The recent letter from Bob B (M’s ruling is courageous) missed the point. The real issue in that ruling is the lack of exemption to those in our health/ care .services to honor their religious convictions and the Hippocratic Oath to “Do no harm.” Under this ruling, as it was drafted, all doctors would be required to facilitate suicide, and that flies in the face of many fine doctors. This makes no more sense than requiring a seriously ill person to commit suicide. Under the Democrats’ proposed universal health care initiative being debated in Congress at this moment, that is the next step in the debate. Care will be rationed as the ony viable way to reduce costs. The old and infirm will be denied essential services. McCarter should be ashamed of herself for failing to consider both sides in this issue. Or, perhaps, she is conceited enough to believe that the only valid opinion is hers. If it is worth bringing up, shouldn’t the fine citizens of Montana have the right to debate and vote on this issue, rather than having an activist judge legislate the issue from the bench?
My comment in reply to this letter
I suggest all of us need to study what the Hippocratic Oath is really about.
In the classical oath it says to 'keep from harm' (preventative) not the popularly misquoted statement 'do no harm'. That's beside the point. No one uses the classical version today. Also, no one is required to take an oath and if they do it is not legally binding.
Here is the opening paragraph to the classical oath.
"I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant:....."
I can only imagine why this is not used today. Americans forget our Western Civilization began long before Constantine ruled.
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