Of Cows and Kids

Cows are interesting and fascinating creatures. Our milk cows queued up at the door to the barn twice a day, waiting to be relieved of their full udder of milk. And they probably were also motivated by the sweetened and salted ground milo or rolled oats that Dad provided for them exclusively in the milking parlor. Their "parlor," for many years, was an open barn with five stanchions through which they placed their heads and were locked into place to confine them while being milked.

We could walk in front of the stanchion to replenish the grain for a cow who had left or needed more. Dad added the molasses to increase their thirst, which in turn produced more milk. It was like candy to them, and they often nosed the bucket as we passed along in front of them, in a effort to solicit more of the sweet treat. Or they nosed our legs, arms, or anything they could reach in an effort to draw attention their "empty" plate. Those big, slobbery noses would leave large patches of bovine saliva on whatever they touched.

This memory was elicited (ever notice how close that is to "illicit?) by contemplation of the Baby Charlie episode in Great Britain. I will explain later. Cows are very hierarchical, meaning that there is a definite and specific pecking order. When they lined up to enter the barn, the same one was nearly always first. The second one likewise took her turn and this continued pretty far down the "list" of cows. The "alpha" cow was always first and got what ever or where ever she wanted.

Occasionally a new or adventurous member of the herd would "jump the line." She would lurk just behind the lead cows and when we opened the door she would rush past everyone else and get in first. She often also took the first stall, which, if you recall, belonged to someone else. The Someone else. When Alphie (the first) got in she often took a swipe at the offending interloper. Standing beside her, she would swing her head in a "horizontal butt" and whack the offender in the ribs. (Ed. Cows have strong necks.) If necessary this "discipline" continued outside after they had both been milked and released.

That usually settled the matter for a while anyway. If the challenger ever overcame Alphie, she became the next alpha female. It was quite interesting to watch. This came to mind thinking about the "copout" statement that "the hospital" had denied Charlie the opportunity to receive a new and experimental treatment. (This Little Life of Mine) We all know that hospitals are not sentient beings, but hopefully are run by sentients.

The decision to deny treatment was made by the staff, and quite possibly one group of the staff, and most likely, by the alpha cow of the group. (I told you it would relate.) Even if a "committee" were involved, there would be one or two who would dominate and virtually dictate the decision. Those unelected, and unaccountable individuals literally control life and death for the patients entrusted to the care of "the hospital."

The United Kingdom has degenerated, if you please, to the level of "the state knows best." Should that be capitalized, State? The legal system agreed with the "alpha cow" and rejected several lawsuits seeking relief for the baby.

What many fail to recognize is that the group or committee form of governance and decision making ultimately devolves to the alpha cow.  As discussed in "Little Life," there are putative explanations or rationalizations (Ever notice that rationalize begins with "rat?") Rationalizations to justify the activity, or lack of same. One could raise economic, or ethical, or medical, or even practical objections. But ultimately the consensus would err on the side of death rather than life.

This institutional prejudice is facilitated and exacerbated by the pecking order force of reason. It is easier to just give up and give in. Charlie's parents were the epitome of either hopeless romantic dreamers, or dedicated and committed advocates for the weak and even helpless.

The lead cow never has the goal of improving the lot of the herd. She is watching out for one interest, her own. Wise parents never let a cow babysit for them. It is a sure recipe for disaster. Sadly, Charlie's parents had no choice, and if there was a chance for remission or even just relief, some old cow squandered it. (I hope for decorum's sake that it is not a woman.)

The Apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8 gives us some good advice for times like this.
...whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Another verse says, "Fix your mind on things above, and not on things on the earth." (Colossians 3:2) This is both how to cope with our present turmoil and how to rectify it. Maybe we need to be alpha cows in thinking to lead the society.

It cannot help but benefit our kids.