Walden is an out of touch moron.

The day after the mall shooting in Oregon, he sent out a general e-mail saying how he prevented the UN from grabbing control of the Internet.

We've already spent the money, the debit ceiling just is a debate on if we pay it back. No wonder the credit rating was down graded. God this pisses me off so much.

I have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that if someone no longer has a desire to live (part of our nature, instinct if you will) that they can still be considered healthy. Maybe there is a case I can't imagine, but as you might be able to tell I work in the realm of reality instead of theory. If such a case exists (and I always leave open that possibility, I'm not infallible) then you do have a valid point.

My point was as an Oregon resident there's no need for something like that.

If my father says he wants to die quickly and painlessly, that's his choice. If he wants every possible medical procedure done that might extend his life even a second longer that's his choice as well. I do not, nor should I, have a say in what happens.


A side note, most people don't have basements in a climate that is this wet. Also stairs are difficult to navigate using a powered wheel chair.

I've had a friend commit suicide (presumably depressed but not diagnosed) and I have a father with ALS.

There is no logically good reason someone healthy and happy would commit suicide. I do wish someone had taken responsibility for my friend before he jumped in front of a train. And no that isn't the responsibility of the state government. It is the responsibility of every citizen.

Ben,

While I won't say I know how you feel, I will say I've been that family member who caught themselves sighing. It is a terrible thing on both sides. I don't believe my father has brought this up, nor has his doctors. We live in Oregon so this is an option for him if he wants it. He's already signed an advanced directive and let me and my mother know his wishes as to care. (Car accident for example.)

Does the possibility for abuse exist? Yes. It is limited in every way imaginable, but it still might happen. Similarly an advanced directive can be open to such abuse. That said, I much prefer these to be rights people can exercise at their discretion.

You sir deserve mod points for this. I'd give them to you if I had them. I'm facing the same very real possibility in a few years with my own father. We live in Oregon and I'm grateful for this law.

Actually it is the other way around. Which is more harmful, dying peacefully in one's sleep or spend six months in a hospital bed with 24/7 care as the muscles in your chest degrade from ALS to the point that you can no longer breathe? In these cases death is assured, it is the amount of pain inflicted that we're talking about now.

If someone is "healthy" but wants to commit suicide that indicates they are not healthy. Something is wrong (usually mentally). It absolutely is the responsibility of everyone to get that person help so they can be truly healthy.

As with most people here, you apparently don't have personal experience. The doctor doesn't have to tell a person with a terminal debilitating disease that they are a drain on love ones while have little or no quality of life. It is obvious. When you have to have someone else wipe your ass and all you can do is watch TV, what kind of life is that?

Give me one good reason my father should have to "drown" slowly as his diaphragm gives out due to ALS, feeling the pain of his lungs screaming for air even when his muscles can't respond. The patient has to give notice in writing, which is traceable. Usually the family is involved. It is not a surprise. Quit with the conspiracy theories there's a time and place for them, but this isn't it.

Either you're an evil, sadistic human or stupid. Take your pick.

I've got karma to burn, and this thing is personal to me.

I take offense to the start of the summary. It is called death with dignity for a reason. There are people out there with very terrible diseases they didn't ask for. For example ALS that robs the victim of the use of their muscles. Over time the diaphragm goes out, and if pneumonia doesn't get the poor soul they eventual die from lack of oxygen, much like drowning. The sick and twisted part is while the person can feel the pain they can't even express their discomfort. My father has ALS. I may have it some day. I live in Oregon and I'm proud that this law gives me and my father a chance to end things on our own terms without saddling our loved ones with even more medical bills.

To this point my father hasn't asked for this; however, when the time comes he can. There's no reason we shouldn't allow that. It is far less dangerous than eating a bullet and gives family time to prepare. Fuck the submitter. It is about dignity.

And I have cows. They can try to put a camera on my place... but this is likely to happen:

A DEA officer stops at a ranch in Texas, and talks with an old rancher. He tells the rancher, “I need to inspect your ranch for illegally grown drugs.” The rancher says, “Okay, but do not go in that field over there,” as he points out the location. The DEA officer verbally explodes saying, “Mister, I have the authority of the Federal Government with me.” Reaching into his rear pants pocket, he removes his badge and proudly displays it to the rancher. “See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish, on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?”

The rancher nods politely, apologizes, and goes about his chores.

A short time later, the old rancher hears loud screams and sees the DEA officer running for his life chased by the rancher’s big Santa Gertrudis bull! With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer, and it seems likely that he’ll get gored before he reaches safety. The officer is clearly terrified. The rancher throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs...

“Your badge. Show him your BADGE!”

How long should I tolerate your hurtful intolerance with respect to my personal value to tolerate every one's opinion regardless of how intolerant it is?

If my religion has a value of tolerating everyone, doesn't that mean, given the summary, my tolerance should not extend to hatred directed at my religion's tolerance?

I'm guessing he didn't realize the mistake until the handcuffs were put on him.

It appears possible via the broadcast message feature, where the recipients can't respond: Blackberry Broadcast Messages

Most universities offer virus protection and support for free. I'd go there first.

If for some reason they don't offer anything, I've had reasonable success with AVG.