Assisted suicide: Whose life is it anyway?

London Times ^ | 8/2/09 | Bryan Appleyard

[wagglebee]

Debbie Purdy was “ecstatic”. It was a strange reaction to the news that it had suddenly become easier to be killed in Zurich. But the real reason for her elation was that the news also meant it might soon become easier to be killed in Britain.

The law lords had just ruled that the director of public prosecutions (DPP) must make it clear under what circumstances he would prosecute somebody for assisting a suicide. It was the law lords’ last ruling before they themselves are killed off and replaced by a Supreme Court.

Multiple sclerosis will kill Purdy, 46, if the Dignitas clinic in Zurich does not do it first. Her argument was that she needed to know whether her husband, Omar Puente, would be prosecuted if he helped her make her last journey. If he would, she said, she would have to go and take the lethal dose of Nembutal soon, well before incapacity prevented her from travelling alone. If he would not, she could safely put it off for years.

The lords decided that not knowing which way the DPP would jump was an infringement of her rights, specifically article 8 of the European convention on human rights.

“Everyone,” they said, “has the right to respect for their private life and the way that Ms Purdy determines to spend the closing moments of her life is part of the act of living.”

Keir Starmer, QC, the DPP, has prosecuted none of the helpers of the 115 Britons who have gone to Zurich to die, but mostly his reasons have not been stated. The High Court backed his reticence, but the law lords said he must make his policy clear. He was not a happy QC.

[wagglebee]

Yet which of us would deny a loved one’s release from intolerable, terminal suffering if offered the opportunity? That, too, can be seen as an obligation that connects us to others — an ultimate form of caring.

The culture of death loves to ignore the FACT that with proper palliative care this is a non-issue.

[wagglebee]

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[wagglebee]

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[bareford101]

Whose life is it anyway? That’s easy. God gave the life.

[End Times Sentinel]

Debbie Purdy was “ecstatic”. It was a strange reaction to the news that it had suddenly become easier to be killed in Zurich. But the real reason for her elation was that the news also meant it might soon become easier to be killed in Britain.

I feel the exact same way.

My grandmother suffers from this condition that involves calling me several times a day. That coupled with the value of her home and the money she's draining from my inheritance, leads me to believe that a trip to Zurich might be just what the "doctor" ordered.

[wagglebee]

Whose life is it anyway? That’s easy. God gave the life.

And this means that ONLY God can take it.

[wagglebee]

Please tell me this was sarcasm.

[bareford101]

that is the other half! thanks for posting.

[tbw2]

If this logic were run to its conclusion, a lot of expensive illegal aliens could be shipped out one way or another. ObamaCare Jokes Obama Jokes

[tbw2]

If this logic were run to its conclusion, a lot of expensive illegal aliens could be shipped out one way or another. ObamaCare Jokes Obama Jokes

[PSYCHO-FREEP]

I’m sure that in her case, if she commits suicide, her “final journey” will be greatly assisted by gravity to an increasing warm place. (They make it sound so wonderful.)

[AEMILIUS PAULUS]

A real Death Cult has captured Western thinking. We sacrifice more people than any group in history; babies, old folks, the sick or those that think themselves sick, the weak willed who are talked into death by designing friends and family. Spooky!

[freekitty]

Exactly.

[End Times Sentinel]

Please tell me this was sarcasm.

Wagglebee, you of all people should be the last to ask something like that.

[wagglebee]

I just wanted it on record for when the deathbots read this.

Then again it would be hilarious to see Zero go on TV and say, “see, even the FReepers are okay with my plan to kill old people.”

[End Times Sentinel]

Then again it would be hilarious to see Zero go on TV and say, “see, even the FReepers are okay with my plan to kill old people.”

I'm sure some group of weirdos like Media Matters already do.

[wagglebee]

You’re probably right.

[SuziQ]

*snort*

[mlizzy]

An "ecstatic" Debbie Purdy after the ruling.

How can anyone, even if they don't believe in Christ, be this excited about suicide?

[OpeEdMunkey]

And this means that ONLY God can take it.

Then again there is that whole annoying free will thing.

And there doesn't seem to be much debate about those who commit unassisted suicide.

So maybe the state should just butt out of decisions that my doctor and I make.