been keeping away from the politics lately because a) the ominous rumblings about iran scare the bejeezus out of me and b) it’s so much more pleasant to browse websites about the beauty that is new zealand.

But thank goodness there is still a modicum of common sense out there: bush can’t punish assisted suicide doctors.

From the day we’re born we’re dying – the minute people stop being afraid of that fact, they’ll stop feeling the need to tell people how and when they can or cannot die. Bush’s “culture of life” seems to be trying to promulgate the notion that human life is so special and unique that it must be preserved at all costs, irrespective of the concepts of dignity and control.

Human life is not unique. We will all die, no matter what we do, and in spite of all our best efforts. Billions of people have lived, are living, will live… and we all *die*. It is a forgone conclusion, absolute truth, fait accompli.

What *is* unique about humans is that we are wholly conscious of our ultimate fate. And we have the means to control the method and manner in which we will die. Animals don’t. There is no informed suicide amongst the rest of the species. Yet if I wanted to end my life next week, I could. I’m healthy, relatively young, fully compos mentis. I have the luxury of overdosing in my bed, or slitting my wrists in the tub, or blowing my brains out, if I so choose.

So why, oh why, would we deny the people who need a graceful exit most – the people wracked with pain, or helplessly disabled, or losing their few last precious conscious thoughts – why would we not grant their simple request of honouring their life with a peaceful and decent end?

The “culture of life” is completely heartless and cruel, and I’m glad to see that this ruling upholds one of the few humane acts we can provide for our fellow humans.

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oregon, supreme court, assisted suicide