Difficult Decisions or just Hypocrisy
Some stuff in the news recently has had me thinking... where are things just difficult decisions that the people who have to make them have a very tricky course to steer and where there is no real "right" answer overall and where is there just plain hypocrisy.
Today I read that Tony Nicklinson has died. This poor man who was undoubtedly highly intelligent was left severely paralysed as the result of a stroke. He had campaigned for the "right to die" - essentially the issue being he couldn't kill himself as physically he could not administer the lethal injection or take the pills. Recently the High Court ruled that if he asked his family or a doctor to carry this out they could still be prosecuted for murder. It seemed on face value an absurd ruling, this clearly intelligent man who had thought it all through and who was clearly suffering psychologically due to his physical condition simply wanted his wishes to be carried out. If he could have killed himself he would have but he was unable to. In the end an infection and his refusal to take food meant he now has passed away and his wishes regarding resuscitation have been respected as they should be and his death was by natural causes. However I can't criticise the judges in this case - firstly they don't make the law, parliament does, they interpret that and adjudicate but murder is murder there was no blurring in their view. I support the decision however painful for Mr Niklinson as I can see the issues it may bring up - ensuring that the person is fully compos mentis when they make that decision, there is no duress being brought to bear on the individual etc. etc. If this is to be a "right" in future we need all those kind of things thought through and a public debate through parliament on whether as a nation we do agree with it or not. Mr Niklinson's legacy may well be that we do indeed have that national debate, sadly you can today rightfully say that will be too late for him. So this is a decision, in my opinion, where for the judges making it there was no "right" answer frankly - I'm glad I was not in their shoes.
Now Mr Assange - is it right for the UK to be sabre rattling over his being granted asylum in the Ecuadorian embassy? Are the charges Sweden true or not? Who knows, if we don't get a trial little chance of ever knowing the truth. Is he right to be afraid? Possibly. Does he have the right to ask for asylum in the way he has? Compare this with the Pussy Riot protest and trial in Russia and the condemnation that the UK government has levelled at the Russians about freedom of speech. Just for a moment think on this... let us say that as a protest against the monarchy the Sex Pistols had reformed, stormed into Westminster Abbey and thundered out a performance of their 1977 anti-royalist anthem "God Save The Queen" on the day of the recent Diamond Jubilee celebrations. Or more believable young black rap artist today jumped up on the alter of St Paul's performing an anti-government rap littered with obscenities. Would we expect these people to be arrested and prosecuted? At least with something along the lines of breach of the peace? I doubt very much that nothing would be done. Heck not that long ago St Paul's was in court trying to evict peaceful demonstrators in tents outside the building from its environs. We shout for freedom of speech; we decry rigid clampdowns on anti-establishment protest in countries we have a historical philosophical beef with but seem in the next sentence to be similarly vindictive against people who lead protest against our own establishment. Are these tricky decisions or just hypocrisy?
Our priorities and reasons do get "complicated," don't they.
ReplyDelete"It is astonishing that in 1969 we could put a man on the Moon yet in 2012 we still cannot devise adequate rules governing assisted dying."
ReplyDeleteAnd there are plenty of adequate rules which could be in place. Plenty. The commission report in 2011 showed that they did not have a clue what they were talking about. It stated that there was a "strong case" for assisted suicide but only for those who were terminally ill. So they could potentially allow an end of up to a year's worth of suffering, but not end somebody's 20-odd years of hell? No logic.
Around 70% of the UK population agree with assisted suicide. I'd say that is a lot of people agreeing, don't you? I'd say that lends itself to discussion.
I disagree. There is, in my eyes, a right answer along with 70% of others. And it will have to addressed sooner or later because I would put money on suicide rates rising. So instead of waiting to see how an illness plays out and how one may be able to cope, you end it while you are still able to.
I'm glad I am not in their shoes as well because I would not be able to live with myself, frankly.
We're having a similar debate here in NZ, where our PM has said that euthanasia already occurs in hospitals. I just hope they ask me first.
ReplyDeleteThe British Governemnt hypocritcal?
And this surprises you how?
ALL governments are hypocrits, serving their own needs and wants before any "silly principles"
TSB
I saw a show on this subject a few months ago and the debate for both sides of assisted suicide was intense. They had a terminally ill patient, a permanently disabled patient who was getting worse over time debating a doctor and a lawyer...it was so heated they could barely get a word in edge wise. It left me feeling confused about the whole subject and I thought I was for assisted suicide until I watched the show...
ReplyDeleteYes, both difficult and not as clear-cut as they first seem.
ReplyDeleteI thought "government" WAS Latin for "hypocrisy." Ex: the USA is also hot for Assange's blood due to the "illegal release" of classified documents. In other words, he procured information through illegal means is the reasoning here. This is, of course, the same government that saw no problem with warrantless (illegal) domestic wiretapping of private US citizens. Hypocrisy of the highest order indeed.
ReplyDelete