Public Agenda Alert -- April 18, 2002
* In the Headlines: Judge Rejects Ashcroft's
Challenge to Assisted Suicide Law
http://www.publicagenda.org
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Judge Rejects Ashcroft's Challenge to Assisted
Suicide Law
A federal judge has rejected the Justice Department's
efforts to block Oregon's physician-assisted suicide
law, saying U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft lacked
the authority to decide "what constitutes the legitimate
practice of medicine." In a sharply worded ruling
Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Robert Jones said Ashcroft
was attempting to "stifle an ongoing, earnest and profound
debate in the various states concerning physician-assisted
suicide." The Justice Department said it remained convinced
that federal law prohibited the use of controlled drugs to
assist suicide, and was considering an appeal. Stephen
Bushong, an assistant state attorney general in Oregon,
hailed the ruling as a victory "for people of the state who
want to look at their own laws and decide for themselves how
to handle medical practices." Oregon is the only state in the
U.S. that allows assisted suicide for the terminally ill. The
Oregon law, which took effect in 1997, has been used to end
the lives of about 70 people. Oregon voters approved the law
in 1994 and rejected an effort to rescind it three years later.
For additional context, see our issue guide on Right to Die.

- Public Opinion - Americans are divided on doctor-assisted
suicide, and responses can vary depending on the way the
questions are worded

- Public Opinion - More than a third of Americans say they
would consider suicide if they themselves were terminally ill
or in great pain

- Public Opinion - Americans are divided on whether they would
help a terminally ill family member commit suicide

- Fact File - Some American doctors help their patients die

http://www.publicagenda.org/headlines/headline.htm


I could be mean
I could angry
You know I could be just like you

I could be fake
I could be stupid
You know I could be just like you

you thought you were standing beside me
you were only in my way
you're wrong if you think that i'll be just like you
You thought you were there to guide me
you were only in my way
you're wrong if you think that i'll be just like you

I could be cold
I could be ruthless
You know I could be just like you
I could be weak
I could be sencless
you know I could be just like you


on my own, cause I can't take livin with you
I'm alone, So I won't turn out like you want me to