When a lowly individual defies authority for moral reasons, knowing that he or she will be punished for taking a stand, that person deserves both respect and support. A 18-year Navy medical officer has refused to force-feed prisoners on a hunger strike at Guantanamo.
The American Medical Association called force-feeding a violation of “core ethical values of the medical profession.” The AMA noted that “every competent patient has the right to refuse medical intervention,” including measures to extend life.
Another word for force-feeding is torture.
The American Nurses Association wrote a letterer to Defense Secretary Hagel asking that no retaliatory action be taken against the Navy nurse. I personally think the nurse should be given a medal.
(Information on the nurse can be found in today’s New York Times at <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/20/health/nurses-urge-leniency-over-refusal-to-force-feed-at-guantnamo-bay.html?module=Search&mabReward=relbias%3As%2C%7B%222%22%3A%22RI%3A15%22%7D>.)
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