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Unspeakable Conversations

In 2003, the NY Times Magazine ran an article, Unspeakable Conversation, an examination of an argument focusing on two people, one Princeton philosophy professor Peter Seeger, and one disability advocate, Harriet Johnson, who recently passed away. Seeger is a proponent of the idea that society needs to allow euthanisa of the disabled and/or severaly handicapped. Below, are some of my comments - I was unable to recover the full text of my posts - I made in the NY times forum linked to the article:

'Unspeakable Conversations' #313 - igoeja 8:56 PM ET February 16, 2003

One Overwhelming Sentiment:

Brava!

Unlike many, maybe most, threads hosted by the NY Times, the overwhelming response in this forum has been profound agreement and support.

It brings tears to my eyes.

'Unspeakable Conversations' #243 - igoeja 12:07 PM ET February 16, 2003

A Reflection on our Reflection

Are we a humane society, or one that rids itself of its weak?

The odius political and social agenda which threatens the weak and poor, while supporting and furthering abuses by the powerful, isn't one that I wish to be part of. When we think about the country we are, do we want to envision one in which all have opportunity and comfort, or one in which groups can be singled out and discarded...


'Unspeakable Conversations' #242 - igoeja 11:53 AM ET February 16, 2003


The idea of killing disabled infants in our developed society is akin to killing infant girls in the developing world. The practical value of women in those societies is unappreciated, and the disregard for women in those worlds leads to the lesser value placed on women's lives, and actions we consider abhorrent. Kill the disabled since their value is less?..


'Unspeakable Conversations' #196 - igoeja 10:11 PM ET February 15, 2003

Empowerment and a Humane Society

For me, the most important idea to come from Ms. McBryde's article is the need for a more humane, caretaking and empowering attitude toward the disabled. A basic aspect of our humanity is our willingness to maximize the capabilites of those with the least, or those hampered...

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