Opinion: Make Your Death Plans Now

By Harry Merker, The Ithica Journal, Nov. 11, 2005

Opinion

I see where the "Roberts Supreme Court" began Oct 3. On their "menu" is, among subjects, the Oregon Law regarding "Death With Dignity."

For those of you not familiar with this: First, former Attorney General Ashcroft, with the strong backing of President Bush, spent a slug of our taxpayers money to overturn what a sovereign state (Oregon) feels is their people's right in this matter.

Now, the action continues. I predict the following: That the new kid on the block - Roberts - will be the "swing vote" challenging the state of Oregon in an effort to overturn.

I don't know about you folks out there, but I made a decision (in my will) long ago when the people of Oregon had the good sense to offer a "choice." For me, should I be unfortunate to have less than six months to live, I have instructions for my executor to take me to Oregon, establish residence and conform to the law. Also, amid the sounds of "Big-Band era" music (Miller, Goodman, Shaw, James, et. al.) I make the choice of "going to sleep" - hopefully, surrounded by friends.

If you think it will end there, you are wrong! The decisions of Roberts will be determined by "faith-based" concepts. His, not mine!

In conclusion, this will be another legacy left to us by this president. Yes, "faith-based," just like Iraq with the Shiites and the Sunnis. Some "democracy" we are building over there.

I rest my case!

Harry Merker

Las Vegas, Nev.

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The greatest human freedom is to live, and die, according to one's own desires and beliefs. From advance directives to physician-assisted dying, death with dignity is a movement to provide options for the dying to control their own end-of-life care.

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