October 4, 2005
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TUESDAY POLITICSI love my state. It’s beautiful (ocean, mountains, desert), it’s historical (farthest west you can come), it’s cultural (big city music, theater, art, film; small city stuff too – i.e., Ashland Shakespeare Festival) , and it’s independent as hell politically. You can never be sure where it’s going to come down, but you can bet it will be heartfelt. At the moment, it’s the only state in this whole country that has a Death with Dignity law since 1994. In spite of challenges all the way to the Supreme Court in 1997, the will of the citizens of this state has been to allow physicians to assist those who are suffering terribly to choose the time when they end that suffering. I personally hope I never have to make such a choice. Now, one of the first tests of newly appointed Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts comes tomorrow when the state of Oregon defends its landmark assisted suicide law, in a key test of where states’ rights end and the federal government’s reach begins. The Bush administration has argued that assisted suicide is not a legitimate use of controlled substances, and the Oregon law therefore violates federal drug laws. But the state of Oregon contends that regulation of medical practices — including assisted suicide — is a state matter. Whether you believe in assisted suicide or not, watch closely for the outcome of this federal government invasion of state’s right and be afraid – be very afraid. (And Mr. Gonzales, get ready for a scrap of a lifetime.)
Deep Thought: “The next time you go to the doctor, go ahead and bring in a stool sample. They might need it. Better go ahead and bring some for the dentist too.”
Today I am grateful for: Air
Guess the Movie: “That’s funny, that plane’s dustin’ crops where there ain’t no crops.” Answer: North by Northwest, 1959.
Winner: swawg.
My husband died with dignity
By Nora Miller
My husband, Rick Miller, died Nov. 10, 1999. That day about 100 other Oregonians also died, but few if any chose that day to be their last. Rick did. (Rest of article here.)
End of Day: 7:49 pm
+ = Death with Dignity tussle getting some good coverage locally.
- = Looks like Roberts is coming down on the Bush team side – gee what a surprise.
Comments (14)
Independence Day? I don’t know how I feel about assisted suicide, but I do believe there are worse things than death. The suffering we allow patients to go through here in the U.S., because most MDs are afraid someone dying will become addicted, is ridiculous.
Good guess, think about 40 years earlier.
All I think of is North by Northwest. If I only had a brain, . .
love your layout and format of entries
Yes…Big Brother Bush is watching…and he brought along some friends…
And I agree…North By Northwest! *wink*
North by Northwest – you got it!
Go state’s rights!
I’d move to Portland in a minute, if not for the high cost of living and high unemployment.
I believe in assisted suicide the same way I believe in women’s right to choose with abortion and birth control and a lot of other things. I don’t think Mr. Bush should be pushing his religion on everyone else but then he will soon be out of office thank God. I do not think the Federal Goverment should be messing around in State business. I love this State too. I am so glad I live in Oregon. I don’t know what I will choose when I get near death but I will fight to the end for the freedom to choose. I am getting rested. Glad you girls had fun yesterday. Soon I will be able to join you again. Just tired myself out is all now have to work backwards. Judi
Thank you for your upfront post. We as a nation love to tap dance around real issue’s. It’s obvious you don’t. I hope assisted sucide passes on the federal level eventually. If we our born with the freedom for life libery and to persue happiness, then that should be in any situation, including and most importantly when and how we die.
The whole Oregon thing is just ridiculous. It’s amazing how the GOP is the party of individual rights, except when it applies to, you know, the individual.
I am so much in agreement with you and the state of Oregon on the subject of assisted suicides. I hope I live long enough to see the day when we treat our precious human friends with as much kindness as we treat our precious canine and feline friends (not to mention equine and delphine and other -ine’s).
Ha! Just looked up “dolphin” in Baus’s Master Crossword Puzzle Dictionary to find the neat word DELPHINE, which ain’t any good in Scrabble, which is one of my key orientations, which you probably already knew about me.
Deep thought
was really pretty deep
the death with dignity act should remain…