Kevorkian Out Of Jail...

[Maxwell Edison]

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And he is looking creepy. I've got to say, although I support his cause, I wish that there was a slightly more normal looking person as the poster child.

 

[Zetterberg07]

At my Umich interview, the tour guide walked us down this long hallway that had all the old class pictures. He pointed us to one portrait (graduating class of 1940 or 1950 something i think), and asked us to pick out U of M Med's most famous graduate. When nobody could, he pointed to the little thumbnail of Kevorkian 😀.

 

[Meatwad]

Eh, everyone at his age is pretty hideous, save for Sean Connery.

 

[searun]

Eh, everyone at his age is pretty hideous, save for Sean Connery.

Yeah, Sean Connery, the greatest James Bond ever, no other actor even came close.

 

[lailamed]

Yeah, Sean Connery, the greatest James Bond ever, no other actor even came close.

but daniel craig was pretty damn hot. unexpectedly so.

 

[realitybias]

I respect him, and I'm glad he's out.

 

[DropkickMurphy]

I respect him, and I'm glad he's out.

Same here......I think anyone who has watched someone die a slow lingering death should be able to see why he did what he did.

 

[Bacchus]

I respect him, and I'm glad he's out.

Same... and I'm glad the state of Oregon is practicing his ways, somewhat.

 

[realitybias]

It really makes me happy to see other future doctors feeling the same way. I'll probably never have to find myself in his position, but who knows... maybe it will be a better world then, eh?

 

[acrunchyfrog]

Same here......I think anyone who has watched someone die a slow lingering death should be able to see why he did what he did.

Agreed. I just lost my grandfather last sunday due to complications from acute myelogenous(sp?) leukemia and vascular dementia. In some ways I'm glad the leukemia came along because his dementia and living situation was killing my grandmother and his kids. Who knows how much longer it could have gone on?

 

[DropkickMurphy]

Agreed. I just lost my grandfather last sunday due to complications from acute myelogenous(sp?) leukemia and vascular dementia. In some ways I'm glad the leukemia came along because his dementia and living situation was killing my grandmother and his kids. Who knows how much longer it could have gone on?

You have my condolences Crunchy..... 🙁

 

[TCIrish03]

Agreed. I just lost my grandfather last sunday due to complications from acute myelogenous(sp?) leukemia and vascular dementia. In some ways I'm glad the leukemia came along because his dementia and living situation was killing my grandmother and his kids. Who knows how much longer it could have gone on?

My condolences as well. Try to remember that the good in life always outweighs the bad.


As far as Dr. K is concerned, my only hope is that this doesn't lead us down the often mentioned slippery slope. Busta rhyme

 

[Mardi-Bob]

Agreed. I just lost my grandfather last sunday due to complications from acute myelogenous(sp?) leukemia and vascular dementia. In some ways I'm glad the leukemia came along because his dementia and living situation was killing my grandmother and his kids. Who knows how much longer it could have gone on?

One of my grandmothers has vascular dementia. Ironically, it has made her artificially happy. Sadly, though the truth is that her vascular dementia was brought on by her high-blood pressure and is the reason for her noncompliance in taking her blood pressure medication. Its difficult enough to have loved ones suffering, but it adds a weird twist when they seem happy and oblivious to the ways they are hurting themselves.

That being said, to go back on topic. How can it be determined that a terminal ill patient with some form of dementia(Alzheimer's, etc.) can be aware of themselves and convey to a doctor that they want to die? Regardless of anyone's view on Assisted-Suicide, is it ever moral to end someone's suffering if they cannot directly convey their own wishes?

Edit: I'm not gonna participate in the discussion, but I'm just curious since everyone so far seems to support assisted-suicide(don't really like that term, but I don't know if there is better wording out there).

 

[realitybias]

That being said, to go back on topic. How can it be determined that a terminal ill patient with some form of dementia(Alzheimer's, etc.) can be aware of themselves and convey to a doctor that they want to die? Regardless of anyone's view on Assisted-Suicide, is it ever moral to end someone's suffering if they cannot directly convey their own wishes?

Edit: I'm not gonna participate in the discussion, but I'm just curious since everyone so far seems to support assisted-suicide(don't really like that term, but I don't know if there is better wording out there).

How can it be determined? A) through pre-documented writings, kind of like DNRs. B) Through extensive witness evidence that this was the person's stated wish, similar to the Terri Schaivo case. C) Through a psychological examination that determines competency to make the decision.

As for a better word for it.. euthanasia. Assisted suicide does not necessarily have to be medical euthanasia.

 

[Maxwell Edison]

Regardless of anyone's view on Assisted-Suicide, is it ever moral to end someone's suffering if they cannot directly convey their own wishes?

I think that "ending someone's life against their wishes" is a rather good way to describe murder. That's why a person who was incapable of giving consent would/should never be euthanized without a living will or some other advanced medical directive.

Thinking about this now, I can't help but wonder what Dr. Kevorkian's role in the whole "right to die" debate is; although he brought it to the front page of every newspaper, I think he did it in such a way that his message was easily distorted into something monsterous and horrific. Clearly, many people who have been involved in the direct care of the ill (terminal, chronic or otherwise) believe that they should have the right to terminate their life if that is their desire. Yet public opposition to the subject feels as though it is not viewed with a discerning eye for rational thinking but with a sense of dread. They labeled Kevorkian "Dr. Death" in the newspapers for god's sake. It makes me wonder if he has ironically done more harm than good to a cause he cares about so much.

 

[Bacchus]

I've done extensive research on the Oregon law. Do not call me a dork, it was a debate topic in high school the one year. I think what's great about Oregon's law is that people must actively request physician-assissted suicide. I don't like the term euthanasia because it relates Oregon's practice into the same practice as the Netherlands which has CASCADED down the slippery slope beyond repair (IMO). If legislation could be drafted like a DNR for those in the preliminaries stages of diseases characterized by dementia that could include those people along with those of "stable" mind. I believe in the concepts of assissted-suicide but most definitely will never do it in practice. If it would be legalized throughout the country I would consider it. Its a very, very fine line that has to be tread on lightly. Oregon's law, "Death with Dignity" has extensive information available on the Oregon state website. Check it out, it has a full copy of the statute and all the safeguards against ending lives prematurely against a patient's wishes.

 

[killinsound]

I've done extensive research on the Oregon law. Do not call me a dork, it was a debate topic in high school the one year. I think what's great about Oregon's law is that people must actively request physician-assissted suicide. I don't like the term euthanasia because it relates Oregon's practice into the same practice as the Netherlands which has CASCADED down the slippery slope beyond repair (IMO). If legislation could be drafted like a DNR for those in the preliminaries stages of diseases characterized by dementia that could include those people along with those of "stable" mind. I believe in the concepts of assissted-suicide but most definitely will never do it in practice. If it would be legalized throughout the country I would consider it. Its a very, very fine line that has to be tread on lightly. Oregon's law, "Death with Dignity" has extensive information available on the Oregon state website. Check it out, it has a full copy of the statute and all the safeguards against ending lives prematurely against a patient's wishes.

I think the safeguards for Oregon's DWD act are slightly weak and could be made better. I am for active voluntary euthanasia in principle, but it becomes sketchy with practice.

I know that Oregon's DWD act's statistics show that there isn't even that much usage, but I think it would be easy to exploit.

 

[Bacchus]

I hate to say it, but it probably depends on the location. Oregon is more liberal of a state than say some of the southern states. Opinions of death vary by populations and according to the views of the population assissted-suicide may not work. I don't think it can be readily exploited as shown by Oregon's statistics. That being said, I do agree the law should constantly be morphed to make it stronger so that it can do the best possible things for the people.

 

[Maxwell Edison]

Damn, ahaydt is a dork.

 

[Bacchus]

Damn, ahaydt is a dork.

I prefer science nerd.

 

[scgroat]

From what I can tell, I'm not so sure that everyone has endorsed the guy. However, I think it is interesting that the contingency of people against him seem to be disconnected from the medical field. Most of my extended family members despise the guy, which is sad because I think his intentions are good. Also, he made decisions, right or wrong, that most doctors would be too cowardly to make or endorse. Now, I do believe he crossed a line from what I can tell. However, he's not the antichrist for doing what he believed was in the best interest of his patients. I look forward to a good discussion, though I believe that most people on this forum already sympathize with the guy.