"Yet the proposed law in Washington wouldn’t go far enough for Gardner. It wouldn’t include him. Parkinson’s isn’t terminal. The disease can leave the body trembling, contorted, rigid; it can rob the memory and muffle the voice; it can leave a person still and silent; but it doesn’t offer an end to its torture; it doesn’t kill. Gardner wants a law that would permit lethal prescriptions for people whose suffering is unbearable, a standard that can seem no standard at all; a standard that prevails in the Netherlands, the Western nation that has been boldest about legalizing aid in dying; a standard that elevates subjective experience over objective appraisal and that could engage the government and the medical profession in the administration of widespread suicide. What is unbearable? What level of acute or chronic physical pain would qualify? What degree of disability? Would physicians be writing suicide prescriptions for the depressed?"

I agree that a person suffering from a grave illness as long as they have a sound mind or put in writing, witnessed, and notarized should be able to choose their own course of action. I do not always agree; but I have not walked in their shoes or suffered their pain.

My attitude about this issue has taken a compete 180 turn. Since spending many months at a time in hospital due to major and chronic health problems, I have seen so much needless suffering of people who have absolutely no chance of recovery whatsoever. They are begging to be relieved of their tortuous bodies in which they are entrapped. I firmly now believe that a person who is in such a condition and is of sound mind to make such a decision, should have the right to expect their choice to be respected.

Great clip....no easy answers. I kinda lean with you guys though....I wanna go when it's time to go. However, sure don't want anyone to "make me" either......

Recently in Ireland we have lost 3 young people from cocaine overdoses. One included a beautiful model.

Some years ago I had a prolonged spell of reasonably severe pain for a lengthy time. I eventually acquired a stomach ulcer which meant I could not drink water or take tablets, but it saved me as I required hospitalization.

No thinking human cannot contemplate the final alternative but back then I wasn't sure of finality.

I've never taken illegal drugs but the above deaths are an option if ...

No easy answer but I think Oregon is the only states in the nation with physician assisted suicide law . Booth Garner is a good Governor as I recall.