Stumpy V Skadi:Debate Results.

OK,The ballot papers have gone out to our judges and Boy!! do they have a job on their hands.

I've always been fairly neutral on the subject of Euthanasia as I understood there were argument both for and against.

I got three quarters of the way through and I got the weird impression that I was holding a schizophrenic conversation in my own mind.

If you have not already done so I fully recommend reading this debate.

www.abovetopsecret.com...#

I'd also be interested in hearing your views.

Where do you stand on this divisive issue?

Have either of our debators effected how you feel about this subject??

Well done to both Stumpy and Skadi.It was a very impressive debate.

We must now all await the judges decision.

[Edited on 29-8-2003 by John bull 1]

My original position still stands though....

Your life is your own. If you wish to die, so be it. As long as it does not endanger another, it is your right.

Oddly enough, we seemed to have accepted the idea of euthanasia for animals a long time ago....that though sad, it is better for the animal... Now, people aren't animals, but still...that says a lot...

You can argue the technicalities of the Hypocratic oath all you want, but when it comes down to it, a doctor's job is to alleviate suffering and cure ailments. If an ailment cannot be cured, and the patient is suffering badly enough to desire death...there is a virtue called mercy....

I think if the hoplessness of the situation can be assessed early enough, the responsibility of ending life should rest on the shoulders of the person suffering. In other words, the person suffering should be the one to end their life by their own hands.

And if this person is too far gone physically to do it themselves but is still in a cognizant frame of mind, they should have the right to delegate the act to someone else.

Euthanasia and empowerment of medicos to assist suicide for the "willing" is all very much on the way to the utopian future presented in "Logan's Run", for one.

Or "Soylent Green".

Yeah.

The results are through.The judges have made their decision.
No judge knows how other judges have voted until they read it here and even the closest of contests can seem skewed when judged this way.Do not take the margin of the verdict as an indication of the margin of the win.It was very close.
Editted comments from the judges appear below the results.

Judge A =Stumpy .
Judge B = Stumpy
Judge C =Skadi.
Judge D =Stumpy
Judge E = Stumpy.
Judge F = Stumpy
Judge G = Stumpy


"I vote for Stumpy-although ironically enough I am against euthenasia, stumpy presented such a good debate that he gave me thoughts I would have never considered otherwise. Skadi did a good job too and I could very well sympathize with her side and agree with some of the points she made.................Excellent job from both of them!!"

"I was not convinced by Stumpy.....................Skadi for me."

"Damned difficult.......... Since Stumpy actually caused me to stop and give his side earnest thought (although he did not change my mind), I must throw the flag to his corner."

"I am hard pressed to declare a winner in this debate, and have decided to call it a draw."
(My Reply)
"Nice try.Unfortunately there are only two verdicts and draw is not one of them"
(Judges Reply)
"The draw can't stand, huh? ........................ I give my decision to the affirmitive - Stumpy."

"My vote goes to stumpy. I sensed Skadi was a bit on the defensive................
Both were very good on this debate. My hat is off to both of them."

"Well I just finished reading the debate. And I must say... both guys made some good points."

"The quality has been very promising so far............. I think it's undeniable that both debaters ave focussed much more on "morality" than on the actual issue of "legality"..........
Stumpy has the less pleasing style and expression but I think he gets the gold medal (narrowly) in that what he does say he marshalls more effectively.
Both deserve commendation on the quality."

As most of the judges said both deserve congratulations but there can be only one winner and so Stumpy goes through to the next round.

Congratulations Stumpy.The debate topic for the next round will appear tomorrow you have a weeks well deserved rest before then.

i don't mean to come off as a rabid cheerleader but good job! We're all the richer for it.

Personally I'm for it. Both argued strongly and I'm not exactly sure how the judges were able to select one side or the other.