Actually the last person to stir the end of life pot was Colorado Governor Richard Lamm, who in 1984 said old people had a 'duty to die':
"Like leaves which fall off a tree forming the humus in which other plants can grow, we've got a duty to die and get out of the way with all of our machines and artificial hearts, so that our kids can build a reasonable life."I can remember being ticked off about that idea as a young person, but Lamm explained he was talking more about the right to die rather than euthanasia. Wonder how he feels about it now, in his 70s?
More than a few have lately pointed to the 1970s movie "Soylent Green" as an analog to this debate, which despite it's mediocrity has retained some relevance. It was also Edward G. Robinson's last flick, 'see'.
2 comments:
Yeah, I think Lamm just got caught on his words back then. That's the danger of politicians talking too much or trying to sound too eloquent. Most people just want straight talk, minus the elitist phrasing and catch words.
Lamm actually was the kind of Democrat I could respect, back when they were more plentiful. He once wrote this piece.
Thanks for posting LA. I remember that piece. It's more fitting now than when it came out.
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