Julian Buck
Project Three Lesson plan.
Start off - Introduce myself, and say "well I'm here to tell you a story... but first I'd like to ask a question. How many of you guys know somebody who is really, really old?"
Wait for answer and ask how many, then say, " well the story I'm going to tell you is about a really old man from Midwest..."
(semi add-lib: this is a general outline of story with illustrations. not to be said word for word)
The old man was walking down by a lake when he saw some glowing antlers on on the ground. intrigued he went over and picked them up to examine them. He started to get dizzy so he put them down and decided to go home to his cottage and lie down. when he woke up he heard so many voices, but there were no people. Soon he realized he could hear animals speaking! he was so happy but when he stood up to jump for joy, he realized his feet had become hoofs, and his hands started to look like antlers. he said to himself "what the... what's happening to me? OH NO I HAVE MOOSE SYNDROME." moose syndrome is a terminal illness that makes its victims become a moose to death!
now the man was so sad that he was now a Moose man that went running through the forest to the cliffs hanging over the sea. he knew that he was going to die, so he decided that he was going to jump over the cliffs to kill himself, but just as he reached the cliffs, he was confronted by a big gray fox named Euth. Euth came running from the forest and yelled, "Moose man wait! don't Kill yourself!"
upset, Moose man answered, "Why? I'm going to die anyway. just leave me alone!"
Now Euth knew that he was going to say that, so in response he said, "wait Moose man, don't do this. you could make a mistake, and instead of dying you may just hurt yourself really badly! come with me, I want to take you to someone that can help you end your suffering painless and easily." Moose man agreed, and off they went. Through the huge forest and the crusty swamp they ran, not stopping for a moments rest. Finally they came to a road, and at the end of the road was a little house. slowly they walked up to the house. When the reached the door it opened up and inside was a happy little man in a doctors outfit. Looking at Moose man, he said, "Hi! I'm doctor D.! Welcome to my home. Come on in." So inside they went.
They spoke for a while, the three of them did, explaining the situation to one another, when finally doctor D stoop up and said, "well Moose man I understand what your going through. Come with me I have to show you something." So the two of them went to Doctor D's Kitchen and doctor D took a cup out of the refrigerator. Doctor D then turned to Moose man and said, "Here Moose man, drink this magical shake. It will help you end all of you suffering peacefully and easily."
Moose man was so happy! He said to doctor D, " Thank you so much Doctor. You sure have made this easy for me. Now I can go in peace and on my terms. Ill never forget you." Moose man then left the kitchen and found Euth. Looking at the cup in his hands, he said, "Euth, if it wasn't for you I would have seriously hurt myself and made you feel really sad. I'm so glad I have a good friend like you. Well, Bottoms up!" Having said that, Moose man proceeded to drink the magical shake. Slowly he laid down, closed his eyes, and and went to bed for the last time.
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Timed Writing
In The Hero with a Thousand Faces, Joseph Cambell explains the steps a hero takes while completing his or her journey. Described in many mythological as well as modern stories, a hero needs to overcome a series of obsticles to complete the task he or she set out to do. Whether it be to resuce a damsel in destress or to save a village from an evil creature, the hero must have the mental strength and cunning to defeat whatever problems await on the path he or she has chosen. These steps are the call to adventure, refusal of the call, supernatural aid, the crossing of the first threshold, the belly of the whale, road of trials, the meeting with the goddess, woman as temptress, atonement with the father, apotheosis and the ultimate boon.
Two pieces we read this year which relate to Joseph Cambell's, "hero's journey," are the stories of Titanic described in the Vogler reading and Indian Camp by Ernest Hemingway. Both of these stories contain basic Campbellian structure throughout their entirety, as they each possess an initial call to adventure, (Titanic - Jack and Rose making the voyage across the atlantic; Indian Camp - Nick, Dad and Uncle George set out to help a native woman at a distant camp,) a series of trials which need to be conquered, (Titanic - breaking the physical and class boundaries to be with one another; Indian Camp - helping the woman give birth with very primative tools and harsh conditions) and a return to life with new knowledge, (Titanic - Rose returning home with a new outlook on the world; Indian Camp - the knowledge that death is possibilty.)
When working on project three, I've found that Campbell's theory does relate to the journey I took part in . For no reason other then what I would consider a "calling" did i decide to pick doctor assisted suicide as my topic, and if it wasn't for the satire piece we wrote during project two, (which could be seen as a supernatural aid,) I would have never written my third letter as a satire piece as well. Although Campbell may be a pain to read, the messge he brings fourth can relate to many things that we all experience in everyday life.
Two pieces we read this year which relate to Joseph Cambell's, "hero's journey," are the stories of Titanic described in the Vogler reading and Indian Camp by Ernest Hemingway. Both of these stories contain basic Campbellian structure throughout their entirety, as they each possess an initial call to adventure, (Titanic - Jack and Rose making the voyage across the atlantic; Indian Camp - Nick, Dad and Uncle George set out to help a native woman at a distant camp,) a series of trials which need to be conquered, (Titanic - breaking the physical and class boundaries to be with one another; Indian Camp - helping the woman give birth with very primative tools and harsh conditions) and a return to life with new knowledge, (Titanic - Rose returning home with a new outlook on the world; Indian Camp - the knowledge that death is possibilty.)
When working on project three, I've found that Campbell's theory does relate to the journey I took part in . For no reason other then what I would consider a "calling" did i decide to pick doctor assisted suicide as my topic, and if it wasn't for the satire piece we wrote during project two, (which could be seen as a supernatural aid,) I would have never written my third letter as a satire piece as well. Although Campbell may be a pain to read, the messge he brings fourth can relate to many things that we all experience in everyday life.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Letter to the organization (ERGO)
To whom it may concern,
I am a 19 year old student studying at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. Recently, I had been working a research project on doctor assisted-suicide when I came across an article on assistedsuicide.org posted by your organization. I am writing you concerning my own beliefs on the topic.
Having read through the article, as well as other articles on assistedsuicide.org, I have decided that I am 100 percent pro doctor assisted-suicide. Prior to reading the article, I had been reading articles posted online by groups who are against assisted-suicide. After the seventh article I was just about prepared to take a meat mallet and hit myself repeatedly in the foot to stop my brain from hurting. Luckily I read about ERGO's position and I finally stopped ripping the hair from my head. It was great to learn that there was at least one legitimate organization whose views were in agreement with my own.
There is one idea that I would like to put out there which you may or may not agree with, however. I understand that it is a wonderful thing to help a terminally ill patient end his or her life, but there is one group of people who I feel should be encouraged to take the same steps to end their lives as they are truly detrimental to the youthful and growing society in which we live today. This group is known as the senior citizens, (aka. the elderly, geezers, old people, etc.) While living in St. Petersburg, I have been forced to experience the senior citizen problem first hand. Driving has become a nightmare experience, as I have had no less than five near death experiences involving old, incapable drivers behind the wheels of cars over the past three months. I have had noise complaints made against me and my friends at 8 p.m.. because the music was too loud on three separate occasions over the past two weeks! Where will it stop? I believe that we as a society need to find a solution to this rapidly growing problem before it is too late.
I know this whole idea may seem a bit ridiculous to even consider, but I implore you to try and look at this from a youthful perspective. If you feel you can do this, just sit down and ask yourself, what would the world be like without the elderly?
I can't wait to hear how you feel about this menacing situation.
Sincerely,
Julian Buck
I am a 19 year old student studying at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. Recently, I had been working a research project on doctor assisted-suicide when I came across an article on assistedsuicide.org posted by your organization. I am writing you concerning my own beliefs on the topic.
Having read through the article, as well as other articles on assistedsuicide.org, I have decided that I am 100 percent pro doctor assisted-suicide. Prior to reading the article, I had been reading articles posted online by groups who are against assisted-suicide. After the seventh article I was just about prepared to take a meat mallet and hit myself repeatedly in the foot to stop my brain from hurting. Luckily I read about ERGO's position and I finally stopped ripping the hair from my head. It was great to learn that there was at least one legitimate organization whose views were in agreement with my own.
There is one idea that I would like to put out there which you may or may not agree with, however. I understand that it is a wonderful thing to help a terminally ill patient end his or her life, but there is one group of people who I feel should be encouraged to take the same steps to end their lives as they are truly detrimental to the youthful and growing society in which we live today. This group is known as the senior citizens, (aka. the elderly, geezers, old people, etc.) While living in St. Petersburg, I have been forced to experience the senior citizen problem first hand. Driving has become a nightmare experience, as I have had no less than five near death experiences involving old, incapable drivers behind the wheels of cars over the past three months. I have had noise complaints made against me and my friends at 8 p.m.. because the music was too loud on three separate occasions over the past two weeks! Where will it stop? I believe that we as a society need to find a solution to this rapidly growing problem before it is too late.
I know this whole idea may seem a bit ridiculous to even consider, but I implore you to try and look at this from a youthful perspective. If you feel you can do this, just sit down and ask yourself, what would the world be like without the elderly?
I can't wait to hear how you feel about this menacing situation.
Sincerely,
Julian Buck
Letter to the organization (ITF)
To whom it may concern,
I am a 19 year old student studying at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. Recently, I had been working on a research project involving doctor assisted-suicide when I came across an article written by Rita L. Marker posted on your website. I am writing to you in hope that I will get some closure as to why the ITF put this article on its website.
In Ms. Marker's article, she uses Oregon's death with dignity act as the main basis for her position against doctor assisted-suicide. Personally, I am for assisted-suicide, but I feel that I was able to read the article objectively and without bias. Although it was very interesting reading about her theories and explanations as to why doctor assisted-suicide should be illegal, I had a few problems with some of the facts she used as they seemed to be distorted or untrue.
The first "fact" that I had a problem with was the statement, "* Complications or other problems associated with assisted suicide are almost impossible to determine." Though this statement might be true, it has little or no relevance to the actuality of the topic. The fact is that if someone does choose to end their life, the only possible complication would be that they were still alive. If the patient is dead, then the treatment worked; There really is nothing else to it. It was as if the statement was just added to confuse those who read it.
The second "fact" that I had a problem with was the statement, "* Schools can inform students that assisted-suicide is an acceptable medical choice." This statement absolutely baffled me. Can't schools inform students about murder, rape, or any other heinous thought you can think of? Why is it that Ms. Marker feels that it is bad to teach students about a legitimate medical procedure? That sort of brainwashing statement reminds me of statements made by those who opposed the teaching of evolution during the monkey trial.
You have to understand, I really did enjoy reading most of the article. Some of the arguments were presented in a scholarly fashion, but statements like these two seemed childish and down right disrespectful. If your organization really wanted to convince people that your position was the right one, I'd strongly urge you not to post articles which makes it's readers feel like they are being treated like idiots and find more legitimate reasons as to why assisted-suicide should be criminalized.
I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
Sincerely,
Julian Buck
I am a 19 year old student studying at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. Recently, I had been working on a research project involving doctor assisted-suicide when I came across an article written by Rita L. Marker posted on your website. I am writing to you in hope that I will get some closure as to why the ITF put this article on its website.
In Ms. Marker's article, she uses Oregon's death with dignity act as the main basis for her position against doctor assisted-suicide. Personally, I am for assisted-suicide, but I feel that I was able to read the article objectively and without bias. Although it was very interesting reading about her theories and explanations as to why doctor assisted-suicide should be illegal, I had a few problems with some of the facts she used as they seemed to be distorted or untrue.
The first "fact" that I had a problem with was the statement, "* Complications or other problems associated with assisted suicide are almost impossible to determine." Though this statement might be true, it has little or no relevance to the actuality of the topic. The fact is that if someone does choose to end their life, the only possible complication would be that they were still alive. If the patient is dead, then the treatment worked; There really is nothing else to it. It was as if the statement was just added to confuse those who read it.
The second "fact" that I had a problem with was the statement, "* Schools can inform students that assisted-suicide is an acceptable medical choice." This statement absolutely baffled me. Can't schools inform students about murder, rape, or any other heinous thought you can think of? Why is it that Ms. Marker feels that it is bad to teach students about a legitimate medical procedure? That sort of brainwashing statement reminds me of statements made by those who opposed the teaching of evolution during the monkey trial.
You have to understand, I really did enjoy reading most of the article. Some of the arguments were presented in a scholarly fashion, but statements like these two seemed childish and down right disrespectful. If your organization really wanted to convince people that your position was the right one, I'd strongly urge you not to post articles which makes it's readers feel like they are being treated like idiots and find more legitimate reasons as to why assisted-suicide should be criminalized.
I am looking forward to hearing what you have to say.
Sincerely,
Julian Buck
Letter to the organization (Evangelization Fund)
To whom it may concern,
I am a 19 year old student studying at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. Recently, I had been working on a research project involving doctor assisted-suicide when I came across the article, "'Thou Shalt Not Kill': The Church Against Assisted Suicide" by John Bookser Feister. I am writing to you concerning your organizations position against the rights of those who wish to die.
After reading Mr. Feister's article, I have come to the alarming conclusion that your organization, in combination with the Catholic church, has actually convinced its members that aiding in the suffering of a terminally ill patient by prolonging his or her life is the right choice to make in all cases. If what I say in this letter offends you, I apologize with all sincerity. In no way do I mean to insult you personally or your faith, but I can't help the fact that I disagree with your stance.
The statements presented connecting Euthanasia to the desecration of true compassion was really the driving force behind me writing this letter. Disregarding anything else contained in the article, the short few lines explaining these claims was frankly unbearable to read as I know for a fact that Euthanasia can be used to end a sick persons suffering; thus exhibiting ultimate compassion. If this were a proper essay, I would name countless examples to try and convince you as to why this was true, but they wouldn't be my own. Instead, I am only going to give one.
A few years ago, my great aunt Rose had multiple strokes and was confined to a hospital bed for four weeks. while she was there she had little control of her movements and was constantly in agonizing pain. To make matters worse, due to an allergic reaction she was unable to take any medication to dull the pain. This was a lady who, at 93, went from being able to drive a car and play with her grandkids to being a near vegetable overnight. Everyone, including the doctors, new that there was no chance for recovery. When I went with my mother to see her, she told us that she wanted to just end her life so the pain would stop, but there was nothing we could do. My whole family was legally bound to sit and watch as my aunt suffered through a long, slow death.
Having told you this story, I have to ask you, how was keeping her alive an example of compassion? Why did she need to suffer through the last four weeks of her life?
I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Julian Buck
I am a 19 year old student studying at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, Fl. Recently, I had been working on a research project involving doctor assisted-suicide when I came across the article, "'Thou Shalt Not Kill': The Church Against Assisted Suicide" by John Bookser Feister. I am writing to you concerning your organizations position against the rights of those who wish to die.
After reading Mr. Feister's article, I have come to the alarming conclusion that your organization, in combination with the Catholic church, has actually convinced its members that aiding in the suffering of a terminally ill patient by prolonging his or her life is the right choice to make in all cases. If what I say in this letter offends you, I apologize with all sincerity. In no way do I mean to insult you personally or your faith, but I can't help the fact that I disagree with your stance.
The statements presented connecting Euthanasia to the desecration of true compassion was really the driving force behind me writing this letter. Disregarding anything else contained in the article, the short few lines explaining these claims was frankly unbearable to read as I know for a fact that Euthanasia can be used to end a sick persons suffering; thus exhibiting ultimate compassion. If this were a proper essay, I would name countless examples to try and convince you as to why this was true, but they wouldn't be my own. Instead, I am only going to give one.
A few years ago, my great aunt Rose had multiple strokes and was confined to a hospital bed for four weeks. while she was there she had little control of her movements and was constantly in agonizing pain. To make matters worse, due to an allergic reaction she was unable to take any medication to dull the pain. This was a lady who, at 93, went from being able to drive a car and play with her grandkids to being a near vegetable overnight. Everyone, including the doctors, new that there was no chance for recovery. When I went with my mother to see her, she told us that she wanted to just end her life so the pain would stop, but there was nothing we could do. My whole family was legally bound to sit and watch as my aunt suffered through a long, slow death.
Having told you this story, I have to ask you, how was keeping her alive an example of compassion? Why did she need to suffer through the last four weeks of her life?
I eagerly await your response.
Sincerely,
Julian Buck
Three Organizations
ITF - the international task force against euthanasia
This group seems to have a good start towards raising awareness about the dangers of euthanasia and doctor assisted suicide, but the reasons used in the specific letter I'm responding to were absolutely appalling. In my letter I'm going to challenge there reasoning and ask for a response as to why their defense is so flimsy.
ERGO - euthanasia research and guidance organization
I like this group. I agree with their beliefs that doctor assisted suicide should be legalized, but I think I'm going to propose a new idea on how we as a nation could better use our euthanasia resources.
The Evangelization Fund
I do not believe that God's will is any reason to keep a dying man or woman in pain until their death. Hopefully I do not offend anyone involved with this group in my response.
This group seems to have a good start towards raising awareness about the dangers of euthanasia and doctor assisted suicide, but the reasons used in the specific letter I'm responding to were absolutely appalling. In my letter I'm going to challenge there reasoning and ask for a response as to why their defense is so flimsy.
ERGO - euthanasia research and guidance organization
I like this group. I agree with their beliefs that doctor assisted suicide should be legalized, but I think I'm going to propose a new idea on how we as a nation could better use our euthanasia resources.
The Evangelization Fund
I do not believe that God's will is any reason to keep a dying man or woman in pain until their death. Hopefully I do not offend anyone involved with this group in my response.
The Choice Between Life and Death
Julian Buck
Analytic Writing: Research Paper
The Choice Between Life and Death
(A paper in defense of Doctor Assisted Suicide)
A terminally ill patient sits in his hospital bed thinking about all of the decisions he has made over his lifetime. He knows his life is coming to an end, but he doesn't know when. His mind is like time bomb, ticking away with uncertainty until it ticks no more. He wants it to stop, but it doesn't. He looks to his doctor for aid, but due of the laws of the society he lives in, the patient has to sit out the rest of his life in high anxiety. This makes him ask the question, Why can"t I make one final decision? Why can't I make the choice between life and Death?
In definition, doctor assisted suicide, (also known as physician assisted suicide,) is the ability of a patient to end his or her own life with the assistance of their doctor or physician. Over the past two decades in the United States, doctor assisted suicide has become as debatable as abortion or gay marriage. Affecting the elderly, terminally ill and the families of those who wish to die, doctor assisted suicide has sparked many political debates between those for doctor assisted suicide and those who consider helping someone die as equivalent to murder. Until the early 1990's, doctor assisted suicide was illegal in all 50 states and was generally not spoken of by the media. It wasn't until the emergence of one man, Jack Kevorkian, that the fight for the "right to die" took flight.
Revered as a saint by his supporters and abhorred as a killer by his opponents, Jack Kevorkian is the single most important reason why assisted suicide has come out of the shadows and into the public spotlight. Having personally been involved with no less then 130 mercy killings, this radical icon has been dubbed "Dr. Death" by news agencies world wide. Having been credited with the invention of the Mercitron, (a device created to assist people wishing to die,) Kevorkian has sat and watched as patients with incurable diseases take their own lives by way of carbon monoxide poison. The devotion Kevorkian has shown towards his cause has led him to gain near "divine savior" status in the eyes of those he helped. An example of this is shown in a statement made by Steven Fairfax, age 36, the son of Martha Fairfax, Kevorkian's fifteenth mercy patient. When speaking with Sue Woodman, author of Last Rights: The Struggle Over the Right to Die, he said, "If I was ever in a situation like mom's, [Martha Fairfax] I wouldn't hesitate to come see Jack. Dr. Kevorkian has been a breath of fresh air to me and my entire family throughout these troubled times and we will always love him for what he has done for us."
Even more Recently, Kevorkian has shown that he will stay true to his beliefs and that he wishes to help change assisted suicide laws around the US. On March 24th, 2008, Kevorkian made the announcement that he will be running for Congress as an independent and plans to show that right-to-die patients are protected under the little-known 9th amendment of the US Constitution. Although Kevorkian knew that he would face stiff opposition from the government, he decided he would take them head on. The San Diego Union Tribune has quoted him saying, "You've been trained to obey it [the laws], not fight for it because the tyrant [the government] doesn't like that." The conviction Kevorkian has shown has spurred many political activists into action, as shown in Oregon.
In November, 1995, Rick Miller, A terminally Ill cancer patient from Portland, Oregon, ate a bowl of highly barbiturate laced apple sauce handed to him by his doctor. With his family at his hospital bedside, Rick exchanged smiles and kisses, closed his eyes and fell into a deep and infinite sleep. A situation like this makes you wonder, With the knowledge of the Illegality of doctor assisted suicide in the United States, how could something like this possibly come to fruition? The answer is fairly simple. In 1994, The Oregon state legislature put an act on the ballot which, if passed, would not only make doctor assisted suicide possible; it would make it legal. With 51 percent of the vote, the act, known as the Death With Dignity Act, was passed. The Death With Dignity Act allows for physicians to prescribe lethal doses of barbiturates, such as Seconal or Pentobarbital, to terminally ill patients. These doses ensure that the patient dies peacefully under his or her own will. Although the act was blocked by lower courts for three years, it now stands as a pillar of success; proof that the US is beginning to believe in the rights of those who wish to die.
Although the US is showing progression in favor of doctor assisted suicide, there are still those who remain loyal to the beliefs that assisting one die is a heinous criminal act. These groups are generally made up of right-wing extremist christians, such as Catholic philosopher Richard Doerflinger. Doerflinger actively supports the Catholic churches position that doctor assisted suicide is murder and should be opposed at all costs, and has spoken at churches around the US promoting his views. With "the will of God" behind him, Doerflinger believes that what he is doing is the right thing, and has gone as far as assaulting a physician who had taking part in an assisted suicide case. Upon being arrested, he stated "With God as my witness, I shall not allow these murderers to get away with their crimes!" Though not publicly in agreement with Doerflinger's actions, the Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities has said that " ...it is religion's position to show the value of life...".
Bibliography
Woodman, Sue. Last Rights: the Struggle Over the Right to Die. New York, NY: Plenum Press, 1998.
Eggert, David. "Assisted Suicide Advocate Kevorkian Formally Announces Run for Congress." San Diego Union Tribune 24 Mar. 2008. 24 Mar. 2008
Humphry, Derek. "What Do You Call an Assisted Death?" AssistedSuicide.Org. 9 Nov. 2006. Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization (ERGO). 24 Mar. 2008.
Haber, Joram Graf. "Physicians Should Grant Requests for Assistance in Suicide." Opposing Viewpoints: Problems of Death. Ed. James D. Torr and Laura K. Egendorf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. LIRN. 25. Mar. 2008.
Halloran, Liz. "Of Life and Death." U.S. News & World Report. 139. 13 (Oct. 10, 2005): 31. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. LIRN. 25 Mar. 2008..
Analytic Writing: Research Paper
The Choice Between Life and Death
(A paper in defense of Doctor Assisted Suicide)
A terminally ill patient sits in his hospital bed thinking about all of the decisions he has made over his lifetime. He knows his life is coming to an end, but he doesn't know when. His mind is like time bomb, ticking away with uncertainty until it ticks no more. He wants it to stop, but it doesn't. He looks to his doctor for aid, but due of the laws of the society he lives in, the patient has to sit out the rest of his life in high anxiety. This makes him ask the question, Why can"t I make one final decision? Why can't I make the choice between life and Death?
In definition, doctor assisted suicide, (also known as physician assisted suicide,) is the ability of a patient to end his or her own life with the assistance of their doctor or physician. Over the past two decades in the United States, doctor assisted suicide has become as debatable as abortion or gay marriage. Affecting the elderly, terminally ill and the families of those who wish to die, doctor assisted suicide has sparked many political debates between those for doctor assisted suicide and those who consider helping someone die as equivalent to murder. Until the early 1990's, doctor assisted suicide was illegal in all 50 states and was generally not spoken of by the media. It wasn't until the emergence of one man, Jack Kevorkian, that the fight for the "right to die" took flight.
Revered as a saint by his supporters and abhorred as a killer by his opponents, Jack Kevorkian is the single most important reason why assisted suicide has come out of the shadows and into the public spotlight. Having personally been involved with no less then 130 mercy killings, this radical icon has been dubbed "Dr. Death" by news agencies world wide. Having been credited with the invention of the Mercitron, (a device created to assist people wishing to die,) Kevorkian has sat and watched as patients with incurable diseases take their own lives by way of carbon monoxide poison. The devotion Kevorkian has shown towards his cause has led him to gain near "divine savior" status in the eyes of those he helped. An example of this is shown in a statement made by Steven Fairfax, age 36, the son of Martha Fairfax, Kevorkian's fifteenth mercy patient. When speaking with Sue Woodman, author of Last Rights: The Struggle Over the Right to Die, he said, "If I was ever in a situation like mom's, [Martha Fairfax] I wouldn't hesitate to come see Jack. Dr. Kevorkian has been a breath of fresh air to me and my entire family throughout these troubled times and we will always love him for what he has done for us."
Even more Recently, Kevorkian has shown that he will stay true to his beliefs and that he wishes to help change assisted suicide laws around the US. On March 24th, 2008, Kevorkian made the announcement that he will be running for Congress as an independent and plans to show that right-to-die patients are protected under the little-known 9th amendment of the US Constitution. Although Kevorkian knew that he would face stiff opposition from the government, he decided he would take them head on. The San Diego Union Tribune has quoted him saying, "You've been trained to obey it [the laws], not fight for it because the tyrant [the government] doesn't like that." The conviction Kevorkian has shown has spurred many political activists into action, as shown in Oregon.
In November, 1995, Rick Miller, A terminally Ill cancer patient from Portland, Oregon, ate a bowl of highly barbiturate laced apple sauce handed to him by his doctor. With his family at his hospital bedside, Rick exchanged smiles and kisses, closed his eyes and fell into a deep and infinite sleep. A situation like this makes you wonder, With the knowledge of the Illegality of doctor assisted suicide in the United States, how could something like this possibly come to fruition? The answer is fairly simple. In 1994, The Oregon state legislature put an act on the ballot which, if passed, would not only make doctor assisted suicide possible; it would make it legal. With 51 percent of the vote, the act, known as the Death With Dignity Act, was passed. The Death With Dignity Act allows for physicians to prescribe lethal doses of barbiturates, such as Seconal or Pentobarbital, to terminally ill patients. These doses ensure that the patient dies peacefully under his or her own will. Although the act was blocked by lower courts for three years, it now stands as a pillar of success; proof that the US is beginning to believe in the rights of those who wish to die.
Although the US is showing progression in favor of doctor assisted suicide, there are still those who remain loyal to the beliefs that assisting one die is a heinous criminal act. These groups are generally made up of right-wing extremist christians, such as Catholic philosopher Richard Doerflinger. Doerflinger actively supports the Catholic churches position that doctor assisted suicide is murder and should be opposed at all costs, and has spoken at churches around the US promoting his views. With "the will of God" behind him, Doerflinger believes that what he is doing is the right thing, and has gone as far as assaulting a physician who had taking part in an assisted suicide case. Upon being arrested, he stated "With God as my witness, I shall not allow these murderers to get away with their crimes!" Though not publicly in agreement with Doerflinger's actions, the Catholic Bishops' Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities has said that " ...it is religion's position to show the value of life...".
Bibliography
Woodman, Sue. Last Rights: the Struggle Over the Right to Die. New York, NY: Plenum Press, 1998.
Eggert, David. "Assisted Suicide Advocate Kevorkian Formally Announces Run for Congress." San Diego Union Tribune 24 Mar. 2008. 24 Mar. 2008
Humphry, Derek. "What Do You Call an Assisted Death?" AssistedSuicide.Org. 9 Nov. 2006. Euthanasia Research & Guidance Organization (ERGO). 24 Mar. 2008
Haber, Joram Graf. "Physicians Should Grant Requests for Assistance in Suicide." Opposing Viewpoints: Problems of Death. Ed. James D. Torr and Laura K. Egendorf. San Diego: Greenhaven Press, 2000. Opposing Viewpoints Resource Center. Gale. LIRN. 25. Mar. 2008
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