Euthanasia

A Written Euphemism

Have you ever considered the connotations of the term "euthanasia"? It's likely that if you're familiar with this term, the first definition that comes to mind when you hear this word is the willingful aid to end another's life.

But consider the term literally: When spoken, it distinctly sounds like "youth in Asia." Consider the fact that U.S. President George W. Bush is willingly committed to having American youth (young soldiers) in Asia (Iraq) where their future is most certainly uncertain, and how many of these young men have already "sacrificed" themselves for the cause of establishing "good government" in a foreign country. Could it be that "euthanasia" is a (rather obvious) euphemism for the willingful aid to end lives through sending young folks to dangerous territory? Now, I'm not saying that this will lead to their certain doom; Bush can't be certain whether or not they'll survive. Of course, David couldn't be sure whether Uriah would either.

I'm not saying this connotation rules out the first definition; euthanasia is an ambiguous term. When spoken, it's a giveaway for an injustice; when spelled, it's a written euphemism. Unless, of course, one spells it "youthinasia"; then it's simply a giveaway for an injustice misspelled, in accordance with the defiance of terminology act, initiated by the decider.