I am writing re "The laws that break hearts", September 11. On the subject of euthanasia, I have some ideas. If we are going to start killing people, why don't we start with those guilty of heinous crimes, like murderers such as Cody Legebokoff, Robert Pickton, Paul Bernardo and others?
"Not so fast", Mr. Venis would undoubtedly reply. He'd declare that if the Canadian Parliament were to make the death penalty legal, there may be people deserving of death but the problem is that someone who is innocent might be executed. Those in favour, including myself, would reply that there can be numerous safeguards put in place to ensure that such an outcome wouldn't happen.
"No" Mr. Venis would say, "the danger of killing someone who shouldn't be killed is too great and we cannot chance it, no matter how vicious and brutal the crimes that have been committed. People make mistakes, it's too great a risk."
"Proper safeguards should eliminate that" would be the reply.
"No, it is a slippery slope. Once the door is opened, even slightly, how wide will it be eventually opened?"
Mr. Venis, I assert however, that one can take arguments you would marshal against the death penalty and array these same points against your cause of euthanasia. If it is unacceptable to risk killing a convicted murderer who might yet be unqualified for the death penalty, why is it safer to be killing people who are guilty of no crime because they, and others, say they are suffering too much and shouldn't live?
"No we can make the safeguards foolproof to protect the vulnerable, to make sure no one dies who shouldn't die", you would say.
"What was that you said about how no safeguards are foolproof, in regards to killing people?" those like myself would reply.
I have another suggestion. For a real change of pace, Mr. Venis, why don't you seek out and tell the story of someone who has significant medical difficulties but is still grateful for what they have and are enjoying, as best they can, the life that God has given them. I can personally point you to an individual or two. That way, you and your ilk in the mainstream media would not appear to be the relentless merchants of death that you do.
Paul Serup
Prince George
