ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, September 26, 1996 TAG: 9609260009
SECTION: EDITORIAL PAGE: A-8 EDITION: METRO
TYPE: LETTERS
I HAVE a different view from the one you printed on Sept. 17 (commentary by Frank H. Boehm, M.D., ``Physician-assisted suicide is unethical, immoral'').
Dr. Boehm states that physician-assisted suicide is unethical and immoral. In most states, including Virginia, it's legal for appropriate family members to authorize life-support systems to be withdrawn from a terminally ill person. How can anyone believe that this action - which sentences a person to a long, lingering death by starvation and dehydration - is ethical and moral, when a simple overdose of an appropriate drug will allow the patient to die peacefully and painlessly within a short time? Needless to say, this also relieves the patient's loved ones of the terrible experience of a "death watch" during which their loved one slowly becomes a body of skin stretched over bones.
I have experienced the pain of a "death watch" two times - when my brother suffered 12 days and nights dying after the family made the painful decision to have the life-support system withdrawn, and when a very dear friend died recently from prostate cancer. I cannot believe that a merciful God would prefer to allow one of his people to die in this manner.
As opposed to Dr. Boehm, I believe the state legislature should enact a law, with appropriate safeguards, making it legal for a willing doctor to administer appropriate drugs when a patient reaches the "point of no return.''
Some safeguards might be:
Two or more doctors must agree that the patient has reached the point of no return.
A doctor must be willing to perform the act of mercy. No doctor may be required to do so.
Appropriate family members must agree, in writing.
If no family members are available, another legally appointed person must agree, in writing.
It would be good if the patient had had the foresight to make a Living Will well before the terminal illness. (My wife and I executed such a will several years ago in the hope that an appropriate law will be passed in time to assist us. We're both still in fairly good health and expect to live several more years.)
Such other safeguards the legislature deems appropriate.
I fully understand many people have religious beliefs that will not allow them doctor-assisted deaths, and this is their right. However, such a law as I suggest will not affect their rights, but would allow others to exercise their right of choice.
CHARLES H. ANDERSON
ALLISONIA
Suspect motives in Clinton's actions
NO ONE should smoke cigarettes. However, I have the following questions about the current war on cigarettes:
Why did Bill Clinton wait until he had been president almost four years before he decided cigarettes are a great menace to American youth? Is it just a coincidence that he decided to protect American young people from cigarettes less than three months before the presidential election?
Is President Clinton attacking cigarettes now instead of three years ago because Democrats received more money from the tobacco industry then, and Republicans receive more of this money now?
Why did this great opponent of substance abuse severely weaken the federal government's war on illegal drugs, such as cocaine, heroin, marijuana and LSD? Why did he appoint to the White House staff 21 people who had abused illegal drugs before their appointments?
Is Clinton ignoring the great danger of alcohol abuse by American young people because the alcoholic-beverage industry is contributing millions of dollars to Democratic candidates?
If President Clinton bypasses Congress and creates a number of laws (about cigarettes) with a stroke of his pen, will he bypass Congress to create other laws concerning other aspects of our lives?
MARK B. FRITH
CHRISTIANSBURG
Get beyond the media spin
AS A CITIZEN, I am interested in everything that happens in America. That's why I listen to news reports and talk shows that showcase debates relating to our welfare. It's our duty to keep up with current events.
Having observed reports by the media over a period of some 60 years, it's clear that news commentators are not unbiased in their reporting. During an election year, we hear much speculation about what's going to happen to the candidates. It's clear the media are in the business of influencing the election.
No one can deny that television has a great influence on our culture and can be used to make or break a person. Recently, the media have convicted people accused of a crime - even before their trial - and many think they played a role in defeating Richard Nixon when he ran against John Kennedy.
I've noticed that when a major network and its reporters make a statement about a candidate, other commentators begin to parrot what they have said. Americans need to listen to what the candidates say rather than what the commentators say. Taking statements out of context and putting a spin on them isn't doing the candidate justice.
We all appreciate the work that good reporters do and commend them for their efforts. It may not be possible for them to be absolutely objective. However, they can try to be fair to all candidates - regardless of the candidates' beliefs.
B. O'NEAL BURCH
CHRISTIANSBURG
Show more respect for the big rigs
REGARDING your Sept. 8-11 articles on trucking and Interstate 81 (``Scenery's nice; the traffic's not,'' ``I-81: Is it ruled by big rigs?,'' ```Dumb cars and dumb trucks','' and ``Traffic nightmares mar I-81 dream''):
I hope to give drivers some much-needed advice on driving around tractor-trailers.
My brother has driven rigs for almost 30 years. Most of his complaints about cars concern what their drivers don't know about safe driving where rigs are concerned.
Trucks cannot stop as quickly as cars. If a car stops quickly at any speed above 40 mph, it will slide a certain amount of yardage. With a truck, you have to add anywhere from 13 feet to 53 feet of trailer, and consider the speed, the possibility of jackknifing and the weight of the load. Even a load of tea bags in a 53-foot trailer is heavy.
Cars need to stay at least five car lengths behind the truck so truck drivers can see them in their mirrors.
Going down a hill, trucks pick up speed to get up the other side, so give them room.
Any trucker will move into the right lane as soon as possible, so don't tailgate them. They can't see you and they need room to pull safely into the right lane.
As with automobile drivers, there are bad truck drivers. But when you complain about truckers, remember they may be carrying produce that you use. Be sensible, and treat truckers like you want to be treated while driving.
MAJKEN MATHIS
CHRISTIANSBURG
News judgment reflects bias
THE ROANOKE Times' agenda is showing. On Sept. 13, approximately 1,000 Roanokers gathered at Hotel Roanoke for a dessert reception to benefit the Crisis Pregnancy Center, a ministry that offers hope to women and their unborn babies.
The featured speaker, Cal Thomas, is a best-selling author and nationally syndicated columnist carried by this very newspaper. Early press notification was given, yet not one reporter from your newspaper covered the event. Prominent coverage was given instead to a killer toad captured in Charlottesville and a dog wash in Blacksburg.
The priority of nearly 1,000 Roanokers is the God-given value of women, children and family. We hope The Roanoke Times will join us next year. You will be surprised to see how many Roanokers believe in offering women the best choice!
NANCY DYE
ELEANOR WELLS
ROANOKE
LENGTH: Long : 153 linesby CNB