The hospital board election is extremely impactful for all islanders. A careful assessment of that impact is in order. May I just be personal here? The truth is, I like to write about birds and happy things, but the election we are facing has me thinking.

I really like birds, and I keep wondering…what if someone told me that, regardless of my abhorrence, I had to smash the delicate little hummingbird’s nest filled with the tiny eggs? How would it feel to squeeze it inside my fist and…?

Three candidates, as I understand it, are pressuring for a big change: doctors and nurses must be forced to assist their patients to commit suicide; abort unwanted pregnancies; and other reproductive measures.

We aren’t talking about small compromises…or about birds. We’re unbelievably talking about coercing a human being, a neighbor, to destroy life. Do candidates, Sharp, Williams, and Harrington realize that their actions lead to denying other people the privilege of choice? Peace Island Medical Center is not just a business – they are the neighbors, doctors, nurses, technicians that live beside us.

There will come a time when each of us may rely on these very neighbors in our most critical, helpless moments. Doctors, nurses and technicians will be forced to choose between their current jobs on the island, or losing an important part of themselves by taking action that is personally abhorrent.

Those pushing for the added procedures have other options available. The real issue is about respect for the choices of others — however they may differ from our own interests. Given these consequences, and others, I believe this election is very important.

Ledford, Loftus, and Hancock have chosen to support an alternative to those consequences. I appreciate the manner in which they support choice, and their consideration for the community at large.

Peggy Butler

San Juan Island