Belgium's humane stance on dying kids (True Colors of Liberalism Alert)

LA Times ^ | 2/20/2014 | Meghan Daum

[mojito]

It's an idea that, in the death-squeamish U.S., is probably too disturbing for the edgiest TV hospital drama, let alone real life and real legislation. Last week, the Belgian Parliament passed a law allowing terminally ill children to request aid in dying. Adults there have been able to do that since 2002, and a few other European countries have similar measures. But last Thursday's action, which is expected to be signed into law by King Philippe, will make Belgium the first to extend the right to minors faced with "constant and unbearable suffering."

International headlines ensued, including some rather aggrieved ones in the U.S. on the order of "Belgium on Verge of OK to Kill Sick Children." Commentators chalked up the law to cold European secularism, even trotting out comparisons to Kinder-Euthanasie in Nazi Germany, an initiative that systematically killed severely disabled children.

But amid the consternation, several details were overlooked. For starters, Belgians are overwhelmingly in favor of the new law. Despite opposition from religious groups and a coalition of physicians, polls indicate that 75% of the public supports it.

[mojito]

Beyond sick. The fact that liberals think that this is "humane" tells you just about everything you need to know about liberals.

[Da Coyote]

Not to worry.

Following CW-II, no one will be humane with liberals.

Sorry, but that’s the way it’s gonna be.

[Vigilanteman]

Suicide is a permanent solution to a temporary problem.

Including for poor confused kids whose sex change operation goes wrong.

[Farmer Dean]

There won’t be any liberals left after CW-II.

[TheDon]

So I guess the death penalty is okay now for liberals?

[pepsionice]

It would bring up a curious question. If you were twenty...just some vicious crime and got a forty-year sentence...why would you want to waste the next forty years in a Belgium prison? It would seem that this would open up numerous doors for guys sitting there for an eternity to just say enough and help me to the final phase.

I’m guessing that the writers of this law....didn’t think of the various implications.