Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

Yesterday, in spite of short notice and a long delay in the start of the hearing, disability advocates testified in opposition to a bill that would legalize assisted suicide in Massachusetts. Testifying in the video link from NECN are Denise Karuth and Karen Schneidermann, both long time disability advocates. John Norton, diagnosed with ALS (erroneously, … Continue reading Disability Advocates Testify at Massachusetts Hearing on Assisted Suicide Bill →

Massachusetts: Assisted Suicide Bill Hearing Tomorrow – Interesting Quotes from Paul Spiers

February 22, 2010assisted suicide, legislation, Massachusetts, Our News & Commentary Blog, Paul Spiers, reality checkStephen Drake

Last Friday, we got word that the Massachusetts legislature would be holding a hearing on an assisted suicide bill tomorrow – February 23. Here’s the full info (received on Friday) with a link to the bill: The Joint Committee on the Judiciary of the Massachusetts General Court (state legislature) has just announced that House Bill … Continue reading Massachusetts: Assisted Suicide Bill Hearing Tomorrow – Interesting Quotes from Paul Spiers →

Alternet: Ann Neumann’s Disingenuous Complaints About the State of the Euthanasia Debate

February 18, 2010Ann Neumann, assisted suicide, culture wars, Disability Bitch, euthanasia, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, satire, United Kingdom, william peaceStephen Drake

There’s a fresh piece from Ann Neumann on Alternet, bemoaning the way the euthanasia debate in the UK – and here in the US – has become another aspect of the “Culture Wars.” As mentioned in an earlier post, there has been a flood of pro-euthanasia coverage in the UK. It’s even got Ann Neumann, … Continue reading Alternet: Ann Neumann’s Disingenuous Complaints About the State of the Euthanasia Debate →

Presidential commission bodes ill for people with disabilities – Mike Ervin in “The Progressive”

February 9, 2010analysis, mike ervin, Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, politicsStephen Drake

People who have read the selections in our humor section will already be familiar with Mike Ervin, who writes a bimonthly satire column in New Mobility. Mike also writes serious pieces of policy, media and cultural analysis. He’s written many of these as op-eds for the media project at The Progressive. Mike’s latest piece looks … Continue reading Presidential commission bodes ill for people with disabilities – Mike Ervin in “The Progressive” →

Resources: Two websites – one new, one updated

February 8, 2010clair lewis, dredf, Our News & Commentary Blog, pamela hennessy, web resources, website recommendationsStephen Drake

I wanted to highlight two valuable resources for NDY readers. I try to point out other sites and blogs containing material related to NDY issues. They are valuable for me and I figure that readers of this blog will find them valuable as well. First off is a brand-new website. Better Off Alive is a … Continue reading Resources: Two websites – one new, one updated →