Category Archives: media coverage

Calif. – Ed Roberts Day Declared – his impact on disability rights and his relationship to NDY issues

analysis, ed roberts, kenneth bergstedt, life-ending decisions, mary johnson, media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, right to die

There are many news sources for this, but here’s the news from UCBerkeley News giving a short account of the life of Ed Roberts and the legislative action that created an “Ed Roberts Day.”  Here are the first two paragraphs from Wendy Edelstein’s “Ed Roberts, disability-rights leader and Cal alum, gets his own state day“: … Continue reading Calif. – Ed Roberts Day Declared – his impact on disability rights and his relationship to NDY issues →

NJ: “Suicide Prevention Expert” Judith Springer Says Final Exit Network OK as Long as it Just Helps “Elderly Folks”

ageism, final exit network, judith springer, media coverage, media issues, new jersey, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, society for the prevention of teen suicide, suicide, suicide prevention

The Final Exit Network (FEN) has a billboard up in New Jersey now.  It has received a fair amount of coverage – and all of it has been superficial and inaccurate.  Not one article has mentioned the criminal charges FEN members face in Georgia and New Jersey, let alone the fact that two FEN members … Continue reading NJ: “Suicide Prevention Expert” Judith Springer Says Final Exit Network OK as Long as it Just Helps “Elderly Folks” →

Richard Rudd – Saved by a Blink

advance directives, consciousness, life-ending decisions, media coverage, medical decisionmaking, Our News & Commentary Blog, vegetative state

This past week, news sources in Europe and the US have been telling the story of  Richard Rudd, who was left with spinal cord injuries and in an apparent coma after a motorcycle accident.  As medical staff and family prepared to disconnect Mr. Rudd’s ventilator, a final examination by one of his physicians held open … Continue reading Richard Rudd – Saved by a Blink →

Associated Press Misreports German “Right to Die” Court Decision – and Issues Very Belated Correction

assisted suicide, Associated Press, Germany, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, right to die, Wesley Smith

On June 25th, the Associated Press distributed a story about a “right to die” court decision in Germany.  It ran under the headline of  “Germany: Assisted suicide OK if patient consents.”  The content of the headline alone should have rung some alarm bells, since the headline implies something was done to “the patient” who gave … Continue reading Associated Press Misreports German “Right to Die” Court Decision – and Issues Very Belated Correction →

Using and Promoting Change of Language to Make the Objectionable Acceptable

aid in dying, alex schadenberg, assisted suicide, Compassion & Choices, Conflation and Con jobs, euthanasia prevention coalition, marketing, media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality check, torture

Last week, I happened to be watching The Ed Show on MSNBC.  Thankfully, the host – who I think is trying to be a liberal imitation of Sean Hannity – was on vacation.  Christopher Hayes, Washington editor of  The Nation, was subbing for the regular host. I was kind of paying half-attention, getting ready for … Continue reading Using and Promoting Change of Language to Make the Objectionable Acceptable →