Lethal compassion: conflicting federal court rulings bring assisted-suicide issue to the forefront

Article Abstract:

The federal circuit courts of appeals have issued conflicting rulings in the area of assisted suicide. In Compassion in Dying v. Washington, the 9th Circuit struck down statutory language prohibiting physician-assisted suicide. The court ruled that a Washington statute prohibiting such suicide was a due process violation. In Quill v. Vacco, the 2nd Circuit struck down a New York law prohibiting physician-assisted suicide. Both rulings denied states the power to prohibit assisted suicide, but the 2nd Circuit did so on limited equal protection grounds. The issue will probably reach the Supreme Court.

Assisted suicide, Right to die

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ABA House backs affirmative action; at time of national debate, association takes first stand on issue

Article Abstract:

At the annual meeting that saw its first female president installed, the American Bar Ass'n (ABA) voiced strong backing for affirmative action in pursuit of equality. While the ABA had no prior explicit stand on the issue, its past position on related topics indicated such support has existed and will continue. The House of Delegates also approved, in a close 80-70 vote, a resolution condemning bias by lawyers acting in their professional capacity.

Analysis, Political aspects, Bar associations, Affirmative action, A.B.A. House of Delegates

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Disability and DUIs: ADA claims by fired or demoted alcoholic employees fail

Article Abstract:

Decisions by the 6th and 7th circuits indicate an emerging consensus on the applicability of the Americans with Disabilities Act to alcoholism and job loss. In separate cases they ruled the results of drunk driving were good reason to dismiss or demote employees despite their suffering from the disability of alcoholism. Such discipline must look at the actual results of behavior, not the underlying illness.

Discrimination against disabled persons, Handicapped discrimination, Alcoholics

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