All posts by Stephen Drake

Barney Frank Demagogues “End of Life” Policy in Budget Discussion on MSNBC.

I’m probably being more self-disclosing than I would like to here, but it was no accident that we caught this bit of demagoguery by Rep. Barney Frank on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe”.  The show usually has a good line-up of guests, representing a wide spectrum of political ideologies – and discussion occurs – mostly – with … Continue reading Barney Frank Demagogues “End of Life” Policy in Budget Discussion on MSNBC.

Surprise! Compassion & Choices Weighs in on Arizona Final Exit Network Trial Outcome

Not exactly a big surprise, but Compassion and Choices (aka “Conflation & Con Jobs“) has weighed in on the disappointing outcome of the trial of Final Exit Network (FEN) members in Arizona.  I am cynical enough to believe that reporters who use this press release from the organization are too shallow, lazy or generally lacking … Continue reading Surprise! Compassion & Choices Weighs in on Arizona Final Exit Network Trial Outcome

Arizona: Jury in Final Exit Network Trial Acquits One, Unable to Reach Verdict with Other

Disappointing, but not entirely unexpected news from Arizona: Lawrence Egbert, 83, an anesthesiologist from Baltimore, was found not guilty of conspiracy to commit manslaughter by aiding suicide in the April 2007 death of Jana Van Voorhis, 58. But the jury was unable to reach a unanimous decision as to whether Franklin Langsner, 86, a retired … Continue reading Arizona: Jury in Final Exit Network Trial Acquits One, Unable to Reach Verdict with Other

Final Exit Network Members Await Jury Decision in One State (AZ) and Lose Court Challenge in Another (GA)

The long-awaited trial of two members of the Final Exit Network (FEN) relating to their roles in the death of Jana Van Voorhis is all but over – it’s all in the hands of the jury now after a roughly week-long trial at the Maricopa County Superior Court in Arizona. The only ongoing press coverage … Continue reading Final Exit Network Members Await Jury Decision in One State (AZ) and Lose Court Challenge in Another (GA)

Bad Cripple – Assisted Suicide: No Assistance Wanted

On March 21st, the Monterey County Herald published an op-ed by Neil Shapiro, which was, until the last paragraph, a fairly unremarkable and unoriginal promotion of legalized assisted suicide.  The author praised Jack Kevorkian and the states of Oregon and Washington – the two states that have legalized physician-prescribed suicide for people believed to have less … Continue reading Bad Cripple – Assisted Suicide: No Assistance Wanted