Thursday, April 21, 2011

I would take an organ from a skunk...

"I would take an organ from a skunk...if it would save my child's life."

That's a response my friend posted on facebook today, in response to an MSNBC article entitled, "Killer's quest: Allow organ donation after execution."  I have to say, that's my initial maternal response as well.

The request is from an Oregon prisoner who killed his wife and children a decade ago, by (according to the article) strangling the wife and 2yr old before stuffing their bodies in suitcases and throwing them in the ocean, and tying pillowcases full of rocks to the feet of his 3 and 4yr old and throwing them in icy December Oregon water. Alive.

Later on facebook, another mom brought up a valid point...would I want the heart of a killer in my child?  Eventually, she came to the same conclusion...if it would save my child, yes.

How could you not?

Sitting there, dangling in front of you is the organ that will take the pain and sickness away from your child or relative.  Your option would be for them to continue living --and eventually dying-- in a hospital, or accepting a donated organ from a prisoner and giving them back the life they deserve.  Aren't organ donations kept anonymous anyway? (Clearly I don't know, and *knock on wood* won't have to find out, but I think I saw this on an episode of Grey's or something)

I do have to say, I don't like the way this particular prisoner is going about this.  He's threatening to continue appeals and prolonging his execution for another 10 years if officials don't agree to let him donate his organs.  But, if they do agree to it, he'll accept execution in 90 days...as a way to relieve his conscience.

That part pisses me off, actually.  It's like negotiating with a child.  Do what I want or I'm taking my toys organs and going back to my room cell.

I was reading the article thinking, again..."How could you not?" How could you, as a prison/state official NOT let these people donate their organs to the approximately 19 people who are dying in America each day, while waiting for an organ donation from a stroke or accident victim?!

And then I got to this paragraph:  "Living prisoners may be allowed to donate organs, but it's decided on a case-by-case basis at the state and federal levels, officials say.  Typically such donations are limited to immediate family members when theres a confirmed organ match, with the inmate's and recipient's families agreeing to foot the bill for all medical and security costs."

So there you have it, folks.  It's all about the Benjamins.

If you're interested, the prisoner has a facebook page and op-ed article you can access through the article.

WHAT DO YOU THINK, MAMAS?  Would you accept an organ from a prisoner?!

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

WW---My Mind's in the Gutter

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

WW---Xray

"Wow, I have a big brain!" ~Ashitoner

Friday, April 1, 2011

Flashback Friday---Kisses or Pinches?

Here's a quick little snippet from St. Patrick's Day LAST year.  

LukeyBaby(age 7) came downstairs wide-eyed this morning: "MOM! Do you know what Phoebe told me?! She said if you wear green today, you get a kiss (with the girls-have-cooties face); and if you don't, you get a pinch."

I giggled as I shielded my eyes from the blazing orange outfit he was wearing.  After explaining the higher probability of getting pinched by all the boys in his class, he came out of his closet in head-to-toe camouflage.

Ashitoner (age 9) was then reminded of SPD and was on the hunt for some green. It was close to bus time so I entered his closet, threw him a pair of jeans, some (coincidentally) green underwear, and a blue shirt with green letters on it.
"That's not green!"
"Bud, you don't have to have a green shirt, just something with green on it."
"But what if one of the guys comes up behind me and pinches me cuz I have a blue shirt on."
"Well, (not my proudest parenting moment) pinch 'em back! And if they don't think it's enough green, you could always pull your pants down."
Picturing that phone call from the principal, I added the fine print: "That was not me giving you permission to pull your pants down, by the way!"

Mom: "Happy St. Patrick's Day, Jakester!"
Jakester (age 3--flashing back to freaking out last week when a mom dressed as Dr. Seuss): "It's Patrick's Day?!! Is he gonna be at my school?!"

I originally posted this on my "old" blog.