PLN-Week1-2

This morning I read an article about a police officer who spared the life of an 18 year-old boy who broke into his house at 2 am last October. The police officer would have been justified if he had shot the intruder, but instead, used a shotgun loaded with bean bags so as not to kill the boy. Officer Kushdilian had every right to kill the 18 year old Dustin Mertz, but instead chose to let him live. Dustin’s right to live or die hung in the balance of one man’s choice.

Dustin’s story reminded me of the Lady and the Tiger. The princess was jealous of the lady behind one of the doors, but knew terrible death awaited her love if she led him to the door that hid the tiger. The princess had to make a choice. She had to decide whether live without her love, or death for him would be better. The youth who was a t trial had to hope that the princess would overcome her jealousy and lead him to the correct door. Officer Kushdilian had to make a choice as well. He had to choose whether or not the drunken Dustin deserved to live or die. Both the princess and Kushdilian had to make choices that would either end or save a life.

Though never quite as extreme, I too have had to make choices that would help me and hurt someone else. We have all had to make a decision like that. Sometimes the outcome will be better for us than for others, and sometimes vice versa. I should hope none of us ever have to make a decision that could be the end of someone’s life, but we have all been in situations that are very similar.

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_6888399?source=rss