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Star Trek's Scotty Dies at 85

darkworm writes "James Doohan, better known to Trekkies everywhere as Scotty, has died at the age of 85. James was suffering from both Parkinsons and Alzheimer's and died earlier today at his home"

7 of 762 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Cue the jokes... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    "He had his youngest daughter in 2000, when he was 80 (!), with his wife Wende, whom he'd been married to since 1975. Way to go, James."

    Yeah, seriously. Way to guarantee you won't see your daughter grow up.

  2. Re:Cue the jokes... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    He had his youngest daughter in 2000, when he was 80 (!), with his wife Wende, whom he'd been married to since 1975. Way to go, James.

    Way to go? WTF? The kid will grow up without a father. Don't people think of the kids when they decide to have kids?

  3. appropriate care includes dad. by glrotate · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    This girl will grow up without a father. And not because he got killed in a car wreck or hit by lightning, but because dad decided to have a kid knowing he wasn't long for the world. In a way it's sort of premeditated child abandonment.

  4. Re:Beem him on up... by @madeus · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    I would be marvellous if everyone was able to take it in their stride, but unfortunately there are lots of children's homes with deeply disturbed children that bear unfortunate testament to that not being so (and as I've already posted, my own father would also fit into that category, though the circumstances are slightly different).

    In truth, it wrecks some peoples lives, in the case of my own father (who I grew up without), who - being adopted - never knew his parents and when he found this out his life took a nose dive. My stepfather died in my early 20's (from cancer), even as an adult (let alone a child) I still wish he was around to talk to and give and take advice from.

    We should also not forget, that at age 80, Mr. Doohan will have suffered quite significant degradation in cell quality and this will impact on his sperm and the genes passed on (and so, unfortunately in his children). The risks are not quite as pronounced as they are in women (who at just age 45 have a 1 in 30 likelihood of having a baby with Down syndrome, for example), but they are there none the less (and might not crop up till much later).

  5. Re:Beem him on up... by @madeus · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Are you really so self-absorbed that you presume to make such a decision for anyone else?

    Damn right I do, I some things very simply fall into that category, it's also not okay to abuse your kids, or to deny them a basic level of education, for example - and I don't think parents should have any say in that.

    your own circumstances have nothing to do with Jimmy Doohan and his kids.

    Erm, other than the blindingly obvious, no.

  6. Re:Beem him on up... by @madeus · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Maybe it's time to come to terms with your own family history and get that chip off your shoulder, mate.

    Erm, what chip off my shoulder would that be? I'm fairly well adjusted and very up front about the issue as it goes (I'm sure my mother would confirm that), both compliments and criticism where warranted.

    Oddly enough, the topic of the article was just brought up by two other people on IRC channels I'm on and the general level of agreement is that everyone think's that his behaviour was appalling and irresponsible. I'm simply not blinded to it because he was in a TV show I really like and find it bizarre that anyone would be.

    You (and others I'm sure) may consider the timing 'tactless' and I can understand the basis for that assertion, but I wouldn't bring it up if it wasn't specifically related to the fact he has just died (it makes it specifically relevant). If you think that in that context I'm the one that's guilty of inappropriate behaviour, you are in need of a reality check.

    I care a damn sight more about the impact of on a 5 year old child when their father dies, than the feelings of the fans of a departed actor on an internet forum.

    But you do what you think is right.

  7. Re:Wheres CleverNickName? by Raven17 · · Score: 0, Flamebait

    Cuz Rosie Odonnel is a stupid fucking cow...