Africa itself has been mentioned on this thread to a tremendous amount. The dead Iraqi civilians are a tragedy as well. However, America is America's top priority, not to disclude Africa, but frankly stating, America is sensibly the duty of the American government. As far as the whole abortion vs. death penalty debate, while I would like to stay on topic, I am with those who have no say in what happens to them. If I had to choose between defending the innocent or defending the guilty, the decision is pretty clear to me.melon said:Starving African children and dead Iraqi civilians are nothing more than nameless "collateral damage." Terri Shiavo and anti-abortion stances win votes. Revoking the death penalty and the lives they would save, no matter how "worthless" they seem, would not win votes.
Sadly I'm in agreement with this statement, but I believe it exists on both sides. Any life that could've been saved is a tragedy, plain and simple.melon said:The irony, I believe, is that with all this talk about "the sanctity of life," life has never been as valueless as it is today.
One without a screwed on head could argue that Lincoln used the Civil War for political gain. I personally feel that starving an innocent person to death without their consent is rather unethical. Call it "pseudo-..." if you will, but that is where I stand.melon said:Your value and your freedom are determined by what will help political parties win votes. Nothing more, nothing less. "Morality" and "ethics" are dead. Or maybe they never existed.
I imagine Terri was a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen, and when I hear "she had her chance to save herself..." it just sickens me.melon said:So what do you all contribute to the majority to justify your existence?
Macfistowannabe said:Africa itself has been mentioned on this thread to a tremendous amount. The dead Iraqi civilians are a tragedy as well. However, America is America's top priority, not to disclude Africa, but frankly stating, America is sensibly the duty of the American government. As far as the whole abortion vs. death penalty debate, while I would like to stay on topic, I am with those who have no say in what happens to them. If I had to choose between defending the innocent or defending the guilty, the decision is pretty clear to me.
Sadly I'm in agreement with this statement, but I believe it exists on both sides. Any life that could've been saved is a tragedy, plain and simple.
One without a screwed on head could argue that Lincoln used the Civil War for political gain. I personally feel that starving an innocent person to death without their consent is rather unethical. Call it "pseudo-..." if you will, but that is where I stand.
I imagine Terri was a tax-paying, law-abiding citizen, and when I hear "she had her chance to save herself..." it just sickens me.
melon said:
Terri Shiavo gives the GOP a golden opportunity to pander to the Religious Right, and it is their hope that they'll win more votes come Election Day. Helping starving African children does not win votes. Period. In other words, with all this talk about "the value of life," it is only those lives that "contribute" that matters, at least in the eyes of politicians and probably most people.
Melon
I'd hate to break off the topic, but I'm very sorry to hear about that.sue4u2 said:I've been watching this case very closely simply because I have lived it.
My youngest son was born in 1980 and shortly after his birth.
the doctors became aware (because I already knew) of the magnitude of his disabilities.
In most cases a child like my son, Paul, would have died within 2 years, which I actually laugher at. according to his occupational yearsand physical therapist. I prepared myself for that eventual outcome. 5 years went by. then 10..then 3 more. He passed away in 1993 I had to start all over again.
A_Wanderer said:Let her die, but not starvation ~ have her properly euthanased.
Don't need to get all high and mighty about human life ~ it is cheap. I would neither expect nor desire to be kept in a purgatory of living death for decades after being rendered mentally unfit or completely physically unable. It may sound cold and harsh but realistically what quality of life is there, how much money would it cost to keep her in that state ~ this is not an argument along the lines of a morbid eugenics style removal of individuals who are not up to spec ~ a case where nothing can be done to help here and in all probability will never be able to.
This act by the politicians has nothing to do with religion, this is all politics and it is a case where the President and Republican Party has stepped on the toes of the seperation of the powers.
MissMoo said:U2Kitten, not even when he has turned down one or two offers of money to walk away? Also, it is not naive to believe that people may be doing what their spouse would have desired.
I have wondered exactly what you have said, but I realize that that is speculation and am merely pointing out that that may be completely wrong.
Irvine511 said:what a waste of time, energy, and
meegannie said:
Maybe Congress is just afraid that if being in a persistent vegetative state for over ten years is a legitimate reason for euthanasia, they might be next.
meegannie said:Maybe Congress is just afraid that if being in a persistent vegetative state for over ten years is a legitimate reason for euthanasia, they might be next.
meegannie said:Maybe Congress is just afraid that if being in a persistent vegetative state for over ten years is a legitimate reason for euthanasia, they might be next.
Irvine511 said:
zing!
reminds me of an Onion article titled, "Congress to be replaced by Automated Hands"
Irvine511 said:my guess is that Mr. and Mrs. Schiavo are very sincere Christians, and they are probably devestated by the virtual death of their daughter in ways that they haven't even begun to comprehend. along comes a group of highly politicized christians who see links between this and the abortion issue, and exploit their grief for political ends. thus Mr. and Mrs. Schiavo, and poor Terry, become pawns of an enormous, well-funded political machine.
it's all rather sickening.
let her go. let her soul free.
BonoVoxSupastar said:Sometimes I just have to think, what a fucked up country.
Why is Congress wasting it's time with these ridiculous events?
March 20, 2005
Republicans Fear Midterm Losses
Robert Novak says Republican National Committee analysts "have sent this warning to the House of Representatives: The party is in danger of losing 25 seats in the 2006 election and, therefore, of losing control of the House for the first time since the 1994 election."
BonoVoxSupastar said:
Why is Congress wasting it's time with these ridiculous events?
The Washington Post reported yesterday that a memo distributed to Republican senators described the Schiavo case as ``a great political issue'' that could pay dividends with Christian conservatives in the 2006 elections.
``This is an important moral issue and the pro-life base will be excited that the Senate is debating this important issue,'' the memo said, according to the Post.
"Terri died 15 years ago," Schiavo said, referring to the collapse and cardiac arrest that doctors say virtually destroyed her brain. "It's time for her to be with the Lord like she wanted to be."