posted on Aug, 31 2009 @ 05:29 PM
I can think of instances in which I would find life not worth living. For example, if I was only surviving on life support. I have put these
stipulations in my living will. As time goes on I may add others, or may change my mind about some things. I see nothing wrong with end-of-life
counseling and believe it is useful to think about these matters.
The Veteran's workbook seems indeed to need revision. But the little fragment shown on the Fox (not exactly an unbiased source) program is not
sufficient to give me a sense of what the entire text is.
For example, if it is only providing a list of possible things that may make life SEEM to be not worth living--for example, depression--then I see
nothing wrong with giving examples. Depression can indeed make one FEEL that way.
However, if the booklet goes on to recommend withholding life support in the event of depression (a treatable and curable condition, and therefore not
a reason to want to die) then that would be something else again. I would object.
But I suspect that Fox is doing what they often do--using such tiny excerpts of documents but leaving out key words and phrases in order to make them
sound like something they're not.
The fact is many Republican lawmakers are in favor of end-of-life counseling, but they're not mentioned when people start accusing the Obama
administration of "death books" intended to provoke people to end their lives. That accusation is reserved only for Democrats.
That is an outrageous and libelous charge and needs much more evidence before I will believe it.
My father worked for the Veterans Administration for many years and I assure you that the VA has never advocated anything of the kind and never will.