And I have NEVER expressed this desire in any manner, way, shape or form.
Please have the courtesy to NOT credit me with things I have neither said, nor implied. I promise I will show you the same respect and courtesy.
Abortion, for all intensive purposes is 'Convenience murder'. Literally, "It's 'inconvenient' for me to have a child, so I will have it killed". The baby is the one who ultimately pays the price, and has no means to appeal. Naturally, and I believe we may agree on this - in cases where the mother's life is in jeopardy, some consideration may need to take place.
But, in the 'right to die' discussion my stance is quite simple. The right to die should always be an "option" - not a requirement, not determined by a panel - but an individual choice. Same thing with the doctor who may (or may not) opt to assist. I would no more force a doctor to perform an abortion, than I would suggest he be forced to perform as a prison system executioner.
For example, would you force a cancer patient to undergo Chemotherapy? If he does nothing, he will almost certainly die. So, do you feel you have the right to strap him down, and by force - administer the Chemotherapy? Or by threat of law? Perhaps threaten to take his children away? (Happened here in Utah, by the way) I would say the answer is obviously 'No, that is his decision'. He bears the responsibility to make that decision, and lives with the consequences of that decision. Then, why would his decision be valid in this area; but be invalid if he decides that instead of suffering the oncoming cancer, he wished to pass quickly?
As for the person being 'pressured'; you could make that statement about any legal activity under the sun. Selling a home, buying a gun, getting married, getting divorced, buying shoes, joining a church, mowing the lawn .... at the end of the day, it's a decision that each person must make for themselves. I call it a quaint concept called "Personal Responsibility".
Now, what I would do in a variety of circumstances is my choice; in some cases our choices will coincide, in some cases they will diverge. However, I would never mandate that MY choice should override YOUR choice. I ask for the same consideration.
In the end, we will all face judgement for what we have done.
Hodar: And I have NEVER expressed this desire in any manner, way, shape or form.
Riiight, you have never expressed an interest in having a third party "help" someone commit suicide...
Hodar: (about your pet)....So, realizing that the most humane thing I could do; was to ask the vet to use the smallest needle he had...
and
I also think, that if I am paralyzed - and I request help in a suicide; that anyone who is compassionate enough to grant my wish, not be thrown in jail for murder.
I’d consider it a act of mercy if the policeman (who cannot get close enough to rescue me) were to fire his weapon to kill me. Others can decide if you have expressed a desire to expect someone else to do you in.
Hodar: Please have the courtesy to NOT credit me with things I have neither said, nor implied. I promise I will show you the same respect and courtesy.
And then you go on and accuse me of wanting to force someone to undergo Chemotherapy.... sigh...
Do you understand the idea of diminished capacity? Does it matter to you that many people near the end of their lives become incapable of making rational choices? Or that depressed people also suffer from diminished capacity? Should we try to help them overcome their obstacles or just throw them out with the trash? Is that the loving thing to do? Well, at least it gets them out of our hair and lets us collect our inheritance, doesn't it?
You can do whatever you want with your life. Just don't ask others to either help or approve of you killing yourself.