suicide: do we have a right to death?
VeganInTraining
Posts: 1,319 Member
Should suicide/assisting in suicide be illegal? Oregon has passed a “Dignity of Death Act” in which a doctor is permitted to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients who request it. And I’m sure we all remember Kevorkian who assisted many elderly in committing suicide. He did jail time for this, should he have?
What about for people who just “want to die?” Should we spend tax dollars trying to prevent them from jumping off buildings or just let them jump? Should a doctor or drug dealer be charged with murder for assisting in a suicide when the only rational was that the person didn’t want to live anymore?
Do we have a right to death?
What about for people who just “want to die?” Should we spend tax dollars trying to prevent them from jumping off buildings or just let them jump? Should a doctor or drug dealer be charged with murder for assisting in a suicide when the only rational was that the person didn’t want to live anymore?
Do we have a right to death?
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Should suicide/assisting in suicide be illegal?And I’m sure we all remember Kevorkian who assisted many elderly in committing suicide. He did jail time for this, should he have?What about for people who just “want to die?” Should we spend tax dollars trying to prevent them from jumping off buildings or just let them jump?Should a doctor or drug dealer be charged with murder for assisting in a suicide when the only rational was that the person didn’t want to live anymore?Do we have a right to death?0
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I don't know.....for terminally ill patients....its one thing....but for people who just want to do cuz they want to absolutely NO...Cuz there are reasons why people want to die...I.E depression. You could get help for that......I don't want to my tax money going to someone that needs help to kill themselves.
Tough subject....I would say NO for just anyone.....undecided about terminally ill patients. I believe we should all fight for life but when you are dying.....I just don't know. I personally don't believe in suicide period. But if other dying people do to ease their pain...that's their decision. But I still don't really think that tax payers should pay for it.0 -
I voted FOR assisted Suicide in the great state of Oregon. Under the RULES that Oregon has in place I am very much in favor of it.0
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I absolutely believe a person has the right to end their own life.0
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People who commit suicide should be prosecuted for first degree murder and sentenced to death.0
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People who commit suicide should be prosecuted for first degree murder and sentenced to death.0
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OK, on a serious note, I think assisted suicide for a terminally ill person is an absolute right. It's none of the government's damn business. Anyone who thinks it shouldn't be allowed should just pretend they are a poor person with no insurance. Then they might not care so much that they die.0
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OK, on a serious note, I think assisted suicide for a terminally ill person is an absolute right. It's none of the government's damn business. Anyone who thinks it shouldn't be allowed should just pretend they are a poor person with no insurance. Then they might not care so much that they die.
Oh my gawd, I almost spit my jello out!0 -
I absolutely believe a person has the right to end their own life.
Agreed, and under whatever circumstances, many take care of it themselves whether it be well thought out, on a whim, of sound mind, or completely out of it.
It's that area where it's not possible - without physical or practical means - that I'm on the side of assistance.0 -
It's my life and no one has any rights to it but me. We all die. There's no preventing it. We should at least have a small amount of say in the matter if we so choose.0
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Anyone who thinks it shouldn't be allowed should just pretend they are a poor person with no insurance. Then they might not care so much that they die.0
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It's my life and no one has any rights to it but me. We all die. There's no preventing it. We should at least have a small amount of say in the matter if we so choose.0
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Oh my gawd, I almost spit my jello out!0
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It's my life and no one has any rights to it but me. We all die. There's no preventing it. We should at least have a small amount of say in the matter if we so choose.
I have no problem with anyone who wants to man a suicide hotline or try to talk down a jumper. I think that's wonderful and kind. Of course if some kid is up on a bridge you do whatever you can to get them down.
Anyone who has put thought into it and has come to it as a serious decision should have the brains to do it in a way that they won't be interfered with. Making sure no one is there to stop them. I only truly feel bad for the incapacitated who want a way out but don't have the physical ability to carry it out without the assistance of others.0 -
Oh my gawd, I almost spit my jello out!
I am sorry but she made two jokes on this thread that from my point of view clearly prove that you are wrong, jokes about suicide can be funny. If it makes you feel any better I fully plan to take part in my states assisted suicide program when and if I become terminally ill.0 -
It's my life and no one has any rights to it but me. We all die. There's no preventing it. We should at least have a small amount of say in the matter if we so choose.
I think Patti's right. Of course, a terminally ill person who is living in pain has every right to self-terminate. But that is where it ends for me. Mentally ill, such as the depressed, or substance abusers are often not in their right mind. Someone can be very determined and sure to commit suicide and want it's done, it's done, so I think we shouldn't be so quick to let someone not in their right mind the absolute right to blow their own head off.0 -
Oh my gawd, I almost spit my jello out!0
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It's my life and no one has any rights to it but me. We all die. There's no preventing it. We should at least have a small amount of say in the matter if we so choose.
I think Patti's right. Of course, a terminally ill person who is living in pain has every right to self-terminate. But that is where it ends for me. Mentally ill, such as the depressed, or substance abusers are often not in their right mind. Someone can be very determined and sure to commit suicide and want it's done, it's done, so I think we shouldn't be so quick to let someone not in their right mind the absolute right to blow their own head off.
I would agree with this too.
I am only for assisted suicide under certain rules and those are usually people only people who have less than 6 months of painful life left.0 -
I am a highly educated, professional, happily married, mother of 2 who pays taxes, contributes to society, gives to charity, and helps others. I have wonderful parents and do not need to be scolded by someone on the internet who wants to run people's lives from conception to death while micromanaging them to the point of telling them what they can and cannot find amusing.
I don't give a crap what you do for a living, how much money you make, what level of education you have achieved. Newsflash: That means nothing to me. The fact that you can make jokes about suicide really shows a lot about your character. Yes, even on the internet, people can tell character.0 -
I would support it in the case of the terminally ill. I watched my grandmother suffer for months with terminal cancer as it sucked the life out of her and made her miserable for the last 6 months of her life. As much as I cherish that time with her, it would have been better for her to have the choice if she wished to end it before the pain started. I would have supported her choice either way.
If someone chooses to end their life early after they have made the rational choice to do so (in the case of the terminally ill), they should have access to medication that would make it as painless as possible also.
For others suffering from depression or other mental health issues, absolutely not, but we need a much better support network for people who are suffering and are suicidal than we do now.0 -
I am a highly educated, professional, happily married, mother of 2 who pays taxes, contributes to society, gives to charity, and helps others. I have wonderful parents and do not need to be scolded by someone on the internet who wants to run people's lives from conception to death while micromanaging them to the point of telling them what they can and cannot find amusing.
You are quite the petulant child. Perhaps you can regale us again with stories of how you teach your kids about other religions, work at a Catholic school, volunteer at crisis centers, pray outside clinics, etc. Or better yet - don't.I don't give a crap what you do for a living, how much money you make, what level of education you have achieved. Newsflash: That means nothing to me. The fact that you can make jokes about suicide really shows a lot about your character. Yes, even on the internet, people can tell character.
Dear Kettle,
You are black.
Sincerely,
Pot0 -
I have never said how much money we make or even given a range, I've never said how big our house is, and I drive a 2000 Windstar which I doubt anyone would call a "luxury car" even if it weren't 12 years old. (Uh oh, now you're going to mention that in your future harping rants aren't you? c'est la vie)You are quite the petulant child. Perhaps you can regale us again with stories of how you teach your kids about other religions, work at a Catholic school, volunteer at crisis centers, pray outside clinics, etc. Or better yet - don't.Ditto. As for being able to tell character - yes, we most definitely can and yours isn't very Christ like.0
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Oh my gawd, I almost spit my jello out!
Patti, I am not sure why you would taken offense to her second comment in the first place. If you are not one of the people that she was refering to.
Secondly, while I love debating with people, this is an internet debate board, this is not serious debate. So if you are going to get all huffy about every joke I crack, or get pissed if I laugh at someone elses joke, you might as well save the lecture or scolding because I am not interested either. I have all the things that Bahet does, including the luxery car.0 -
Patti, I am not sure why you would taken offense to her second comment in the first place. If you are not one of the people that she was refering to.Anyone who thinks it shouldn't be allowed should just pretend they are a poor person with no insurance. Then they might not care so much that they die.Secondly, while I love debating with people, this is an internet debate board, this is not serious debateI have all the things that Bahet does, including the luxery car.0
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I would support it in the case of the terminally ill. I watched my grandmother suffer for months with terminal cancer as it sucked the life out of her and made her miserable for the last 6 months of her life. As much as I cherish that time with her, it would have been better for her to have the choice if she wished to end it before the pain started. I would have supported her choice either way.
If someone chooses to end their life early after they have made the rational choice to do so (in the case of the terminally ill), they should have access to medication that would make it as painless as possible also.
For others suffering from depression or other mental health issues, absolutely not, but we need a much better support network for people who are suffering and are suicidal than we do now.
Agreed. I think not all life is worth living. If I were terminally ill and in constant, untreatable pain, someone else's irrational need to keep me alive at all costs would not only be offensive, but almost criminal in itself. Obviously the term "suicide" encompasses many contexts and as a society we shouldn't treat it with absolutes.0 -
If someone is terminally Ill and is going to die anyway Im all for it, I mean I know I wouldnt want my last days to be in pain and misery. I do not call it assisted-suicide, I call it mercy0
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Patti, I am not sure why you would taken offense to her second comment in the first place. If you are not one of the people that she was refering to.Anyone who thinks it shouldn't be allowed should just pretend they are a poor person with no insurance. Then they might not care so much that they die.Secondly, while I love debating with people, this is an internet debate board, this is not serious debateI have all the things that Bahet does, including the luxery car.I couldn't care less what "things" y'all have or what cars you drive. That doesn't add to credibility or character. That was my point.
And here I thought you cared...
I still don't see how her comment was directed towards you. It had the word *Might* which implies multiple people may or may not have that view. If you do not take that position, then you have zero reason to take it personal.
BTW #7 on the debate forum guidlines states "7. Have fun and post a lot! Debate forums are always the most fun when there are a variety of topics being posted and the forum is active." Fun being the opportune word.0 -
I would support it in the case of the terminally ill. I watched my grandmother suffer for months with terminal cancer as it sucked the life out of her and made her miserable for the last 6 months of her life. As much as I cherish that time with her, it would have been better for her to have the choice if she wished to end it before the pain started. I would have supported her choice either way.
If someone chooses to end their life early after they have made the rational choice to do so (in the case of the terminally ill), they should have access to medication that would make it as painless as possible also.
For others suffering from depression or other mental health issues, absolutely not, but we need a much better support network for people who are suffering and are suicidal than we do now.
I totally agree with this. As a veterinarian, I cannot tell you how many times I've looked into an animal's eye's that I'm euthanizing, and all I see is "thanks". Thanks for ending my suffering, ending my pain, letting me go in peace. I cannot imagine denying that option to a human being whom has even more understanding of what lies in their future - pain and death. (Before anyone says it, no - I did not do "convenience" euthanasias, only for those truly sick and terminal animals, and I believe that euthansia should only be an option for terminally ill people in "their right mind" that make the concious decision themselves)0 -
Should suicide/assisting in suicide be illegal? Oregon has passed a “Dignity of Death Act” in which a doctor is permitted to prescribe a lethal dose of medication to terminally ill patients who request it. And I’m sure we all remember Kevorkian who assisted many elderly in committing suicide. He did jail time for this, should he have?
What about for people who just “want to die?” Should we spend tax dollars trying to prevent them from jumping off buildings or just let them jump? Should a doctor or drug dealer be charged with murder for assisting in a suicide when the only rational was that the person didn’t want to live anymore?
Do we have a right to death?
I don't think it should be illegal completely, but I do feel that there needs to be some regulation in it. I haven't looked up the whole Oregon thing in quite some time, but last time I read it, I pretty much agreed with all of it, if I remember right.
To be honest, I know who Kevorkian is, but I don't know enough about him to determine if he was as psycho as people make him out to be. So, I can't answer to that one.
As for my stance on the bigger picture, I agree with Brett's initial post.
My body belongs to me and no one else. If I want to kill myself, then that's my business. If I wake up tomorrow and decide that I no longer want to live, then that's my decision. And if when I'm very old and become terminally ill and decide that life is no longer living and I want to die, then that's my business, as well, no one else's. If a doctor (or anyone, for that matter) decides that they'd like to help me in that endeavor, then I'd welcome their help. However, I do understand that doctors and nurses overall, however, have a duty to preserve life. If I botch up my suicide and don't succeed, then I understand completely that they'd want to save my life. There's a lot in the bigger picture. It's a personal decision, though. Our bodies are the only physically, tangible things we have control over. Nothing else. If we're not even allowed full control over that, there's something seriously wrong.0 -
BTW #7 on the debate forum guidlines states "7. Have fun and post a lot! Debate forums are always the most fun when there are a variety of topics being posted and the forum is active." Fun being the opportune word.0
This discussion has been closed.