I must admit I am in two minds about the subject of assisted suicide. Ad you will probably already know, there was a programme on it last night by terry pratchett, in which he argues quite forcefully that he has a right to choose the time and manner of his own death. I cannot disagree with him there: if we are indeed a liberal, tolerant society, we must also tolerate such things. As I said to Lyn last night,, he has a right to chose to die, but I have a right to think he’s a fucking coward. But – and this is a huge but – once we go down that path we open a huge, extremely dangerous can of worms. As Dennis Queen eloquently points out here, the implications for people with disabilities are very worrying indeed. The prospect that some vulnerable people may be coerced into choosing to die comes up; indeed, the whole notion kind of makes it seem that we all lead second class lives and can’t wait to top ourselves. I can’t really say too much on the subject, as I don’t think I can fully make my mind up; I’m glad last night’s programme was broadcast, but it did leave a nasty taste in my mouth.