Skirting The Sensitive

Would anyone think it reasonable to retain an elderly teacher whose ability to communicate has been severely compromised by a stroke, to continue teaching in the classroom?  If a medical surgeon had suddenly suffered a catastrophic medical condition that rendered his surgical capability unreliable, due to say, advanced Parkinson's, would it seem reasonable to retain him on active staff at a hospital? 

The police officer who, though dependable throughout his long career, suddenly suffered from memory loss, both long- and short-term, disabling him from the critical work he is employed to conduct is no longer a credible candidate - no one would argue that his professional usefulness had come to a standstill.

Why should it be different for someone who sits in the Senate of Canada?  That august body of appointees who have served in politics and who have been given what is considered to be a deserved seat in our sober Chamber of Second Thought.  For it is serious work that these Senators do on behalf of the country.  They discuss matters of great importance to the country, and they help pass vital legislation.  We can be forgiven for believing that their mental faculties must be in fine fettle.

Someone who is in the end stages of Alzheimer's Disease would most certainly not qualify.  Someone, like Senator Joyce Fairbairn, whom it has been revealed is suffering from Alzheimer's and who has steadily been losing her place in time and space, becoming increasingly confused, unable to recognize people she has long known, losing her train of thought, suffering an inability to function, clearly should no longer be seated in the Senate.

She has done a fine job up to the present, distinguishing herself as a Liberal appointee, working for her constituents, her party, and the country, and perhaps in that order of precedence.  We hope that all Canadian Senators have a mind to do just that, and have no reason to believe otherwise.  Senator Fairbairn may have felt dedicated to her position, and may have wished to continue in it as long as she possibly could, but that time has come and long gone.

Her public service should be acknowledged in appreciation.  Sympathy for her plight is understandable, permitting her under the present rules to continue representing Canada's interests has not been in Canada's best interests, when she should have retired gracefully with her mental acuity still reasonably intact.  Alzheimer's Disease is a fearful challenge to all those affected.  Gratitude for past performance does not necessarily require pretence that a Senator can still perform up to par.

She is not, and has not been, medically fit to continue in the Senate, although that information has been discreetly withheld from public scrutiny.  It casts no credit on her party for encouraging her to remain in the Senate to ensure that the Liberals not lose yet another seat of influence in government affairs.