When I watch the crowds of  senior citizens in our community complain about our hospital’s policy of not participating in assisted suicide or linking up with Planned Parenthood, I think of the contrast with the generation before them – the aptly-called Greatest Generation.

That entire generation faced terrible dangers and made incredible sacrifices so their children could survive and live free. Now their children want no sacrifices, just quick fixes. Don’t want the pregnancy? Get rid of it. Don’t want the pain? Commit suicide. This generation says, “Us good and caring, our island’s Catholic-affiliated hospital bad and uncaring.”

The truth is that the Catholic church has cared for the dying since hospitals first existed. Paragraph 2279 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church states:

“The use of painkillers to alleviate the suffering of the dying, even at the risk of shortening their days, can be morally in conformity with human dignity if death is not willed as either an end or a means, but only foreseen and tolerated as inevitable.”

So enough of the Catholic-bashing from Monica Harrington, and by association those candidates for the Hospital District Board whose names are on the posters with hers. Let’s trust our hospital to look after us well by supporting better candidates – Michelle, Jenny and Doc.

Jill Meyer

Friday Harbor