And Washington State’s Initiative 1000
Yes, there are many heart touching stories of people moved by compassion for loved ones; stories of discontinuing intravenous feeding or turning off artificial respirators. Washington State’s 1979 Natural Death Act, however, already allows withholding extraordinary life support as directed by a "Living Will." Initiative 119 suicide advocates desire to go well beyond that.
Is the only answer death: suicide, abortion, infanticide, euthanasia? For those who do not believe in divine intervention, so-called mercy killing is the answer for the suffering, the incurable, the unwanted, the financial burdens.
Prior to the 1960s, most Americans' believed abortion, infanticide, and euthanasia were pagan customs—ungodly customs practiced in China and other faraway places. Legal abortions were not normally performed in the Western World. Although early-term abortions were quasi-legal in America until 1860, late-term abortions—the politically correct word for infanticide—were not. By 1910, every state had anti abortion laws or had declared abortion illegal. Most states made abortion a criminal felony.
Then, in 1962, the national press launched an emotional story of Phoenix Romper Room teacher Sherri Finkbine. Mrs. Finkbine took a thalidomide tranquilizer while pregnant. Later, she learned the drug could cause deformities. Her unborn baby might be severely hindered, a sorrowful fear for any expectant mother—particularly for Sherri Finkbine. She loved children. She had four of her own.
Cities across the nation carried their own version of "Romper Room"—a syndicated program with local teachers and local children. With anticipation preschoolers waited for the program's theme song, "Pop Goes The Weasel." While thousands of young children identified with the program, many young mothers across America would soon identify with Finkbine. The mother and teacher of children quickly became a national cause. Finkbine sought a public statement from civil authorities authorizing her choice to abort her unborn baby. When none came, Sherri Finkbine flew to Sweden for her abortion.
For the death crowd, Finkbine became a heroine. A woman who could not in good conscience bring a child with limited chances into the world. Her unborn child, however, did have an eighty percent chance of being born normal. Also, regardless of any abnormalities, others offered to adopt Finkbine’s unborn child.
In 1973, the U.S. Supreme Court legitimized abortion across America. For the media and the death crowd, Sherri Finkbine became proof that abortion could be a positive act. The next positive act would be infanticide.
Along came Baby Jane Doe. Ten years after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision legitimizing abortion, abortion and infanticide were no longer considered pagan customs. The news in 1984, Baby Jane Doe's parents were to let her die with dignity. News media and death advocates quickly rallied support for Baby Jane’s parents, championing the parent's right to let their baby die.
One can sympathize with the parent's concerns. The Long Island infant was born with spina bifida, a condition where the spinal column does not close properly before birth. Medical operations would allow her to grow into a happy but braces-requiring adult. Nonetheless, Baby Jane was a candidate for an "after birth abortion." Baby Jane Doe was a nonproductive financial burden. Baby Jane was unwanted. She would not be allowed to live.
Baby Jane Doe was considered another positive act. But a positive act for whom? Certainly not for the million or more unborn terminated each year. Performing abortions is a big and lucrative business in America, including late term abortions—the politically correct term for infanticide.
After Finkbine and Baby Jane Doe, the "Let us do someone in crowd" was on the march. Next came a cry for "death with dignity"— the politically correct term for euthanasia. Whenever euthanasia is accepted, crypthanasia—the active euthanasia on sick people without their knowledge—is soon condoned also. A truth the earlier Dutch euthanasia experiment proved.
November of 1991, Washington State’s Initiative 119 went on the ballot. If passed, Washington would be the first state to legalize physician-assisted suicide for terminally ill patients. Too many questions remained unanswered. It failed. But they are back.
Mercy killing advocates claim death can be a friend. But whose friend? WithWashington State’s new suicide Initiative1000 on the November 2008 ballot, voters will again make that decision.
What value life? It is up to you.
"The thief (Satan) cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I (Jesus) am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:10
_____ Michael E. Odell
Other Posts by Michael E.Odell click on "Blog Archive" upper right
02-13-08 Death With Dignity & Suicide Initiative 119 Are Back
02-12-08 Thorns or Roses - The Choice Is Ours
02-12-08 Recession & Inflation - Government the Problem Not the Solution
12-08-07 A Hamburger Today & Pay Tomorrow
