(wh)Oregonian: Justices enter suicide fight

[0rganism]

(This topic died with a pathetic whimper on the LBN page, but we do have a compelling local interest for this subforum.)

Justices enter suicide fight

Wednesday, February 23, 2005
ASHBEL S. GREEN, JIM BARNETT and JEFF KOSSEFF

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday took on a dispute between the federal government and Oregon over doctor-assisted suicide. The court will decide -- probably early next year -- whether the Drug Enforcement Administration can punish doctors who prescribe lethal doses of drugs to terminally ill patients under Oregon's Death with Dignity Act.

The court accepted an appeal by the federal government which asked a single question: Does the Controlled Substances Act give the DEA authority over the use of prescription drugs, regardless of Oregon law?

Passed twice by Oregon voters, the Death with Dignity Act has been in effect since late 1997. During the first six years of the law, 171 terminally ill people ended their lives under it.

Both sides in the debate said they were optimistic about the court's decision...

more at http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/front_page/1109163884124960.xml

[insanity]

1. we will win

Death with Dignity will always win, becuase it is a states right issue, and even Scalia (which also means Thomas) agree.

[stevedeshazer]

2. This whole issue really frosts my nuts

So much is before the so-called U.S. Department of Justice, and this is what we get.

It's part of the price we pay for being a blue state.

Have I mentioned lately how much I hate the "Oregonian"?