Survival of the Fittest

[deiseach]

It's issues like euthanasia that knocked any pretensions I had towards involving myself in politics on the head. You have to legislate for it, and there will always be extreme cases that you will be tempted to allow because to kill the person would be an act of mercy. But when you allow exceptions . . . who'd envy a politician?

[theskull1]

So lets get this right.  I choose not to have children and therefore I'm selfish and my actions are creating a situation where by younger generations are going to have great difficulty supporting the elderly.
Maybe so but I hardly think that someone who sees nothing wrong with abortion can talk about my selfishness. 

How many children do you have yourself skull?

Also, if I did choose to have children it would be for the right reasons and not so I'll have someone to take me to the toilet in 50 years.

I was only pointing it out the irony of YOUR POSITION to you ....no need to attack the messenger 

As regards the number of kids I have...I'd rather not say. I am doing my bit though.

"Also, if I did choose to have children it would be for the right reasons and not so I'll have someone to take me to the toilet in 50 years."

I guarantee you that a lot of people who have kids, think of having someone to care for them when they are old as a benefit of having the children if not one of the actual conscious reasons. I'm confident that the subconscious mind sees it as a reason though.

[pintsofguinness]

I guarantee you that a lot of people who have kids, think of having someone to care for them when they are old as a benefit of having the children if not one of the actual conscious reasons. I'm confident that the subconscious mind sees it as a reason though.

Oh I agree with you there!
They're the same people who's children spend more time with a babysitter than with the parents.

[theskull1]

I guarantee you that a lot of people who have kids, think of having someone to care for them when they are old as a benefit of having the children if not one of the actual conscious reasons. I'm confident that the subconscious mind sees it as a reason though.

Oh I agree with you there!
They're the same people who's children spend more time with a babysitter than with the parents.

And what about the farmer who has a big family, so that he has help around the farm? Everyone has a selfish gene. It's a survival mechanism

Look pints, the way our "society" appears to be developing now annoys the f**k out of me too, but I do think you generalize far to much and tar too many people with the same brush. There are still a lot of people out there fighting against the tide and in their own way trying to make the world they live in a better place. 

[Snowed Under]

are you serious? read it over again will you? I hate having to explain the obvious.

Ah come one; that is a must for Pints. 

[Snowed Under]

So lets get this right.  I choose not to have children and therefore I'm selfish and my actions are creating a situation where by younger generations are going to have great difficulty supporting the elderly.
Maybe so but I hardly think that someone who sees nothing wrong with abortion can talk about my selfishness. 

How many children do you have yourself skull?

Also, if I did choose to have children it would be for the right reasons and not so I'll have someone to take me to the toilet in 50 years.

OH MY GOD it gets better and better; you really are in a world of your own. 

[pintsofguinness]

What are you talking about 

[DUBSFORSAM1]

What I find ironic about the euthanasia debate is the fact that we don't allow dogs/horses etc to struggle through in pain but are quite happy to allow humans to do it....

For example if I was paralysed and brain damaged I have already told my parents that I don't want to be kept alive by machine as it wouldn't be worth living for my point and neither for them......Who then has the right to tell my parents that they are murderers for obeying my wishes???

[pintsofguinness]

For example if I was paralysed and brain damaged I have already told my parents that I don't want to be kept alive by machine as it wouldn't be worth living for my point and neither for them......Who then has the right to tell my parents that they are murderers for obeying my wishes???

Well the law for a start. 
I think the main problem arises when someone hasn't expressed their wishes.

[Puckoon]

some definitions for a start:

Euthanasia Definitions

Euthanasia: the intentional killing by act or omission of a dependent human being for his or her alleged benefit. (The key word here is "intentional". If death is not intended, it is not an act of euthanasia)

Voluntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed has requested to be killed.

Non-voluntary: When the person who is killed made no request and gave no consent.

Involuntary euthanasia: When the person who is killed made an expressed wish to the contrary.

Assisted suicide: Someone provides an individual with the information, guidance, and means to take his or her own life with the intention that they will be used for this purpose. When it is a doctor who helps another person to kill themselves it is called "physician assisted suicide."

Euthanasia By Action: Intentionally causing a person's death by performing an action such as by giving a lethal injection.

Euthanasia By Omission: Intentionally causing death by not providing necessary and ordinary (usual and customary) care or food and water.


Obviously Id only be an advocate for voluntary euthanasia.