The Logic Of Mercy Killing

Someone else argued that economics are not a life and death issue TL [img]smile.gif[/img] I disagreed then and I still do now, it applies here as well.

Originally posted by Aelia Jusa: quote: Originally posted by MagiK: Oh I suppose we could have gone broke trying to pay for super hi-tech surgical procedures but that would have been creating an even worse problem for a greater number of animals.

Why is that? Bit confused [img]graemlins/confused2.gif[/img]

Well according to the Vet, trying to get a horse to facilities with the equipment to repair a compound fracture alone would be int he neighborhood of $10,000 and then there is the cost of the procedure which we didnt even discuss, then the months and months of constant care to restrict the horses movements and all the while it is a 50/50 shot that the horse will develop some form of infection in the bones that will either kill the horse or cripple it. The whole situation was very ugly and it took 4 months for my ribs to heal as it was (my medical costs were coverred by insurance but we never thought to try and get the horses covered) Hope that answered your question [img]smile.gif[/img] [/QUOTE]

[Timber Loftis]

I'm not saying they're not life and death issues, I'm saying that by the very act of putting yourself above the animal in that decision you have made a very human and intrinsically selfish decision. Your defensiveness is rather flummoxing.

Well, fine, be that way. *I* however am not defensive about it. *I* realize that when I have put animals down it's because *I* am selfish at base. It's because *I* couldn't be bothered to keep animals that were defunct in some way that made them a real pain in the ass. *I* killed them *mostly* based on my best ineterests and those of my family, not those of the animal. You, I can see, are angelic, and unable to admit to any innate failings based on your existence as a human being.

[edited because the dumbass writer posted before he thunk] [img]tongue.gif[/img]

[ 11-04-2002, 04:49 PM: Message edited by: Timber Loftis ]

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: I'm not saying they're not life and death issues, I'm saying that by the very act of putting yourself above the animal in that decision you have made a very human and intrinsically selfish decision. Your defensiveness is rather flummoxing. Well, fine, be that way. *I* however am not defensive about it. *I* realize that when I have put animals down it's because *I* am selfish at base. It's because *I* couldn't be bothered to keep animals that were defunct in some way that made them a real pain in the ass. *I* killed them *mostly* based on my best ineterests and those of my family, not those of the animal. You, I can see, are angelic, and unable to admit to any innate failings based on your existence as a human being.

Sorry if it appeared defensive [img]smile.gif[/img] I was not feeling defensive, just commenting on the idea that its just a matter of convenience when people put animals down is all. I disagree with your supposition, but didn't taske any personal....whatever from it at all...Im a little sad now remembering the whole incident but, sorry no defensiveness was ment to be pointed your way. Pax Dude!

[ 11-04-2002, 06:15 PM: Message edited by: MagiK ]

[Timber Loftis]

Well, perhaps I'm overly sensitive about it. I think it is inarguable that our very presumption that we can own them or make these decisions puts their interests second logically. I do remember that most every time I have been in a put-the-animal-down situation, I have felt a pang of guilt based on the fact that we/me/others did not wait as absolutely-long-as-possible before gassing the criter.

I mean, I certainly feel the actions were never inappropriate. I mean, having a disembowelled miniature Daschund on your hands (the victim of 2 mean chows) and knowing the Dr. *might* be able to save its life for several grand is difficult. It's at that moment you tell the youngsters to say goodbye. Completely logical.

I'm just saying let's not pretend there is no selfishness in this, because there obviously is.

Originally posted by Timber Loftis: Well, perhaps I'm overly sensitive about it. I think it is inarguable that our very presumption that we can own them or make these decisions puts their interests second logically. I do remember that most every time I have been in a put-the-animal-down situation, I have felt a pang of guilt based on the fact that we/me/others did not wait as absolutely-long-as-possible before gassing the criter. I mean, I certainly feel the actions were never inappropriate. I mean, having a disembowelled miniature Daschund on your hands (the victim of 2 mean chows) and knowing the Dr. *might* be able to save its life for several grand is difficult. It's at that moment you tell the youngsters to say goodbye. Completely logical. I'm just saying let's not pretend there is no selfishness in this, because there obviously is.

It may be that there is selfishness involved, but I cannot believe that people can love animals, could think that way. I don't know. There are hard choices in life some times, when we deal with animals sometimes it makes the choices a bit easier, but I can't imagine it being done with conciously selfish motives.

[Charean]

When it comes down to it, you can declare bankruptcy due to medical bills for a person, but not for an animal.

My stepdad kept his cat alive as long as he could. Finally it was in too much pain to do anything but lie there and waste away slowly. My father went through the exact same thing. It was sad in both cases.

Sometimes you have to let go.

No guilt.

If keeping me alive was going to be an economic hardship for my family, I would find a way to keep that from happening.

[Timber Loftis]

Nicely wrapped back 'round to my initial post as to the problem with euthenasia, Charean. You would feel the responsibility to die rather than economically burden your family. That's why making euthenasia legal puts tons of old/sick folks in a difficult position morally. The feel that dying is the socially responsible thing to do. A wrong way for us to affect their decision, wouldn't you say?

But what right do we have to take the decision away from them TL? America Land of the Free...what happened to that concept? Why do we keep having the government legislate things that should be personal decisions? Are we that immature as a people that no one can think for them selves?