NY Times Blog: “When Doctors Steal Hope” (and more)

October 25, 2007media coverage, Our News & Commentary Blog, professional accountabilityStephen Drake

…t happen, he explained. “In some ways it’s easier to give people the worst news, and then if something good comes about everyone is overjoyed,’’ he said. Both Parker-Pope and Groopman are missing – or avoiding – another aspect of this behavior. When these individuals with stroke, brain injury, etc. are described as “hopeless” the next step is often a discussion of the removal of the ventilator or feeding tube that is being used in those first days…

Swiss Group Dignitas Taking a Cue from Kevorkian Playbook?

November 10, 2007assisted suicide, Kevorkian, Our News & Commentary Blog, SwitzerlandStephen Drake

…an’s killing career – “mobile suicide services.” There are several stories running around about this latest development, but this one from the UK Telegraph is one of the most detailed: A controversial Swiss suicide charity is now helping people to die in car parks after being forced out of its premises by local residents. Two German men aged 50 and 65 have already used the “death on wheels” service of the Dignitas charity, which handed them a leth…

A New Year – New Fights and a New Blog and Website

January 10, 2008assisted suicide, Our News & Commentary Blog, Washington stateStephen Drake

…to and quoting often. Washington NDY has been at the forefront of opposition to the proposed legislation, as evidenced by this article in today’s issue of The Olympian: Two activists in wheelchairs, Duane French of Lacey and Joelle Brouner of Olympia, spoke against the law in a news conference that followed the one featuring Gardner. French and Brouner said the law could create a coercion for some disabled people who are faced with difficulty get…

NY Times: Montana Court to Rule on Assisted Suicide Case (NDY Quoted)

September 1, 2009assisted suicide, Bob Liston, court decisions, media coverage, Montana, Our News & Commentary BlogStephen Drake

…Baxter and the group of physicians who joined him as plaintiffs, say that rural Montanans could be left out, too. In places like Scobey, in the state’s far northeast corner, where Julie French lives, the population density is about one person per square mile. Minimal health care is hours away. “Before we deal with assisted suicide, we should make sure first and foremost that everybody has equal access,” said Ms. French, a Democratic state legisla…

Oklahoma: Reporter labels an attempted murder as “failed mercy killing”

September 9, 2009homicide, Homicide / 'Mercy Killing', media coverage, media issues, Our News & Commentary Blog, reality checkStephen Drake

…, who attempted to shoot his wife to death last December. The title of the news story is “Midwest city man gets 20 years in failed mercy kill”: A Midwest City man has been sentenced to 20 years in prison for shooting his longtime ailing wife in a failed attempt at a mercy killing. Thomas Wayne Garrett, 60, pleaded guilty Thursday to assault and firearm possession during a felony. He admitted shooting his wife, Cynthia Garrett, on Dec. 9 after pick…