<<When is it OK to kill?>>

Depends what you mean by "OK"

Yuyutsu wrote << Hillel's Golden Rule: "What you hate done to yourself - do not do unto others." >>

Yuyutsu, congratulations. You've managed to quote scripture without actually quoting scripture. ;

Valid argument except for one thing. It is not only personal morals that will determine a person's answer to that question. It is also circumstance. And while my carefully nurtured morality, defined by my upbringing and experience, tells me that I would (or should) in almost every circumstance reply 'yes' to Hillel's rule, I know that my answer would change if I or someone I loved were threatened or in danger. It may also change if I had lost someone I loved, ie revenge.

You can't apply a rule therefore as the actions of most humans are determined less by logic and more by emotion.

What about the nearly 90 refugees that have died through Labor's negligence?

Given that there is an easy solution to hand, is this a premeditated killing?

Shadow Minister,
Please, I am begging you, do not bring party political policy into this. Surely there are some issues that are above your own brand of Question Time?

If you want to discuss the refugee situation there is a thread already established, or I might direct you to my comment in the 'Transformation of Tony' thread which poses one possible win-win solution and which I believe warrants some discussion.

Apologies.

SM,
Added to say that I think we have already established that policies established by any government of the day, (or GOD, as I Ike to refer to it) is responsible for death and the hypocrisy of death being acceptable when it suits the law/GOD is not limited to one single instance.

SM sad to see more playing with politics on that. Labor have failed to stop the boats but I'm not convinced that being better at putting up barriers to hinder the desperate is a more ethical position than doing so poorly.

Neither side of Australian politics can stand withnpride and say that they are doing our nation proud witn the answers they have come up with. There will always be deaths and suffering amongst refugees, we can and should do what we can to reduce both while trying to find a balance with protecting our own homes and community.

Whats the early death rate for refugees stuck in camps in transition countries with no hope for the future?

Its a messy business without easy answers. I know that if positions were reversed I'd not like to be stuck in a camp somewhere with no safe options for myself and loved ones. I'd not like to be stuck in a homeland run by religious zealots and tribal warlords. I also know that if another country did welcome me I'd make every effort to fit into the customs of thatcountry, to learn the language, obey their laws and make sure that the welcome was not misplaced.

R0bert