A Letter to the Editor
My Response To: Bush Hails Progress Toward 'Culture of Life'; Limits on Abortion, Stem Cell Use Cited
Date: January 25, 2005
I’m curious about the President’s ‘culture of life’ that was mentioned in the article ‘Bush Hails Progress Toward Culture of Life’. While he wants to expand the definition of life, he seems perfectly comfortable with the narrow definition of the cultural group that gets to enjoy it. I guess the benefits of life only extend to unborn children and now to the cells from which they are developed.
Unfortunately, it seems to not include thousands, perhaps over a hundred thousand, innocent civilians killed in a preemptive war that apparently was ill-conceived, poorly planned, and incompetently executed after the initial invasion – with no fault implied for the soldiers willing to answer the call. It seems to not extend to death row inmates, especially those in the President’s home state of Texas, in spite of the Pope’s calling for the end of such sentences. It doesn’t seem to cover those that die due to inadequate access to basic healthcare and social welfare programs. It doesn’t seem to address the thousands who die from gunshot wounds every year at the hands of well-armed citizens who mistake a right with a need and an ability with a responsibility. And, sadly, it seems to stop short in the consideration of animals and other living things that depend on our good stewardship of the environment bequeathed to us.
By all means, let us all celebrate life, but let us also not stop short at celebrating life for only that part of the culture that will ensure our next electoral victory and continued profit.
My Response To: Bush Hails Progress Toward 'Culture of Life'; Limits on Abortion, Stem Cell Use Cited
Date: January 25, 2005
I’m curious about the President’s ‘culture of life’ that was mentioned in the article ‘Bush Hails Progress Toward Culture of Life’. While he wants to expand the definition of life, he seems perfectly comfortable with the narrow definition of the cultural group that gets to enjoy it. I guess the benefits of life only extend to unborn children and now to the cells from which they are developed.
Unfortunately, it seems to not include thousands, perhaps over a hundred thousand, innocent civilians killed in a preemptive war that apparently was ill-conceived, poorly planned, and incompetently executed after the initial invasion – with no fault implied for the soldiers willing to answer the call. It seems to not extend to death row inmates, especially those in the President’s home state of Texas, in spite of the Pope’s calling for the end of such sentences. It doesn’t seem to cover those that die due to inadequate access to basic healthcare and social welfare programs. It doesn’t seem to address the thousands who die from gunshot wounds every year at the hands of well-armed citizens who mistake a right with a need and an ability with a responsibility. And, sadly, it seems to stop short in the consideration of animals and other living things that depend on our good stewardship of the environment bequeathed to us.
By all means, let us all celebrate life, but let us also not stop short at celebrating life for only that part of the culture that will ensure our next electoral victory and continued profit.
posted by Mike at 3:43 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home