The great John O'Sullivan has one of the most moving commentaries in today's Chicago Sun-Times on the Terri Schiavo epic that is racking the nation. I just wish more people in the MSM had a clear view of the whole situation like Mr. O'Sullivan. Here's a look at O'Sullivan's moving piece:
It was a secretive and shameful business. Whatever Nazi theory held about the unfit, the Nazis feared the German people would resist the murder of innocent people with mental illnesses. Even in a society hardened by war and brutalized by Nazi propaganda, they took refuge in euphemisms. The official Nazi form letter sent to relatives included this sentence: "In view of the nature of his serious, incurable ailment, his death, which saved him from a lifelong institutional sojourn, is to be regarded merely as a release."
There are echoes in those words of the current advocacy of euthanasia and assisted suicide -- and, inevitably, of the Terri Schiavo case. In most such cases, the welfare of the proposed deceased is always said to be the dominant consideration. Yet the costs of looking after him or her -- social as well as individual -- are surely factors that inevitably push us toward seeing their deaths as necessary or beneficial. Unless there is a strong ethic of life to restrain us, we will always be able to find good reasons as to why a helpless invalid should quietly disappear and leave us in peace.
John O'Sullivan is definitely on to something when he notes the twin evils from the culture of death, euthanasia and assisted suicide. One only has to look at the state of Oregon and the Netherlands at the horrific use of such policies. If you want more on this culture of death, just look at the excellent writings of Wesley J. Smith, a senior fellow @ Discovery Institute and author of the book, Consumer's Guide to a Brave New World. Here's his latest over @ National Review Online.
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