...we now have the possibility of death with dignity. At least in Oregon. What good news, Bush, to hear that the United States Supreme Court voted 6-3 to defeat your Ashcroft. His threats against Oregon doctors choosing to exercise the right given them by Oregon voters to write prescriptions to spare terminal patients the indignity of dying in excruciating pain were gratuitous at best. I know, I know, this was not a constitutional victory in the matter of the right to die. As I read it, Ashcroft's technical legal attempt to substitute his will (and federal authority) for the will of Oregon voters was nixed by the Supreme Court's equally technical respons. But at least their decision opened the door for other states to make their own Death With Dignity acts.
And why not? We have the medical means now to prolong life artificially, as well as to end it painlessly. Remember Terri Schiavo, Bush? So why should I not be allowed to choose to die in a way that spares me, and my family, the agony of prolonged living when there is no prospect for anything but further suffering? Why should I not be able to request available medical assistance to fulfill my choice? It may offend your religious beliefs, Bush, but it doesn't offend mine. So tell me, why should yours take precedence, and force me to suffer unnecessary pain? Besides, I thought you Republican guys were all for keeping government out of the lives of those it governs? And now you insist on trying to deprive us of the most personal choice of all?
There's one fly in this ointment: your recently appointed Roberts chose to join the minority in this decision. This does not bode well for the future, Bush, especially in view of the likely nomination, now, of another justice in the mold of Thomas and Scalia. It was my understanding that these people used to tout the rights of states over the authority of the federal government, but it seems that's not the case any more. When it comes to imposing its moral code over the majority of Americans, it seems that this administration is always in the right. With the changes that you're managing to effect in the Supreme Court, Bush, I'm honestly not happy about the prospects for future cases of this kind.
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Yes, well Dennis, women aren't the only part of that iceburg. This bigot doesn't like blacks/minorities either. Then, of course, there is the working man who may as well kiss his butt goodby if he want's justice in "Imperial America". He believes Bush should have all power, and corporations come before the worker. I'm quite sure there is more, but this is the surfice stuff. Hey! Watch how you talk about my age lol:). I remember Buster Brown.
You're right, Dennis. I missed out on that one. BBC radio had other things on its mind. And no TV in my day: I first saw a television set when I was 17 years old, and didn't actually own one until well into my 20s. And the elephone numbers, where I lived, were mostly in the 2-digit range! Ah, well. The good old days! Cheers, PaL
Peter: You poor, underprivileged child! Never to worry, no tele in life builds character, and love of the word. You did well.
movie tip: Junebug, an English gallery girl, lady, trapped briefly in the South. Do see it, mate. (Sorry, I don't really mix the two up).
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