Transition–an end and a new beginning
This blog post represents the end of three years of work for me. In August, responsibility for the blog is being transferred to the capable hands of FEN board member Kevin Bradley.
When safeguards become roadblocks, Part 2
"When safeguards become roadblocks, Part 2" continues exploring FEN's eligibility criteria, looks at other impediments to MAID, and considers one minimal change that recently has been made to Oregon's law.
Making Choices About Death
A letter to the New York Times by FEN Board President Brian Ruder
Living in the high-risk category in the time of COVID-19
We are all in the high-risk category for death because all living things die. However, each of us hopes to live a long, productive (however defined), satisfying life in the meantime. Covid-19 is causing many of us to reassess how long we may have left.
New Final Exit Network website
We are happy to announce that the redesigned FEN website is up and running.
The slippery slope, voluntary decision-making, and equal protection
Slippery slope arguments deny rationality, moral precepts, and legal principles. Few of us who believe in a right to die go beyond the formulation of this right as a voluntary decision of one person about that person's life. The view that no one has the right to take from us the liberty to make such decisions to end our lives except ourselves appears to be the norm in this society for those who are near the end of their lives because of disease or condition. Voluntariness is inextricably bound up with the decision to die to escape suffering near the end of life.
“Self-death” (suicide) as a natural right
A brief look at suicide historically, philosophically, constitutionally, legally, and practically as a right to all who value liberty.
Deciding when suicide is a rational choice
How the Final Exit Network works to make hastening one's own death a rational endeavor–a review of the process.
A Self-Deliverance in California
Jim Van Buskirk relates a poignant experience that led to his joining the Final Exit Network.
A non-medical model for a self-controlled death?
In a newly-produced short film, Philip Nitschke argues for a non-medical model to replace the medical model for a self-controlled death. His argument is compelling. If we have a right to a self-controlled death, we should not have to ask permission from doctors to honor that right. As he has said, "You don't have to be a doctor to understand dying."