BBC presenter confesses to mercy killing

[Capt Pat]

It's murder in the eyes of the law, but I wouldn't want him thrown in jail. I've sympathy for people in that situation

I wouldn't throw him in jail either, I would have  a big burly policeman throw a pillow over his head and see how he liked it. That would sort all this bull shit out in no time at all.

[Capt Pat]

If someone is suffering badly and wants to die it's a kind and selfless act to help them. You are putting your own future at risk in order to help someone you love. The people who call it murder - what would you do if someone you loved was in horrific pain and wanted to die?

I'm not talking about the BBC presenter case here; just making a general point.

Nobody wants to die but you can not go around having people throw pillows over peoples heads and say ah they were going to die anyway.
There has to be a line drawn in relation to these matters and when your bit on the side is dying that does not entitle you to end their life on request. nobody knows if he is making this up about actually doing it or if he did do it whether the man asked him to do it or not.

[Asal Mor]

If someone is suffering badly and wants to die it's a kind and selfless act to help them. You are putting your own future at risk in order to help someone you love. The people who call it murder - what would you do if someone you loved was in horrific pain and wanted to die?

I'm not talking about the BBC presenter case here; just making a general point.

Nobody wants to die but you can not go around having people throw pillows over peoples heads and say ah they were going to die anyway.
There has to be a line drawn in relation to these matters and when your bit on the side is dying that does not entitle you to end their life on request. nobody knows if he is making this up about actually doing it or if he did do it whether the man asked him to do it or not.

That's why I said I wasn't referring to this particular case but making a general point about euthanasia, which I firmly believe should be legalised.

[tyrone girl]

As said before we can all talk about the rights and wrongs of this but none of us really know how we would react in a situation like that. Id like to think if someone i loved was in terrible pain and begging me to end their life to spare them any more pain that i would do it. In a situation like that id find it harder to live with not killing then if that makes any kind of sense.

[The Iceman]

Its hard for a lot of people to make calls on issues like these - especially where emotions are involved.
Of course if a loved one was suffering you would want to end that suffering - but it doesn't take away from the fact that you just killed a person.
Call it mercy killing or whatever you want  - its still killing and that's wrong.

[Celt_Man]

As said before we can all talk about the rights and wrongs of this but none of us really know how we would react in a situation like that. Id like to think if someone i loved was in terrible pain and begging me to end their life to spare them any more pain that i would do it. In a situation like that id find it harder to live with not killing then if that makes any kind of sense.

Kinda sums up how I feel about it too

[Puckoon]

Its hard for a lot of people to make calls on issues like these - especially where emotions are involved.
Of course if a loved one was suffering you would want to end that suffering - but it doesn't take away from the fact that you just killed a person.
Call it mercy killing or whatever you want  - its still killing and that's wrong.

I believe it is killing

I dont believe it is wrong - and I think that person will be welcomed into heaven.

[pintsofguinness]

As to the central point in this thread - I doubt that any of us would know what we would really do in that situation unless you were in it.

I'm certain I wouldn't' smoother someone with a pillow!

[no mo do yakamo]

What  sort of a society allows you to put an animal out of its misery but not a human?

[pintsofguinness]

What  sort of a society allows you to put an animal out of its misery but not a human?

one where humans can't be trusted to act with good intentions when it comes to killing other humans!

[theskull1]

Not all could be trusted ..you're right there....but there are plenty could be

Thats why proper systems would be needed to ensure proper controls

[ardmhachaabu]

Its hard for a lot of people to make calls on issues like these - especially where emotions are involved.
Of course if a loved one was suffering you would want to end that suffering - but it doesn't take away from the fact that you just killed a person.
Call it mercy killing or whatever you want  - its still killing and that's wrong.

I believe it is killing

I dont believe it is wrong - and I think that person will be welcomed into heaven.

puck, I don't get this.  I honestly don't understand how you can say it's killing but that it is not wrong

[Puckoon]

Well it is ending someone elses life therefore its killing. Maybe theres a better word, but I dont know it yet.

Theres lots of different types of killing. Killing in self defence, unlawful killing and then killing with the intent of murder IMP.

Most instances of killing need to be judged on their individualities.

If you are going to do something like this - you need to be prepared to stand behind your decision when you meet your maker (if such an event occurs). I think this man would have adequate cause and it would appear as though he did this with the best of intentions. Which is all you can ask of anyone.

[ardmhachaabu]

The way I see it, all killing is wrong and can never be justified.  Call it simplistic if you want, fine by me 

I will stand by what I believe

[ludermor]

The way I see it, all killing is wrong and can never be justified.  Call it simplistic if you want, fine by me 

I will stand by what I believe

Just for humans?