–noun 1. a feeling of deep sympathy and sorrow for another who is stricken by misfortune, accompanied by a strong desire to alleviate the suffering.
—Synonyms 1. commiseration, mercy, tenderness, heart, clemency. See sympathy.
I'm 64 years old; spent 8 years in USAF (18 months in Nam); was a Federal Agent and busted my share of drug users/dealer; am a law and order type; don't do drugs; and also believe in the addage that if you can't do the time, don't do the crime
That said, I'm really surprised at the total lack of empathy that apparently the majority hold for this child and rabid animosity toward the father for his transgressions.
After being around here both lurking and otherwise for many years, I was under the impression that while Freepers were (as I am) Conservatives, I also thought most had a modicum of compassion for their fellow man--especially under circumstances such as this
How can one not be touched by the dying wish of an innocent little girl?
I guess that only the pure and holy deserve compassion; those who have NOT sinned?
Well, being so close to Easter (and Holy Friday) when we believers honored Our Lord for giving his life for us sinners, and if HE can forgive me, I guess I can forgive this father at least to the point of allowing him to be with his daughter as she lays in bed up to her last breath.
God Bless her, her father and all of you.
I too was shocked and dismayed by the utter lack of compassion that many of our number have shown.
A very wise man once said: let he who is without sin cast the first stone.
Many of us should remember this.
Everything I've read about this case has indicated that his presence at her bedside was requested as a dying wish of the girl.
I see nothing wrong with granting this accommodation under what is clearly an extraordinary circumstance. In fact, if there is a charity out there that raises money to cover the costs of these sorts of things I'd be the first to offer my own contribution.