A crime of compassion is an excuse for a person to do something they want to do that is against the law. However it is a very contiversal topic because in each individual situation, a person may react different. For example if a person walks in on their spouse with another male/female, the person is probably going to go into a raging anger state. They will be unable to control their feelings, or actions consequently ending with someone getting hurt or dying. Moreover the problem a crime committed with passion is that mostly it occurs in the moment. Meaning it is not pre-meditated. The person reacted solely on their overwhelming emotional state. They may not have any real threat to themselves or society. So how do we bring them to justice? In each situation close to our heart everybody becomes traumatically affected. Entering a side of themselves that has possibly never been seen before.
In the story, “A Crime of Compassion,” by Barbra Huttmann, the author abruptly pleads for the patient’s death. She knows its right for him, and he even wants to die. However it is not permitted. It is against the law and medical procedure to individually make life decisions for someone else. In the essay the author deeply analyses the sole reason needed to prolong life. “He stopped breathing two or three times a day, and every time he stopped, he was resuscitated.” The patient was conspicuously suffering with every breath. Yet, every time he did, the call button was pushed to resituate him. Huttmann decided to, “play god” and help the patient, help himself. In that instance her mind was telling her she had no choice. She needed to help him. He was crying out to be put to rest, but every time he was ignored. Huttmann knowingly went against medical procedure. On a personal level she did the right thing, but on a procedural level she was had no right to take the leadership role.
Our every evolving culture has been built on new innovative technology. We want to be the best and compete against nature. We try so hard to create new medication, cure cancer and even use shockers to bring people back from death. We are interrupting the natural circle of life. The world today is overpopulated as a result of our technology enhancement. Even as patients are on their deathbeds begging to be let to die, it is not granted. Ironically we are prolonging ourselves to outrun nature.
Personally, I believe a crime of compassion should be considered to every unique situation. I believe killing anyone is wrong, but under certain circumstances it might be necessary. When compared to street killings hospital killings are more acceptable, but street killings occur more frequently. Why? We have the money and the technology to help everyone. However outside the four walls of a hospital everyone is on their own. Survival of the fittest comes into play.
A crime of compassion is an every day command in street gangs. The only reason for all of it is because of love. Love for one another, brothers and sisters. Ironically people are killing the very morals of their own. Power and possession become the new love, rather than needing and loving one another in harmony. Envy and revenge underlines the decription of love. People are taking the law in their own hands and commiting so called, “crimes of compassion” every day. In the end we have a choice weather to push that call button or not, and pull that trigger or turn around and walk away, from the so-called crime of compassion.
