Welcome to Gaia! ::

I'm an organ donor.

Theoretically.

I don't have some kind of ancient Egyptian belief that my body will be revived in the land across the spiritual Nile river, to live as a god, with Osiris.

That would be silly.

It's not like you're needing those organs if you're dead...

Here's a book on "brain death" and what factors determine death and why it can be a grey area when considering organ donors.

Beyond Brain Death: The Case Against Brain Based Criteria for Human Death By Michael Potts, Paul A. Byrne, Richard G. Nilges

I know there are other better references but I'm short on time right now.

i wont give them an inch the goverment will most likely want more later, and theres most likely things hidden in the massive bill that are horrid

But if surrendering the minuscule chance of revival gives a near certain gift of life, is it not right? I guess we all just live in fear of or own mortality.

It isn't fear of death, for me. I do believe that life here, at this time and in this place, is just a mere blink of an eye in the face of eternity, that I will live on after I leave this earth, and learn and grow and experience things that I can't even begin to imagine now. So to leave this earth is, for me, entry into an even bigger adventure.

For me, it's just enjoying what every day brings. Life is just as big an adventure as you choose to make it, and it's not all wonderful, but most of it can be, it's up to us what we do with each day. I don't think it's up to someone else to determine when my adventure ends, based upon the usefulness of the organs in my body to someone else.

There is a man that lives around here somewhere that I see running almost every day as I run the "taxi service." He has a full head of white hair, and he runs several miles every day. I've seen him run when it's too hot, too wet, too cold and slippery-----he's out there, whatever the weather, running. I admire the fact that at an age when so many people just sit and do almost nothing, he decides to get up, put on his running shoes, and face the world. His very presence is inspiring to me. Would his life be more valuable "parted-out?" I don't think so. I'm sure his organs are good----they could save a body---but what value can you place on the inspiration that he is to the hundreds of people who drive past him, as I do?

I hate to think that young, healthy people with their whole lives ahead of them could be so readily cheated of a long, full-of-adventure life. Maybe that "parts warehouse" has wonderful things to do, a huge contribution to make to this world! I'd hate to see any of YOU unplugged, just because someone makes the determination that 20 other lives are more valuable than yours. I would hate to see that life-or-death decision come down to a matter of dollars and cents, even more. That's a judgement call that can't be reliably made based on evidence, unless the doctors, etc., can see the future.

I'm glad not to live in New York myself....the problem is that once something like this gets passed anywhere, it seems to get pushed everywhere.

The first reason I posted this link was because I was just absolutely LIVID. The second reason was to remind everyone that there's more going on where politics is concerned than just an election every 2 years. Lots of what goes on in the state and federal legislatures never makes the news----and, for that matter, I know lots of people just don't keep up with the news, anyway. I encourage all of you to google your state government's website, and see what's going on. Tell your legislators, by email or phone, just what you think. Then check out the federal level, and do the same.

I know we're not all U.S. citizens in this guild, but lots of us are, and we need to know what the government is doing so we don't get an unpleasant surprise, like the organ harvest of someone we love without even receiving notification!

"Of the people, by the people, and for the people" means nothing unless "We, the people" are involved.

****steps down from soapbox****