Is That Freedom Ringing?

Good news from the Abraham Cherrix saga! Accomack County Circuit Court Judge Glen A. Tyler ruled that Abraham does not have to report for treatment of his cancer as previously ordered. The judge also returned custody of Abraham to his parents. Unfortunately, this may be temporary.

Carl Bundick, an attorney for the department, told the judge the department would not object, provided a new trial takes place quickly. “What the department is interested in is this young man being cured of cancer,” Bundick said.

It is good to know where the state stands. Judge Tyler scheduled the trial to start August 16th. It may still be an uphill battle, but I am happy to see that there is a judge with some sense. And it is good to know that Abraham is free for now. You can get the latest from Abraham’s website.

posted Jul 26th, 2006 by michelleshinghal
  • nsarwark

    It’s cases like these that test the core of one’s Libertarian beliefs.

    Is Cherrix more likely to die of his cancer by choosing Mexican quack treatments than he would be by undergoing conventional chemotherapy? Yes.

    Is it his prerogative to choose that option anyway? Yes.

  • Erin

    No, what would test my libertarian beliefs is if the boy’s parents were patently refusing to allow him any treatment except prayer.

    When all three relevant parties – mom, dad, and son – are in agreement, and chose so voluntarily, I don’t see anything that might shake my libertarian faith.

  • kaptinemo

    “What the department is interested in is this young man being cured of cancer,” Bundick said.

    Then Mr. Burdick wouldn’t mind if the US Gub’mint got off its collective can and followed-up on the research it once funded over 30 years ago…and mysteriously shut down…when it found that THC has anti-cancer properties. Properties that have since been verified in 2000 at the Complutense University of Madrid, and again at the University of Milan in 2003.

    More research is taking place all over the world now…except here, where the first discovery was made. Really makes you wonder, doesn’t it?

  • disinter

    It’s cases like these that test the core of one’s Libertarian beliefs.

    Is Cherrix more likely to die of his cancer by choosing Mexican quack treatments than he would be by undergoing conventional chemotherapy? Yes.

    And how is it your business if he wishes to die sooner rather than later? Please explain this “Libertarian belief” to me.

  • nsarwark

    And how is it your business if he wishes to die sooner rather than later? Please explain this “Libertarian belief” to me.

    Well, would you allow a 16-year-old to stick a gun in his mouth and pull the trigger?

    Would your answer change if both his parents agreed with his choice?

    The right to end one’s own life is a touchy subject and one that tests a lot of people’s beliefs.

  • michelleshinghal

    Careful Nicholas- we are going to have people screaming in a minute that guns are awful. This 16 year old is not doing anything to damage his health. He is simply allowing his body to take its natural course. You cannot compare him eating a healthful diet to sticking a gun in his mouth.

  • disinter

    Well, would you allow a 16-year-old to stick a gun in his mouth and pull the trigger?

    Again, it is none of my business. And quite frankly, I couldn’t care less if someone wants to kill themselves. Are your rights being violated?

    Would your answer change if both his parents agreed with his choice?

    No, and again it is none of my business. What makes you think it is any of yours?

  • nsarwark

    I’m aware of the difference between refusing treatment and actively taking one’s life. However, the more effective the treatment is and the greater the severity of the outcome, the closer the two become.

    See, e.g. Suffering Children and the Christian Science Church

  • http://UnCivilDefence.blogspot.com MRJarrell

    Nicholas-either Abraham is a sovereign individual or he is not. That is the core of libertarianism.He is free or he is property. Regardless, his treatment or refusal to be treated is no-ones business. Period.

  • Sorsha Anderson

    The cure rate for this cancer is high early on and for children.
    According to the American Cancer Society, children are those 5-14 at time of diagnosis. The 15-year survival rate for adults is less than 70% with conventional treatment – and this in turn goes down with each cancer reoccurence.

    Good for Abraham choosing to be proactive while preserving his quality of life. Chemo didn’t work for him, so he moved on. How dare the government dictate to this family.

  • John

    Do you know that over-the-counter melatonin has been used to cure many cancers? There are over one thosand citations on PubMed about it. Why doesn’t the FDA, the American Cancer Society and Big Pharma, make that public?

    Here is a summary web page: http://www.thorne.com/altmedrev/.fulltext/10/4/326.pdf

  • Mark

    If the cure for Cancer becomes common knowledge. Then the American Cancer Society will cease to exist, an entire Market would collapse, and the Goverment would loose large amounts of tax money.

    One day cancer treatments of today are going to look just as redicoulous as bleedinng was in the 19th Century. Chemo (aka Chemical Poison) and Radiation therapy are an attempt to kill cancer before the cancer or the cancer treatment kills the patient. If the cancer is killed then often the original cancer treament causes a new cancer down the road.

    Here is a paradigm shift. What if the cure for Cancer already exists and is being repressed and discredited. All to protect the existence of the American Cancer Society, the Pharmaceuticals profit, and the Governments Tax money.