Geov at Horse's Ass is making his case for Initiative 1000, or the "death with dignity" measure. It is powerful stuff. He was diagnosed with a terminal disease in 1991, and through various surgeries and transplants he has managed to stay alive, though one or both of his non-native organs could fail any day.
Here's the money quote:
I don't care whether they kill themselves; it's not my decision. When and if I kill myself, since it doesn't harm them (and since we live in a secular society), it is, also, none of their fucking business. They have no right to impose their essentially religious beliefs on me. They also don't know what the hell they're talking about, because they're by and large not terminally ill.
I am.
All through that three-year ordeal, I had plans in place to kill myself if I reached a point of no return. I still do. I had and still have no interest in living my days out as a vegetable in intractable pain, with zero quality of life. I-1000 is not for the terminally ill. For the most part, we'll find a way to carry out our own wishes. It's for everyone around us, the people who care for and love us. ... I hope I-1000 will be law, so that I won't be asked to put my loved ones and friends through a living hell in order to die on my own terms.
Supporters of the initiative have a significant fundraising advantage at the moment. According to the Public Disclosure Commission, Yes On I-1000, a political committee in favor of the initiative, has received more than $1.8 million in donations, while the Coalition Against Assisted Suicide, an opposition group, has received less than $500,000. Chances are good, however, that religious groups will rally in opposition to the initiative as Nov. 4 approaches. Either way, I'm sure we'll be hearing regular debate about the measure during the coming months, and beyond.
Meanwhile, Eric Earling at Sound Politics takes note of yesterday's story in The Seattle Times about Republican gubernatorial challenger Dino Rossi's problematic transportation plan. Earling says the Times makes a "fair point" that it would be difficult for Rossi to pass his plan through a Democratic Legislature. But, Earling writes, Democratic Gov. Chris Gregoire doesn't "have much of a record to tout on the topic either." ...
Opening a blind eye: Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels has vowed to close the legal loophole that allows developers to clear trees before they file for a building permit. ...
Shoot for the Eyman: The Washington state Supreme Court will hear arguments today on the constitutionality of Tim Eyman's Initiative 960, which voters approved last year. ...
Shooting for you: In their very own guest editorial in The Wall Street Journal, Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his running mate, Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin, write that – if elected – they'll protect American taxpayers from another billion-dollar Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac bailout. ...
Strike out: Everett Herald columnist Jerry Cornfield says Gregoire might pay a political price if the Boeing strike isn't resolved quickly. ...
Striking gold: Rich Roesler at the Spokesman Review reports candidates running unopposed this election are raking in the dough. ...
Striking a chord: McCain is making gains in Washington state, according to the latest SurveyUSA poll. The poll says Obama leads by just 4 percent. ...
As seen on TV: The News Tribune reports Gregoire and Rossi will debate at least five times before the Nov. 4 general election. The first face-off is scheduled for 9 p.m. Sept. 20 at Fischer Plaza in Seattle. ...
As seen on TVW: Don't know enough about the downballot races this year? TVW has profiles of each campaign, from Insurance Commissioner to Attorney General. ...
And finally, the quote of the day, from Leon Wieseltier at The New Republic: I was unaware of the tender feelings of conservatives for sex outside of marriage. I thought that all the swingers in America lived in fleshpots such as this, my Beltway Babylon, where just this morning a vixen in pin-stripes walked over from K Street and dropped an expensed grape into my mouth, but I was wrong. I should not have scanted the libertine understanding of my Christian brothers and sisters.
