Category Archives: reality check

Fifth Anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s Death – A History Lesson

I’ve probably revisited the struggle over the life of Terri Schiavo in a backwards fashion. I – like other disability rights advocates and activists – have a good memory and were deeply involved in the efforts to stop the removal of Terri Schiavo’s feeding tube. What that means is that our memory of the struggle … Continue reading Fifth Anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s Death – A History Lesson

Terri Schiavo, Family Guy, Family Research Council – and a Reality Check

I really didn’t want to write this kind of post, but with some of the building noise related to Terri Schiavo, it’s become pretty clear that silence isn’t an option. Wednesday, March 31st is the fifth anniversary of Terri Schiavo’s death. I already had something planned for the blog that was bound to make some … Continue reading Terri Schiavo, Family Guy, Family Research Council – and a Reality Check

Ann Neumann and Vancouver Sun: Dissing Disability Activists’ Opposition to Legalized Euthanasia

Ann Neumann, writing on the Otherspoon blog, has stated in the past that she’s inclined to shy away from direct criticism of disability rights groups like NDY in the “right to die” debate, seeing it as “a trap.” Neumann found a way around the “trap” last week by quoting someone else’s work.  Specifically, she quoted … Continue reading Ann Neumann and Vancouver Sun: Dissing Disability Activists’ Opposition to Legalized Euthanasia

Newsweek: Veterinarian Says We Should “Treat People Like Dogs”

Out of all the newsweeklies on the market, Newsweek has published some of the most outrageous pieces regarding people with disabilities and euthanasia.  This week’s “My Turn” column by veterinarian Karen Oberthaler isn’t the worst thing they’ve published, but it immediately brought to mind one their “classic” pieces. Oberthaler’s essay attempts to make a case … Continue reading Newsweek: Veterinarian Says We Should “Treat People Like Dogs”

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

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