Broadcast on 2CH Sydney, Sunday 7 February 2010
9.00 am – Support grows for euthanasia
I was interested to learn the other day that Sir Terry Pratchett, author of the bestselling Discworld fantasy novels, has made a strong plea for governments to legalise medically assisted death.
He called for tribunals to be set up which would give those suffering from incurable diseases the right to medical assistance to help end their lives. Two years ago Pratchett was diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer’s disease. “It is not nice,” he said, “and I do not wish to be there for the endgame.”
His concerns are understandable. Recent polls indicate significant popular support for euthanasia.
But intentional killing is hardly a compassionate response to suffering. What we need is the courage to face up to all of life’s challenges, and the best possible palliative care and medical services, and a strong commitment by the state to protect the weak and vulnerable among us from those who would abuse them. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com
12.00 pm – Could you last a month with no alcohol?
Would you like to lose weight, save money, and gain more energy? Then you should consider FebFast, a local initiative encouraging us to take a break from the booze in February, and raise funds for alcohol and drug rehabilitation programs for young people. It’s not too late to sign up – just go to febfast.com.au.
We live in an alcohol-saturated society, and the liquor industry is very good at promoting its product and expanding its market.
So it’s great to see a growing awareness of the problems associated with alcohol consumption: health and safety issues, binge drinking, alcohol-related violence, and the direct and indirect cost of feeding what can become an out-of-control addiction.
Those who called for temperance and total abstinence used to be dismissed as wowsers. The shift in public sentiment is welcome, but we still have a long way to go in addressing the dangers of excessive drug use. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com
5.00 pm – Barnaby Joyce on foreign aid
Opposition finance spokesman Barnaby Joyce this week said Australia should cut its foreign aid budget to pay off debt and fund election promises.
One thing I’ll say about Senator Joyce is: he’s never boring. And his argument appears logical: the Government is borrowing money from overseas to finance the deficit, so it makes little sense to send it back overseas as aid.
But as World Vision CEO Tim Costello pointed out, “The people who are the most vulnerable and the poorest should not be a political football between the parties.”
And there are good reasons for providing foreign aid. Australia is a responsible member of an international community; we target aid toward particular humanitarian and development needs; ordinary Australians believe that providing foreign aid is the decent thing to do, and many – including the churches – think it should increase.
Shame on you, Barnaby. It’s time for more compassionate politics. I’m Rod Benson for nswchurches.com
