We only need to change the law in one state, then the game is over.
I think supporters of VA must become more militant by targeting politicians who campaign against VE.
An ad in the newspaper pointing out these people would have them on the run very quickly.

In the absence perhaps a living will tattooed on our bodies, spelling out our wishes might help in the event we lose our capacity to decide.

Excellent article Bill.

These pro-life pollie tossers are elected by the people for the people. How dumb are we?

There's something wrong with our democratic system when the minority dictate to the majority. All reports to date, on the issue of euthanasia, reveal these sadists are out-numbered.

Bring on the referendum! A successful "Yes" vote will not deprive the God zealots of their chosen manner of dying where they wish to placate their "loving", though equally sadistic deities.

It is precisely because the politicians know the outcome we don't have a referedum on voluntary euthanasia.

When the Right to Life lobbyists take their viewpoints seriously enough to stop wars, then I may start to respect their values.

One of the worst countries in the world for killing people and providing the war machines to ensure it is done "easily" is America.one of the strongest opponents of both euthanasia and abortion.

Like Christianity is generally selective about all manner of things, including enforcement of celibacy on average ordinary male priests, Christianity seeks to enforce its views on other human failings...the inability to endure intolerable pain.

I wonder if we took religion out of politics and created the law based strictly on lawful issues, how simple the process would become.
I think it was "Country Girl" who worries about voluntary euthaansia in the context that it is murder. It is not...VE is entirely without malice of forethought and is intended to relief pain alone, not to deprive a person who wants to live, of their life.

What we need is take the word "murder" right away from the intention of voluntary euthanasia and just simply use its correct terminoly - a peaceful death.

Mary Walsh
www.yourchoiceindying.com

Open public defiance is the answer. This topic is running elsewhere on OLO:

Do-it-yourself voluntary euthanasia for older Australians

A number of older Australians are joining forces to make the suicide drug nembutal available. This drug is illegal in Australia and this open act of civil disobedience puts these people at risk of severe penalties. But why should they have to go through this when the vast majority of Australians want legal access to voluntary euthanasia anyway?

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=265577&_cobr=optus

[Separate comment]

A few years ago, two relatives and the doctor of a woman who was allegedly illegally voluntarily euthanised in Western Australia were charged with murder. Apparently against the evidence, the jury took only a very short time to acquit the defendants. The prosecution probably must have realised what they were up against and didn't appeal the verdict.

In the average jury of twelve men and women, chosen at random, 9 or 10 would be in favour of voluntary euthanasia being legally available in Australia, at least some of them most decidedly so. Probably hard to get a guilty verdict under those circumstances, regardless of the evidence, if the allegedly murdered person could be shown as definitely wanting to die. [And don't let's have any right-to-lifers, openly declared or not, trying to cloud the issue, you all know what I mean!]

I know if I were on such a jury, I would do my utmost to persuade my fellow jury members to join me in a "not guilty" verdict, that is if any of them would need much persuasion anyway.

Well said Rex! Great comment. Someone has mentioned a referendum on the matter, and that if one State approved VE, then it would be game set and match. I don't know how it is decided to hold a referendum, nor do I have skills in lobbying etc. So if someone out there does.........

You speak of Public Disobedience. It seems to me that the best way
to be publicly disobedient is for a group of Concerned Citizens, (a goodly number), say 40? 20? who could afford a trip to Mexico, to go
there together, and each bring back (try and get out of America first of course) to Australia a bottle of Nembutal, each. The press would have a field day, when the Customs People tried to lock 40? 20? oldies and not so oldies, don't you think? I'll probably have the Feds. knocking on my door any time soon, so if go quiet, you'll know I've been locked up. Would not worry me at all. I could write letters from goal.

Lesley

A bit more on the civil disobedience concept:

Hard pill to swallow
March 19, 2005

A group of euthanasia supporters is working on the development of a suicide pill, writes Philip Nitschke.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Hard-pill-to-swallow/2005/03/18/1111086014773.html

This is a particularly interesting extract from the above article:

"Exit's aim in developing a Peaceful Pill is clear: to replicate the painless, easeful death provided by a drug like Nembutal. We now have two very different projects under way, both aiming to create the means by which Exit members can provide for themselves the option of a peaceful death, at a time of their choosing.

The first of these projects concerns the creation of a home-made version using ingredients that have such widespread use in society that they will never be restricted. Nicotine, alcohol and paracetamol are just a few examples.

To date, this project has led to a pill being developed from nicotine and chlorinated alcohol, but with testing so problematic, laboratory trials are set to continue into the foreseeable future."

Maybe, for saying such things, I'll be getting a knock on the door, in the middle of the night, from the RTL Secret Police. Ah, but I'll know they're coming when I hear their marching song, Onward Christian Soldiers!