Dr. Kevorkian to run for Congress.......

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

Of course it's not that simple...it never is! It's like abortion, and lets not go down that road again so Mersameg can say I'm not a feminist. Here's the thing, I believe all life is sacred...I oppose abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, and all other forms of legalized "death by others" (notice I refrain from using the word "murder" to not stoke the fire). Of course the last thing in this world I want is to see ANYBODY suffer! I no longer support reversing Roe, nor do I support any criminalization of suicide. In regards to Roe, it's useless to close the barn door, the horses have long since run away...my objection is the government "legalizing" abortion. Had it been simply "decriminalized" and left to the woman, it wouldn't have had the sociological impact of lessening the value of life. Euthanasia is indeed a "slippery slope"...who decides who has the right to take their life? Does a 16 year old who just broke up with the "love of his/her life?" How about the 19 year old suffering from schizophrenia? The 30 year old who lost a child? The 40 year old struggling through a lifetime of depression? The 50 year old cancer patient? Is pain the criteria? How much pain? Who decides?? If it's the person then that's where free will and consequences for personal behavior come in...but if the government "legalizes" euthanasia then we're one step closer to eating Soilent Green! Do we want to live in a society where "death parlors" are on every corner like McD's? When will folks understand that you can't legislate morality and the government has no right in the private affairs of people? I live by the Rede and it says, "and ye harm none, do what ye will"...so I will never take my own life through any physical act and I'm damn well opposed to others making that decision for me. What you decide is governed by your faith, circumstance, and belief....I am responsible for what I do, and you are likewise...keep the damn government out of it!

I think I was pretty specific about when I thought euthanasia is a black and white situation. You seemed to take it down the slippery slope to areas where I think it isn't so black and white. But, and I'm not lumping you into this catgory, many like you do that with issues. The NRA comes to mind right away. But you did it this time with your examples of a kid breaking up, schitzo, etc. That wasn't even part of the conversation or was ever remotely considered or proposed that I have ever heard of

I guess I was confused because you started out, I think, saying you oppose what Kivorkian did, but then say that the end "I'm damn well opposed to others making that decision for me"?

[somerfrost]

Originally Posted by GBBob

I think I was pretty specific about when I thought euthanasia is a black and white situation. You seemed to take it down the slippery slope to areas where I think it isn't so black and white. But, and I'm not lumping you into this catgory, many like you do that with issues. The NRA comes to mind right away. But you did it this time with your examples of a kid breaking up, schitzo, etc. That wasn't even part of the conversation or was ever remotely considered or proposed that I have ever heard of

I guess I was confused because you started out, I think, saying you oppose what Kivorkian did, but then say that the end "I'm damn well opposed to others making that decision for me"?

I don't understand??? His entire "platform" is the legalization of euthanasia...I think I was pretty clear on why I oppose same??? Again, accusing me of this or that does little to address the argument imo.

[GBBob]

Originally Posted by somerfrost

I don't understand??? His entire "platform" is the legalization of euthanasia...I think I was pretty clear on why I oppose same??? Again, accusing me of this or that does little to address the argument imo.

ok..I'll try and narrow this further..Yes, I think euthanasia should be legal for people with terminal illnesses. To get more specific about the rules, reference Brian's Oregon laws. They have it structured so it is absolutely black and white.

Do you agree with the above? Or not...I really am not sure

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by GBBob

ok..I'll try and narrow this further..Yes, I think euthanasia should be legal for people with terminal illnesses. To get more specific about the rules, reference Brian's Oregon laws. They have it structured so it is absolutely black and white.

Do you agree with the above? Or not...I really am not sure

Let's all be clear here too, the use of the term "euthanasia" is wildly misleading and intellectually dishonest in this discussion. Euthanasia is still illegal in Oregon.

Q: How does a patient get a prescription from a participating physician?

A: The patient must meet certain criteria to be able to request to participate in the Act. Then, the following steps must be fulfilled: 1) the patient must make two oral requests to the attending physician, separated by at least 15 days; 2) the patient must provide a written request to the attending physician, signed in the presence of two witnesses, at least one of whom is not related to the patient; 3) the attending physician and a consulting physician must confirm the patient's diagnosis and prognosis; 4) the attending physician and a consulting physician must determine whether the patient is capable of making and communicating health care decisions for him/herself; 5) if either physician believes the patient's judgment is impaired by a psychiatric or psychological disorder (such as depression), the patient must be referred for a psychological examination; 6) the attending physician must inform the patient of feasible alternatives to the Act including comfort care, hospice care, and pain control; 7) the attending physician must request, but may not require, the patient to notify their next-of-kin of the prescription request. A patient can rescind a request at any time and in any manner. The attending physician will also offer the patient an opportunity to rescind his/her request at the end of the 15-day waiting period following the initial request to participate.

Q: Does the Act allow euthanasia?

A: No. Euthanasia is a different procedure for hastening death. In euthanasia, a doctor injects a patient with a lethal dosage of medication. In the Act, a physician prescribes a lethal dose of medication to a patient, but the patient - not the doctor - administers the medication. Euthanasia is illegal in every state in the US, including Oregon. The Act has been legal in Oregon since November 1997.


The latter question addresses why Kevorkian crossed the line with Youk, and got in trouble for it, as I would be willing to say, he should have.