SUPREME COURT UPHOLDS OREGON'S SUICIDE LAW

ap ^

[SoFloFreeper]

BREAKING ON THE AP WIRE:

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has upheld Oregon's one-of-a-kind physician-assisted suicide law, rejecting a Bush administration attempt to punish doctors who help terminally ill patients die.

[antiRepublicrat]

In other words they allow people to kill themselves with controlled substances. Does this mean that someone wanting to kill themselves can get around federal gun laws, if a gun and not an injection is the method of choice.

You mean if they were somehow federally prohibited from owning a weapon? First, I disagree with that one too. But this is a case of doctors who have the legal ability to dispense medications doing it. The actions of doctors are governed by the state; and therefore it is a state matter. The feds tried unsuccessfully to use the drug laws to invade state sovereignty.

[Sandy]

I wonder if the same rationale will be used in abortion cases.

The Court has already ruled that assisted suicide is not a constitutionally-protected right. So no, the rationale wouldn't be the same because the question isn't the same.

[Fishtalk]

The protections you mention are in the DOI not the Constitution. Therefore they have no legal standing.

Okay. I'm sure the good judges would do it much better. There must be a way to weasle something to that effect in there. Those words in the DOI certainly set the scene that this country is based on a Culture of LIFE.

Anything involving implementing death just shouldn't be in the legislature.

It's my story and I'm sticking to it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Another nail in the coffin of seatbelt mandates, seems to me

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No, this would serve only to establish that it is permissible for a state not to criminalize the lack of a seatbelt.

If the decision had mandated that all states legalize assisted suicide, then you would have a point.

[La Enchiladita]

Ping to post #201.

[proudpapa]

The day will come when democrats will regret they pushed for this.

Few conservatives would choose suicide. While those liberals in Eugene and Portland will likely thin their herd, thus thinning their non-reproducing voting block.

Look for Oregon to be a solid red state by 2012.

[Quicksilver]

this is a matter for the states

As it should be, as abortion should be and was until Roe v. Wade.

[Sols]

Are you guys pulling my chain? Can so many people on a website dedicated to the United States and its government not understand the difference between the Declaration of Independance and the Constitution, and recognize which one is actually the basis of our entire government and which one is just a big "piss off" to the King?

[eyespysomething]

You know, a better way to force all of us to drive safer and thus reduce injuries in motor vehicles would be a federal law mandating a spear being mounted in the steering wheel pointing at our chest.

I know I'd drive slow and careful then!

[antiRepublicrat]

There is that little thing in the Constitution called "the right to life"

Really? Where? Let's see, "life" appears once in the context of treason, twice in the 5th Amendment (due process and double jeopardy), and once in the 14th (due process). None of those contexts apply to this issue.

[Atlas Sneezed]

I am troubled by assisted suicide, but that's a policy argument.

We have to stick to our principles on the Constitutional arguments.

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Exactly. The frothing small-mind folks don't know the difference, and "know" the decision is bad, just because of who decided it.

[Atlas Sneezed]

Have you ever read about what goes on in the Netherlands since they started on the path of "compassionate death"?

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Oregon has had this law in place, and the procedure in practice, for years. Why don't you tell us the horrors it has brought?

[antiRepublicrat]

Yeah, like this one (below) on the same issue?

Different case. Also notice it wasn't the federal government attempting to undermine the state law using federal law.

[Hank Rearden]

Roberts passes first "conservative test" as Chief Justice.

And what "conservative test" is that - Federal ownership of our bodies?

This is a good ruling; at most, it's a state issue. Actually, government can butt the hell out - a .357 overrules robed tyrants if a person wants to end their life.

[Jrabbit]

Does anyone know how many people in Oregon have used this option? Are there a lot of doctors that participate? And am I correct that a coma patient isn't included in the law? Can his/her family decide for that person?

I don't think ANY doctor really "knows" how long a person will live. It's a guess, based on statistics, at best. I would think that if a person is of sound mind when this decision is made, then that person could use their sound mind to carry out their wishes without involving courts or doctors.

[Halls]

Well, than you are not Conservative IMO!

[antiRepublicrat]

So the states should have the powers to enact laws that violate the basic constitutional protection of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness?

I keep looking, but I still can't find that in the Constitution.

[mosquitobite]

Just as someone had told me, Thomas' dissent seems solely to point out the hypocrisy of the majority in relation to Raich.

Read it, it is quite funny how he's almost pointing out their stupidity.

LOL