WHO'S DEATH IS IT ANYWAY?

OUR COUNTRY HAS IMPROVED. WE NO LONGER STERILIZE THE RETARDED. NOR DO WE CONSIDER NATIVE AMERICANS A SUB-SPECIES OF HUMANHOOD. WE MADE WAR AGAINST OURSELVES TO OUTLAW SLAVERY.
WE'VE COME A LONG WAY BABY. ( HOWEVER, JUST WHEN A BABY BECOMES A BABY IS ANOTHER MATTER. )

NOW WE HAVE NEW, FRONT- BURNER QUESTIONS.
IS MERE BIOLOGICAL EXISTENCE AN EXISTENCE WORTH LIVING?
WHERE DOES SELF-DETERMINATION BEGIN AND END?
DOES CONSCIOUSNESS MATTER?
IS DEATH PART OF THE DEAL OF LIFE, OR IS IT MERELY A MEDICAL FAILURE?
IS LIVING IN A MEDICALIZED STATE REALLY LIVING?
AND, FINALLY, 'SAYS WHO'?
PUBLIC RADIO HAD A DISCUSSION RECENTLY ABOUT THE CRIME OF SUICIDE. THE QUESTION WAS RAISED OF THE PEOPLE WHO JUMPED FROM THE TWIN TOWERS. WERE THEY COMMITTING A CRIME?
IF YOU THINK SO, IT'S BEST YOU STOP HERE.

THOSE UNFORTUNATE PEOPLE WERE CONFRONTED WITH THE HORRORS OF THE PAINFUL AND PRESENT FIRE AND SMOKE, OR THE BRIEF DELAY INTO FREEDOM OF THE AIR LEADING TO AN INSTANT DEATH.
THEY MADE THEIR CHOICE. SOME JUMPED, OTHERS DIDN'T.
THEIR DEATHS WERE UNNATURAL AND PREMATURE.
DEATH HAPPENS.
SOME CHOOSE THE LEAST PAINFUL WAY. BUT PAIN MEANS DIFFERENT THINGS TO DIFFERENT PEOPLE.
WHOSE DEATH IS IT, ANYWAY?