4 ms·

Tch, show proper respect. That's "Sir Terry" to the likes of us. And I don't think "becoming an advocate" is perhaps worded strongly enough. A few choice quote

Tch, show proper respect. That's "Sir Terry" to the likes of us. And I don't think "becoming an advocate" is perhaps worded strongly enough. A few choice quotes from something he previously wrote on the subject (the link in philk's comment): "I live in hope - hope that before the disease in my brain finally wipes it clean, I can jump before I am pushed" "I am enjoying my life to the full, and hope to continue for quite some time. But I also intend, before the endgame looms, to die sitting in a chair in my own garden with a glass of brandy in my hand and Thomas Tallis on the iPod - the latter because Thomas's music could lift even an atheist a little bit closer to Heaven - and perhaps a second brandy if there is time. Oh, and since this is England I had better add: 'If wet, in the library.'" "I have met Alzheimer's sufferers who are hoping that another illness takes them away first. Little old ladies confide in me, saying: 'I've been saving up my pills for the end, dear.'" As terrible as death is, interminable, futile suffering with no hope of respite until the bitter end isn't necessary and isn't what most people want.

Groxx 17y ago
Much less to inflict that and the costs associated with it on the ones they love. I've always sided for the ability to choose in this because I really do think there are things worse than death, especially when you're assured there's no recovery before the end.
- dbz 17y ago
  I'm (also) pro everything. Pro Choice. Pro Abortion. Pro choose your own death. Pro Gay Marriage. Why? I don't give a fuck what anyone else does. If I have to, I will die while living off of a tube because my religion doesn't allow me to commit suicide. I also won't tattoo myself for the same reason. (I do choose not to follow some laws, yet I follow others) Just because I personally believe anyone who commits suicide is going to hell (Note: I don't actually believe that previous statement), doesn't mean I'm going to stop him or her. Not my place. =]
  - flipper 17y ago
    Yes, it's another 'victimless crime', so I'm pro, too. I've seen some relatives die slow, lingering deaths and others fairly quick ones. Neither is ideal though it's bloody obvious which way is less unpleasant. Enough time to tick off everything on your bucket list and properly say goodbye to those you care about is the best we can hope for.
  - pyre 17y ago
    The only issue with assisted-suicide, is at what point does the line get drawn between assisted-suicide and murder. If we do 'make it legal' I think there needs to be some clear definition in this area so that it doesn't end up too grey (i.e. the method of assisted-suicide has to make it clear that the person wanted it; legal documents must be signed or something similar). Also the question of "What happens if someone changes their mind at the last minute" needs to be answered or at least have some sort of legal context to it. I haven't spent a huge amount of time pondering the issue, but the opening of legal loopholes is the only thing that I could possibly see blocking this. Well, I guess the other thing might be some sort of required counselling to prevent impulsive emo teens (or similar) from using such a thing (i.e. make sure that people are in a rational frame of mind when making the decision, not just running off to die because of a break-up).
    - electromagnetic 17y ago
      Well the real question is has DNR orders already crossed the line into euthanasia? I'm sure there have been many people allowed to die who would have made a complete recovery from their injuries. As far as I know where euthanasia is currently legalized the person has to pass a psych test to see if they are of sound mind and that they're not being coerced into making the decision. If the psychiatrist feels something is off then the euthanasia isn't performed (at least in theory). The person also has to suffer from a terminal illness that the doctors at the euthanasia place can verify. Emo kiddies aren't going to pass the psych evaluation or the terminal illness evaluation. However there should be a chicken clause that the person getting euthanised still has the ability to back out right until the end. However with legalised euthanasia the state would be required to cover terminal illness costs in all people who refuse euthanasia for various reasons, because it's unlikely that these peoples families will voluntarily cover the costs when there's the option that they don't have to.
oz 17y ago
He's so right about Tallis...I'm an atheist, and the Tallis Scholars' rendition of Allegri's 'Miserere' is simply breathtaking. I made sure it was played at my father's funeral last year September. He was a Christian minister. My father died of a sudden heart attack, a day after his birthday and two days after mine. We had never talked that much about death, but I remember he once said that he wasn't interested in living to any ripe old age. I'm glad I didn't have to watch him suffer. I've been thinking a lot about euthanasia lately. And my position is that if I were ever in a position where I couldn't take care of myself, and saw no hope that my condition would change, I would want to die. I don't remember his name but a year or two ago, a famous British composer and his wife decided to on Euthanasia after one of them was diagnosed with a terminal illness. They died together, holding hands I think, with their favourite music playing. There's something noble about this that appeals to me. If I get to choose, I'd like to die to the strains of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings'
- tome 17y ago
  A side remark because I'm a bit confused by what you wrote: What has Thomas Tallis got to do with the Tallis Scholars' rendition of Allegri's 'Miserere'?

Groxx 17y ago

Much less to inflict that and the costs associated with it on the ones they love. I've always sided for the ability to choose in this because I really do think there are things worse than death, especially when you're assured there's no recovery before the end.

dbz 17y ago
I'm (also) pro everything. Pro Choice. Pro Abortion. Pro choose your own death. Pro Gay Marriage. Why? I don't give a fuck what anyone else does. If I have to, I will die while living off of a tube because my religion doesn't allow me to commit suicide. I also won't tattoo myself for the same reason. (I do choose not to follow some laws, yet I follow others) Just because I personally believe anyone who commits suicide is going to hell (Note: I don't actually believe that previous statement), doesn't mean I'm going to stop him or her. Not my place. =]
- flipper 17y ago
  Yes, it's another 'victimless crime', so I'm pro, too. I've seen some relatives die slow, lingering deaths and others fairly quick ones. Neither is ideal though it's bloody obvious which way is less unpleasant. Enough time to tick off everything on your bucket list and properly say goodbye to those you care about is the best we can hope for.
- pyre 17y ago
  The only issue with assisted-suicide, is at what point does the line get drawn between assisted-suicide and murder. If we do 'make it legal' I think there needs to be some clear definition in this area so that it doesn't end up too grey (i.e. the method of assisted-suicide has to make it clear that the person wanted it; legal documents must be signed or something similar). Also the question of "What happens if someone changes their mind at the last minute" needs to be answered or at least have some sort of legal context to it. I haven't spent a huge amount of time pondering the issue, but the opening of legal loopholes is the only thing that I could possibly see blocking this. Well, I guess the other thing might be some sort of required counselling to prevent impulsive emo teens (or similar) from using such a thing (i.e. make sure that people are in a rational frame of mind when making the decision, not just running off to die because of a break-up).
  - electromagnetic 17y ago
    Well the real question is has DNR orders already crossed the line into euthanasia? I'm sure there have been many people allowed to die who would have made a complete recovery from their injuries. As far as I know where euthanasia is currently legalized the person has to pass a psych test to see if they are of sound mind and that they're not being coerced into making the decision. If the psychiatrist feels something is off then the euthanasia isn't performed (at least in theory). The person also has to suffer from a terminal illness that the doctors at the euthanasia place can verify. Emo kiddies aren't going to pass the psych evaluation or the terminal illness evaluation. However there should be a chicken clause that the person getting euthanised still has the ability to back out right until the end. However with legalised euthanasia the state would be required to cover terminal illness costs in all people who refuse euthanasia for various reasons, because it's unlikely that these peoples families will voluntarily cover the costs when there's the option that they don't have to.

oz 17y ago

He's so right about Tallis...I'm an atheist, and the Tallis Scholars' rendition of Allegri's 'Miserere' is simply breathtaking. I made sure it was played at my father's funeral last year September. He was a Christian minister. My father died of a sudden heart attack, a day after his birthday and two days after mine. We had never talked that much about death, but I remember he once said that he wasn't interested in living to any ripe old age. I'm glad I didn't have to watch him suffer. I've been thinking a lot about euthanasia lately. And my position is that if I were ever in a position where I couldn't take care of myself, and saw no hope that my condition would change, I would want to die. I don't remember his name but a year or two ago, a famous British composer and his wife decided to on Euthanasia after one of them was diagnosed with a terminal illness. They died together, holding hands I think, with their favourite music playing. There's something noble about this that appeals to me. If I get to choose, I'd like to die to the strains of Barber's 'Adagio for Strings'

tome 17y ago
A side remark because I'm a bit confused by what you wrote: What has Thomas Tallis got to do with the Tallis Scholars' rendition of Allegri's 'Miserere'?