[MD] NHS? No thanks

[craigerb at comcast.net]

[Arlo] 
> That you think there is a difference between killing and letting die, doesn't mean this is one. 

Case Study 1:  I am a switchman at a railroad yard.  I am responsible for pulling a switch to route a train to track A or track B.
Senario 1a:  A train is travelling northbound on track A & another train southbound on track B.  I switch the train on track A to track B.  I am responsuble for the head-on crash.
Senario 1b:   A train is travelling northbound on track A & another train southbound on track A.  I fail to switch the train on track A to track B.  I am responsuble for the head-on crash.
Moral 1:  I am responsible for acts I commit or omit.

Case Study 2:  I am walking on a sidewalk.  I am responsible for what I hold in my hand, what I do with my arm, but I am not responsible for how others walk on the sidewalk or for pianos falling on the sidewalk.
Senario 2a:  I hold a knife in my hand & as someone walks by, I stab him to death.  I am responsible for his death.     
Senario 2b:  I see someone walking where a falling piano is about to land.  I do nothing, letting the falling piano crush her to death.
Moral 2:  Whether or not you conclude I am responsible for the death in 2b, the responsibility relationships in killing & letting die are different.
Craig