Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

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New Jersey/Futility: Oral Arguments in Betancourt v. Trinitas (Appellate Court)

betancourt v. trinitas, bioethics, futile care, futility, life-ending decisions, litigation, new jersey, Our News & Commentary Blog

Oral arguments are scheduled today (April 27, 2010) in front of the New Jersey Appellate Division.  The case is Betancourt v. Trinitas.  You can read more about the case here and here.  It’s an important judicial hearing on one hospital’s claim regarding the extent of their “right” to summarily refuse life-sustaining medical treatment over the … Continue reading New Jersey/Futility: Oral Arguments in Betancourt v. Trinitas (Appellate Court) →

Texas: Murder of Disabled Spouse Yields Probation for Wife

crime and punishment, murder, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, texas

Texas has a reputation for doling out pretty harsh treatment when it comes to murder.  Apparently – in Austin, anyway – exceptions will be made if the victim is devalued enough.  Last Friday, Katherine “Kim” Yarbrough received ten years of probation in a plea bargain.  Yarbrough had admitted to killing her husband, Lloyd Yarbrough.  Nevertheless, … Continue reading Texas: Murder of Disabled Spouse Yields Probation for Wife →

Anderson Cooper, CNN and Kevorkian – Advertising Masquerading as Journalism

anderson cooper, assisted suicide, cnn, conflict of interest, faux journalism, hbo, Kevorkian, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog

I don’t usually watch Anderson Cooper.  His show airs past my bedtime.  But I had assumed he was some kind of journalist.  Maybe he is.  But when I got around to watching the taped segments of his interviews with Kevorkian, they looked more like the kind of softball/cheering squad that Larry King does so well.  … Continue reading Anderson Cooper, CNN and Kevorkian – Advertising Masquerading as Journalism →

HBO Is Making Sure We Don’t Know Jack About Jack Kevorkian

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

Caveat: I haven’t seen the HBO “docudrama” You Don’t Know Jack yet, but the many reviews I’ve read, along with the info on the HBO site devoted to the film, are painting a pretty clear picture – namely, that people who watch this movie probably won’t know Jack Kevorkian at all.  I grew increasingly suspicious … Continue reading HBO Is Making Sure We Don’t Know Jack About Jack Kevorkian →

Connecticut: Affidavit of Nancy B. Alisberg in Motion to Intervene in Assisted Suicide Suit

advocacy, Connecticut, devaluation, discrimination, life-ending decisions, litigation, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog, protection and advocacy, reality check, Surrogate Decisions & Guardianship

As promised in yesterday’s blog posting, today I’m sharing the affidavit submitted by Nancy B. Alisberg, Managing Attorney at the Connecticut Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities (OPA) in the OPA’s motion to intervene in Blick v. Division of Criminal Justice.  Alisberg’s affidavit goes into detail about some of the actions she … Continue reading Connecticut: Affidavit of Nancy B. Alisberg in Motion to Intervene in Assisted Suicide Suit →