Chron: Resurrection should comfort those upset by forced starvation
Just when I thought the Chronicle editorial board could no longer shock me with their offensiveness, here comes today's Easter editorial:
Schiavo's case is a tragedy that has sparked roiling debate and dueling accusations of indifference to life, severely impaired, and political cynicism. Some believe the contention of Schiavo's husband, Michael, that his wife did not wish to be kept alive by artificial means and that her wishes should be honored. Others argue whether withholding water and nutrition is tantamount to killing Schiavo or simply removing the impediment to the dying process that already is under way.
The horror of Schiavo's situation has prompted many people to discuss with family their wishes about end-of-life care and to make living wills.
The participants and observers in this conflict might find some solace, if not resolution, in the story of Jesus Christ's resurrection, which believers say took place more than 2,000 years ago. Easter, celebrated today at churches throughout the world, provides a comforting alternative perspective on when life ends.
It is stunning that on the most important Christian holy day, the editorial board would lecture us to find comfort in Schiavo's impending (forced starvation) death by reflecting on the Resurrection. The editors, of all people! These are the same people who told us last Christmas that Christianity is ruining peace and good will on Earth!
Contrast this idea that Michael Schiavo was "simply removing the impediment to the dying process that already is under way," with the editorial board's horror earlier this week over terrorists being tortured:
Earlier this month, the Pentagon reported that abuse by American troops had caused the deaths of at least four prisoners in U.S. custody in Iraq and Afghanistan. More recently, Army and Navy officials acknowledged that homicide is suspected or had been confirmed in at least 26 prisoner deaths.
Goss did say during the congressional hearing that techniques employed "at this time" to squeeze information out of suspected terrorists are legally permissible. But that is cold comfort in light of reports that American troops and intelligence officers routinely, in the name of homeland security, cross the line that separates humane from inhumane treatment.
I have to wonder if starvation would now be a permissible technique for squeezing information out of suspected terrorists? If it's humane for Terri Schiavo, certainly it should be humane for terrorists, right?
The barbaric treatment of prisoners, whether in Iraq's notorious AbuGhraib prison or at the detention center for terror suspects at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, undermines the United States' stature in the world.
[snip]
The United States must do more than just politely demur on the subject of torture. If the president abhors torture, he should end the policy of kidnapping suspects and placing them in the custody of barbarous, tyrannical regimes. If the Republican leadership in Congress feels moral outrage at the abuses that have taken place at U.S. military outposts, Congress should investigate and then outlaw the practice.
Unbelievable.
Posted by Anne Linehan @ 03/27/05 07:58 AM | Print |
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