The Supreme Court is now hearing arguments about Oregon’s assisted suicide laws, and it looks as if Justice Roberts isn’t a fan of allowing people to choose assisted suicide. We’ll see how the court goes — whether they’ll allow states to make their own rules on this one, or if the federal government has the right to control right-to-die laws.
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The whole thing is ridicuous. Is unassisted suicide illegal? Maybe it should be punishable by death.
It’s already been heard. Later they decide when they go to conference. Which is when O’Connor won’t be there and Miers will. *sigh*
And hey, I just vented about this whole thing because damn, I do believe Roberts is legislating from the bench!
You laugh – but historically, attempted suicide has been a punishable crime. Guess what cultural force was behind that brilliant idea?
I’m laughing. No, really, these are tears of joy you see.
I forgot. Here’s .pdf’s of their schedule up thru November.
On November 30th they hear Operation Rescue v. NOW/Scheidler v. NOW and Ayotte v. Planned Parenthood of Northern New England.
If you have access to LexisNexis, you should read the previous opinions. The anti’s are nuts!
I’ve always wondered why the assisted suicide movement didn’t grab the pro-choice label first.
I’m only for it when the person’s life is in danger.
I also work for an evil CSC (crisis suicide center). We show them scary pictures of what suicide is like (we don’t cut up the whole doll with scissors, we just slit its wrists).
I wonder how Planned Parenthood would handle it if they wanted a piece of the business. Unbiased counselors who trusted the suicides’ ability to make decisions for themselves, or would they try to talk them out of it?
Yeah yeah yeah I know terminal illness terrible pain no hope, I’m for it then, don’t worry.
Oregon’s assisted suicide law allows assisted suicide only in this circumstance:
So don’t worry.
And, if I recall properly, two physicians must concur with the patient’s decision.
Just one physician, in Oregon at least. Unless I’m sorely mistaken.
I’m almost completely sure that it’s two physicians in Oregon. I will look this up.
This is my source: http://egov.oregon.gov/DHS/ph/pas/faqs.shtml#whocan
“It is up to the attending physician to determine whether these criteria have been met.”
“Patients who meet certain criteria can request a prescription for lethal medication from a licensed Oregon physician. The physician must be a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) licensed to practice medicine by the Board of Medical Examiners for the State of Oregon. The physician must also be willing to participate in physician-assisted suicide. Physicians are not required to provide prescriptions to patients. Physician participation in physician-assisted suicide is voluntary…”
Which, btw, is the whole problem, if I remember right…Ashcroft started prosecuting physicians for “misprescibing” Schedule C drugs. It wasn’t about getting involved in the process, but for writing a prescription for a killing dose.
4) diagnosed with a terminal illness that will lead to death within six (6) months.
Actually, it shouldn’t even require terminal illlness if there’s no hope of getting out of the pain.
Oh yes, Ashcroft has been after dr’s for helping for a long time. Thank goodness he’s no longer the AG.
Don’t worry if two doctors are required in Oregon. Even if Dr. Jack Kervorkian is not available, I’m sure that there are at least two that come recommended by Dr. Kervorkian.
It would seem that under Roe v Wade, this would be a federal matter. Killing oneself is a deeply personal decision which falls squarely within the Constitutional right to privacy. Therefore, the Court needs to map out a trimester-like scheme telling the states when and how they should let their citizens help one another kill themselves.
On the other hand, maybe this is something that needs to be left to the cities or the counties. Personally, I’d like a unincorporated village or township to do the honors when it’s my turn to go.
I always find it so cute when liberals rediscover the little joys of federalism. See? You really can support state autonomy and not be a stark raving bigot straight out of “Mississippi Burning”.
Actually, I wish the right to end your own life when suffering from a painful terminal illness was a federal right. I’ll be honest — I’m hoping the Supreme Court comes down in favor of the Oregon law only because it’s the last straw to grab.
Jill: And that too is one of the beauties of federalism. When one hasn’t convinced the branches of the federal government to support one’s personal policy preference, or convinced the majority of the people to amend the Constitution, one in the minority can still turn to the individual laboratories of the states.