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

[brianwspencer]

Originally Posted by Cajungator26

Kind of a low blow, B. As a Christian (this has nothing to do with politics-I wish you'd quit dogging me for being a Republican), I believe that another human being should not assist in the death of another. It's murder. You keep using the word "force", but he's not forcing them to do anything. If a person wants to commit suicide, that is their prerogative, but another person should not be involved in that. JMO.

Oh come on, what do you mean "quit," like I do it all the time. When was the last time I seriously bothered to even get into one of these discussions? It's not like I chase you around and give you **** on a regular basis.

And my "low blow" was a riff on the theme of "we are here to bring you peace *drops bombs every****ingwhere*"

Regardless of the word "force," the point is that in a physician-assisted suicide, folks can have some sense of closure for their families as well, in a controlled environment. Read up on the Death with Dignity work they do in Oregon, it's brilliant. These people are able to bring their families into the process, families who are watching them suffer terribly. They are able to have an appropriate goodbye, and often these families are able to spend the last moments of life with their ailing family members. There is a stark difference between that, and sending someone an email that says "can you come wipe my brain off the wall sometime after 2pm today?" To me, there is an incredibly important distinction of 'dignity' in the way someone kills themself. If you don't allow someone to have a professional assist them in a painless, clean way, then you are yes, forcing them to do something potentially more harmful and more painful and less peaceful.

While I'm getting riled up about it, Bob is absolutely right on what the bread and butter of this issue is -- and I've gone somewhat off-topic.

If I am dying, who gets to tell me what to do with my body? You? Or me?

That's the worldview difference here. I think I get to choose what to do with myself. You think you do.