'Assisted suicide' describes initiative correctly

• Published July 15, 2008

Section B of the Sunday edition contains a gross error in the item concerning petitions. It refers to the Booth Gardner petition I-1000 as "the assisted-suicide measure." It is officially and properly named "Death with Dignity." This needs to have a correction printed. You are propagating an outright lie and misinformation meant to frighten people. I sincerely hope your staff will be informed that it is NEVER to be referred to as "assisted suicide". I will be looking for an apology and a correction in the Olympian within a day or two.

Louise Benoit

From Vickie Kilgore, executive editor: The Olympian has chosen to use the phrase “assisted suicide” to describe the initiative because

a) This is the choice the Associated Press has made. Much of our state-wide content comes from that news service so it’s a matter of consistency; and

b) Even more important, the phrase is a simple, accurate description of the proposal. We recognize there are negative connotations attached to the word suicide, but its definition is clear – the act of taking one’s own life voluntarily and intentionally.

Our intent is to keep the explanation of the initiative as plain as possible while maintaining accuracy. Assisted suicide does that.