All posts by Stephen Drake

Arizona Daily Star Romanticizes the Suicide of a Disabled Woman in a “Tribute”

euthanasia, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, suicide, suicide prevention

Well, now that National Suicide Prevention Week is over, I guess the field is wide-open when it comes to romanticizing the suicides of people with disabilities in the popular press. Scary thought. Just when I get to the point where I think I’ve seen everything in terms of sensationalized coverage that condones and sympathizes with … Continue reading Arizona Daily Star Romanticizes the Suicide of a Disabled Woman in a “Tribute” →

It’s Suicide Prevention Week – Except for Old, Ill and Physically Disabled People

assisted suicide, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, suicide, suicide prevention, Washington state

I’m not sure how many people are aware of this, but we are nearing the end of National Suicide Prevention Week (Sept. 6-12). In fact, today – September 10 – is World Suicide Prevention Day. For readers of this blog, it might have been easy to miss this important week. After all, there have been … Continue reading It’s Suicide Prevention Week – Except for Old, Ill and Physically Disabled People →

Blog Bonanza: Montana and Assisted Suicide

analysis, assisted suicide, blog recommendations, bloggers, Montana, Our News & Commentary Blog

Last week, this blog devoted some space to the oral arguments held at the Montana Supreme Court over a lower court’s finding of a “constitutional right” to assisted suicide for “terminally ill” people. Since then, there has been surprisingly little discussion about the decision being awaited in Montana. Nevertheless, some people have been moved to … Continue reading Blog Bonanza: Montana and Assisted Suicide →

Oklahoma: Reporter labels an attempted murder as “failed mercy killing”

homicide, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check

I don’t know if there are any journalistic guidelines for using the term “mercy killing” or if reporters just make it up as they go along. A story out today marks one of the more outlandish uses of the term that I’ve seen in the press. Writing on Newsok.com, the website of the Oklahoman, Nola … Continue reading Oklahoma: Reporter labels an attempted murder as “failed mercy killing” →

Belated blog recommendation: “My life is unbearable – don’t fix it, just kill me,” by Clair Lewis

assisted suicide, blog recommendations, clair lewis, euthanasia, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', Our News & Commentary Blog, United Kingdom

I’m still catching up with news and posts that came out during my unplanned hiatus. Last week, the Heresy Corner published a guest blog entry by Clair Lewis, a prominent disability rights activist in the UK. Below is the intro to “My life is unbearable – don’t fix it, just kill me“: Care staff had … Continue reading Belated blog recommendation: “My life is unbearable – don’t fix it, just kill me,” by Clair Lewis →