What's in a Bill -- you might be surprised

Well, it seems that my last post has raised some questions regarding my stability. Let me set your mind at ease - that ceased to be a question a long time ago. You have no idea just how much energy it takes to for me to appear as the consummate lucid professional you see before you (why are you laughing?). “Lucid” - now that’s a funny word. Looks to me like it’s a wanna be word, that couldn’t convince other letters to join it to be a real looking word, so to spite everybody, it just set off on its own and then threatened and convinced all the other words that to be non lucid, is not a good thing. Which does in fact, amazingly enough, have a connection to some recent thoughts.

There was a recent private members bill put forward with a dubious future.  Because of the proroguing of goverment (speaking of strange words) it is unsure whether this Bill automatically dies in parliment, or is 'still alive'.  Even if it does die,  I’m afraid however, much like a bad horror movie, that just when you think the monster is dead it grabs your ankles. Be assured, it will not be the last we see of this Bill. The bill, C-384, largely unnoticed by the general public, was put forward by Francine Lalonde, the Bloc Québécois in May of 2009. However, if you Google it, a fair amount of material comes up – on both sides of the issue. This is not her first attempt at introducing such a bill. Her first two attempts that were introduced in June 2005 (Bill C-407) and June 2008 (Bill C-562), would have legalized euthanasia and assisted suicide in Canada. In essence the bill outlines the following: That they were not limited to the direct and intentional killing of terminally ill persons, but also people experiencing chronic physical and mental pain. The current bill also makes allowances for euthanasia for physical and mental pain, however, it presents an attempt to ‘safe guard’ to ensure that only people who really, really want to be killed (because of angst – see last blog), would be. And that safe guard would be the test of … you guessed it, lucidity. The person would have to give three different ‘lucid’ statements that this was truly their wish. Herein lies a number of Achilles heels: the definitions of “illness” or “terminal” or “lucid”. Who judges and defines lucid? How do we ensure that the vulnerable are not swayed by the opinions and decisions of others???? What if????…so many questions

The idea of “Compassionate death” is certainly not a new one – and is one that has gained ground in recent decades in Europe countries and is now crossing the pond. I have a book on my desk that helps parents come to grips with thoughts of ‘compassionate death’ when it is discovered that their unborn child possesses a disability. Now some may become offended that I’ve made such a link, however, read and research the writings of the following: Peter Singer, MaryAnn Warren, Michael Toole as they seek to redefine the meaning of personhood and their conversations regarding disability and the ‘quality of life’ debate. The step between abortion of the disabled and euthanizing the disabled is not as far a philosophical jump as you might imagine Their material is amply available on the internet. I would encourage you to research the issues for yourself.

I’ve just picked up a new book entitled “The Future of the Disabled in Liberal Society: An Ethical Anaylsis” by Hans S. Reinders, a Professor of Ethics and Mental Disability at the Vrjie Universiteit in Amsterdam. I haven’t done a through reading yet, just lightly skimmed, but here is a comment regarding this work “By demonstrating the inherent paradoxes in liberal approaches to the disabled, [Reinders] effectively reveals the potential policy limitations that may threaten the social services available to the mentally disabled.” Alarmist? I pray so. However, I believe, we need to lift our heads above the clouds and sniff the wind so to speak. We (as followers of Christ), must carefully, thoughtfully, wisely, yet decisively speak, live and declare His Justice and His view of those the World labels ‘the least’.

Anyway, I was just thinking….

Neil