Holland proposes giving over at 70:))

Assisted suicide for anyone over 70 who has simply had enough of life is being considered in Holland.
Non-doctors would be trained to administer a lethal potion to elderly people who 'consider their lives complete'.
The radical move would be a world first and push the boundaries even further in the country that first legalised euthanasia.
The Dutch parliament is to debate the measure after campaigners for assisted suicide collected 112,500 signatures in a month.
Euthanasia has been available for the terminally ill in Holland since 2002 in cases of 'hopeless and unbearable suffering' certified by two doctors, but this would be a far bigger step.
Supporters say it would offer a dignified way to die for those over 70 who just want to give up living, without having to resort to difficult or unreliable solitary suicide methods.
They might include widows and widowers overwhelmed by grief, those unwilling to face the frailties of extreme old age or people determined to ‘get out while they’re ahead’ and meet death on their own terms.
The assistants who administered the deadly cocktail of sedatives would need to be certified, campaigners said.


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/worldnews/article-1256670/Holland-proposes-giving-70s-consider-lives-complete-right-die.html#ixzz0hpwxg8FV
Comments
105
well if someone wants to kill himself he will, so.
Parent
i welcome this decision :)
Parent
Not everyone has te guts to hang himself or jump for a train, and this method is alot less shocking for relatives.
Parent
thats why i think its a nice idea
Parent
yes, that was my first thought:p
hard decision tbh :/
what's wrong with using a rope
or a 12 gauge :D
Parent
the reply wasnt ment to another, damn proxy XD
Parent
hehe ok np !! :D
Parent
i mean was meant*

:DD
Parent
where can i steal that potion? :o
no need:p u just need to drink some of this:p

image: mister-amoniakz

cu at heaven friend:)
Parent
how much, i want to try another life, this one sucks :x
Parent
whole bottle will do the trick:pp

feels very warm inside my body:)
Parent
k then im gonna shine :x
Parent
About fucking time some country takes action.
That's really sickening.
Is it? Really?
Parent
You're right, I simply made that comment for comedic effect.
Parent
do you shave? if you dont thats more sickening then this
Parent
why do u troll so much =(
Parent
isnt trolling oh ma gawd, find the definition of it you noob
Parent
by definition, everything you say is trolling =/
Parent
less AOW to pay
would like to hear some contras to this case :]

cant understand other people
theres no contras man, if someone wants to killhimself he does, if they dont they just dont, why should they mind if some ppl wants to give up?
Parent
there are contras! In germany this wouldnt be allowed, because they compare this to killing i think. and there are much more arguments i guesss ( and this is what i want to know)
Parent
this is not murdering:) this is the guys decision.
Parent
tell this to the german lawyers :P
Parent
Then why would they only allow it for people over 70? I'm sure there are younger people who want to die as well.

The thing is, you can take a million different stances on this subject and therefore it will be tricky to resolve.

I would be surprised if this actually happened, I don't think many families would agree to lose their (grand)parents if they don't have to yet...

Sure, it's their decision, but it's rather selfish don't you think? What about the people that care about them? They seem to be forgotten here. You can argue that 'they'll die eventually', but the counter argument is effortlessly more powerful: 'That's exactly why we want them to stay alive... to enjoy the last moments with them'

People will be divided over this, I doubt they'll make a final decision on it.
Parent
It's selfish for someone who's lost his will to live to kill him/herself? I think it's rather selfish for the family to be keeping someone alive against his or her will.

The family has much more friends/contacts/daily activities while the elderly sits at home, possibly without a partner. Sure it sucks for the family but if your grandfather would truly say he's had it with this world then I presume you wouldn't want him to suffer.
Parent
If the elderly person is getting too little contact then the family has no say obviously, since they would be retarded to say they want to keep the person.

But you're suggesting that only lonely people want to kill themselves, which is false. Therefore this matter is far more complex than what you make of it.
Parent
I'm not saying only lonely people want to kill themselves. It was just an example.

But it's not like the government is going to pass this in this state. There would probaply be psychiatrists involved in the process to prevent everyone from killing themselves.
Parent
Well, that still puts my question up front: What for those who still have a caring family that visits them a lot but still want to kill themselves.

Respect the decision of the individual or of the caring relatives?

Which side to chose? Who's going to be the judge of that? Or are we just going to let every suicidal person die now? What happened to suicidal hotlines to help them through it? Are we just going to give up on those people?

If you're going to have a neutral person judge every case then the person may not want to die anymore by the time they came to an answer! Seriously, what the hell do we think we're doing when we're going to help people to die just because they're bored with life.

I can understand euthanisia, since that makes life unbearable. Which is a big difference with this. Here... the people just want to die. They're not in pain physically or mentally (at least the majority won't), they just think they've seen it all and want it over with.

If we're going to allow people to murder people that want to die, then where will it stop? Do you truly believe that this will be the last phase? I know it won't be... Before we know it we'll have a new version of Nazism at hand. And I don't know about you, but I'm not really a fan of the Nazis.
Parent
nazism? wtf !:D

since when nazis asked ppl to choose between dying or keep on living, i mean fuck sake, u wont get a letter when u are 70 saying: hey sup u are 70 wanna die?

ull just head to that if u really want to die, theres no murdering involved

if that gets approved i dont even expect the 50% of old mans to know about it
Parent
Yes Nazism. Or do you believe they only killed jews?

No, they were after the weaker ones in order to create a 'superior race'

Look what we have here. Killing those that want to die, elderly as well. Sounds like weak people, doesn't it?

And yes, they're given the 'choice'. But believe me, if you're suicidal then it's not a choice. If you're suicidal you'll view it as a golden ticket. If you're suicidal, then all you want is not to die, but to get rid off everything, all your problems, feelings and thoughts... And death happens to do that.

Of course, not all suicidal people will do this, there will be plenty who simply can't be bothered to even get themselves killed. Others will try to resist and get back up again.

This whole thing is silly, if people want to die, fine, but we shouldn't help them do it. We might as well close the suicidal hotlines and sell cheap weapons to help suicidal people get it over with. Why stop wit helping 70+ when you can help them all..?

I thought not giving up was such a big thing, I thought it was so important in this world... apparently not since we're helping those in the dark to die.
Parent
you are being extremist and taking this to a whole new level
Parent
Yes, I think on a higher and more futuristic level.
Parent
Are you joking or what? Stuff like this can't be compared to Nazism.
You shouldn't think that this is going to pass in this state. It was barely a topic during a meeting as I have heard. Specifics about how the law have not been mentioned. I understand that you think it's strange but I believe that everyone has the right to do with their body what they want to do with it.

If you think it's selfish then it's probaply something you wouldn't do. But still I think your grandfather has more right to do whatever he wants to do to himself than you or any other member of your family does. If you think it's selfish then thats something you're going to have to live with.
Parent
It's still selfish, whichever way you want to turn it.

And yes, at the end, it's their decision, though I wouldn't really call it that. If they're truly suicidal it's not even a choice, it's a way out. It's so much more difficult dealing with your problems, feelings and thoughts then just let them drift all away... along with your life.

In fact, one might argue that suicidal people can't speak for themselves on this level.

If an pyromaniac asks you to hand him a torch just because he wants to torch things, would you do it?

You may think it's different, but truthfully, the essence is the same. Both don't truly have a choice and both are not in their right set of mind.

I find it depressing that people who know very little of psychology are able to put their autograph down for things like this. All I can do is hope that the politicians will make a smarter choice.
Parent
It may be selfish but people have the right to make selfish decisions. In the end it's all for ourselves.

QuoteAnd yes, at the end, it's their decision, though I wouldn't really call it that. If they're truly suicidal it's not even a choice, it's a way out. It's so much more difficult dealing with your problems, feelings and thoughts then just let them drift all away... along with your life.


This is where the psychiatrist comes in. Finding out wether the person has lost his will or is just in a momentary breakdown.
Parent
You're wrong about the last bit. It doesn't matter if it's momentary or not. If you're suicidal, then you're suicidal and that's that. It marks you, if it doesn't stick one time, then at that age it will SURELY return. Look at the momentary breakdowns as the futile fights against a force greater than yourself, one which only gets stronger as you get weaker.

You can always get out of suicidalness... always. The only hard part is to figure out how. This is where most people give up. They don't know, they can't remember. This is where other people should help them. Their loved ones can make them see that there are still things that person can enjoy and look forward to.

As long as you have things you look forward to, then believe me, you will not end up being suicidal.

Hmmm, drifted a bit off there. Anyway, many suicidal people 'decided' during a momentary breakdown and took their own life. They had the 'choice' and 'took it' Why make a difference for the 70+ y/o people?
Parent
Well there's a difference between losing the will to live and having a breakdown. Losing the will to live means you dont want to keep on going due to old age.
Having a breakdown means you lost the will to live due to an event happening.

In the first example I think you have the right to choose suicide.
The the 2nd example you need a psychiatrist ( as I said in my previous comment).

This is what I was trying to explain

*going to bed*
Parent
a young man can easily kill himself in a non painfull way.

an old sick man can not hang on a beam;/


and imo relatives are selfish there, if u are in pain and u want to fucking die, now u cant cuz your relatives wants u to stay alive?:DD
Parent
I don't think any death would not be painful...

If you're suggesting what I think you're suggesting then they should change the proposal into 'whoever can't kill themselfs and want to die' rather than anyone over 70. Since there are most likely also a lot of younger people who are unable to do it themselves and require assistance.

They may just lack the courage, just like a younger person might. There is no age requirement or limit for courage, thus I ask once more...

Why discriminate? I thought equality was THE thing nowadays... Or perhaps it's their way of dealing with the increasing numbers of elders who, let's be fair, no longer play a vital part in our society when we look at it purely economically.

Nazis in disguise are coming, better watch out...
Parent
No man a young man can still do lot of things, not an old man, hes done all already
Parent
What makes you believe that? The pure fact that it's impossible to do EVERYTHING in one lifetime should be enough to wipe that excuse for an argument of the table.

Do you honestly believe that just because you reached an age above 70 that you have already done everything that there's there to do? Because if so, you should see my grandmother. Nearly 80, she had a hip replaced and been through quite some surgeries. Yet she's still alive and enjoys life to the fullest. She's still active and does all sorts of things like trips.

Don't you tell me that she's already done everything, because I know she hasn't.

Besides, what's wrong with doing the same thing more than once..?? We do it all the time, do we not?

The way people think these days irritates me. Progress for the sake of progress is just as retarded as preservation for the sake of preservation.

But perhaps we'll never learn. Perhaps we're cursed to bounce forever between extremes. And perhaps we're just not smart enough to realize it...yet smart enough to mess things up.
Parent
this is not obviously for ppl whos +70 enjoying life now is it? and this would have 0 impact in their life.

by young ppl can do lot of things i never meant that he can do EVRYTHING i thought i didnt have to clear such a stuff lol?

by evrything i mean the typical stuff, had a job... made pretty much the normal stuff.. if u know what i mean..

now that guy reaches an age that he has diseases and not having a good time, and if he just doesnt want to keep on living he can call those "nazis" and they will MURDER you:d
Parent
No it's not about those people, but you were suggesting ALL elderly people BELIEVED they had done EVERYTHING.

Despite some might believe so, doesn't make it TRUE.

Perhaps if you actually put some grammar in your sentences it would be easier to comprehend.

And honestly, if the stereotypical life is your only argument, then I'm afraid to say you have been beaten.

If you honestly believe there's nothing left after you had grandchildren, then you might as well kill yourself now. Don't waste any time... life's short. ;)
Parent
rofl, dude wow just wow


look man, u cant tell to that old man if he has done evrything, if he feels like he did, then he did it u cant simply rate someones else life. if he wants to die then hes got the rights to die.
if they wont let those new nazis kill him then he will put a gun right on his head and pull the trigger.

besides theres people that when they are +60 they feel like a new life has started.


like i said u are noone to judge anyone - u are already rating who am I, (seriously wtf) therefor ill leave this here.
Parent
I'm not judging you, I'm judging your arguments.

Also 'then he will put a gun right on his head and pull the trigger.'

Let them do that and not waste time with silly things like this one.

Honestly, each time you reply your arguments contradict your original stance.

Now you're saying they CAN kill themselves. Well then, where's the problem?

I'm noone to judge anyone? That's funny, because a bunch of politicians who only look at it purely logically will decide on this. We can only hope there are some with some sense. There will be doctors and shit judging. Is that fair then? Determining their mental health is enough to make a good decision? If you believe that, then please...

We're talking about one's life, not about which shoes he wants to buy. Life is far more complex but we often forget so.
Parent
god dude...

so what if they approve this? its not like u will die of it? its not like anyone that does not want to die will die.

leave it here seriously. u even went through nazis no point really, u wont understand this.
Parent
ye great one, work till your 67th finally retired of 40-50 years of work and then die at your 70th great live you had then.

way to go holland

i know its a choice you can make but my god how odd is this...
doesnt mean its 70 only could be 99 and do it
Parent
maybe some want it at 70 :D
Parent
guess they not gonna give it to people that just want it, but more the really sick ones only
Parent
Assisted suicide for anyone over 70 who has simply had enough of life is being considered in Holland. schrijft hij
Parent
tsja beetje te letterlijk denk ik zelf
Parent
they will if the one that is asking for it is +70
Parent
no, too much people would not agree with it so its bullshit
Parent
most 70+ ppl are way too religious to commit suicide
Perhaps now, but what about in 10 years? The numbers will drop eventually.
Parent
wat? like the 70's will be always the same ppl
Parent
What's possibly wrong with this?

It's not as if they're gonna send you a letter when you turn 70 saying "you're 70 so you should gtfo by now, here's your free poison sample".
+ fucking 1
Parent
charming
thats just sick
would be very usefull for finland, u all kill yourselfs up there anyway:)
Parent
oldschool way ftw :P
Parent
It's a good idea, eventhough I haven't heard a thing of this in the media lately. Still amazes me how dumbfounded people can be, if you want to die, you should have the choice to do so.
I think this is a great initiative we'll have to see how it will play out though. There has to be some clear guidelines and perhaps psychiatric evaluation is also a good idea? If one has lost the desire to live caused by medical or psychological problems, it's best to help one out of misery.
you take this shit way too seriously :)
Parent
Weird this hasn't been in the Dutch news. I might've missed it though. They can't argue about it now anyway considering we have no government.
its way too soon to be on news, they just propsed it, at the news they only show when they are actually discussing it
Parent
You don't think something like this is either in the talk/news shows or the papers? Plus like I said, they can't make any major decision. They will have to wait until the elections.
Parent
There has been someone at Pauw & Witteman a few weeks ago who talked about this. ;x
Parent
Oh zoals ik al zei het kan me zijn ontglipt. Het is niet echt groots nieuws, wat je wel zou verwachten van zo'n maatregel.
Parent
That's called euthanasia. That's already in place. This is just about people who want to die. People who do not fall in the category you just mentioned. Therefore this is bullshit. :)
less elderly people = more government money = less state debt = win
Be a good citizen: pay taxes your entire life, and when you grow old; kill yourself!
Parent
i support this
"bind certified assistants kill"
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