Well - you really are a loud mouth aren't you Joe! Well named.

I knew when I put that up that one up about animals having more rights than humans (and they do!) that some person who regards themselves as the champion of human rights who would have us suffering on way past what is kind or tolerable, would be deliberately obtuse (maybe not deliberately obtuse in your case) and would say 'well she thinks we are like pets'.

No Joe, humans are more than that - which is why we don't deserve to be at the mercy of people with attitudes like yours. Choices! oh crap Joe, you would have me drowning in my own juices while your own cat you would have put down if they were suffering like that!

Well I hope you would because otherwise you are a truly sick individual! Glad to say on this forum you have been well and truly shouted down by people who are sane and well grounded. If only people like you didn't have the say in Parliament,people wouldn't be having to take their lives before they are ready and in unpleasant ways.

Loudmouth,
"People in full possession of their faculties should have every right to take their own lives... but please don't call it euthanasia, voluntary or otherwise. It's suicide - and even then, counselling should be available. After all, it's your last chance, folks."

I don't disagree with what you say, but legal suicide does not help those, who are not able to commit suicide.
These people might have more reasons to die than those who are still able to kill themselves.

I don't understand your outburst against JL Deland. I thought that his point about euthanising animals was sensitive and showed twisted logic of human ethics when it comes to dying. We cannot stand by and let our pets suffer for long periods of time, but on the other hand, we are forced to let our human loved ones suffer for indefinite periods of time and cannot help them die.

I DO understand your point that euthanasia has to be voluntary, but like I said in a previous post, this can all be arranged when the person is able to. That's why I gave the example of my mum and uncle, who are healthy and well, and who have euthanasia arranged might there ever be a need.

Dear squeers,
I sincerely feel for you and your family that you've had to deal with such sadness and cruelty. Your story is a very clear example of why the law needs to change- why there is a need for a euthanasia law in this country.

"The point is, palliative care is euthanasia by neglect, it's a morbid ritual designed to appease the letter of the law."
The only thing I can say about this is that this type of cruelty cannot, by definition, be euthanasia. Euthanasia always means a good, or a soft death. What your wife had to go through is far from soft and humane. The palliative care that had her die a slow, scary and painful death was no less inhumane than death by torture.

Thanks Celivia, I'm glad that you got my point. I would have hated to have offended Squeers after his moving post. I think that Joe is trying to get a handle on any angle that he can. As he doesn't really have much to bring into battle as ammunition, he has to twist things to try and make it look as though someone like me is a sociopath.

He doesn't have a right to dicate to others that they should suffer pain and a loss of dignity when they don't subscribe to his world view, and he probably deep down knows it.

Anyway great news from the Apple Isle. http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2010/s2934736.htm

It might not happen this time, but in the end it will happen. People want a say in what happens to them at the end of their lives and quite rightly. Good old Tassie!

Yes, J L Deland, 'People want a say in what happens to them at the end of their lives and quite rightly.' Exactly ! The right to die should be that person's, not their relatives' or anybody else's. Of course I'm aware how painful situations can be, not least for Squeers and myself and our families, but surely you can look beyond that and understand how giving that right to others, apart from denying people their autonomy, would open the door to an enormous amount of misuse.

Yes, it is a matter of the person's right to choose, life or death. It's that person's life, their only life ever in all of eternity. That right should never be taken from anybody, no matter how tragic the circumstances. OF COURSE they should be made as comfortable as possible, to minimise their distress and that of their loved ones. But that too is ultimately their decision.

Joe

Dear Rhys Jones,
The reason for the culture of death is very simple. Because of pride and rebelion we have rejected the bible because of Gods word " Do not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil" and chose to believe that if we get the knowledge of good and evil we will be like God. I have found if you do what is right and do it right it works but stinking thinking (self righteousness) is our culture for even the most progressive thinker knows it is not right to kill.

At least Richie10 is honest where he comes from (though doing nothing for his case)- as opposed to those who masquerade as secular opposition (but blatantly fail to pass off convincingly- and still doing nothing for their case).