to be or not to be

Nothing gets the gum-flapping started faster that the subject of death. At least where said death is a conscious decision, as opposed to the “natural” kind most of us are (or will be) familiar with.

Take Montana, for example. Up yonder in Big Sky Country, there’s a serious bad-ass debate going on about whether an ordinary citizen has the right to die with a wee bit of medical assistance. You remember Dr. Jack Kevorkian? If so, you’re already up to speed on the sort of brouhaha we’re talking about. (How could you forget the Thanatron?)

Of course, Dr. Jack didn’t hang out in Montana, a state that’s anything but your typical American bee hive. In fact, Montana is downright funky! (If you’ve had the trout tacos at the Pine Creek Lodge, you know what I’m talking about; makes me hungry just thinking about em).

Chew on this tasty tidbit from the Montana State Constitution – “The dignity of the human being is inviolable.” And what’s more dignified than deciding your own fate, even if that decision includes a wild leap into the Great Unknown? “When the pain outweighs the gain, why remain?” as the old saw goes.

Of course, the New York Times has a heap to say about this latest wrinkle in the death by choice saga. Which you can read here.

But before we leave this thorny debacle for smoother waters, let’s glance one more time at that Montana Constitution — “All persons are born free and have certain inalienable rights. They include the right to a clean and healthful environment and the rights of pursuing life’s basic necessities, enjoying and defending their lives and liberties, acquiring, possessing and protecting property, and seeking their safety, health and happiness in all lawful ways.”

Do you see what I see? A right to a clean and healthful environment? Seriously? Calling Al Gore!

I’m packing my bags; if you need me, I’ll be eating fish tacos in the Land of the Buffalo.

posted by Mudd