In an article on “the right to die” (The NEWS, Nov. 25), our Member of Parliament, James Lunney, is quoted as rejecting assisted suicide on the grounds that “respect for life requires that we don’t intentionally kill another human being.”
Yet a few weeks ago, when the government proposed that Canada should take part in the military action against ISIL in Iraq, Lunney voted in favour of the measure. Since an inevitable consequence of war is the killing of human beings (including possibly some totally innocent civilians), it would seem that the honourable member’s principles are a little confused.
After all, if he considers it acceptable for us as a nation to “intentionally kill” our fellow humans in another country by dropping bombs on them, how can he insist that human life is so sacred that it must be endured at any cost, even by those who wish to die with dignity through assisted suicide?
Elizabeth MarslandQualicum Beach