Assisted Suicide Ought To Be Legal

[Athena]

...and it is, in Oregon.

Naysayers warned that legalizing euthanasia would present too much potential for abuse. But, since assisted suicide was made legal in Oregon in '97, remarkably few claims of abuse have been made. The criteria is clear: You must be at least 18 and make two pleas for death within two weeks. Aside from that, you must be diagnosed as having less than 6 months to live and free of all mental illness, including depression.

About 40 patients a year opt to die with dignity in Oregon. The doctor prescribes a lethal dose of narcotics and does not administer it - the patient must administer it himself.

It's an emotional subject, especially for those with family members who would qualify for euthanasia. Still, the most common argument against the legalization that I've encountered is, "Who are we to terminate the gift God gave us?" A reasonable perspective for the devout, I suppose...But I really wish people would get past applying their standards to other people. If I don't believe in God, I shouldn't be bound by His laws. If I do believe but rather not to abide by His laws, that is the choice I've been given. If He is willing to grant me the right to choose, why can't His followers?

Booth Gardener, an ex-Governor for Washington State who suffers from Parkinson's, is taking on this very debate as we speak. He is advocating Initiative 1000, which would establish a law similar to Oregon's for Washington State. Studies suggest that the vast majority of Americans support right-to-die legislation, so, it ought to be a slam dunk, right? Not quite. In the past, religious organizations have managed to drum up enough opposition to cause similar measures to fail.

In Washington, the opposition has an ace card. His name is Chris Carlson and, if this were a comicbook story, he'd be a worthy nemesis. He's a Seattle resident, a public-relations executive and...He's also suffering from Parkinson's. Worse yet, he was diagnosed with terminal cancer in '05. He's got Gardener one-uped in the public sympathy department. Chris' message? "I'm still around three years later. But what if I'd been able to give up hope, take my own life too early?"

Article (http://www.time.com/time/health/article/0,8599,1807401,00.html)

The bottomline from my perspective - As individuals, we should have the right to choose death for ourselves. Why would someone disagree?

[Nell]

I live in Oregon and I am extremely proud of this law. Suicide shouldn't be against the law anyway, because you are offing yourself, not anyone else. And my brother shot himself 9 years ago, so I know I will always feel this way. Do I wish he had done it? Hell no! Was it selfish? Hell yes! Do I wish a loaded handgun hadn't been just laying around our parents house for him to use? Most definately, yes. But I was not in his head and do not know his demons. At the age of 21 he had the right to bow out.

I know that isn't exactly what Athena was talking about but I agree that assisted suicide is a right when you have a fatal disease and don't want to ride it out. Yes, doctors can be wrong about life expectancy, but in the end if you are an adult this should be your choice, like anything else.

[Athena]

You're right, Nell. I, too, would extend similar thinking to ALL adult suicide. A person should have the ultimate responsibility and decision-making power for his or her life.

But, baby steps.

[Rotten Apple]

Assisted suicide for the terminally ill should not be illegal. We provide euthanasia for terminally ill animals and call it humane. Why should humans be forced to go through the pain and suffering we don't expect our animals to?

The last stages of a terminal illness can be horrible to experience, for the ill and the loved ones. If they are going anyway, why not let them go on their own terms with their wits still about them?

[Zora]

Several months ago, I spent a day watching videos documenting Lovelle Svart's decision to die on her own terms.

It moved me greatly.

And it made me wish this was legal everywhere.

http://next.oregonianextra.com/lovelle/

[Dakota Valkyrie]

If it was possible to be more than 100% behind this, I would be.

Many years ago, my stepmother had terminal cancer as well as several other major medical problems. Her health had declined for several years and she spent each day in increasing pain. She fell into a coma. She had brain activity and was in obvious pain but would surely die without mechanical assistance. (total oversimplification - but you get the idea)

All of us (8 kids) knew her wishes, it had been discussed many times, but the doctors hands were tied because of legal issues. (pre-DNR and living will days)

But I will forever bless the doctors and nurses of that facility. They answered all our questions - knowing why we asked them. They explained what would happen should she become disconnected from certain machines. They left the room.

As her whole family talked to her and loved her. It took some time and the vigil took it's toll on us BUT none of the horrors that the doctors predicted happened. It was actually quite peaceful. It was awful only because of what she had once been and what she meant to us. It was the right thing to do but still brings me to tears.

Some things are inevitable, hastening the inevitable can be an act of love and humanity. It should be the decision of the one involved. The God argument carries no weight for me as I am sure he didn't intend for anyone to live through such horror.

[celtic friend]

If the person is terminally ill, I see nothing wrong with it, if that's what they want.

[swivel]

Great post.

I had no idea that any state made this legal. Good for you, Oregon.

[Mom of 4]

I absolutely am for this. It's my life and it should be up to me to decide if I want to live a few weeks or months with a terminal illness or if I want to check out early and spare myself and my family the agony of watching me die slowly and painfully.

[~Absynthe~]

I have always believed that it should be up to the person. Most will know how much they can take and when it is time. It's their life and should be their choice. I had a friend who was terminally ill, when it got bad he begged for death, and I think that was the hardest part because there wasn't anything we could do to help him. He couldn't eat and after about 2 weeks he starved to death, I don't know which was worse..the pain from his cancer or starving.

[CPL CHUD]

Goregon gets stuff right.

[Athena]

Great post.

I had no idea that any state made this legal. Good for you, Oregon.

From a libertarianish standpoint, Oregon actually has some great politics. Some weird shit, too...Don't know if you've ever been there, but you can't pump your own gas, for example...Still, it's turned into one of my favorite vacation spots. You can drink in the strip clubs there! Wooooo!

[Nell]

Oregon rocks! I have always lived here. Not only is it beautiful but the people actually think for themselves and we embrace weirdness. And yes, I am 30 and I have never pumped my own gas!:p

[CPL CHUD]

For some people it should be encouraged. I suggest putting a high open ledge next to a court room that only caters to cases dealing with pedophiles. Under the ledge, a moat, full of aligators, and...uhhhh...bears....

[Athena]

I'd gladly designate some of my tax dollars to the construction of moats and ledges, CPL. If only because a moat full of aligators and bears provides a funny visual. :p

[Dakota Valkyrie]

From a libertarianish standpoint, Oregon actually has some great politics. Some weird shit, too...Don't know if you've ever been there, but you can't pump your own gas, for example...Still, it's turned into one of my favorite vacation spots. You can drink in the strip clubs there! Wooooo!


Last time I was in Oregon I spent half hour wasting gas trying to find a self-serve. Do they think folks are too dumb to pump their own gas or do those pump jockeys just need a job??

Otherwise Oregon is home to my brother and a half million of his wacko friends... love it.

Strip clubs you can't drink in?? that's silly. Almost pointless for me.

[Nell]

Pump jockeys need a job. They are fierce if you even bring up self pumping! And we don't want the idiots and meth heads playing with gas. They will either sniff it to get high or set stuff on fire.;)

[Dakota Valkyrie]

Pump jockeys need a job. They are fierce if you even bring up self pumping! And we don't want the idiots and meth heads playing with gas. They will either sniff it to get high or set stuff on fire.;)

Yep - we have that happen all the time around here. LOL

BUT I did feel like an idiot having someone else pump my gas. Total culture shock (That and getting yelled at for putting my soda bottle in the wrong bin outside the convenience store)

[Dark Star]

My thoughts...and I feel very strongly on this one...It is my life, my body, my fucking choice.

As far as the terminally ill....I wish I would have been able to put my mother out of her misery when she was rotting the fuck away with cancer.
She wanted to die at home...she wanted no feeding tube, so she fucking starved to death. She was a healthy woman, (strapping farm lady who wore a size 9) when she died she weighed 86 fucking pounds. A skeleton with skin, it was and still is one of the most horrific pictures I keep within my mind. No one deserves to die the way she did, it was heartless and fucking cruel to see her like that.

[LaceyLooWho]

Oregon is indeed an amazing place to live. I am not originally from here and found it weird at first to let people pump my gas but now when I go to other states, I am a total spoiled brat about it, lol. I hate smelling gas, getting it on me etc etc and love that someone does it for me here. It is bratty and wonderful all at the same time!

As for legal suicide... I think we all have probably seen the effects of cancer or other major terminal illnesses. It is horrible, it is heart wrenching and cruel. I wouldn't let my dogs die that way, why would I want a family member to have to die like that. After 11 years of euthanasia working well here in Oregon, it should be a nationwide choice. I would much rather slip away peacefully, with my family around me than in a coma or drug induced stupor.

I am sick to death of religious zealots dictating politics in this country. It is absolutely ridiculous to try and force your beliefs on someone else. It never works and always causes more problems than it solves. IMO religion is the bane of the world!

[SoUncool]

Looks like Oregon's neighbor wants in on the assisted suicide action. Copycats!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080616/ap_on_re_us/assisted_suicide;_ylt=Ao0HkyDIPSuJOermdgXBRQRvzwcF


Washington state mulls assisted suicide measure

Mon Jun 16, 12:29 PM ET

OLYMPIA, Wash. - There isn't much John Peyton can do on his own except speak, and soon he'll lose even that. He has Lou Gehrig's disease, which progressively paralyzes its victims. His doctor gives him three to six months to live.

He is using his last months to oppose a ballot initiative that would allow physicians in Washington state to help terminally ill patients end their lives. Only Oregon has such a law.

Supporters need to collect about 225,000 valid voter signatures by July 3 to get the "Washington Death with Dignity Initiative" on the November ballot. The campaign has raised more than $1 million, more than enough for a successful signature drive, setting up a fiercely fought and emotional campaign.

Those in favor of the measure say that it's not meant to encourage people to prematurely end their lives.

Outside Oregon, advocates of the idea haven't fared well. California, Michigan and Maine voters rejected the idea, and bills have failed in statehouses around the country. In Washington, voters rejected physician-assisted suicide in 1991.

This year's proposal differs in that it would not allow doctors to administer lethal drugs on behalf of patients who couldn't do so themselves.

Initiative 1000 mirrors the Oregon law, which took effect in 1997 after a lengthy court fight, and would allow terminally ill people to obtain lethal prescription drugs for ending their own lives.

Any patient requesting the fatal medication would have to make two oral requests, 15 days apart, and submit a written request witnessed by two people, including one person who is not a relative, heir, attending doctor, or connected with a health facility where the requester lives.

Two doctors would have to agree on the diagnosis of a terminal disease — giving the patient six months or less to live — and declare that the patient "is competent, is acting voluntarily, and has made an informed decision."

Popular former Washington Gov. Booth Gardner, has waged a public campaign in support of the measure. Gardner suffers from Parkinson's disease. His disease is not fatal, so he would not qualify if the initiative becomes law. But his worsening condition has made him an advocate for those who want control over how they die.

Gardner's position has caused strain with longtime friends, political allies and his own family. Gov. Chris Gregoire, a Roman Catholic, has said she personally can't support the measure, but won't actively work against it. He son says he'll still "join the chorus" of voices opposed to Initiative 1000.

Critics, including many doctors and disability-rights advocates, say assisted suicide laws could exploit depressed or vulnerable people who worry they've become a burden on their families.

Not Dead Yet is a disability advocacy group that's part of the coalition against the measure.

Along with Oregon, three European countries — Switzerland, Belgium and the Netherlands — authorize assisted suicide.

In an AP-Ipsos poll conducted nationally last year, 48 percent of those polled said that it should be legal for doctors to prescribe drugs to help terminally ill patients end their own lives; 44 percent said it should be illegal.

___

On the Net:

Yes on 1000: http://www.yeson1000.org/

No on 1000: http://noassistedsuicide.com/

[Athena]

Religion. Religion is the only stupid fucking thing that is allowing sick people to die gracefully, with the same "humane" measures we give our goddamn animals.

You know, if we could just replace Portland with the beauty that is Seattle, I'd totally live in Oregon. There are fewer religious people there, wishing to impose their morals on other people.

Did you know that Washington State was the only state Pat Robertson won during his bid for the GOP presidental nomination in '88? Fucking weak.