Court reinstates California law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives

CBS News ^ | 06/16/18

[Simon Green]

A state appeals court has reinstated -- at least for now -- California's law allowing terminally ill people to end their lives. The Fourth District Court of Appeals in Riverside issued an immediate stay Friday putting the End of Life Option back into effect. The court also gave opponents of its decision until July 2 to file objections.

The law allows adults to obtain a prescription for life-ending drugs if a doctor has determined that they have six months or less to live.

Riverside County Superior Court Judge Daniel Ottolia declared the law unconstitutional last month, stating that it had been adopted illegally because lawmakers passed it during a special Legislative session called to address other matters. Ottolia didn't address the issue of whether it's proper for people to end their lives.

Right-to-die advocates hailed Friday's action.

"This stay is a huge win for many terminally ill Californians with six months or less to live because it could take years for the courts to resolve this case," Kevin Díaz, national director of legal advocacy for Compassion & Choices, said in a statement.

"Thankfully, this ruling settles the issue for the time being, but we know we have a long fight ahead before we prevail."

California Attorney General Xavier Becerra, who had asked the appeals court to stay Ottolia's ruling, also praised the decision.

"This ruling provides some relief to California patients, their families, and doctors who have been living in uncertainty while facing difficult health decisions," Becerra said. "Today's court ruling is an important step to protect and defend the End of Life Option Act for our families across the state."

[JusPasenThru]

Doc: “I’m afraid you have only six months to live.”

Patient: “OMG, can I do anything about it?”

Doc: “Yes, you can move to California and move into a commune with Maxine Waters, Nancy Pelosi and Jerry Brown.”

Patient: “So this is supposed to make me live longer?”

Doc: “No, but it will be the six longest months of your life.”

[Pollster1]

The The Hippocratic Oath lasted 2500 years, pretty much intact. Now, black-robed tyrants are asserting that refusing to kill patients is unconstitutional, and the Oath is dead. It's sad.

I swear by Apollo the Healer, by Asclepius, by Hygieia, by Panacea, and by all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will carry out, according to my ability and judgment, this oath and this indenture . . . Neither will I administer a poison to anybody when asked to do so, nor will I suggest such a course. Similarly I will not give to a woman a pessary to cause abortion.

[Simon Green]

My life belongs to ME. It doesn’t belong to the church, the state, the courts or the legislature. I don’t need their permission.

Well said.

[golux]

URGENT.


My life belongs to ME. It doesn’t belong to the church, the state, the courts or the legislature. I don’t need their permission....

FRiends, please understand. You are always "allowed" to end your life, though you will break many hearts when you do it.

The question at hand regarding the State has to do with money.

The State will ALWAYS encourage euthanasia and suicide. The State will ALWAYS argue that "religious beliefs" such as notions regarding the Sanctity of Life are outmoded, outdated, and unbecoming of a post-Malthusian world in which we all must - all good citizens must - work together, live together, die together to further Social Justice.

Young Freepers, do not be fooled. Security is not freedom. The security of the state is not freedom. Your personal security is not freedom. The knowledge of your death - time and place, though momentarily comforting - is not freedom.

The State will always advocate for the freedom of the infirm, the depressed, the lost... To die.

The State will pull the plug, yes, and earlier and earlier, little by little, until you are the one feeling the lights go out, wondering what happened.

[Persevero]

While simultaneously funding suicide prevention centers.

[ScottinVA]

Ditto here. If I came down with an incurable cancer as my father did, with no hope of survival and a certainty of a pending, miserable, agonizing death, I want the option of going out on less traumatic terms.

[itsahoot]

At first the patient has the option to decide and as sure as the sun sets, the State will eventually decide.

[Lazamataz]

Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren’t lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.

[itsahoot]

I’m okay with this. As long as the individual decides and not the doctors.

The individual can decide now with no help from doctors or the state. Get the state involved and they will become the decider, without your opinion.

[itsahoot]

“Slippery slope” arguments are specious.

D@mn straight and homos don't want your kids.

You have 4 letters too many in front of your screen name.

[itsahoot]

I don’t need their permission.

Simple then don't ask them for help.

[itsahoot]

I want the option of going out on less traumatic terms.

Then don't ask for help since you are independent and all.

[Don Corleone]

I hope it applies to elected officials

[freedumb2003]

Both non sequiter and ad hominem — and nothing else.

You must be the center of your debate squad.

Don’t waste my time again unless you have something to say.

[freedumb2003]

>>My life belongs to ME.<<

You need only read the responses here to know that is untrue. Your life belongs to the Statist busybodies.

[Drango]

He is not the state, the church, the courts,the legislature, or busybodies who think they have some say in my life or death.

My walk with Him is excellent. Thank you.

[itsahoot]

Both non sequiter and ad hominem — and nothing else.

Sure but accurate.

I have plenty to say but only to people that agree with me and you don't.

[freedumb2003]

>>Sure but accurate.<<

Only an idiot doubles down that a logical fallacy and a slur are “accurate.” Note that is a (in fact the ONLY) proper logical conclusion based on your own words.

I think you are on the wrong board. Idiots spend their time on DU and JPR.

>I have plenty to say but only to people that agree with me and you don’t.<<

Yep — democrat liberal. Thanks for the confirmation.

[ScottinVA]

Thank you for your “input.”

[elbook]

Paging Pelosi

Paging Finstein

Paging Boxer

They are ready for you in the Happy Room.