The Red and Black

This story is despicable. How dare you write such a detailed description of how his body was found. Have you no respect? There are friends and family members reading this hoping not to relive the time they heard about this, trying to force out the visions of his last moments--and here you are putting them in print for everyone to read. Today, I lose the respect I've had for my 4 years here for the Red and Black. Just because you put links on here about how to get help doesn't show that you care. You could have written the same story with decency.

wow, very interesting post.

Anonymous, that description, in my opinion, is paramount to the entire article. Sad and tough as it is, that is what happened and the way it happened. That portion left no doubt as to whether or not someone else had done it. If his parents could "face the music" on the day of the memorial they already know this and have resolved it in their own spirits. The R&B only reported the incident, they didn't manufacture nor glorify it. It is so sad when someone, particularly someone who has been so helpful to others, reaches what he perceives to be the end of his rope and just takes himself off life's stage. I understand his mother's "If God didn't WANT it to happen" wording, but it is my understanding that many things God wouldn't prefer DO happen because he most often lets man play out his own free will rather than intervening in every situation. There is God's absolute will and His permissive will.

I can understand the concern for family members, but for what it's worth... to the Red & Black author: I think you wrote a wonderfully detailed and moving piece. The article makes me very much wish I had met this man before he died, and I wish the absolute best for the loved ones he left behind.

As someone close to Mike and his family I just wanted to say that this is a horrible article that reads like tabloid trash. There are many half truths and guesses about the end of a man who was in too much pain for anyone to "know" or understand. It really takes away from what a great person he was. The service was beautifully done and this article is so far in the opposite direction that it is sick.

I have spoken with him many times at work, and there are no words to explain the loss that was incurred. I feel that this article is too in depth to be considerate. We know this is sad, and something that should be acknowledged but there are still people that feel pain when coming across this. Its too visual this is real life and real mourn not some Lifetime story. What if you had to read your Grandmother's death over and over with visual details for everyone to know. It was nice to know more positive about him, but what do you walk away with. Grotesque details only.

As someone close to Mike and his family I would like to say that this article is complete bullshit. For anyone to write like they know or understand what is going on in someone's head is ridiculous. No one can even begin to speculate on what was going on in another person's life. So quit trying. He was a wonderful man who's life ended too soon. Period.

I did not know Mike but, I do know that this article was callous. It showed an absolute indifference to the suffering of those that knew and loved him. The gory details of his last moments were uncalled for and just plain cruel. So many of what you included can only be described as unnecessary. To the person that wrote this "article" and those of you that allowed it to be printed, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. This is NOT good journalism; he simply reiterated what was said at the memorial service and then added uncouth and pointless tad bits here and there. APPALLING

The article was insensitive and tasteless. It is clear that a skillful and experienced reporter got hold of Mrs. Johnson, a grieving country girl with a heart of gold, and led her down the garden path with loaded questions. She poured out her sorrow, innocently divulging too much personal information, which has now become fodder for the gossips. Shame on you, Red & Black. You could have done so much more with this, you could have made it a tribute to a wonderful man who left us too soon instead of a sensational expose'.

The article was insensitive and tasteless. It is clear that a skillful and experienced reporter got hold of Mrs. Johnson, a grieving country girl with a heart of gold, and led her down the garden path with loaded questions. She poured out her sorrow, innocently divulging too much personal information, which has now become fodder for the gossips. Shame on you, Red & Black. You could have done so much more with this, you could have made it a tribute to a wonderful man who left us too soon instead of a sensational expose'.

Brian Hughes and The Red & Black:

As a graduate of the University of Georgia, resident of Athens, and a former colleague of Michael Johnson's, I must say that I am absolutely appalled at the tone of this article and the handling of this story. Today marks the day that I have officially lost all respect for this newspaper and will never pick up another copy again. Rather than celebrating the life of a truly wonderful individual, you have chosen to treat him like the topic of local gossip. I pray that none of you ever has to experience the loss of a loved one in such a disrespectful and crude manner.

I know some people find this article to be insensitive, but I knew Mike very well and I think this was an important and good piece. Maybe someone else can be saved in the future.

This is a rather emotional issue and no one would wish suicide on anyone, less someone who appears to have lived a selfless life. Notwithstanding, all these emotional responses are highly unfair. The article was written in the best taste and with respect for the family. There is no other way to report suicide or do an indepth piece on suicide without re-opening the wounds of family and friends. I commend the author for a great piece. I will continue to pray for the family and friends but people must come to grips with the fact that in order for others to understand the kinds of pressure that can push an helpful and selfless person to commit such a painful and arguably selfish act, the whole story must be told. I remember the Nuci Space incidence and the reporting many years ago. There were those who did not want any of the details reported but I am sure (as it is this case) that others in similar situations can be moved to seek help by this detailed but fair article.
My sympathy to the family and friends of the deceased and to all those dealing with sucidal thoughts and pressure, PLEASE seek help. It is never fair on those left behind.

I am so sorry that this happened to Mike, and I send my deepest condolences to his family and friends. It is always a tragedy to lose a loved one, especially when they seemed full of life.

I am glad that there is finally attention being focused on the devastating effects of Levaquin. I am still suffering, two years later from taking Levaquin for an infection. This drug ruins lives in ways that are unimaginable. I will never be the person that I once was, and I have yet to make peace with that. I understand the terror and anxiety that Mike must have felt. There were months and months of insomnia, and it always seemed that I was unable to sleep when the pain was at its greatest. The anxiety and paranoia caused by this drug are worse than a methamphetamine binge – I would rather swallow rat poison than take this drug again, even if it was a life or death emergency. I contemplated suicide many times as a means to escape the emotional and physical pain that I was in due to the adverse effects and the broken body that Levaquin left me. I even went as far as to attempt suicide twice, luckily I was not successful.

I hope now that so many people are connecting the dots between the symptoms of anxiety, heart problems, tendonitis, joint pain, neuropathy, etc that the Ortho-McNeil and the FDA will be forced to do something about this drug and our medical system in general.

R.I.P. Mike Johnson

I can understand exactly what Mike was going through. I too was poisoned by an antibiotic in the Fluoroquinolone class very similar to Levaquin....except it was called Ciprofloxacin. All these types of antib's do the same thing to a lot of people. They toxify your Central nervous system and make it impossible to sleep. They also induce psychosis that makes you want to kill yourself...especially if you haven't slept in a few days. The Levaquin is what caused Mike to end his life. There is no question about it. I have been there and almost took my own life after taking Cipro.
These are very toxic, dangerous drugs that need to be regulated better. Many people have killed themselves after taking a Fluoroquinolone. Many have suffered for years too. It has been swept under the carpet by our medical system and the FDA because these drugs make big $$$$$. Pretty sad, but true. If you don't believe it, take one of the FQs and see.

I am very sorry for the loss of this wonderful man.
I believe that the levaquin absolutely contributed to this tragedy. There are many victims of levaquin, cipro, fluoroquinolone toxicity on the yahoo forum. We are all suffering and many thinking of suicide. Noone has helped us, lawyers or doctors.

http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/fqtoxicity/

Karen

Levaquin or no Levaquin, this article was written in bad taste. Shameful.

I am saddened to hear Mike's story. I too am a victim of these over-prescribed anti-biotics, my experience is with Cipro and I have been suffering with the same symptoms that Mike has gone thru, I have been struggling with them for 8 months tomorrow. I just hope that the new hreads of the FDA will change how the doctors are educated how specifically the flourquionolones are administered. Whoever reads this please be warned about these antibiotics (Cipro, Avelox & Levaquin) being the most common and share the same warning with your family & friends, they should only be used as a last resort!

Mr. Johnson's longtime girlfriend did not want to be interviewed in the article, but his mother shared a lot of personal information about their relationship and her personal life and feelings after his death. In the case of a 44 year old man, there are other people whose feelings should be taken into consideration besides his parents.

This definitely read as a tabloid piece.

Do you want to get sued?! You blantantly have no respect for this man, his family or friends. Not to mention the fact that have the story is heresay!! The tragedy lies in this newspaper printing this despicable story.

I didn't have the pleasure of knowing this man, but this article does seem tasteless.

I KNEW MIKE DURING OUR HIGH SCHOOL YEARS, HANGING OUT IN THE SUMMER AT FRANKLIN POOL IN ELIZABETHTON, TN. MIKE WAS A WONDERFUL PERSON AND I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT THIS TRAGIC EVENT. I NEVER HEARD MIKE SAY ANYTHING BAD ABOUT ANYONE, HE WAS ALWAYS KIND. I NEVER HEARD HIM SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE OR CRUDE, HE WAS A JOY TO BE AROUND. I KNOW I WILL GET TO SEE MIKE AGAIN IN HEAVEN AND GIVE HIM A BIG HUG. MY PRAYERS GO OUT TO HIS PARENTS, I PRAY THE LORD JESUS WILL GIVE THEM COMFORT AND RESTORE THEIR JOY IN KNOWING WE WILL SEE MIKE AGAIN! KIM WHITEHEAD MCWHERTER

Isn't it amazing how one article can be seen in multiple ways. I see all the good that has come from the truth. I see others sharing their own experiences about harmful effects of certain drugs. If all the information were not given how would this have happened? Getting all the facts right about a situation should not be construed as being in bad taste or as poor journalism. In fact the truth is much better than a glossy piece which has no effect.
It is important to face reality, the more we are able to fully assess situations, the better we are armed to move forward. Information is power. My prayer is that we have all learned from this incident to warn ourselves and loved ones about certain medications. No one can imagine what pain the loss of a human being has on all around them. My prayers go out to all the family, friends and associates of Mike Johnson.

Actually, this is a well-written article that covers a delicate and painful subject -- suicide. Nothing is good about it, yet we who have never considered suicide are curious as to what goes on in the mind of those who do consider it. I'm a widower whose wife was severely bipolar for several years and tried to keep her from taking her life and trying to reason with her, she still left. I still don't understand it but stories like this help to raise awareness of how man people who do consider suicide to be a valid answer to their problems. By talking about it, maybe it helps someone else.
To the family of Michael, my sympathies to you. Some questions just don't have answers, this one is another that I have on my list of things to ask God about when I get up there.