Tilikum and Tatiana: But What About Dawn and Carlos?

www.stolinsky.com ^ | 04-04-11 | stolinsky

[stolinsky]

Do you recall President Obama’s comment on cardiac pacemakers for the elderly? He said, “If we’ve got experts…advising doctors across the board that it will save money…” In other words, “experts” will tell doctors what to do “across the board” − not for individual patients but for whole groups − but only if it will “save money.” If a conservative said that, the media would excoriate him for being a cold-hearted, money-grubbing hater of elderly people.

And do you recall what President Obama said about hip replacement for the seriously ill? He said, “Maybe you’re better off not having the surgery but taking the painkiller.” He added that he was aiming for “ruthless pragmatism.” Granted, economic problems may force us to make hard choices. But clearly, these statements demonstrate diminished respect for human life.

The old, the sick, and the disabled are now considered uninteresting, depressing, and often ugly. So whenever possible, we don’t look at them. And if they weren’t here, we’d never have to look at them. Then our youth culture could proceed uninterrupted − until it collapses in terminal foolishness and narcissism.

Animals, on the other hand, are considered interesting, amusing, and often beautiful. Take Tilikum. His name means “friends.” He is 22 feet long and weighs 12,300 pounds. He thrills audiences at Florida’s SeaWorld. After a hiatus, he just returned to performing − to a loud ovation from his many fans. The response might have been muted, but it was not.

Tilikum is the largest orca in captivity, though in his case, the older term “killer whale” is more appropriate. You see, he has been associated with the deaths of three human beings.