All posts by Stephen Drake

Disabled Feminists Issue Statement: on Robert Edwards, Virginia Ironside and Unnecessary Opposition of Rights

clair lewis, disability activists, disability rights, eugenics, feminism, Laura Hershey, Our News & Commentary Blog, UK

It surprises some people when they inquire about NDY that we don’t describe ourselves as “prolife.”  The reason we don’t describe ourselves that was is that “prolife” tends to cover a variety of positions, but first and foremost is the opposition to abortion.  NDY, as an organization, doesn’t oppose abortion.  We have no organizational position … Continue reading Disabled Feminists Issue Statement: on Robert Edwards, Virginia Ironside and Unnecessary Opposition of Rights →

Connecting Disability Rights and Animal Rights – A Really Bad Idea

animal rights, autism, critical animal studies, disability rights, euthanasia, Our News & Commentary Blog, PETA, Peter Singer, pets

Is there something in the air?  Earlier this year, a friend and former colleague introduced me to someone on Facebook – an amazing guy who has what looks like a bottomless well of energy and passion, judging from the status messages I see and the info on his info page. Sometime after I posted this … Continue reading Connecting Disability Rights and Animal Rights – A Really Bad Idea →

Mike Huckabee Says Folks with Pre-Existing Conditions are Uninsurable, Just Like a Burnt-Out House

access to health care, Back Door Euthanasia, health care reform, Mike Huckabee, Our News & Commentary Blog, politics, Tea Party, Utilitarianism, Values Voters

Readers might have noticed that some other groups and individuals who oppose legalization of assisted suicide and euthanasia spend a fair amount of time and energy warning about “pro-death” ideology on the left.  You don’t have to search very far to find warnings about “Obamacare,” impending rationing and “death panels.” While a lot of the … Continue reading Mike Huckabee Says Folks with Pre-Existing Conditions are Uninsurable, Just Like a Burnt-Out House →

Scotland: Disability Community Protesting Assisted Suicide Bill

assisted suicide, disability activists, disability rights, discrimination, Margo MacDonald, Our News & Commentary Blog, Scotland, suicide

There’s an effort in Scotland right now that is spearheaded by Margo MacDonald. She’s been successful in getting the matter before the Scottish Parliament.  There has been an encouraging amount of opposition to the proposed bill from the medical community.  The disability community seems pretty united – and serious – about opposing this bill, which … Continue reading Scotland: Disability Community Protesting Assisted Suicide Bill →

Washington State: Grieving Relative Compares Legally Scheduled Suicide to Execution

assisted suicide, Conflation and Con jobs, executions, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, safeguards, suicide, Washington state

To be honest, the letter from Katie Densley in the Spokesman-Review on Sunday didn’t surprise me at all.  That is, the content of the letter didn’t surprise me.  The fact that her letter was published did surprise me.  I suspect there are more stories like hers in Washington – and even more in Oregon.  But … Continue reading Washington State: Grieving Relative Compares Legally Scheduled Suicide to Execution →