're messing up the historic look of the bridge, are they going to make the damn sidewalk wider too?
Posted by CA on November 29, 2008 at 12:30 AM
36
I bet you the day after they finish putting the barriers up we get a 8.5 that flattens the viaduct and makes the bridge unsafe for crossing anyway.
Posted by brent on November 29, 2008 at 2:24 AM
37
I am still waiting to hear what the annual body count is for jumping off the Aurora Bridge. I think the argument, "If it saves just one life" is bogus. How do we know that this barrier wil stop anyone from killing themselves? All it does it take away one option. There are plenty of other ways to die. If jumping off something tall is your cup of tea there are many tall buildings whose roofs remain unguarded.

I personally don't fear death, but fear pain. The idea of jumping off a bridge and not dieing in a split second sounds like it's going to hurt. That is no way to leave this life.
Posted by elswinger on November 29, 2008 at 11:52 AM
38
Diving board.
Posted by Simple Solutions on November 29, 2008 at 12:03 PM
39
@37,

On average, the death toll is less than one person a year.
Posted by keshmeshi on November 29, 2008 at 12:11 PM
40
Just for the record, I have a friend who has a friend who is still alive after jumping three different times...obviously did not hit the pavement.
Posted by s.h. on November 29, 2008 at 1:12 PM
41
@ 39, I've read 3-4 is the average.

Again, it isn't just about saving lives.
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 29, 2008 at 1:23 PM
42
@41,

We've had more jumpers lately. The average is still less than one a year.
Posted by keshmeshi on November 29, 2008 at 3:15 PM
43
What kind of society are we contributing to when we think it's cool to be so grossly callous?
When someone chooses the dramatic end to their misery it affects hundreds of people.
Parents, siblings, friends. Every person who knows someone who suicided is now more likely to succeed at it themselves. The inability to see the big picture affects all of us. Imagine the people who live and work below the bridge. Imagine the teenagers who saw their young friend just the night before. Imagine the police who thought the distraught guy was getting off the edge only to tumble over.... We have a responsibility to do what we can.
Posted by lisa Alishio on November 29, 2008 at 4:11 PM
44
I had a guest in town this weekend who said "This would be a great view except for the railing here." I had to tell her it was about to get much worse. I feel neutral about the fence now -- if it saves the residents below from having to see corpses on the street, than maybe it's worth it.
Posted by Dawgson on November 29, 2008 at 4:47 PM
45
Such a bad idea.
Posted by itsmarkmitchell on November 29, 2008 at 5:51 PM
46
This is such an awesome idea.

And won't it be great when the number of suicides in Seattle decreases?

Oh, wait, they won't.

Hmm ... in that case it's a STUPID FUCKING IDEA!

Now, let's ban parking within five blocks of The Stranger's offices - that would do a lot more good.
Posted by Will in Seattle on November 29, 2008 at 7:25 PM
47
Keshmeshi, I don't know what math you're using, but the Stranger reports 200 or jumps as of 2000. So, in the first 68 years of the Aurora bridge, that's an average of 2.94 a year. My guess is that the recent uptick makes it more than 3.

http://www.thestranger.com/seattle/Conte…

What's your source?
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 29, 2008 at 10:13 PM
48
Keshmeshi, if the Stranger isn't a good enough (or recent enough) source, the American Journal of Psychiatry reported 230 suicides for the 76 years it's been open, so my hunch was right. That doesn't include unsuccessful attempts; did you know that 31% of those who jump into the lake survive?

http://ajp.psychiatryonline.org/cgi/pdf_…
Posted by Matt from Denver on November 29, 2008 at 10:28 PM
49
Another interesting question is whether putting the phones on the bridge decreased the number of suicides.
Posted by Tiktok on November 30, 2008 at 10:18 AM
50
If you don't think this will save lives, sorry, but you're wrong. The research that has been done on this issue is clear: suicide barriers on bridges DO save lives. Jumping suicides are almost always impulsive, spur-of-the-moment things, and anything that makes it harder to jump makes it more likely that the impulse to kill oneself will pass before the person succeeds in ending their life. Generally they will NOT simply find another way to kill themselves, because they are not thinking rationally when they are thinking about killing themselves. For more on this subject read http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/06/magazi…
Posted by east coaster on November 30, 2008 at 11:07 AM
51
why do we want to prevent suicide? all this does is change where it occurs anyway. how stupid.
Posted by fancy on November 30, 2008 at 11:52 AM
52
the problem is not the suicides ... it is the property owners below who have to deal with all the falling boddies.
Posted by gordon on November 30, 2008 at 12:08 PM
53
Why don't they just install handguns next to the telephones?
Posted by NapoleonXIV on November 30, 2008 at 12:56 PM
54
I personally think that people should have a choice in whether or not to leave this world. If they want to jump, let them jump.
How about using that money to fix some of the pot holes in the roads?
Posted by cynical in seattle on November 30, 2008 at 1:23 PM
55
Males are probably the easiest to detect. They will swim around, sporting an erection (anywhere between 10 to 14 inches long for a Bottle-nose), and will have no bones about swimming up to you and placing their member within reach of your hand. If you are in the water, they may rub it along any part of your body, or wrap it around your wrist or ankle. (Dolphin males have a prehensile penis. They can wrap it around objects, and carry them as such.) Their belly will also be pinkish in colour, which also denotes sexual excitement.

Females can be a little harder. The most obvious way a female dolphin has of displaying her sexual interest is the pink-belly effect. Their genitals become very pink and swollen, making the genital region very prominent. They may be restless, or they may be acting as normal. If you are out of the water, they may swim up to you and roll belly up, exposing themselves to you, coupled with pelvic thrusts. If you are in the water, they may press their genitals up against yours, nibble your fingers, nuzzle your crotch, or do pelvic thrusts against you.

Each dolphins way of expressing sexual readiness varies, so the longer you know the dolphin, the better you will detect when they are sexually active.

Q3) What do I do if a dolphin wants to mate with me?

A3) Accept, if possible! I will go through the steps involved with males and females...

The Male:

When a male dolphin is interested in you, about the only thing you can do, if you are male, is to masturbate him. (Unfortunately, I cannot speak for the female of the human species... it seems women just don't like dolphins enough... so I cannot say for sure if it is safe to mate with them. I would suspect not, due to a dolphins size, but then again, I cannot say for a woman.) WARNING! In the considerations of safety, you should NEVER let a male dolphin attempt anal sex with you. The Bottle-nose dolphin member is around 12 inches, very muscular, and the thrusting and the force of ejaculation (A male can come as far as 14 feet) would cause serious internal injuries, resulting in peritonitus and possible death. Unless you are the masochistic type, you will have a hard time explaining your predicament to the doctors in the emergency ward....

A male dolphin's member is roughly S-shaped, tapered at the end. If you are in the water with them, it is best to support the dolphin on his side, just under the water, with one hand, and handle him with the other. Male dolphins, I find, tend to prefer the base of the penis to be gently massaged and squeezed, as well as gently rubbed along it's length. It feels very much like the rest of the dolphin (ie. smooth and rubbery to the touch, but firmer). It doesn't take long for the male to ejaculate, around 40 seconds to a minute, and this is usually accompanied by either shuddering just prior to ejaculating, and thrusting and tail-arching during ejaculation. The force of ejaculation can be powerful at times, so it is best to keep your face out of the line of fire, or keep his member underwater. You can attempt to lick and suck on the end of it while masturbating as well, but be warned, do not try to give full throat, and get the hell out of the way before he ejaculates! A male dolphin could snap your neck in an accidental thrust, and that would be the end of that relationship.

The Female:

Well, the females are again a little trickier. There are two courses of action with a female fin: Masturbation, or mating.

Masturbation: Female dolphins, once they show interest in you, can be supported in much the same way as the male, one hand under the fin, supporting her, the other doing the stimulating. The clitoris of the female is located at the top of the genital slit, and is a prominent lump when erect. You can rub this with your finger tips, or lick and suck it, but with the oral aspect, you might end up with a bruised nose as they thrust up into you. You can slide your hand gently into their genital opening, and feel around inside, rubbing gently. They feel warm and muscular inside, their labia like tough, squishy sponge when they are excited. Don't be surprised if they start to play with your hand inside them. They have very manipulative muscles, and can use them to carry and manipulate objects, including your hand. (They can do things that would make a regular human woman turn green with envy.) Their climax is coupled with stiffening, shuddering, sometimes a lot of thrusting, clinching of the vaginal muscles, and sometimes vocalisation.

Mating: This is harder. Obviously, being human, it is awkward, but not impossible to mate in open water. It is easier to have the dolphin in a shallow area (like the shallows just off the beach) around 1 1/2 to 2 feet deep. This is usually comfortable enough for both the dolphin and you. Gently, you should roll the dolphin on her side, so she is lying belly-towards you. You can prop yourself up on an elbow, and lie belly to belly against her. You may want to use the other arm to gently hold her close, and place the tip of your member against her genital slit. She will, if interested, arch her body up against you, taking you inside her body. There is usually a fair bit of wriggling and shifting, usually to get comfortable, both outside and inside. Once comfortable, though, females initiate a series of muscular vaginal contractions that rub the entire length of your member. They may also thrust rhythmically against you, so enjoy the experience while you can, since you will rarely last longer that a minute or two. Just prior to her climaxing, she will up the speed of her contractions and thrusts. It is interesting to note that the times I have mated with females, thay have timed their orgasm to mine. Whether they do this consciously or not, I do not know, but it is a great feeling to have two bodies shuddering against each other at the one time.

One thing to note. Whether you masturbate or mate a fin, male or female, always spend time with them afterwards. Cuddle them, rub them, talk to them and most importantly, and show them you love them. This is essential, as it helps to strengthen the bond between you. Like a way of saying that this wasn't just a one night fling. The dolphins appreciate it, and they will want your company more the next time you visit them.

Q4) What diseases can I get from dolphins? Can I give them any?

A4) I have had no experiences with Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD's) with dolphins, so I couldn't rightfully say. I do know, however, that you can pass the Flu between you, along with other respiratory problems. (I got a cold when a dolphin sneezed on me once. It cleared up after a week or so.) You can also pass some skin irritations on to them, if you handle them with chaffed or broken skin. Just like with a human, it is best to BE CLEAN when you handle a dolphin. If you have cuts on your hands, avoid touching them unless you wash with a Betadine surgical scrub prior to handling. This is available from most Veterinary and Surgical suppliers. If you have some disease of some sort, avoid mating, for the dolphins sake. This is a little known area, more so because Zoophilia is considered illegal in many places (which I think is a load of crud, but the law's the law....)

Q5) Is their any way I can invite a dolphin to be masturbated?

A5) Well, yes. If they are hanging around, but not looking particularly excited, but you are, you can invite them with this way...

Male and Female dolphins can be invited by rolling them on their sides, again, but instead of going straight to the genital slit, rub along their bellies, between their pectoral fins, along the navel, and every once in a while, over the genital slit. If they are responsive, they will show the signs of excitement as described earlier, and you can proceed as usual. If, however, they are not responsive, they will swim away, or turn back upright. DO NOT force the issue with a dolphin! Trying to restrain them will only break their trust in you, and could cause you serious injury. Pat them, stroke them and talk to them lovingly, but do not try anything else. It is best, anyway, to let the dolphin tell you when they are ready. It is far more pleasant, and more fulfilling anyway. And more special.

Q6) Where can I find a dolphin to mate with?

A6) Aquariums are a bad choice, for many reasons. Too public, the dolphins are not in their natural habitat, night visits are impossible, etc etc... some may have external enclosures, which may be accesable, but that is no guarantee. Best thing sometimes is to find a beach or a cove that the dolphins frequent. It takes time to develop a relationship with a dolphin to the point where they will let you mate with them (although some have been as quick as 3 days to acclimatize). Gaining their trust takes time, and you need to visit frequently. This is impossible for some people, I understand, but it is the best way. Sometimes you just need to be in the right place at the right time. I have been extremely lucky on two occasions with wild dolphins, and my current mate is a dolphin who lives in the harbour of my resident city.

Well, I hope this is of use to whoever is interested. One final note. You should love a dolphin, not because of the sexual relief they can provide, but because they are a unique animal, one of the few wild animals that seek the company of man by their own initiative. This is special. Do not abuse it.

About the Author

I first realized I was a Delphinic Zoophile when I was 12 years old, which is when I had my first sexual encounter with a dolphin. This is not that particular occasion, since my first lover was brutally killed in an act of sensless violence that I will never forgive, or forget. She continues to live in my memories, though...

I volunteer with dolphins whenever I get the opportunity. They are special to me, highly intelligent, empathic creatures that are dear to my heart, and are a healing aspect in my life. So it was that I met this particular dolphin, a female bottle nose dolphin, 7 years old, who is residing at my home cities coastal harbour/aquarium.

She is a beautiful dolphin, inquisitive and playful, and more used to human contact than her other, older pod mates. I answer any questions the general public have about dolphins, and spend most of my free time with them, studying and talking with them. I learned through continued contact that each dolphin has a very particular personality and habits, traits useful for differentiating between the fins who are sometimes hard to distinguish on visual markings alone.

In order to avoid the bustle tourists, I usually visit the dolphins at night, illegally I must add, since I am considered to be trespassing. But it is the only time I do not have to be distracted by tourists or the staff. I do not expect to have sex with the dolphins every time I visit them; I am not that sort of person. I spend time with them because they are a relaxing and stabilizing source of peace in an otherwise hectic and unbalanced lifestyle. So it came as a pleasant surprise when this 7-year-old dolphin began to engage in sex-play with me.

I was quite happily swimming around with the dolphins when she suddenly decided to grab my foot with her genital slit. Dolphins have very muscular vaginal orifices, and can use these muscles to manipulate objects and carry them. I stayed still for a while, to see if she was just playing, but she continued to masturbate against my foot, and in the light of the torch I sometimes carry, I could see that her slit had become very pink and had swelled as well. She was aroused!

So, I started to back-paddle with my hands towards a small beached area, partially submerged in the water. A couple of times she pulled me forward into the deeper water, but eventually I got my self to the shallows. I dislodged my foot (Being careful not to pull too hard), and took her gently by a pectoral fin and rubbed her belly just to aclimatize her, I guess. She immediately rolled belly up and started doing pelvic thrusts against the palm of my hand. It was unmistakebly erotic, and by now I was fully aroused.

I stripped off my shorts, and gently pulled her into the shallows until she was lying on her side, her belly facing towards me, half submerged in the water. I nestled myself belly to belly against her, and pressed my member against her genital slit. She immediately arched her body against mine, and took me inside her body, initiating a quick series of muscular contractions with her vaginal muscles. I wrapped my left arm around her body and just held her close while she manipulated me inside her body, until I climaxed barely 2 minutes later. Surprisingly, her body also shuddered against mine, and we spent the next 5 or so minutes just lying together in the shallows, holding each other, enjoying our company and revelling in the fact that we had shared something special together, something very few people can claim to have done.

I do not brag about this though. It is not something you can brag about, since it not only is demeaning to the act, but it destroys the purpose of the act as well; to express affection, and trust. I only consent to those dolphins who ask. As a result, I have mated only three times. Each time was memorable and special, because each time it was something we both wanted to share with each other. Sex, for me, is just another, albeit powerful, expression of affection and trust. I wouldn't engage any other animal, though; it is not my attraction. But there is little I wouldn't do for a dolphin.

I am aware there are people who would look at this and turn away in disgust. I can not force my beliefs or my feelings upon them, neither do I wish to. The only thing I ask of those people is that they try to understand that love, and trust, and respect are not limited to within a single species. Human kind has created religions and laws and barbed-wire fences that have been created, written and erected out of the former belief that we are the best, the smartest, the most powerful creature on the planet. Now we are realising that we have been extremely short sighted; many of us are realising this, but there are others who are bound by their former beliefs. One word is the key to improving our civilization. One word which could improve many lives
More...
Posted by Dragon-wolfe Dolphinn on November 30, 2008 at 3:17 PM
56
Not saying the barriers aren't a good idea, but perhaps improved funding of public mental health programs and incentives for private insurance to offer such coverage would also be helpful.
Posted by RainMan on November 30, 2008 at 6:39 PM
57
@55: Okay, getting kind of old. We've all seen that web site years ago.
Posted by Greg on December 1, 2008 at 1:03 PM
58
King County has big budget cuts coming--why don't we just put a fence on one side of the bridge? That'd cost only half the original amount. A 50% reduction in Aurora suicides is better than no reduction.
Posted by tiktok on December 1, 2008 at 3:26 PM
59
Not everyone who jumps dies. Some people (like a friend of my sister) end up living in a premanent vegitative state because they jump off that bridge at age 16 and break their neck. Now that guy is 30 and his mom has given up her life for the last 14 years to care for him. And if you don't give a shit about real people whose lives are ripped apart by suicide how about comsidering how much it costs taxpayers when the policy, paramedics, etc have to rush out to there everytime there's a jumper?
Posted by Yasmine on December 1, 2008 at 5:05 PM
60
"...how about comsidering how much it costs taxpayers when the policy, paramedics, etc have to rush out to there everytime there's a jumper?"

They don't rush out everytime there's a jumper, only every time someone calls to tell them about a jumper.
Posted by Tiktok on December 1, 2008 at 6:47 PM
61
Wow what a group of uniformed calloused people. Death by suicide results in more deaths a year then AIDS and we spend a fortune trying to treat people who have that disease (totally preventable btw) but you don't think it is worthwhile to save someone's life from suicide?

As someone else posted bridge barriers work to save people from dying this way. Oddly enough they don't go to the next closest bridge either. They spent a couple of million to add a barrier so that no one would hit bikes on the bridge even though there has never been a single bike car accident on the bridge.

How much is a single life worth? At least a couple of million according to most insurance estimates so if we can prevent 10 a year this more then pays for itself.
Over 775,000 people are impacted by a family member of friend who commits suicide each year. I hope none of you have kids who get depressed and consider it either as 1 in 10 do.
Posted by jennifer E on December 2, 2008 at 12:15 AM

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