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I am not picking on anyone when I say that these threads become personal grudge matches rather than reasoned debate about the subject in question.

With that in mind I would like to get back to the question at hand: Assisted Suicide (if that is an accurate term to describe the law as written in Oregon).

Does anyone know of any specific cases in Oregon in which a patient has been forced/coerced into killing themselves using the law as it has been in effect over the last decade? Has it provided a "dignified death" as its proponents claim? Of these 20 or so patients a year, have any of their diagnoses about their near death status been refuted? Are the safeguards that the proponents say are in place sufficient to ensure that only those who are close to death (6 months) and legally of sound are able to get a doctor to prescribe an over-dosage of barbituates (not sure which specific drug is used) capable of killing the patient?

These are just a few of the crucial questions which must be asked in terms of Oregon's law. The supreme court case wasn't discussing these broad topics, but was rather ruling on whether Attorney General Ashcroft had the power to question what a proper use for a legally obtainable drug was on a state to state basis. The SCOTUS ruled he overstepped his bounds in this case. Should congress like to change the law, it is free to do so. The attorney general, on the other hand, does not have the power to determine on his own what drugs can be used in what context. At least that is my take on it. Please feel free to poke holes in this, that's why it.s a debate.