by Dennis Myers
ThiS ModeRn WoRLd
by tom tomorrow
How’s your memory? Asked at the University of Nevada, Reno
Vicky Pascucci Librarian
Not very good, because I’m getting older, and I don’t remember things very well. I try to do things like crossword puzzles, and I read a lot to keep my brain active.
Richard Grefrath Retiree
Decent, for 69 years old. I depend totally on my iPhone calendar to keep track of appointments.
Angie Chase Course editor
Choose dignity next time
I think I have a pretty good memory. It depends on the topic. I have tricks—I try to associate something with something else. I worked in coffee for 10 years, and I would associate people or their cars with their drinks. That helps with remembering their names. I have to write everything down. I have an old school planner, and I use the calendar function in my email like crazy.
seeking facts instead of superstitious rhetoric and Back in April, the Nevada Legislature had a chance to prove itself concerned about liberty, personal freedom political fearmongering, passed a bill to allow physicianassisted suicide for terminally ill patients that would and compassion, when Senate Bill 336 was introduced allow mentally competent patients to request a prescripby a bipartisan group of senators, including Democrat tion to end their lives. The medical establishment’s David Parks and Republican Ben Kieckhefer. That bill claims of ethical vows to do no harm ring hollow in the regarded provisions governing prescribing, dispensing face of unrelenting pain, particularly since the profit and administering controlled substances designed to end margins are so high with the heroic measures taken to the life of a patient, a death with dignity bill. It can be prolong life and suffering. read here: http://bit.ly/1QD7S3C. We don’t know which way California Gov. Jerry Our craven legislature allowed the bill an undignified Brown will go. We do know he’s a deeply religious death, not giving it a single hearing. man, a former Jesuit seminarian. Let’s be honest. People hate to The public Will he let his religious convictions talk and think about death, particutrump his responsibility to help the larly the death of loved ones or of interest trumps most helpless among us? It remains ourselves. But there’s only one time to be seen. to talk about it, and that’s before it’s religion. So, let us be clear. If the state upon us, before the unrelenting pain owns an individual’s right to decide that no amount of diladid, morphine when to end his or her own life, it owns that individual. or oxycontin can begin to sooth takes over, before the There is no right that should be more fundamental pain medications disable the ability to think or to make than the ability to choose with sound mind a death that rational decisions, before a disease robs us of agency doesn’t include blood-spattered floors or walls, the and self-determination. But it’s a religious issue, and we’ve seen the coward- knowledge that a family member will discover a dead or dying loved one’s body, or a botched effort. The very ice the Legislature frequently exhibits when church idea that the state owns an individual’s life is antithetical exerts its power over state. to principles this country was supposedly founded upon. As we’ve seen with many religious issues, like Suicide is easy, but without the ability for an indisame-sex marriage, religious groups can be willing to vidual to end a life medically and humanely, it’s rarely misrepresent facts in order to enforce religious views clean, painless or dignified. The state has no vested upon people who have different belief systems. interest in prolonging the lives of people who would Nevada once again has shown the weakness of choose to die rather than lose their minds and bodily its convictions regarding personal liberty. And once agency. again, we find ourselves looking west for leadership. This is about humanity being humane. Ω California’s legislature, after doing its due diligence, OPINION
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NEWS
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GREEN
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FEATURE STORY
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ARTS&CULTURE
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ART OF THE STATE
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FOODFINDS
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FILM
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MUSICBEAT
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NIGHTCLUBS/CASINOS
Cindy Williams Salesperson
I don’t think it’s that great. I’m starting to forget things. When I go into a room to get something, I often forget it. I repeat names a lot just so that I remember them, but that’s about it. I could use some memory tricks.
Bill Follette Professor
Poor. Plenty to do. Getting older. Repetition helps. I use my phone to remind me of things.
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THIS WEEK
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MISCELLANY
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SEPTEMBER 24, 2015
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RN&R
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