The Vermont Coalition for Disability Rights will oppose legislation that would legalize physician-assisted suicide.

"Many fear that creating an environment where a potential for encouraging someone to end their life - a life some perceive as having less value - would be creating a slippery slope," said a statement from the coalition.

This line of argument troubles me. Groups such as these talk about "slippery slopes" and all that -- who's next, and so forth. Well, let's turn that around. Who's next here? When we remove the right to make moral choices from individuals, where do we stop? All moral choices that matter deeply can potentially lead to tragedy. Such is the nature of the beast. Will those who desire pain relief that might lead to death be stopped? How about those who do not want various sorts of care? Does abortion when birth defects are involved do the same thing? And so on. Not to sound patronizing, but their concerns are sound, but their solution leaves a bit to be desired as well.

Limits of strict enforcement of laws against illegals: At a time in which the President is putting forth an amnesty program for "undocumented workers," it perhaps is a good idea to cite this article. It concerns a proposed law that would make it much harder for local police forces and other agencies to not look into the legal status of individuals they deal with in carrying out social services and the like. The issue of giving driving licenses to undocumented workers and so forth enters the mix as well. Tricky issue that even the California police are split over.

Happy Birthday ... Katie Couric and Nicolas Cage. And, thanks again to that woman with an angelic voice -- I overheard her on the subway, and it was quite pleasant. I even complimented her on it -- see, you can talk to strangers in NYC and get away with it.