Once the killing starts, there's no stopping it (euthanasia)

The Sydney Morning Herald ^ | January 29, 2007 | Greg Pike

[A. Pole]

Free market rules?

[Mrs. Don-o]

"I understand why euthanasia will never be allowed in this country."

You didn't notice that a form of euthanasia, assisted suicide, has been legal in Oregon since 1997?

[A_perfect_lady]

No, I mean like intelligent articulate permanently disabled ones who clearly do not want to burden their families.

Yes, I've heard of families taking care of their elderly and the drain on their resources was terrible. Couldn't afford a second car, had to cancel Showtime and Cinemax, their teenagers couldn't have cell phones or playstations or rent a limo for the prom. It was really sad.

Finally they sat the kids down and said, "Look if we kill grandma you can both get iPods..."

[jackibutterfly]

"Once you give permission, people take advantage. It has already happened in the Netherlands.

AND in Florida.

[jackibutterfly]

"Once you give permission, people take advantage. It has already happened in the Netherlands.

AND in Florida.

[b9]

Perhaps one day if you have raised grown children, you will have a less cynical view. Good luck.

[cosine]

Disability does not diminish the value of life. Perhaps you should spend some time on the "Not Dead Yet" website.

[LadyDoc]

Most animals are euthanized not for suffering but because they are inconvenient.

That's the point of the article...

[b9]

May you never suffer the indignity of inconveniencing your loved ones.

[philetus]

I don't understand why it's humane to euthanize suffering animals, but intelligent humans are not allowed the same dignity."

Is that you Feinstein?

[jonno]

I don't understand why it's humane to euthanize suffering animals, but intelligent humans are not allowed the same dignity."

1) You understand don't you, that in the same way that apples are not oranges, humans are not animals. Thus, your lack of understanding is based on a misunderstanding of the value of human life.

2) People have always been free to kill themselves. As long as they don't enlist others for assistance, there is no legal issue (the morality of the act notwithstanding).

3) What man can do, man will do. "Mercy killing" will eventually lead to "merciless killing", as human life - and dignity - are further and further eroded.

4) Be careful what you wish for...

[GSlob]

"At the heart of this issue is the belief that everyone should have the right to die on their own terms: when, where, and how they want..."
Nothing wrong with such a belief. If their lives are theirs, and not the state's [it is not North Korea, at least not yet], then it is up to them, and not to the state, or anyone else. The best the state and everyone else could do is to provide a framework.

[8mmMauser]

Pinged from Terri Dailies

8mm

[walden]

"I suppose they oppose the death penalty for criminals too."

Oh no! Euthanasia is only for the innocent, you know. For the guilty, we are supposed to have mercy. Go figure.

[Mrs. Don-o]

"May you never suffer the indignity of inconveniencing your loved ones."

You forgot your sarc/ tag

[T'wit]

>> "The Dutch recently legislated to permit euthanasia for 12- to 16-year-olds, and dozens of disabled babies have been illegally euthanased at Groningen Hospital, by doctors who are now pressuring the Government for permission to terminate infant lives."

So the Dutch are catching up with Hitler's playbook -- Nazi Aktion T4 euthanasia program -- and we're catching up with the Dutch. When America dies, put "liberalism" as the cause of death.

[T'wit]

>> No, I mean like intelligent articulate permanently disabled ones who clearly do not want to burden their families.

There was one on record, Elizabeth Bouvia, but she changed her mind after a day or two of dehydration/starvation.

[Freedom Dignity n Honor]

Very good post!

Also, if the people who want to die would do it themselves, they'd not drag family members into it to do it for them. To me, it's the height of selfishness for a person to try to force that person's family to kill that family member or force the family to make the decision to kill that family member.

Doctors, nurses and family members should not be dragged into the mess if a person wants to suicide.

[Psycho_Bunny]

You’re getting the slams you had to know were coming when you posted. I’m with you, though…I, for one, will not be dying in a hospital bed, in diapers and drooling on myself. “God will pardon me. It is his trade.”

[ArrogantBustard]

That's absolutely brilliant. Well done. Jonathan Swift must be proud of you. I have just one more suggestion: "Soylent Green". ;'}