I loved Diana Rigg in "The Avengers," too. And yes, I admired how intelligent her character was.
She was a brilliant actress to the end, winning a BAFTA late in life, as well as a Tony. Her brief role in "All Creatures Great and Small," as a quirky, imperious British noblewoman was a delight, but as Olenna Tyrell in "Game of Thrones," she was truly masterful. She > almost< checkmated the evil Lannisters, and yes, chose to die with dignity when offered the chance.
Some years ago, my dog reached the end. He was at the point where all he could do, barely, was simply stand up and look mournfully at me, this from a creature (a Boston terrier) that I would race with on my bicycle, he in the lead straining on the leash as I pedaled fast to keep up. He could not wait to do this every day. It took him through 15 years.
I knew the time had come. I took him in my arms to the vet where the process was simple, first cause loss of consciousness and then stop the heart. Two injections, less than five minutes and it was over. I said to the vet, that was fantastic, why can't we do it to ourselves? He agreed.
There was a drug made in the 1950's called Nembutal that if overdosed caused both loss of consciousness and then heart failure. It was sold as a pain reliever. I believe Marilyn Monroe used it to kill herself. It was removed from the market.
I wish I had bought some! While I am nowhere near wishing to end my life I certainly do want the ability to do so at some point in the future when I am no longer able to function autonomously. As I watch friends suffer through the deterioration of their parents, sighing that it is a relief when the end finally comes after years of bedsitting and payment of the estate to the medical profession and nursing homes, I have told my son that I will not have him in that position and will do what I need to do when the time comes.
Both of my parents died instantly of heart attacks, my father when I was 21 and my mother when I was 30. I have always considered that they did me a favor even though not consciously. I have not known the agony my friends are going through. I want to do the same, only consciously, for my children. And, hey, maybe I will see my dog again! Not!
Back in 2015, our 17-year-old cat had stopped eating and was obviously suffering. A vet came to our home and administered a shot as I held our cat in my arms. She died peacefully and with dignity. Brings tears to my eyes to type these words. We lost a beloved pet but it was far better than watching her die in horrible pain and agony.
Why can't we do this for people? With their consent and knowledge, of course.
Of course the issue arises of how abuse can be avoided. I can see how family members might psychologically work on an elderly person to end life and I can also see how a person's own depression might bring a desire to die that would be tragic. I haven't any good ideas on how to avoid these things, but I keep in mind that if a person is determined to do it, there is really no way to stop it as a means will be found, too often the brutal and awful (for those who find the victim) use of a firearm.
There was a movie, "The Barbarian Invasions" many years ago that was both humorous and quite touching. It involved a man whose situation was hopeless and he was able to commit suicide with the help of a drug addict friend. He departed with all the important people in his life around him in a truly wonderful scene, everyone knowing it was his end and at peace with it. I am very conscious of the effect one's demise can have on others - one's children, grandchildren and close friends, which is most likely to bother me when the time comes.
I greatly admire the native-American tradition of the old simply falling behind on the trail of their own accord. All knew that the missing person would be seen no more and no one would turn back to try to talk the person out of death. It was a simple and easily explicable thing - the old one simply could not keep up and it was time to go, something accepted by all. Now we have complicated things as technology (for a fee) will keep flesh warm long past time to go and everyone is bewildered about what to do. Jeff Bezos is reportedly spending lots of money in a search for lengthening life.
It's fun to be again reminded of Ms. Rigg. "The Avengers" was one of those looked-forward to highlights of my weeks - it was on Friday nights, I think. Her character- both real and as projected through Ms. Peel- probably spoiled me for most of the girls I might see.. Beauty, brains, strength AND self-confidence!
But this piece, and the essay upon which it is based, is about dying and our approaches to it. As with so many other things in our society, the topic exposes sad ironies.
For one, we cherish, as enshrined in the American Constitution, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". We're supposedly entitled to these, but that doesn't extend to the liberty to manage our own death.
For another, we're so squeamish and fearful, even to the point of being unable to talk about the natural , possibly most common part of all of our lives- our inevitable passing from it.
Then too, our inability to discuss it, or allow someone the dignity of managing their own passing contrasts mightily with our seeming readiness to engage in mass killing and justify it, as we do in countless wars, our silence about them. We don't accept that anyone can end their own life to preserve their own sense of dignity at the end; yet we can blithely accept that our leaders (or the ones our leaders support) can extinguish the lives of tends of thousands or more simply because they are 'in the way' of our goals or notion of progress.
Maybe those who set the policies and direction of all these things have in common that they don't really understand or appreciate Life itself very well- hence these bizarre contradictions?
"For one, we cherish, as enshrined in the American Constitution, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". We're supposedly entitled to these, but that doesn't extend to the liberty to manage our own death."
And one would think that with the US Constitutional Separation of Church and State - religions should have no say in how one chooses to end his/her life in America.
But they do.
Most religions in the US oppose assisted suicide. Only two religious groups – the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ – support giving terminally ill patients the right to determine when they will die.
And religious leader's strident interference muddying the waters with their supernatural nonsense opposing Assisted Dying Laws, has caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth and unnecessary grief for many poor folks.
As a result "medical aid in dying", is only legal in 11 of 50-states in the US: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
Helping someone die by suicide is prohibited by statute in 42-states and prohibited by common law in an additional 6-states and the District of Columbia.
Despite a 2018 poll by Gallup showing that 72% of Americans, support laws allowing patients to seek the assistance of a physician in ending their life - assisted dying remains illegal in a majority of US states.
"Religion poisons everything" - Christopher Hitchens got it right.
The "End of Life" Choice Act, the law that makes assisted dying legal in New Zealand was passed in 2019. The Act outlines the legal framework for assisted dying, including eligibility criteria and some key safeguards. The Act was passed by Parliament on the condition that a public referendum was held on whether the Act should come into force.
There was a majority ‘yes’ vote in the public referendum held at the 2020 General Election. The Act came into force on 7 November 2021.
That was a rough but necessary read. It's high time we accept what death with dignity truly means. In our own way, on our own schedule, before we are too sick or weakened or demented that we are helpless. For someone like Ms. Rigg, who made her wishes clear for years before, not having a way for her to end her own suffering was a crueler fate that the cancer itself. As her daughter points out, we're all going to die, so there's no point in pretending otherwise.
And while we're at it, we probably need to examine what life with dignity means, too.
In her leather cat suit....oh dear! Miniskirts and her Lotus Elan!
"My heart had stopped ticking during the procedure (heart surgery), so I was up there and the good Lord must have said, 'Send the old bag down again, I'm not having her yet!"
I was absolutely in love with Emma. I always believed that women could be more like her if allowed and always respected a woman who claimed that right. She was the epitome of charm, grace, and intelligence. Steed was often a buffoon but would always ultimately redeem himself.
My mother took months to die, lying in bed drugged just enough to not die, would beg for more drugs to end the suffering. Her second mate would not allow it, counting each and every pill hourly, monitoring her lucidity, threatening legal action if anyone gave her too much. Assisted torture!
A woman of character, a superb actress to the end and one of the best role models for especially young women.
I loved Diana Rigg in "The Avengers," too. And yes, I admired how intelligent her character was.
She was a brilliant actress to the end, winning a BAFTA late in life, as well as a Tony. Her brief role in "All Creatures Great and Small," as a quirky, imperious British noblewoman was a delight, but as Olenna Tyrell in "Game of Thrones," she was truly masterful. She > almost< checkmated the evil Lannisters, and yes, chose to die with dignity when offered the chance.
Some years ago, my dog reached the end. He was at the point where all he could do, barely, was simply stand up and look mournfully at me, this from a creature (a Boston terrier) that I would race with on my bicycle, he in the lead straining on the leash as I pedaled fast to keep up. He could not wait to do this every day. It took him through 15 years.
I knew the time had come. I took him in my arms to the vet where the process was simple, first cause loss of consciousness and then stop the heart. Two injections, less than five minutes and it was over. I said to the vet, that was fantastic, why can't we do it to ourselves? He agreed.
There was a drug made in the 1950's called Nembutal that if overdosed caused both loss of consciousness and then heart failure. It was sold as a pain reliever. I believe Marilyn Monroe used it to kill herself. It was removed from the market.
I wish I had bought some! While I am nowhere near wishing to end my life I certainly do want the ability to do so at some point in the future when I am no longer able to function autonomously. As I watch friends suffer through the deterioration of their parents, sighing that it is a relief when the end finally comes after years of bedsitting and payment of the estate to the medical profession and nursing homes, I have told my son that I will not have him in that position and will do what I need to do when the time comes.
Both of my parents died instantly of heart attacks, my father when I was 21 and my mother when I was 30. I have always considered that they did me a favor even though not consciously. I have not known the agony my friends are going through. I want to do the same, only consciously, for my children. And, hey, maybe I will see my dog again! Not!
Back in 2015, our 17-year-old cat had stopped eating and was obviously suffering. A vet came to our home and administered a shot as I held our cat in my arms. She died peacefully and with dignity. Brings tears to my eyes to type these words. We lost a beloved pet but it was far better than watching her die in horrible pain and agony.
Why can't we do this for people? With their consent and knowledge, of course.
Death can be a mercy.
Of course the issue arises of how abuse can be avoided. I can see how family members might psychologically work on an elderly person to end life and I can also see how a person's own depression might bring a desire to die that would be tragic. I haven't any good ideas on how to avoid these things, but I keep in mind that if a person is determined to do it, there is really no way to stop it as a means will be found, too often the brutal and awful (for those who find the victim) use of a firearm.
There was a movie, "The Barbarian Invasions" many years ago that was both humorous and quite touching. It involved a man whose situation was hopeless and he was able to commit suicide with the help of a drug addict friend. He departed with all the important people in his life around him in a truly wonderful scene, everyone knowing it was his end and at peace with it. I am very conscious of the effect one's demise can have on others - one's children, grandchildren and close friends, which is most likely to bother me when the time comes.
I greatly admire the native-American tradition of the old simply falling behind on the trail of their own accord. All knew that the missing person would be seen no more and no one would turn back to try to talk the person out of death. It was a simple and easily explicable thing - the old one simply could not keep up and it was time to go, something accepted by all. Now we have complicated things as technology (for a fee) will keep flesh warm long past time to go and everyone is bewildered about what to do. Jeff Bezos is reportedly spending lots of money in a search for lengthening life.
Very sorry to hear that, Ray.
It's fun to be again reminded of Ms. Rigg. "The Avengers" was one of those looked-forward to highlights of my weeks - it was on Friday nights, I think. Her character- both real and as projected through Ms. Peel- probably spoiled me for most of the girls I might see.. Beauty, brains, strength AND self-confidence!
But this piece, and the essay upon which it is based, is about dying and our approaches to it. As with so many other things in our society, the topic exposes sad ironies.
For one, we cherish, as enshrined in the American Constitution, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". We're supposedly entitled to these, but that doesn't extend to the liberty to manage our own death.
For another, we're so squeamish and fearful, even to the point of being unable to talk about the natural , possibly most common part of all of our lives- our inevitable passing from it.
Then too, our inability to discuss it, or allow someone the dignity of managing their own passing contrasts mightily with our seeming readiness to engage in mass killing and justify it, as we do in countless wars, our silence about them. We don't accept that anyone can end their own life to preserve their own sense of dignity at the end; yet we can blithely accept that our leaders (or the ones our leaders support) can extinguish the lives of tends of thousands or more simply because they are 'in the way' of our goals or notion of progress.
Maybe those who set the policies and direction of all these things have in common that they don't really understand or appreciate Life itself very well- hence these bizarre contradictions?
"For one, we cherish, as enshrined in the American Constitution, "Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness". We're supposedly entitled to these, but that doesn't extend to the liberty to manage our own death."
And one would think that with the US Constitutional Separation of Church and State - religions should have no say in how one chooses to end his/her life in America.
But they do.
Most religions in the US oppose assisted suicide. Only two religious groups – the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ – support giving terminally ill patients the right to determine when they will die.
And religious leader's strident interference muddying the waters with their supernatural nonsense opposing Assisted Dying Laws, has caused much wailing and gnashing of teeth and unnecessary grief for many poor folks.
As a result "medical aid in dying", is only legal in 11 of 50-states in the US: California, Colorado, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Montana, Maine, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.
Helping someone die by suicide is prohibited by statute in 42-states and prohibited by common law in an additional 6-states and the District of Columbia.
Despite a 2018 poll by Gallup showing that 72% of Americans, support laws allowing patients to seek the assistance of a physician in ending their life - assisted dying remains illegal in a majority of US states.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Assisted_suicide_in_the_United_States
https://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2013/11/21/to-end-our-days/
"Religion poisons everything" - Christopher Hitchens got it right.
The "End of Life" Choice Act, the law that makes assisted dying legal in New Zealand was passed in 2019. The Act outlines the legal framework for assisted dying, including eligibility criteria and some key safeguards. The Act was passed by Parliament on the condition that a public referendum was held on whether the Act should come into force.
There was a majority ‘yes’ vote in the public referendum held at the 2020 General Election. The Act came into force on 7 November 2021.
Discuss.
That was a rough but necessary read. It's high time we accept what death with dignity truly means. In our own way, on our own schedule, before we are too sick or weakened or demented that we are helpless. For someone like Ms. Rigg, who made her wishes clear for years before, not having a way for her to end her own suffering was a crueler fate that the cancer itself. As her daughter points out, we're all going to die, so there's no point in pretending otherwise.
And while we're at it, we probably need to examine what life with dignity means, too.
Ah, Mrs. Peel (big sigh) ...
Emma Peel - every male high school kids dream!
In her leather cat suit....oh dear! Miniskirts and her Lotus Elan!
"My heart had stopped ticking during the procedure (heart surgery), so I was up there and the good Lord must have said, 'Send the old bag down again, I'm not having her yet!"
Where has the time gone eh wdt?
I was absolutely in love with Emma. I always believed that women could be more like her if allowed and always respected a woman who claimed that right. She was the epitome of charm, grace, and intelligence. Steed was often a buffoon but would always ultimately redeem himself.
My mother took months to die, lying in bed drugged just enough to not die, would beg for more drugs to end the suffering. Her second mate would not allow it, counting each and every pill hourly, monitoring her lucidity, threatening legal action if anyone gave her too much. Assisted torture!
Thank you, Mrs. Peel, for everything. Requiescat in pace.
Gorgeous!