Comments on: But when we wake it’s all been erased and so it seems only in dreams.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Thu, 03 Nov 2005 04:10:50 +0000

Well, I know you guys know my view on if my body is my own... I have a few things I'd like to add. I was reading this article from Christianity.ca. It talks about why people should oppose Bill C-407. While the bill will never pass, it's exactly in line with what I believe should be law (note it is a private member's bill). The article discussed how the bill will hurt the most vulnerable in society. I disagree. Even if it was for the least vulnerable, they would oppose it. I don't buy it. They have no proof it will hurt them. Furthermore they go to bash Living Wills saying they are ineffective. I feel like putting that to the test. Show them up.

By: Mike Purvis

Mike Purvis — Sat, 08 Oct 2005 05:28:08 +0000

I’m a conservative in terms of hands-off non-meddlesome government. And nor should the Church (any church) be trying to legislate something like this.

However, it’s fine for churches to tell their people, “You are fearfully and wonderfully made, your (baby’s) life is not yours to throw away.”

Because ultimately, that’s what the whole value-of-life argument is about. Are our bodies our own? If so, we can do with them as we please. Otherwise, perhaps not.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 21:53:23 +0000

Oh, I agree that there is a difference, however I was talking more about the impact to the mothers, not to the child, when I was using the abortion comparison.

And I agree with you that euthanasia is a form of suicide. And by saying that I believe I easily doubled the number of reasons I’ve given here why I’m against euthanasia.

By: Natalie

Natalie — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 20:51:19 +0000

When it comes to living wills, i beleive that such a document should not have permanent power. As opposed to a regular will which simply deals with monetary posessions (and custody of children), this is a document which deals with life. Life in general is a topic one may change his or her opinion on, at any point. Therefore I beleive that a document like that should not be effective for long periods of time.
Furthermore, the expiration date would promote one to rethink their position about what they want. If it just remains laying in a safe place one is more likely to accept a desision they made a long time ago, and not allow themselves to change their mind.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 17:43:43 +0000

Here’s a question to pose: What’s the difference between Euthanasia and Suicide? I’m inclined to believe nothing, thus, extending my piece to suicide, as Mike implies my last comment does, I’m pro suicide as well. I think it’s just the negative connotation term for Euthanasia.

I support the offering of life term criminals without the chance of parole the option of capital punishment. It’s a bargain. They don’t suffer the pain, the public gets rid of a meanace, and the government saves the money that can be used in better places, like welfare.

Christine: I’m outlining my belief so don’t get offended. I don’t believe setus’ are sentient, hence they can’t make a choice on weather to live or die. They don’t understand the concept, or anything. Prisoners can make the choice, hence I don’t agree with your comparison.

By: Christine

Christine — Fri, 07 Oct 2005 00:37:39 +0000

See, the problem with offering prisoners that choice is the same one (if not more so) with legalising euthanasia. There will be pressure, of various kinds, to accept the injection. So someone who might want to keep living might choose otherwise because they’re being told that’s the better descision.

Just like what happens with abortion.

By: Mike Purvis

Mike Purvis — Thu, 06 Oct 2005 17:44:23 +0000

I think you’re discussing one issue for most of the piece, and then jumping tracks with your final statement.

To say “when a certified medical practitioner estimates my physical condition be X, pull the plug” is one thing, however,

If I want to die, let me and support me in my decision.

This sounds more like a tagline off some pro-suicide site. (Or out of that ludicrous Imprint article this week about decriminalizing assisted suicide… “Yes, your honour, I was helping him shoot himself in the head.”)

Of course, the other interesting side of all this is the comparison to the capital punishment debate. If keeping vegetables alive in the hospital is stupid, what about keeping criminals in prison for life? What about offering them a choice, too? “You will be in prison for life. You have a choice of taking the injection tomorrow morning if you’d prefer.”

By: Kas

Kas — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 22:02:30 +0000

Although I can see where you are coming from, I think that your view is a little limited.
Do you think that it would be fair to allow someone to die when you know that there is a possibility for their survival and future happiness? I mean, there is always hope. There have been cases where nearly miraculous (I cannot spell….) events have occured and allowed for another good 30 or 40 or more years in a persons life. If we just kill them on the spot, don’t you think that we could be limiting their potential happiness?
And as for the living wills, yes they are a good idea, but it should always be taken into consideration the state in which they created these living wills. I know you may disagree with this, but if an individual is irrational while making this living will then it should be void.
To be honest, I do agree with euthanasia-in some cases. Where there is no possible solution to whatever plagues these individuals, where they are in chronic pain, and where the only other option would be for them to just wait to die a painful death. In cases like these, then this does seem the most merciful approach. I am just wary that this “mercy” will turn into murder, or in the case of the living will, suicide.
If this were the case, then it should not be allowed. No form of intentional death should be legal or supported. I have made the mistake of signing a living will of a close friend of mine and regret it every time I think about it. Yes it is good to make preperations, but when these preperations turn into plans of suicide or murder, then it has crossed the line.

By: Christine

Christine — Tue, 04 Oct 2005 00:06:55 +0000

Well I know you appreciate debate on these things, but you are already aware of my opinions on the matter, not just because I’ve told you which of the points I agree with and why I disagree with your conclusion, but because my stance is hardly original.