All posts by Stephen Drake

Blast From the Past – 2009 Musings on Final Exit Network, Zealotry and Groupthink

assisted suicide, final exit network, Frontline, Georgia, groupthink, homicide, murder, Our News & Commentary Blog

Editor’s note: This is a post I wrote about the Final Exit Network in March of 2009.  It’s very relevant today, given the revelations discussed in yesterday’s post about the Frontline documentary that included a detailed look at the Final Exit Network.  Even back in 2009, I wondered – if the allegations about restraining peoples … Continue reading Blast From the Past – 2009 Musings on Final Exit Network, Zealotry and Groupthink →

PBS Airs Frontline “The Suicide Plan” – Video Tape Exposes Final Exit Network’s Big Lie

assisted suicide, final exit network, Frontline, Georgia, murder, Our News & Commentary Blog, zealotry

Well, I spent a significant amount of time today going through the video and painstakingly transcribing key quotes, only to find out a little bit later that the Frontline site has posted a transcript.  If you heard a heavy sigh late this afternoon, that was me – I was too tired for the more usual … Continue reading PBS Airs Frontline “The Suicide Plan” – Video Tape Exposes Final Exit Network’s Big Lie →

PBS Airs Frontline “The Suicide Plan” – Immediate Reactions and Impressions

assisted suicide, Compassion & Choices, documentary, final exit network, Frontline, media, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog

On Tuesday, November 14, PBS aired the Frontline segment “The Suicide Plan” – which focused on the “assisted suicide underground.” It’s hard for me to judge how this show would have struck the average viewer.  I know I need to force myself to review the show for a deeper reaction than I can offer right … Continue reading PBS Airs Frontline “The Suicide Plan” – Immediate Reactions and Impressions →

RELEASE: Massachusetts Disability Rights Activists Relieved That Voters Defeated Assisted Suicide Initiative

assisted suicide, Ballot Question 2, disability activists, disability rights advocates, Massachusetts, Our News & Commentary Blog, Second Thoughts

Massachusetts Disability Rights Activists Relieved That Voters Defeated Assisted Suicide Initiative Massachusetts disability rights activists from the group Second Thoughts breathed a sigh of relief Tuesday night as voters appear to have closely defeated Question 2, which would have legalized assisted suicide in the state. National Not Dead Yet applauds Second Thoughts leadership in the … Continue reading RELEASE: Massachusetts Disability Rights Activists Relieved That Voters Defeated Assisted Suicide Initiative →

Bioethicist Endorses Mass. Assisted Suicide Bill in a Sloppy and Intellectually Lazy Essay

Art Caplan, assisted suicide, ben mattlin, bioethics, Compassion & Choices, disability rights advocates, final exit network, Massachusetts, Oregon, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

Art Caplan has an opinion piece that came out yesterday – and it’s linked from just about every conceivable place on NBC and MSNBC.  It’s an endorsement of the proposed legalization of assisted suicide on the ballot in Massachusetts.  While disappointing, it’s not that big a surprise; Caplan has been sliding toward this unqualified endorsement … Continue reading Bioethicist Endorses Mass. Assisted Suicide Bill in a Sloppy and Intellectually Lazy Essay →