re: The Oregonian girl who was going to commit suicide because of her illness...

I disagree. Mincing words often leads to changes in attitudes. Which is precisely why they do it here. People will proudly and vocally support death with dignity. Physician assisted suicide or euthanasia don't quite get the same support. That's fact. I get that you (and many others) aren't dumb enough to fall for it. But, the average person isn't super bright. People are easily manipulated by words. The media does it all the time. Advertisers do it. So do advocates. (Think "fetus" versus "baby". Not arguing abortion, just an example of mincing words to further a cause). Because it works. In this instance, I think it's irresponsible and unfair. Attitudes shift over time anyway and it's not too much of stretch to think that mincing words on this subject could eventually lead to a societal shift that encourages physician assisted suicide rather than burdening the family or, broader, society via public health care with the ugliness and financial burden of your death.