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Re:
Oops! Ya know what I did, mariss? I read your response to this post but for some reason thought I was in the other post, concerning my friend and his hospital stay! That's why I wasn't sure how to initially respond! Now your comment makes sense! 
Yes, it was a horrible situation indeed. But even though I may already be dead, I still don't think I would want anyone to treat me like butchered cattle! The spirit may live on, but I think there should still be some respect for the body . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 8, 2013 at 6:39 AM
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Re:
Wow, mariss. I'm not quite sure how to respond to that. Regardless of how one might feel about such things, I still don't think it would be justified to die because of someone else's incompetence . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 8, 2013 at 5:21 AM
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They could have me after I died. All that matters to me is the spirit after death. I wouldn't begrudge them if they could stomach it. I might resent it if they axed me while I was alive. A sad and horrible situation for them, no doubt. 
posted by
mariss9
on May 7, 2013 at 2:27 PM
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Re: Jimmy
No thanks, Naut! I do like history in general, but there are certain aspects that I'd rather not read or hear about! I'm sure this was not an isolated incident, and regardless of whether or not it was brought about by necessity, it still remains a part of those "dark chapters" of our past that might be better off left unexamined . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 6, 2013 at 7:36 AM
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Jimmy
Pretty tragic, but an event forced by necessity. On the other hand, there was regular cannibalism being practiced among North American Indians as late as the late 19th century; see, e.g., the Hamatsas among the Kwakiutl...
posted by
Nautikos
on May 5, 2013 at 4:49 PM
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Re:
That's true, lustor. Unless you're actually in that situation . . . Well, let's hope none of us are ever actually in that situation! Gross, indeed . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 9:31 AM
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eww how gross, you never know what someone would do to stay alive
posted by
Lanetay
on May 4, 2013 at 9:17 AM
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Re:
That there are, adnohr, I'm sure of it. But to be perfectly honest, I just can't see myself looking at a dead body of any age and reducing it to just a "shell of meat and bone." Then again, since I also have absolutely no idea what it must feel like to be on the brink of total starvation, weak and weary, with Death tapping me on the shoulder, I can't say what I would, or wouldn't, resort to in order to survive! Let's hope none of us do . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:55 AM
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Re:
And I suppose, C C T, you feel that we all think we are extremely civilized, and above that kind of behavior, right? Of course there's nothing wrong with believing that. I know that none of us will probably ever be in that particular situation and, as rational adults, could never imagine having to resort to such behavior. But unless you're actually in that type of situation, it's really all academic. Needless to say, I wouldn't wish that on anybody . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:51 AM
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Re:
I think I would too, TAPS, and I'm assuming you mean as opposed to a piece of a human's remains! I haven't seen the skull pic, nor do I think I want to, for a few reasons. I'm still somewhat bothered that they had to name those remains "Jane" . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:46 AM
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Re:
Of course not, FSI, for two reasons. First, I honestly don't think that today's kids would be able to wrap their heads around such a concept or incident. And secondly, as far as any of the adults are concerned, there's no reason for them to know! And of course, we can all now begin to wonder how many other questionable escapades have occurred in our history that we don't know about ( yet ) . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:44 AM
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Re:
Oh, I'm well aware of that, Annicita. However, it doesn't make it any less gruesome to read or hear about, especially knowing that it is now a part of America's history! No matter what the circumstances, I just cannot conceive of normal, rational people being forced to resort to that type of behavior! It's simply unfathomable to me . . . 
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:41 AM
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Re:
What an incredible coincidence, huh, yellowrose? But at the same time, I can't help but wonder if your visit and memories will now be somewhat tainted knowing what had transpired there! I guess it shouldn't, but people react differently upon hearing such revelations . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:39 AM
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Re: JimmyA
Really, Sir Wiley? I don't suppose there are too many tales of a similar nature up there in the Great White North, probably because everyone would freeze solid before the "consumption" could take place, right? Sorry . . . brutal thought. I couldn't help myself . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:36 AM
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Re: jimmy
That's very true, jean. A very deep topic for another day. There have been so many things I have learned over the years concerning our so-called history, that I think if I had known about them when I was younger, I might have had to actually drop out of school altogether just to get away from the fictional propaganda I was being force-fed . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:34 AM
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Re:
It's difficult to fathom, isn't it sam? And we've heard of tales like these before, people stranded in the Andes Mountains and all. Hard to imagine it happening here, at any time, under any circumstance . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:31 AM
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Re: No, I never considered the Puritans all that civil.
I don't think anyone would, Ciel. It would seem to me that there should have been other choices, but that's easy to say for us living in the here and now. Yes, a terrible historical tragedy that I almost wish I hadn't heard about . . .
posted by
JimmyA
on May 4, 2013 at 8:30 AM
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I imagine if one was starving, and if the child has died anyway it is just a shell of meat and bone.....I also imagine there are many stories about the 'good ole days' not made public.
posted by
adnohr
on May 4, 2013 at 5:01 AM
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I don't think one has to dig to deeply Jimmy. The nature of survival is not written in stone. Perhaps we are not what we think we are.
posted by
C_C_T
on May 4, 2013 at 12:43 AM
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I read about that find and saw the skull pic. A cousin of my cousin is an archeologist and has worked at the Jamestown dig, though she is now at the Clovis dig in Texas. She likes to share her work with us. For myself, I'd settle for an Indian arrowhead or a fish vertabrae fossil.
posted by
TAPS.
on May 4, 2013 at 12:16 AM
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I knew there was starvation at Jamestown. I did not know how much...You're right that kids won't read of this in history books.
posted by
FormerStudentIntern
on May 3, 2013 at 7:50 PM
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well....many cultures in early days practiced cannibalism....lack of food or knowing what was edible, droughts, lack of usuable land for cultivating etc
posted by
Annicita
on May 3, 2013 at 7:06 PM
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Hello.. I just read something recently about that in the newspaper.. a gruesome fact. I lived in Hampton, Virginia for a few years as a young girl, and remember visiting Jamestown. 
posted by
yellowrose55
on May 3, 2013 at 7:02 PM
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JimmyA
That was a news story up here last week too. Cannibals get around.
posted by
WileyJohn
on May 3, 2013 at 6:16 PM
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jimmy
this was certainly tragic, but most of what we read in the history books is not based on reality. most history is what the writter of history wants you to believe and there is usually a motive behind what they want you to believe.
posted by
jeansaw
on May 3, 2013 at 5:44 PM
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Oh my; that's startling on the name! I would never want to be in a situation where my life depended upon cannibalism! Just NEVER! sam
posted by
sam444
on May 3, 2013 at 3:07 PM
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No, I never considered the Puritans all that civil.
And Jamestown... a tragedy. I would not want to be in the position ever of having to face their choices.
posted by
Ciel
on May 3, 2013 at 12:03 PM
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