Man uses 'Final Exit' as suicide guide

UPI ^ | 1/24/09 | UPI

[wagglebee]

DES MOINES, Iowa, Jan. 24 (UPI) -- An Iowa man who apparently took his own life was found dead with the book and DVD versions of the suicide guide "Final Exit" close to hand.

Des Moines police said Derek Mott, 56, also had a list on his desk of needed items for a suicide device described in the book, The Des Moines Register reported. The cause of death was described as asphyxiation.

Diane Mott discovered her husband's body at about 4 p.m. Thursday, police said. She told the newspaper he had been in great pain because of diabetes.

The book was written by Derek Humphry, who became an advocate of assisted suicide after his wife, suffering from terminal cancer, took her own life in 1975. Humphry is a founder of the Hemlock Society and a past president of the World Federation of Right to Die Societies.

"This book promises them relief. But in a way, it's giving people permission to kill themselves," said Dale Chell, a suicide prevention coordinator with the Iowa Department of Public Health. "The idea that someone is helping someone end their life seems to be against human nature. You should help someone end their agony, rather than end their life."

[wagglebee]

It's incredibly angering to hear ignorance and sanctimony speak about someone else's pain.

So, YOU are saying that palliative care does not remove pain?

[BykrBayb]

There is no force on Earth, nor in hell, that can force me to withdraw palliative care from one of my loved ones, and subject them to murder. I couldn’t do that to anyone, not even an enemy. I don’t understand how anyone could. I’ve heard the lies about murder being more humane than palliative care, but I know that’s a lie. I do understand that at some point, it makes sense to stop fighting against death, but I also understand that’s different from withdrawing humane palliative care and substituting murder for it.

[mysterio]

Are you saying that palliative medicine could not relieve the pain?

The drug warriors don't want chronic pain sufferers to become addicts. Or to be hungry enough to eat. So the chronic pain sufferers kill themselves.

[wagglebee]

The drug warriors don't want chronic pain sufferers to become addicts. Or to be hungry enough to eat. So the chronic pain sufferers kill themselves.

Nonsense.

[I see my hands]

What the heck did you put the word "you" in caps for? I don't think you're serious.

As per your question the answer is no. Might have been a Christian thing to have learned that before you judged others.

[wagglebee]

I put "you" in caps to emphasize that I was referring to YOU offering an opinion on whether or not palliative care was effective on a person YOU never met.

Might have been a Christian thing to have learned that before you judged others.

I've judged NOBODY, Judeo-Christian culture has always held killing to be wrong, I was simply stating that FACT.

[mysterio]

May you never have to find out firsthand yourself.

[wagglebee]

I’ve been around several people who were treated with palliative care and even if painkillers are not effective, medically-induced comas ALWAYS work.

So basically, you don’t have a clue what you are talking about.

[mysterio]

If only your anecdotal evidence was representative of an overall trend.

Have a good weekend.

[wagglebee]

If only your anecdotal evidence was representative of an overall trend.

"Anecdotal evidence"?

YOU have yet to offer a shred of evidence that this statement is true:

The drug warriors don't want chronic pain sufferers to become addicts. Or to be hungry enough to eat. So the chronic pain sufferers kill themselves.

Are you calling medically-induced comas "anecdotal evidence"?

[I see my hands]

Okay, you put the word "you" in caps because you wanted to refer to me. That can be done in small case. I don't think you are serious.

I'm sure you understand, more than me, the convolutions, distractions, false premises and other sophistry abortion advocates employ in their debates. That's why I don't speak with those people and why I won't continue to speak with you. Refer to my post number 14 if necessary and be sure to have a good day.

[calex59]

Suicides don’t get paid.

Some policies have a time limit on suicides(10 years after policy was originally bought, or something similar) but for the most part you are entirely correct. There is no going out to buy a policy then committing suicide and bringing a big cash windfall to the family, it just doesn't work.

[mysterio]

I propose treating chronic and end-of-life pain without stigma or jackboot raids.

When proposed against the choice of a lifelong medically induced coma, my solution seems the preferable one. Would prevent many suicides, a goal you and I seem to share.

I am in disagreement with your position. I hope you don't take it as a personal attack.

[BykrBayb]

When I get old, I want to sit around telling wild stories like that one. I’ll add it to my collection. Thanks.

[BykrBayb]

There is nothing evil about saying that palliative care should remove pain. Sheesh, where do we find these people?

[G.Mason]

LOL

Yes I'm 68 now, but that scene is just as clear today, as when it happened.

[BykrBayb]

Yeah, but when I tell it, I’m going to add a beaver playing the banjo, to make it more believable.

[mamelukesabre]

You only tried to save him once?

[wagglebee]

I'm sure you understand, more than me, the convolutions, distractions, false premises and other sophistry abortion advocates employ in their debates. That's why I don't speak with those people and why I won't continue to speak with you.

In all the time I've been here I have NEVER been compared to an abortion advocate. YOU are truly pathetic.

[BykrBayb]

Wait a minute. Wasn’t there once a troll who accused you of being an abortion advocate, just before he/she/it got zotted?