Since creation mortals have had to confront the certainty of death. Someone labeled death as the “great equalizer.” With rare exceptions, most fight “tooth n’ nail” to cling to life. Some societies absent Judeo Christian underpinnings, honor, or extol suicide. The Kamikaze pilots from Japan considered it an honor to die in combat. Evil Muslim terrorists are banking on death to “cash in” with their equivalent of “a bevy of virgins.” Most healthcare delivery systems are designed to keep us healthier to slow down the inevitability of our demise. One may recall the exchange between a female bulwark of faith, of the downtown Baptist church, and her “dear friend.” The former long repeated her desire to “soon be with the Lord.” The latter, her “dear friend,” opined impatiently, “ The next time you’re deathly ill, do not phone the physician!” Ouch! Many choose to ignore the subject. Is denial palliative?
American’s view on death has conflicts. When a 9 year-old bat boy is unexpectedly struck dead by an errant bat, it’s a sad, tragic accident. Tinsel Town has more than its share of suicides. Those “charmed lives” gone south, cut short at their own hand. Overdoses play a “leading role” in this all-to-familiar re-run. Fewer mourn self-imposed death.
Years ago, famed Pulitzer and Nobel Prize winning author, American icon, Ernest Hemingway, ended his own life, in Ketchum, Idaho, on July 2, 1961, at the wrong end of a shotgun. Much of the world mourned. His fourth wife maintained it was an accident. Few believed it. His physician father, took his life at age 57, in 1928. His granddaughter, Margaux Hemingway, took her life, on July 1,1996. Genetic disposition? Many were saddened. Serial killers, like Ted Bundy, most call for a hastened death. We mourn our troops lost while killing America’s enemies. We’ve only so many days.
Those who’ve lost a loved one, report prolonged visceral, gut wrenching responses to that loss. The cause of the death aggravates the issue. Some recall that that loved one’s “kiss was still on their lips,” or “yesterday‘s touch remain on their finger tips.” Circumstances mitigate the misery. A protracted illness, though exhausting, brings a sense of finality. A sigh of relief. The unforeseen death of a daughter or son, by a drunken driver, shocks our reverie for years. Most commiserate with those left behind. We who’ve escaped such loss, may have compassion. Often, the pain is vicariously palpable. We can inelegantly offer, “I’ll pray for you.”
This past week’s confluence of two major news events reveals the cavalier, calloused stance on the life of the unborn, juxtaposed with that of the life of a lion named Cecil, from a Zimbabwe animal reserve. The surfacing of videos exposing Planned Parenthood affiliated executives, smugly sipping wine, while haggling over the harvesting and sale of body parts from unborn babies, like two mechanics hawking auto parts at a junkyard. It outraged those who love the unborn.
Most of the 24/7 news cycle largely ignored the plight of the unborn. One network devoted eleven minutes that week, on the Planned Parenthood debacle, while allocating nearly four times that amount to Cecil the lion. Late night host, Jimmy Kimmel, choked back tears while bemoaning the “senseless killing of a lion.” Touching, percipient charade. Aging silver screen star, Mia Farrow, tweeted out the Minneapolis dentist’s address, who bagged the “beloved lion” intent to expose Dr. Walter Palmer, for his “unforgivable deed.” Animal activists internationally mourned the fate of Cecil. They may play “Born Free” at Cecil’s wake. Look for “Cecil Beanie Babies,” at your nearest retailer soon.
How did we get here? Moving “heaven and earth” to save a beached whale, but not lifting a finger to save the life of the unborn. Our President, Planned Parenthood’s lapdog, has conveniently failed to mention launching a DOJ investigation into the potentially, unlawful sale of dismembered body parts. Like most supporters of “women’s health,” Obama loves the death of the unborn. How else can one explain President Obama’s strident call for Planned Parenthood’s survival at any cost? Vowing his unswerving support to ensure that it’s around for his daughters. Is he willing to sacrifice his future grandchildren on the “altar of choice?“ The outcry that “black lives matter” seems disconcertingly hollow considering nearly 35% of abortions are black babies. Blogger Michael Johnson asked, “Where’s the next Martin Luther King?” He answered, “Look in that pile of aborted black babies.” African American annihilation? By contrast, the KKK’s nearly philanthropic.
In recent history Americans found a place in their homes for pets. We’ve drifted from pet owners, to pet parents. Dollars expended for “pet health” is staggering, nearly paralleling allocated dollars for dependent children. If Flipper was alive, he’d give Hillary a run as the “Green candidate.” Female celebrities clamor to pose in the raw, attempting to line PETA coffers. They’d rather “wear nothing than animal fur.” Anything for the non-human. Staged videos of caged canines and felines designed to tug at the heart-string, while lifting your wallet. Where are the videos of the dismembered, discarded, dead unborn babies found in clinics? The media won’t permit it. They’ve a vested interest in keeping the public uninformed of the truth that takes place in those slaughter houses. “It would be too repugnant,” abortion supporters argue. Perhaps it’s their inappetance to see it.
Obscured in the fog of divisiveness is the fact of death. Most will taste it. There are many views on the subject. Discussion often produces more heat than light. However, Christians rejoice in the good news found in I Cor.15:26 & 55, regarding the resurrection and death. Verse 26, “The last enemy that will be abolished is death.” Verse 55, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” That’s it. It’s akin to removing the stinger from a bee. Who’d fear a bee without a stinger? What about you? What do you think?
Mike Pyatt is a Natrona County resident. His email address is roderickstj@yahoo.com
