Category Archives: Our News & Commentary Blog

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Germany: Oops! Man Allegedly Kills Friend Who Was Misdiagnosed as Terminally Ill

crime and punishment, Germany, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', Our News & Commentary Blog

In case anyone wonders what the unintended consequences of lowered criminal penalties for “mercy killings” or “compassionate homicides” can look like, one only needs to look to Germany. (This is aside from the obviously discrimatory standard in officially labeling the murders of old, ill and disabled people as less serious crimes than the murders of … Continue reading Germany: Oops! Man Allegedly Kills Friend Who Was Misdiagnosed as Terminally Ill →

Two Highly Recommended Blog Reads Today

assisted suicide, blog recommendations, dick sobsey, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', Our News & Commentary Blog, policy, william peace

Part of my daily routine involves checking news and blogs for material relevant to NDY issues. Most often I excerpt and link to relevant pieces – critiquing ones that kind of demand a response of some kind. Then there are those happy times I find bloggers who have written some things that are so on-target … Continue reading Two Highly Recommended Blog Reads Today →

Barbara Coombs-Lee and “Compassion” Join “Last Goodnights” Book Promotion

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

Yesterday, I wrote about Good Morning America‘s fawning rollout of John West and his memoir, “The Last Goodnights.” In the book, he claims to have facilitated/aided the suicides of both his father and mother about ten years ago. It turns out that West’s lone publicity tour is looking more like a bandwagon. Today, I found … Continue reading Barbara Coombs-Lee and “Compassion” Join “Last Goodnights” Book Promotion →

News on Minna Mettinen-Kekalainen: Home Care Resumed, But Problems Remain

als, aspergers, Canada, long term care, Our News & Commentary Blog, palliative care

Like many bloggers/advocates/activists, I have been awaiting word that Minna Mettinen-Kekalainen’s home care had actually resumed. The last news story about her situation was published when the first day of resumed care was still several days away. Northern Life.ca has an update on Minna, a mixed bag of good news and progress still to be … Continue reading News on Minna Mettinen-Kekalainen: Home Care Resumed, But Problems Remain →

ABC’s GMA Helps Author Promote Memoir and Assisted Suicide

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

ABC’s Good Morning America appears to have pulled out all the stops in helping attorney John West promote his recently-published book, “The Last Goodnights.” The book is a memoir detailing how he “assisted” the suicides of both his parents about ten years ago. Before I get into the specifics of the coverage, I’d like to … Continue reading ABC’s GMA Helps Author Promote Memoir and Assisted Suicide →