In the December 15 issue of the Orangeville Citizen two opposing views were expressed, one in the editorial and the other in Claire Hoy's column. They differed in opinions about the Latimer appeal for day parole and the ruling by the National Parole Board which denied Latimer's appeal.

In 1993 Mr. Latimer, the father of a daughter totally handicapped and disabled from birth took it upon himself to release her from what he saw as a life without independence and hope. A life dependent on others for every human need. He knew his life would cease long before his daughter's and he took it upon himself to release her from an existence for which he held himself responsible. He then took her life by carbon monoxide poisoning.

This was a mercy killing, but never-the-less a killing, and he was given a long prison sentence.

His appeal for day parole was rejected by the N.P.B. and in so doing overstepped its mandate. It is suspected that this denial of compassion was the result of his failure to express remorse for what he had done.

The members of the N.P.B obviously have little understanding of love, paternal love, which is sometimes virtually beyond our comprehension and requires we search more deeply than one normally would. In this case the father's love was displayed in his decision to mercifully release his daughter from a life without hope and in a painless way.

On the other hand our wordsmith with the goatee, Mr. Claire Hoy, expresses his religion driven opinion: no mercy, no forgiveness, no understanding, and no quarter. Lock him up for life!

It is surprising that such a gifted man should be so unmerciful and unwilling to comprehend the love that motivated the act that he condemns. Love is sometimes cruel and hurtful and one would think that any person who has experienced suffering in his or her lifetime would be prepared to give to Mr. Latimer forgiveness and hope for a renewed life with his family. Latimer will live the remainder of his life with this decision weighing on him and fragmenting all hope for true happiness.

Mr. Hoy has the same opinion regarding abortion. He feels none should be permitted and the result of an unwanted pregnancy should, by law, be brought to term and to a life in this world.

What sort of life as an unwanted and unloved soul struggling to survive in a disadvantaged environment? Why does he concern himself with the decisions others make for themselves?

Surely there are enough unwanted and wanted children in every place throughout the world that are in need of our support and care, so why not concentrate on them rather than an unformed fetus. The world struggles to find space and nurture for the six billion seven hundred million humans that now exist and the numbers are increasing exponentially. The remainder of the world's wildlife suffers as a consequence and finally, if this trend continues, mankind will pay a heavy price.

Whatever we do from now on is critical to the future for our species. Any more greed driven decisions will have serious impacts on future generations who will inherit the mess we leave for them.

Ken Hayward

Mono