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 | We are getting emails from all over this country and Canada saying, essentially, that Massachusetts' defeat of doctor prescribed suicide is the beacon of light, the bright spot in a dark time. Many point out that the win was actually much bigger than it seemed because all the other election results leaned left and we won in spite of that. We have heard from people praising the work of the Catholic Church on the ballot question. Now that the election is over, we certainly need to acknowledge the extremely effective effort made by people in the Church. Janet Benestad organized the efforts in the Boston Archdiocese, including dozens and dozens of meetings and materials. Allison LeDoux held many meetings in the Worcester Diocese as well as sponsoring an amazing symposium the last weekend in October, Marian Desrosiers organized very effective efforts in the Fall River parishes, and Mark DuPont in Springfield (see below). Besides educating people they arranged for multitudes of volunteers. Linda Thayer added DPS to her topics and was out there speaking. Peggy Bradford writes: I couldn't have done this on my own down here. Kudos go to Mark DuPont and the Diocese, especially for working so closely with us. And to Bill Allen and the Springfield Chapter of MCFL. Bill has been my right hand throughout this. Also Dr Cyril Shea who traveled all over Western Mass with and without me educating people on the flaws. He even damaged his brand new car by backing into my truck on one of those Berkshire trips! Dick Guerrier,, Executive Secretary, Knight of Columbus writes: And don't forget the $500,000 the Knights of Columbus donated for defeat of Question #2.
Kevin Jourdain writes: How about thanking the Catholic Bishops and Catholic Church of MA? Mary Ann Thomas writes: The Catholic Church played an enormous role in this as well! Lots of materials to each Church! Theresa of the Trinity writes: What about Cardinal Sean and the other bishops and priests who valiantly spoke up at every opportunity and rallied their forces for the cause of Life? My hat is off to them in a big way. Yesterday as I stood with my "Vote No On Question 2" sign that I got from our church here in Melrose (with a picture of my Dad attached), I was alone at the major intersection across from City Hall. The oppression was tangible; the looks, jeers, and comments were painful. But then at one moment, I could sense the Lord's presence looking down from heaven and assuring me that regardless of what others think, the image of people holding signs for Life, people voting for Life, everything that anyone did for Life is recorded in eternity. That gave me such joy and comfort. When I entered City Hall to cast my vote, again the oppression was tangible. But an amazing thing happened. Once in the voting booth, as I filled in the little oval to vote for Mitt Romney, the presence of God came into the booth. As I cast my next vote for Scott Brown, the presence of God was so tangible, all you could do was weep. By the time I got to Question #2, it was pure joy. Our God, who is Life himself, is not mocked…even if we are. And He works all things for good for those who love him. I praise God along with you for all those who worked and prayed for this eternal victory. God bless you. Allison LeDoux writes: The vote against the legalization of physician-assisted suicide is a powerful witness to the dignity of every human person no matter how compromised their lives may seem. We thank in a very special way all those who helped to get the word out – our priests and deacons who so faithfully preached the truth, our local Catholic media, our Catholic doctors who went above and beyond to help us to defend the integrity of the medical profession and the lives of their patients, and all the faithful who were really the "leaven" by spreading the word, organizing events, volunteering, holding signs on street corners, and so much more. We also thank all of our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the country for their prayers and help in getting the word out. Most especially, we thank Bishop McManus for his courageous leadership, encouragement and support. The defeat of Question 2 offers a bright light in dark times. May we continue to be vigilant and prayerful in the days ahead as we work unceasingly to build a Culture of Life THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR MANY, MANY PRAYERS AND GOOD WORKS! MAY GOD BLESS YOU ABUNDANTLY! ------The win here will have fall-out for a long time, especially in other states where DPS is brought up. Congratulations to you all! |
The blog for Massachusetts Citizens for Life: the pro-life movement in the Bay State since 1973.
Wednesday, November 7, 2012
We are getting emails from all over the country about defeat of DPS!
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
"Thank you" party on Friday!
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You are working so hard for this immensely important election!
The MCFL Board of Directors wants to thank you. Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, 8 p.m. MCFL Office Schrafft Center 529 Main Street, Charlestown please bring a bottle of soft drink,. a bag of chips, a bunch of grapes or whatever |
Q 2 ON BACK OF BALLOT
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| | People who have voted absentee have told us that the Questions are on the BACK of the ballot. Bridget said she almost turned in her ballot without voting on Q2. Q2 may be on the back of your ballot as well--please check. We cannot win with blanks! Please be sure to turn over your ballot! And please spread the word. Thanks, |
Don't let the polls keep you from voting.
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| | This was just posted on Hot Air. The same tricks used to cause us to stay home in the Presidential race are being used in other races. Be sure to vote! Anne CNN Polling: 2 + 2 = 11?posted at 1:59 pm on November 5, 2012 by Duane PattersonCNN has decided to throw in with Marist and Quinnipiac for the 'Which Pollster Can Be The Most Wrong" contest, funnily enough being decided tomorrow night as well. They've got the race tied at 49 all, but with a very interesting sampling number that stands out in their methodology. Among those likely voters, 41% described themselves as Democrats, 29% described themselves as Independents, and 30% described themselves as Republicans. You read that right. CNN, the night before the election, has a turnout model in their poll that is 57% higher for the President than it was four years ago. So the economy hasn't improved, wages haven't improved, energy production hasn't improved, the Middle East hasn't improved, Defense hasn't improved, health care costs haven't improved, the debt hasn't improved, the deficit hasn't improved, partisanship hasn't improved, MSNBC's ratings haven't improved, Iran hasn't been deterred from their march towards nuclear weaponry, and we're still heading towards the entitlement fiscal cliff. But CNN is happy to report that the country is no longer a 50/50 country, and that the spread in turnout Barack Obama got in all his hopey changey glory is now half again wider? And the race is still tied? By the way, Scott Rasmussen finished October with a report that shows party ID favoring the Republicans by 5.6%. That's almost a 17 point swing from what CNN shows. Just a reminder for today and tomorrow. Do not let what a poll tells you cloud your decision on whether to turn out or not. |
Monday, November 5, 2012
Latest poll, Q2 - fabulous news
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http://www.masslive.com/politics/index.ssf/2012/11/massachusetts_question_2_poll_support_for_death_with_dignity_declines_voters_split.h
44% support, 42% oppose. Undecideds should break for us, which brings us to at least 51%!!!!!!!! A short tome ago, this was 68% - 20%. We have come this far because of all your hard work. Educate two more people and get them to the polls. We must keep up the pressure until 8:00 tomorrow night.  |
Sunday, November 4, 2012
MCFL Federal PAC endorses and recommends
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| | John Rowe, Chair of the Federal PAC announces that the PAC endorses: Mitt Romney for President Sean Bielat for Congress in the 4th Congressional District During the past session of Congress, 2011-2012, 11 of the 12 members of the Massachusetts delegation voted 100% anti-life. Of them all. only Sen. Scott Brown voted pro-life. With that in mind, the PAC recommends voting for him and for the opponents of the others. The PAC recommends: Scott Brown for U. S. Senate Richard Tisei for Congress in the 6th Congressional District. As a state legislator, Tisei voted against tax funding of abortion and for parental consent laws. Joseph Selvaggi for Congress in the 8th Congressional District Christopher Sheldon for Congress in the 9th Congressional District. Selvaggi and Sheldon both answered the National Right to Life Questionnaire 100% pro-life. NB from Anne: Some bloggers have been saying that Richard Tisei is endorsed by NARAL and Planned Parenthood. I need you to know this is false! When you check their political sites, you will see that NARAL says they know nothing about his position and Planned Parenthood gives him a thumbs down. http://www.prochoiceamerica.org/elections/2012/voter-guide/voter-guide-states.html?state=MA PP: http://ppactionvoterguide.org/federal/massachusetts |
Saturday, November 3, 2012
DPS Globe poll. Please vote immediately!
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We are doing very well in the real polls. We need to continue to look good in these newspaper polls. The Globe poll will be read by many. It may close early on Sunday, so please vote right away. Thanks, Anne
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Post Election "Thank You" Party! Your Invitation
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You are working so hard for this immensely important election!
The MCFL Board of Directors wants to thank you. "Thank You" Party Friday, Nov. 9, 2012, 8 p.m. MCFL Office Schrafft Center 529 Main Street, Charlestown please bring a bottle of soft drink,. a bag of chips, a bunch of grapes or whatever |
Friday, November 2, 2012
Massachusetts media opposes Question 2!
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| | Listed below are Massachusetts newspapers and magazine, which have editorialized against Question 2 - so far. WHOOPIE, WHEEE, PRAISE THE LORD, ETC.! BE SURE TO LET EVERYONE KNOW. |
Wednesday, October 31, 2012
DPS Polls--We're gaining ground!
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| | Poll in Boston Globe yesterday: support for DPS, 47% - 37% Suffolk poll yesterday, 47% - 41% Remember, a few weeks ago it was 68% - 20% Our work and the ads are working. We are in a great place for a vote no committee. After the polls came out yesterday, the death lobby bought more ad time - they are worried! No On 2 still needs to raise $15,000 by the weekend http://noonquestion2.org/ We need signs at the polls. Contact Stephen, q2coordinator@gmail.com Please keep up the pressure for only six more days! Thanks very much! Anne |
MCFL State PAC announces endorsements and recommendations
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| | MCFL State PAC announces endorsements and recommendations: According to Madeline McComish, Chair of the MCFL State PAC, the PAC has made its endorsements and recommendations for Nov 6, 2012. If you would like more information on how the PAC made its decisions, the data are on the MCFL website, http://massprolife.com/mcfl_main/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Candidates-table-for-web-site-1.pdf Also, please note the list is in alphabetical order by the name of the legislative district. Please share this information with your friends and neighbors. Thanks, Anne House Endorsements: Randy Hunt Incumbent, Fifth Barnstable Fred "Jay" Barrows Incumbent, First Bristol George T. Ross Incumbent, Second Bristol Alan Silvia, Seventh Bristol Keiko Orrall Incumbent, Twelfth Bristol Elizabeth Poirier Incumbent, Fourteenth Bristol Bradford R. Hill Incumbent, Fourth Essex Frank A. Moran, Seventeenth Essex Jim Lyons Incumbent, Eighteenth Essex Todd M. Smola Incumbent, First Hamden Brian Michael Ashe Incumbent, Second Hamden Nicholas Boldyga Incumbent, Third Hampden Donald F. Humason, Jr. Incumbent, Fourth Hamden Linda Vacon, Fifth Hamden Thomas M. Petrolati Incumbent, Seventh Hamden Sean Curran Incumbent, Ninth Hamden Angelo J. Puppolo, Jr. Incumbent, Twelfth Hamden Sheila C. Harrington Incumbent, First Middlesex Steven Levy Incumbent, Fourth Middlesex Marty Lamb, Eighth Middlesex Michael J. Benn, Fourteenth Middlesex Thomas A. Golden, Jr. Incumbent, Sixteenth Middlesex James R. Miceli Incumbent, Ninteenth Middlesex Marc T. Lombardo Incumbent, Twenty-second Middlesex James J. Dwyer Incumbent, Thirtieth Middlesex Christopher G. Fallon Incumbent, Thirty-third Middlesex Paul J. Donato Incumbent, Thirty-fifth Middlesex Colleen M. Garry Incumbent, Thirty-sixth Middlesex Bruce J. Ayers Incumbent, First Norfolk Walter F. Timilty Incumbent, Seventh Norfolk Richard A. Eustis, Tenth Norfolk John H. Rogers Incumbent, Twelfth Norfolk Vinny M. deMacedo Incumbent, First Plymouth Karen Barry, Sixth Plymouth Geoff Diehl Incumbent, Seventh Plymouth Thomas J. Calter, III Incumbent, Twelfth Plymouth Eugene L. O'Flaherty Incumbent, Second Suffolk Nick Collins Incumbent, Fourth Suffolk Russell E. Holmes Incumbent, Sixth Suffolk Edward F. Coppinger Incumbent, Tenth Suffolk, Angelo M. Scaccia Incumbent, Fourteenth Suffolk Kimberly N. Ferguson Incumbent, First Worcester Richard Bastien Incumbent, Second Worcester Peter J. Durant Incumbent, Sixth Worcester Paul K. Frost Incumbent, Seventh Worcester Kevin J. Kuros Incumbent, Eighth Worcester George N. Peterson, Jr. Incumbent, Ninth Worcester Matthew A. Beaton Incumbent, Eleventh Worcester Bill McCarthy, Fourteenth Worcester Brian J. O'Malley, Fifteenth Worcester John P. Fresolo Incumbent, Sixteenth Worcester John J. Binienda, Sr. Incumbent, Seventeeth Worcester Ryan Fattman Incumbent, Eighteenth Worcester
Jeffrey Robert Bailey, Bristol& Norfolk Paul Adams, Second Essex and Middlesex Michael Knapik Incumbent, Second Hamden & Hampshire James J. Buba, 1st Middlesex Sandy Martinez, 3rd Middlesex Gerry Dembrowski, 4th Middlesex Dean J. Cavaretta, Middlesex & Worcester Richard J. Ross Incumbent, Norfolk, Bristol & Middlesex Michael F. Rush Incumbent, Norfolk & Suffolk Thomas F. Keyes, Plymouth & Barnstable Thomas P. Kennedy Incumbent, Second Plymouth and Bristol Robert L. Hedlund, Jr. Incumbent, Plymouth & Norfolk Jack Hart Incumbent, First Suffolk Steven W. Aylward, Second Suffolk & Middlesex Richard T. Moore Incumbent, Worcester & Norfolk House Recommendations: Leonard Mira, Second Essex Joyce Spiliotis Incumbent, Twelfth Essex Dan Bennett, Thirteenth Essex Karen Rhoton, Fourteenth Essex Linda Dean Campell Incumbent, Fifteenth Essex Susannah M. Lee, Second Franklin Joseph Wagner Incumbent, Eighth Hampden Benjamin Swan Incumbent, Eleventh Hampden Thomas Stanley Incumbent, Ninth Middlesex Kevin J. Murphy Incumbent, Eighteenth Middlesex Joseph J. Monjou, Twenty-third Middlesex George Georgountzos, Thirty-first Middlesex Stephen W. Coulter, Fourth Plymouth Angelo L. D'Emilia Incumbent, Eighth Plymouth Robert A. DeLeo Incumbent, Nineteenth Suffolk Stephen A. DiNatale Incumbent, Third Worcester Dennis A Rosa Incumbent, Fourth Worcester Jason M. Petraitis, Fifth Worcester
Senate Recommendations: Richard A. Jolitz, Second Essex Governor's Council Endorsements: Earl Sholley, Second District Mike Franco, Eighth District |
Monday, October 29, 2012
Everything you need to know to vote - be sure to SAVE
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| | We have put together the positions of all candidates for state and federal office including which candidates are endorsed or recommended by the State and Federal PAC's. http://massprolife.com/mcfl_main/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Candidates-table-for-web-site-1.pdf Janet says to remind you that you can enlarge the information by using the toolbar at the top of the page. Please share the information with everybody! Anne |
Victoria Kennedy opposes Q2!
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| | Victoria Kennedy opposes Q 2. This is big - please share with as many people - especially liberals - as you can. Thanks, Anne PS No On 2 is looking for people to hold signs at targeted polling places. Please contact q2coordinator@gmail.com Thanks, Anne Question2 insults Kennedy's memoryBy VICTORIA REGGIE KENNEDY October 27, 2012 There is nothing more personal or private than the end of a family member's life, and I totally respect the view that everyone else should just get out of the way. I wish we could leave it that way.Unfortunately, Question 2, the so-called "Death with Dignity"initiative, forces that issue into the public square and places the government squarely in the middle of a private family matter. I do not judge nor intend top reach to others about decisions they make at the end of life, but I believe we're all entitled to know the facts about the law we're being asked to enact. Here's the truth. The language of the proposed law is not about bringing family together to make end of life decisions; it's intended to exclude family members from the actual decision-making process to guard against patients' being pressured to end their lives prematurely. It's not about doctors administering drugs such as morphine to ease patients' suffering;it's about the oral ingestion of up to 100 capsules without requirement or expectation that a doctor be present. It's not about giving choice and self-determination to patients with degenerative diseases like ALS or Alzheimer's; those patients are unlikely to qualify under the statute. It's not, in my judgment, about death with dignity at all. My late husband Sen. Edward Kennedy called quality,affordable health care for all the cause of his life. Question 2 turns his vision of health care for all on its head by asking us to endorse patient suicide — not patient care — as our public policy for dealing with pain and the financial burdens of care at the end of life. We're better than that. We should expand palliative care, pain management, nursing care and hospice, not trade the dignity and life of a human being for the bottom line. Most of us wish for a good and happy death, with as little pain as possible, surrounded by loved ones, perhaps with a doctor and/or clergyman at our bedside. But under Question 2, what you get instead is a prescription for up to 100 capsules, dispensed by a pharmacist, taken without medical supervision, followed by death, perhaps alone. That seems harsh and extreme to me. Question 2 is supposed to apply to those with a life expectancy of six months or less. But even doctors admit that's unknowable.When my husband was first diagnosed with cancer, he was told that he had only two to four months to live, that he'd never go back to the U.S. Senate, that he should get his affairs in order, kiss his wife, love his family and get ready to die. But that prognosis was wrong. Teddy lived 15 more productive months. During that time, he cast a key vote in the Senate that protected payments to doctors under Medicare; made a speech at the Democratic Convention;saw the candidate he supported elected president of the United States and even attended his inauguration; received an honorary degree; chaired confirmation hearings in the Senate; worked on the reform of health care; threw out the first pitch on opening day for the Red Sox; introduced the president when he signed the bipartisan Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act; sailed his boat; and finished his memoir "True Compass," while also getting his affairs in order, kissing his wife, loving his family and preparing for the end of life. Because that first dire prediction of life expectancy was wrong, I have 15 months of cherished memories — memories of family dinners and songfests with our children and grandchildren; memories of laughter and, yes, tears; memories of life that neither I nor my husband would have traded for anything in the world. When the end finally did come — natural death with dignity — my husband was home, attended by his doctor, surrounded by family and our priest. I know we were blessed. I am fully aware that not everyone will have the same experience we did. But if Question 2 passes I can't help but feel we're sending the message that they're not even entitled to a chance. A chance to have more time with their loved ones. A chance to have more dinners and sing more songs. A chance for more kisses and more love. A chance to be surrounded by family or clergy or a doctor when the end does come. That seems cruel to me. And lonely. And sad. My husband used to paraphrase H.L. Mencken: for every complex problem, there's a simple easy answer. And it's wrong. That's how I feel in this case. And that's why I'm going to vote no on Question 2. Victoria Reggie Kennedy is an attorney, health care advocate and widow of Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. |
Friday, October 26, 2012
Message of concern from MCFL PAC
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| | The most accurate tracking of all political polls is done by Real Clear Politics, which is not liberal. They show Scott Brown down by 5 or 6 points and slipping. We must send Sen. Brown back to the Senate to repeal O-care and vote for acceptable Supreme Court justices. Please volunteer to help and please be sure everyone you know understands how important it is to re-elect him. Contact Stephen, slombardo@masscitizensforlife.org or 617-242-4199 This is really serious! You can make the difference! John Rowe Chair, MCFL Federal PAC Brown Warren Polls: Mass Senate Polls Show Elizabeth Warren Pulling Away From Scott BrownBrown Warren Polls Mass Senate Polls Show Elizabeth Warren Pulling Away From Scott Brown The latest poll in the U.S. Senate race in Massachusetts indicates that Democrat Elizabeth Warren holds a six point lead over Republican Senator Scott Brown. Warren led Brown 50% to 44% in the poll of 516 likely voters conducted by WBUR between October 21 and 22. Just as troubling for Brown is the unpopularity of former Massachusetts Mitt Romney in the state, which leans heavily toward Obama. Romney's favorability rating in Massachuetts is a mere 38%, compared to 54% unfavorable. Brown won the seat he currently occupies by defeating Attorney General Martha Coakley in a January 2010 special election held to fill the seat vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy. That election was marked by lower than usual voter turnout, as 54% of eligible voters cast ballots. In the 2008 presidential election, when the state went for Obama, 62% of eligible voters voted. Massachusetts is set to go for Obama again, and by a very wide margin. The unpopularity of Romney in the state he used to govern, as well as the fact that turnout is usually higher in presidential election years, could spell the end of Brown's brief tenure in the senate. Conservative media in Massachusetts has attempted to caricature Warren — a professor at Harvard Law School — as an out of touch elitist. Warren has also come under fire for previously claiming Cherokee ancestry despite a lack of evidence beyond what her mother had told her about her family heritage. Although both Brown and the conservative Boston Herald have hammered away at Warren on the matter, Warren has only made headway since the flap began. The charges of academic elitism have likely run hollow in a state where Harvard University is actually located and connected to the broader community, rather than an effective abstract object of ridicule for politicians appealing to anti-intellectuals. The Democratic Party here considers Kennedy's former seat as a virtual birthright of sorts, and are working in overdrive to do everything it can to win the seat back. Republicans are holding on for dear life, hoping it retain this seat while taking over the senate from the Democrats. The GOP will need to pick up four seats to have a majority in the upper chamber, where they currently trail 53 to 47. Courtesy of Real Clear Politics:  |
Monday, October 22, 2012
A delightful evening!
Dr Mildred Fay Jefferson, who died two years ago this week, was very fond of young people and always encouraged them in pro-life activities. In her honor, we recognized the work of the Youth Group from St Brendan's Parish in Bellingham and their inspirational Director, Cheryl Duran. Here they are receiving their award.
Again, thanks to everyone for a wonderful evening, Anne
Friday, October 19, 2012
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You can quote Liz Walker
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| | Liz Walker has a wonderful piece opposing DPS. A must-read! Robin Loughman, RN PS Please respond to the article with your agreement, support. Thanks http://bostonglobe.com/opinion/2012/10/18/question-deeply-flawed/xhL78RweFbzDSKTf88dVgI/story.html |
www.noonquestion2.org
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
DPS: Support Jeff Jacoby today!
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| | Jeff Jacoby has written a powerful piece on DPS. Please write in support. You may simply pick out a point you agree with, say you agree and why or write more, The polls are definitely heading in our direction. Your letter/comment will keep them moving! Thanks, Anne What about do no harm?Suicide is not health care, and prescribing death is not a doctor's role If Hippocrates, the "father of Western medicine," were alive today, would he favor Question 2, the Massachusetts ballot initiative to authorize doctor-prescribed suicide? Presumably not: The celebrated code of medical ethics that bears his name, which physicians for centuries took an oath to uphold, flatly forbids assisted suicide. "I will not give a lethal drug to anyone if I am asked," the Hippocratic oath avows, "nor will I advise such a plan." Some things never change, and one of them is the beguiling idea that doctors should be able to help patients kill themselves when incurable disease makes their lives unbearable. The advocates of Question 2 speak feelingly of the anguish of the terminally ill, suffering from awful symptoms that will only grow worse, and desperate to avoid the agonies to come. Not all of those agonies involve physical pain: Even worse for many people is the loss of autonomy, the mortifying collapse of bowel and bladder control, the intense unwillingness to be a burden to others, the existential despair of just waiting for death. Question 2's supporters call their proposal the "Death with Dignity Act." As a matter of compassion and respect, they argue, we should allow dying patients to choose an early death when they decide their suffering is more than they can endure. "People have control over their lives," says Dr. Marcia Angell, the former editor of the New England Journal of Medicine and lead petitioner of the Massachusetts ballot measure. "They ought to have control over their deaths." There is nothing new about this contention. The claim that assisted suicide can be an appropriate aspect of patient care, especially when the alternative is drawn-out misery inexorably ending in death, has been made since antiquity. Hippocrates heard the arguments too; then as now they exerted an undeniable emotional pull. There is a reason the Hippocratic oath obliged new doctors to stand firm against it. Civilized societies do not encourage people to commit suicide, or seek ways to make it easier for them to do so. Individuals may choose, out of pain or heartache or hopelessness, to end their lives; tragically, thousands of Americans do so every year. But "tragically" is the operative word. A libertarian purist might insist that human beings have the right to dispose of their lives as they see fit. That doesn't change the fundamental principle that life is precious and suicide is a tragedy. Only a moral cretin yells "Jump!" to the man on the high bridge who wants to end it all. No matter how compelling and genuinely desperate that man's reasons are — even if he is suffering from an incurable disease, with just months to live and only physical pain, nausea, and the loss of bodily control awaiting him — we don't seek ways to facilitate his suicide. On the contrary, we seek ways to avert it. "High bridges often have signs encouraging troubled individuals to seek help rather than jump," writes Greg Pfundstein in an essay at Public Discourse, the Witherspoon Institute's online journal. "Suicide hotlines are open 24 hours a day because we hope to prevent as many suicides as possible." Question 2 would turn that premise inside out. Massachusetts voters aren't just being asked to authorize doctors to prescribe fatal drugs for the terminally ill. They are being asked to endorse a view that our ethical culture at its best has always abhorred: that certain lives aren't worth living. That there are times when people should jump — indeed, that there is nothing wrong with making it easier for them to do so. Question 2's provisions are highly arbitrary, as even its proponents acknowledge. It allows only one kind of suicide to be prescribed: drugs that can be swallowed, but not a lethal injection — let alone a bullet or a noose. It requires a prognosis of no more than six months to live. It is available only to patients who can both speak and write — thereby excluding, for instance, a paralyzed victim of Lou Gehrig's disease. Why such capricious line-drawing? Because, says Angell, that is the only way to make assisted suicide "politically acceptable." Her candor is admirable. But it doesn't extend to Question 2, which provides that death certificates for patients who commit doctor-prescribed suicide will falsely list the underlying disease as the cause of death. Suicide is not health care, and prescribing death is no role for a doctor. Hippocrates would reject Question 2. Massachusetts voters should too. Jeff Jacoby can be reached at jacoby@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jeff_Jacoby. |
Monday, October 15, 2012
Banquet with Mary Ann Glendon this Friday – reserve now!
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| | Please join us at the MCFL Banquet this Friday night, the 19th. We are very excited about having Mary AnnGlendon speak. You can find out more andreserve you space: http://www.masscitizensforlife.org/mcfl_main/?page_id=16 It will be so nice to see you! Anne |
Is there any difference between Elizabeth and Barak on abortion?
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Thursday, October 11, 2012
Press Release: Bielat endorsement by Massachusetts Citizens for Life Political Action Committee
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Congratulations! Nobel Prize has caught up with you. Also something very sad.
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Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Tuesday is the best day.
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