Mahablog “regular” Doug Hughes has a really good article published at Hub Pages. Check it out.
Also: Some justice for Dr. George Tiller:
A jury deliberated for 37 minutes Friday before finding Scott Roeder guilty of premeditated, first-degree murder. The 51-year-old Kansas City, Mo., man faces a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after 25 years.
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I would like to send my sincerest sympathies to Mr. Hughes on the loss of his father. I am so very sorry.
Kind of randomly, I am looking for information on the form of Mahayana Buddhism practiced by the Palas in Bengal, and Pagan in Burma around the 11th century.
Sorry for your loss, Doug.
In the past 3 years, I lost my mom and brother, the pain fades, but does come back from time to time.
My brother had some serious substance abuse issues that aged him beyond his years. lately, I catch a glimpse of him in the morning mirror after sleep deprived nights.
Doug,
My sincerest condolences on your tragic loss…
LG’s disease is, I think, the worst way to go. Maybe in a fire, I don’t, know, at least that’s quick. And I hope I never find out. LG’s t takes time and saps all motor functions ever so slowly, making any everyday task like climbing Mrt. Everest.
After you tell some of the stories of your Dad, I can see your spirit in him. The disease didn’t TAKE THAT AWAY!!! 
You, are your father’s son!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you VERY much, Barbara, for the plug.
Bonnie, thanks to you also. I wanted to write this piece for a while. My dad died 4 years ago, but it was when Sarah Palin was making noise about death panels that I took it up. The ‘death panels’ claim was rejected by virtually all fact-check groups, and she’s gone thorough several incarnations of defending it as a prelude to euthenasia. The actual clause of the health care bill that set SP off would have provided for payment to Medicare doctors for providing end-of-life consultations.
This real issue of end-of-life (research Terry Shaivo) is the flip side of the abortion debate. To a fundamentalist, conception is a manifestation of the will of God – regardless of the circumstances – conception or abortion thwarts the will of God. At the other end of the life spectum is death – and the fundamentalists are opposed to a contract between patient and doctor, like a living will, that would change God’s plan for death. (Maybe God wants you to suffer a protracted and painful death.) The Catholic Bishops in Italy are fighting tooth and nail against a law that would allow the living will there, and they are using the same arguments about ‘lead to euthenasia’ as SP has. Most pundits who have dissed the SP ‘death panel’ argument have missed the spiritual issue that set her off, thinkng it was just a cheap shot at Obama to bolster her move for the GOP nomination.
That’s where I wanted to go with the end of the piece I wrote but I couldn’t make a piece as deeply personal as I wrote become an overt political statement at the end. I’m satisfied with the end I wrote which leads the reader to an individual choice. I’m working on a l piece on the larger political issue titled ‘Thy Will Be Done’.
I hope my friends in the Mahablog community enjoy what I wrote.
On the flip side, Scott Roeder has been give a judicial ‘Lou Gherig’ verdict. He will atrophy behind bars until he dies.
He will never again have a great meal. Or have freedom to roam. Experience the touch of a beloved relative. Look closely at the admiring gaze of a neice or nephew. Or ever have the ability to set his own schedule.
He has gotten what he has deserved. Life, until death, away from those who can empathize – which means putting yourself in the place of others, not placing your ideas on others.
No one, today, or in any coming day, Mr. Roeder, will ever want to be in YOUR place. And let that be a lesson in reverse empathy to you – TOO LATE!.
This case is also why I’m against the death penalty. Not only might it create a martyr, but it actually shortens the punishment.
If Roeder weren’t caught ‘dead-to-right’s,’ at least he’d have the opportunity to appeal.
And that, is more than you gave Dr. Tiller – any chance to appeal. But, then again, how, or why, should you have to appeal for your life while serving in your own church?
Scott Roeder, welcome to the walking dead.
THIS is the perfect decision in this case!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And to think it took only slightly longer than a sitcom for the jury to decide! That, give me hope for America!!!
Doug, that was exquisitely lovely, for a subject so sad. Thank you for posting it. maha, thanks for pointing it out.
As for the Roeder verdict, I have a newfound respect for the city of Wichita, where I spend alternate Thanksgivings. Or for its juries, at least. And here’s an irony, Scotty boy: unlike you, I’m opposed to the death penalty, for you or anyone. Which one of us is “pro-life,” again?
Great expression of love and loss, Doug. My own father died after a short bout with leukemia. He had become tired and weak over a few months and Mom finally got him to go to the doctor. He was diagnosed and admitted immediately, with all the awful chemo of 20 years ago. When it came near the end, he was offered a respirator but said, “Life is not that precious.” We were fortunate to know his wishes. There would come a point for most people when the suffering is just pointlesssly prolonged, I think. I admire your stepmother for her grace and understanding. I hope you have what I have in my father’s memory: moments of gratitude and peace.
Doug, Very nicely written piece. I liked the way you showed your love and admiration for your father and step mother. It gave power to your message.
Thanks to all who read – Barbara hosts a community. I haven’t met any of you – but I feel like I know some of you well. It’s very nice to belong .
Jan 29, 2010 
