Mercy killing is not a crime – it is a brave and selfless act of love

EnglishLady · Jan 15, 2011

Mercy killing & Assisted suides

After reading some really tragic situations where people felt that the only option was to end the life of their spouse, child or parent, fully knowing that they would be arrested, one has to ask:

Is the action of mercy killing the crime or being arrested for ending someone's suffering, knowing that there is no possibility of recovery?

Ragman · Jan 15, 2011

EnglishLady said:
Mercy killing & Assisted suides

Is the action of mercy killing the crime or being arrested for ending someone's suffering, knowing that there is no possibility of recovery?

If the answer is yes to either, why was Jack Kevorkian charged and tried?

Poorboy · Jan 16, 2011

I sent my first wife a Gift card for one free office visit to the Jack kevorkian medical clinic, "sigh" she didn't use it

asjssl · Jan 16, 2011

we take fluffy to the vet to end the suffering....but when it comes to grandma.....sorry about your luck suffer??..there's a good movie @ red box now...you don't know jack.....the story of jack kervorkian...awesome movie..a must see!!!!

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scottm4211 · Jan 16, 2011

The problem starts when fluffy is put down because his illness will cost $300 to treat...

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layoutshooter · Jan 16, 2011

scottm4211 said:
The problem starts when fluffy is put down because his illness will cost $300 to treat...

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Cost is a legitimate concern when "fluffy" is concerned but not when grandma is. In theory mercy killing may not be a crime but allowing it leaves too many loose ends. A LOT of murders can be hid under a "mercy killing" plea. A very slippery slope. Not all that big a leap from a family mercy killing to state enforce "mercy killing". Extreme care must be taken if this sort of thing is to become legal. Abuse is likely.

chefdennis · Jan 16, 2011

I real don't think any of us can make a judgement on this isue until we had to deal with it...I hope I never have to be in the situation....

Asjssl's take is where my head is at, but man the ramifacations and the wondering after the fact could real drive one nuts...and yea, I read alot about Jack, good bad ir indifferent, he should have never been in jail....

scottm4211 · Jan 16, 2011

I think it happens every day in the terminal wards of hospitals, but kept low key.

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layoutshooter · Jan 16, 2011

Many, if not all, of us have or will have to face making a decision about "pulling the plug" or not resuscitating a loved one. We should all have "living wills" made to insure that our loved ones know our wishes. Mercy killing and/or assisted suicide is a different kettle of fish. One thing for sure, I do NOT want the State or Federal governments involved in ANY such decisions in ANY way shape or form. That includes deciding on the "cost effectiveness" of treatments or the "quality of life". Government can NEVER be trusted.

Turtle · Jan 16, 2011

layoutshooter said:
One thing for sure, I do NOT want the State or Federal governments involved in ANY such decisions in ANY way shape or form.

Too late, they're already involved. It's just that at this point they are only involved in telling you that you can't pull the plug. Sometimes that gets changed to you can.

The bigger problem is when it gets changed to you must.

A DNR in a living will eliminates most problems, except when medical personnel believes there is a good chance for recovery after resuscitation.

layoutshooter · Jan 16, 2011

Turtle said:
Too late, they're already involved. It's just that at this point they are only involved in telling you that you can't pull the plug. Sometimes that gets changed to you can.

The bigger problem is when it gets changed to you must.

A DNR in a living will eliminates most problems, except when medical personnel believes there is a good chance for recovery after resuscitation.

I know that they are already involved and it sucks. It will suck more once they make it MANDATORY. Give them and chance and they will do EXACTLY that!!

greg334 · Jan 16, 2011

You know the problems related to this issue are private and not problems that should have been sensationalized by a person who took it upon himself to legalize something that wasn't illegal or even questioned until it was forced into the public spot light. His reasoning was flawed, most of the problems stem from his experience with his sister and the doctor's refusal to terminate her life. The solution would have been to change doctors, but not one that was thought of by him.

Kevorkian single handedly f***ed ALL the privacy between the patient and the doctor, he screwed up the relationship that is formed by trust with a doctor and the patient's family but more importantly he caused doctors and other care givers to be suspect when there is a death.

It used to be that this issue was between you and your doctor and sometimes included the closest of family but now the government is involved thanks to this clown - from privacy rights to criminal investigations to hospital liabilities caused by an act of compassion through a doctor on their staff. Many geriartic doctors were clear about this issue when he started his crusade - leave it alone because you will screw it up - and that is what he did.

He maybe a hero to some of you, but he is to many who have seen the results of his crap worst than Manson on a bad day. He should have remained in jail till he died.

asjssl · Jan 16, 2011

You are going to compare him to Charlie mason.....he was only giving people what they wanted......plain and simple.....so when u get to the point when u are drooling on yourself and your children are wiping your *** you would only hope for a solution like what he offered....who is anybody to tell me if I can live or die...I'm glad YOU are so perfect and do every thing correctly.....so what u are saying Greg is you never make mistakes....maybe he wasn't perfect in the ways he went about it according to.you but his ideas.and heart were in the correct direction. Sorry we all are not perfect like you...

greg334 said:
You know the problems related to this issue are private and not problems that should have been sensationalized by a person who took it upon himself to legalize something that wasn't illegal or even questioned until it was forced into the public spot light. His reasoning was flawed, most of the problems stem from his experience with his sister and the doctor's refusal to terminate her life. The solution would have been to change doctors, but not one that was thought of by him.

Kevorkian single handedly f***ed ALL the privacy between the patient and the doctor, he screwed up the relationship that is formed by trust with a doctor and the patient's family but more importantly he caused doctors and other care givers to be suspect when there is a death.

It used to be that this issue was between you and your doctor and sometimes included the closest of family but now the government is involved thanks to this clown - from privacy rights to criminal investigations to hospital liabilities caused by an act of compassion through a doctor on their staff. Many geriartic doctors were clear about this issue when he started his crusade - leave it alone because you will screw it up - and that is what he did.

He maybe a hero to some of you, but he is to many who have seen the results of his crap worst than Manson on a bad day. He should have remained in jail till he died.

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asjssl · Jan 16, 2011

He is a hero in my eyes and glad he is free!!!!!!!!!!!!

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layoutshooter · Jan 16, 2011

asjssl said:
He is a hero in my eyes and glad he is free!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Would you be more comfortable with the GOVERNMENT controlling these decisions? What will they base their decisions on? The COST to government run health care? Maybe the politics of the ill person? I am not. Don't think that it can't happen, it has and will again.

chefdennis · Jan 16, 2011

I didn't say he was a hero, but what he did, he did with the full approval of those he treated and their loved ones at their request. he didn't seek them out, they came to him....I have no problem with what he did.

Yea you might be able to make a case of how he dealt with the establishment, but not those that came to him looking for help....

layoutshooter · Jan 16, 2011

Just wait until "mercy killing" becomes "mandatory" to save money for Obama Care. Seems like the "60" and policies like that, come closer every day.

chefdennis · Jan 16, 2011

I have no desire for the gov to make these decisions and they won't for anyone in my family, but as you pointed out, we all will have to make them in time, maybe not in the same fahion as those that went to Dr. Jack, but as in the normal end of life decisions...but no, thoe gv has no place in making those decisions for anyone that has family that can make them...

layoutshooter · Jan 16, 2011

chefdennis said:
I have no desire for the gov to make these decisions and they won't for anyone in my family, but as you pointed out, we all will have to make them in time, maybe not in the same fahion as those that went to Dr. Jack, but as in the normal end of life decisions...but no, thoe gv has no place in making those decisions for anyone that has family that can make them...

As the "Turtle" as so correctly pointed out, they already are involved in those decisions. For now, they are only involved in stopping us from acting on our wishes or those of our loved ones.

It will not be long until they make "mercy killing" government policy. Anything to save Obama Care money. They need those funds to provide "free abortions" and "free needles" for those who "need" them.