The Times of India reported on 28 August 2007:-

“What this really points out is the dearth of options available to people, they either become amateur scientists or go to Mexico,” he added.

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22323835-5001021,00.html

They have yet to enter pleas and will be arraigned in October.

Choice Comments:  If the Prosecutor is to be believed, my first thought was how exceptionally stupid a number of people appeared to be, with the exception the two daughters:

1    That the solicitor who drew up the Last Will and Testament didn’t reassure himself of Mr Wylie’s ability from the outset to make a legally binding document.   First rule of law. establish the competence of the client, particularly an aged one!

2    The fact that Dr Nitschke had previously examined Mr Wylie and found his competence to make a decision regarding end of life choices, questionable for the purposes of travelling to Switzerland means that the incompetence was evident to the observer.

3    That Justins actually murdered a man that had just changed his Will in her favour, I feel, borders on the ridiculous.   Surely she’d had watched enough TV Drama to realize that she would be the first suspect.   I seem to remember she wasn’t actually in the house when the man died, so he was obviously capable to a certain level of understanding the ramifications of his actions.  So! is she guilty of murder when she was not present to assist him to kill himself.  Did the man commit suicide with the aid of Nembutal gained illegally like so many before him and after him will do so,  until the Law protects us from a death not worth waiting for? 

4    That the solicitor didn’t question an estate in excess of $2 million which left $100,000 to the two daughters would have rung alarm bells to any ordinary person. least of all the alarm bells of a solicitor’s mind trained for just such matters.   Particularly if the de facto wife was being the supporting commentary during the interview.    After all, the man had not seen fit to make Justins his wife after 20 years, I couldn’t help but wonder if the solicitor asked to interview his client alone at any time.

An armchair detective couldn’t fault the plot of this whodunit, if only it was a fictional tale, and not a man’s life.   Such a terrible shame that money had to be the root that upended the oak tree that had been Mr Wylie life! 

If only the Alzheimer’s was the single most important factor in the man’s suicide, it would have been a good death speedily obtained, but the money just poisons the issue altogether.   

I must make sure not to die a millionaire, and I am doing all in my power to avoid the charge so that my children can rest easy for me, without the concern of what I am leaving them!

Who knows the guilt or innocence of anyone involved in this trial?    I just feel sick to read that Caren Jennings has been caught up in the dirt of it all.

2007 Tampa Day – Pacific Solution carries ‘A Cost Too High’

• A Just Australia:
http://www.ajustaustralia.com/

I spent my Sundayyesterday attending the Rally Remember Tampa and we all need to remember it and not forget the lessons learnt.   That Mr. Howard’s Government will use any devious means available to it to gain Power….and while Mr Beazley lost votes because of the implied lies attached to the Tampa…even more so for me, it threw aspersions on the integrity of the mothers who were accused on intending to throw their children overboard….as if any mother in their wildest dreams would ever consider such a thing.   There were the Papuans, the Somalia, the Greens, Liberty Victoria, Refugees The Freedom Socialist Party, the Socialist Alternative, Me representing one of my best friends, a Vietnamese Refugee, who would be far too shy to participate in such a public forum.  There were the Aboriginal Bros who dance their dance and song their songs, reminding us that we too came on a boat to the shores of Australia….and were allowed to land….even though we proceeded to shot the existing residents almost to extinction.

I think our Australian Government needs to come to grips with the knowledge that America is still far and away the world’s largest military and economic power, but that Russia, China and sections of the European Union are fast coming into their own technology, and remember also these new powers have not brought their country to its knees by invading the Middle East for oil!   The fallout from the American’s commitment to propping up false Governments is yet to be felt by the American people…..

Australia wants to be extremely careful about which side they butter their bread to the exclusion of other powers!

A relative of mine believe the world will be destroyed by man’s greed for more power, without taking on board the earth’s capacity to sustain the life of consumerism that is sweeping the world.   It may have started with America but it will not finish with them!

and on another note:

In today’s mail I received a little booklet and kit on bowel cancer and its detection.   I wondered how my name has come up on the Federal Government mailing list to receive this information kit…..I’ve done the breast screen bit but perhaps its an age thing, or a history of previous cancers…..Interesting why?

A friend kindly posted me a copy of the letters below,  written to the Monash Journal (undated) in which the writers all express the view that the natural way is their choice.   Unlike Marlene Clark of Mulgrave I don’t hold any long held hurts nor I believe I will leave this world having offended anyone to the extent it would make a difference to my dying process.  I am just not that sort of person. 

Mark Mondra of Mt Waverley holds the view that life is sacred as if the rest of us, don’t understand how precious it is.   We can support promoting the value of life and the joy that comes through caring as he suggests, but with the same beautiful spirit that enables us to “care” for the living some of us, care enough for the dying to allow for their passing be easy on both them and their loved ones.

And then there’s Anthony Wright of Glen Waverley who thinks we are ethically challenged.   But it depends on how one defines ethics.  I hold a personal opinion that it is not ethical of me to watch a person suffering needlessly in the final stages of life, and for those who express the wish to leave its pain earlier rather than later, consider it total unethical to not want to help that person die a good death.

What being female and Labor has to do with the support of Voluntary Euthanasia I have no idea as the male Leader of the Liberal Party Mr Ted Baillieu also supports the concept, I suggest Mark reconsiders his position.     Please be reminded about that lovely word “voluntary”…it means choice for the individual.    All three writers may rest easy,  as they’ll not be forced to do anything they don’t want to, until that is, their health conditions may deteriorate to such an extent they’re grateful for having been given an option.

As I await my breast screen test result and making my annual pilgrimage to the surgeon to have full on abdominal examination  with legs wide open and eyes shut tight, I won’t be thinking of these three letter writers.  I’ll be thanking Maxine Morand for her unselfish attitude about giving us CHOICES.

I believe it is criminal to allow a person to die in pain.  To drug them sufficiently unconscious until death, serves no good purpose whatsoever.     However!

I respect all three writers their viewpoint, but they fail to give us the same courtesy, that is, the Right to Choose, Not to Suffer, if and when the time comes, we are given the choice….Any one who equates voluntary euthanasia with murder, does not read a dictionary.   There is nothing vindictive about easing suffering….in fact, given that the person is dying slowly, it should be actively encouraged if that is what the individual wants for themselves.

Your View
Fairfax Community Network

Some thoughts on dying naturally, with dignity

IT isn’t easy watching a loved one die, but I know that it can be a rewarding experience for both the patient and those around them.
1 have witnessed forgiveness and healing of long-held hurts, misunderstandings and broken relationships during these final days.
The reconciliation with God, family members or others produces true and lasting peace, beyond our under-Standing, for all concerned.
Only a natural end to life achieves this. Killing doesn’t achieve lasting peace.

Unconditional love and support of family and friends, combined with excellent palliative care, gives the patient all the dignity they require.

Lose respect for one part of human life and soon we lose respect for all human life.

All life to me is precious and worthwhile, so let’s love people to natural death and trust in God’s perfect timing for us to die.

Marlene Clark, Mulgrave

Life is sacred

THANK you, Maxine, for reinforcing the ‘popular’ view that we shouldn’t have to carry the cost of caring, that those who are suffering are better off dead, and that therefore killing is better than caring. Not!

I hold to the view that human life is sacred and that caring adds value to life.

We should be promoting the value of life and the joy that conies through caring.

We should be encouraging and teaching each other to care, and support each other through our suffering.

Mark Modra, MtWaverley

Humans not dogs

A FEW years ago, euthanasia was fully debated and all arguments for were refuted.

The recent letters offer nothing new. Humans are still not dogs. The right to choose still does not make the choice right,

Yet Labor females have flocked to support a new push.

It is not just the state MPs.

On issues of life and death, federal member for Bruce Alan Griffin is [also] a consistent voter for death.

These ethically challenged proponents do not realise that all arguments for euthanasia can be used to justify (“It’s my body, I can do as 1 like”) all other murders.

Anthony Wright, Glen Waverley

An email sent in response to the previous article shows that even “the Word of God” can show rational thought when the chips are down…Saul was terminal, but choose instead the “coward’s way” and asks for assistance to die…..Me thinks Christians who condemn my viewpoint regarding a hastened death as being against God’s law should perhaps.  After being denied help Saul is “said” to have killed himself!.. Either way a man of God, was not waiting for natural causes to overtake him…A sensible man!   I don’t think committing suicide is the “coward’s way”…I think it takes tremendous courage but the idea of considering it and actually “doing it” are vastly different.  

Thanks for the chuckle with the evangelical snit about ‘euthanasia’ in  the latest Potter book. One wonders what the writer thinks about the  ‘assisted suicide’ aka ‘euthanasia’ in the bible. In II Samuel 1:5- 10,  the fatally wounded Saul asks an Amalekite to kill him lest he be  captured by the Philistines, and the man accommodates him. Of course, in  I Samuel 31:4, Saul does the deed himself after his amour bearer turns  down an ‘assist’ role.

Of course, we know that the Harry Potter books are works of  fiction. (smirk)

Choice Comments:   Well fed on a lunch of Roast Beef & Red Wine Sauce from a recipe out of Cooking for Dummies, I wanted to share this particular article with you, without really understanding most of what is read about Harry Potter.  I just know that a lot of people think he is magical, but then with the same cynicism that I don’t believe in Religion, and God and Heaven, and mortal sin, and Christ going back up into Heaven, neither do I believe in “Magic”    However for those who believe in any or all of the aforementioned subjects I offer the follow:

Date: Fri, 17 Aug 2007 11:01:34 -0700
From: .right-to-die
Subject: [Right_to_die] ‘Harry Potter’ and a worry about euthanasia!

Shared the birthday table with a cop, and as one does on these occasions sought to fix the affairs of the world in conversation.   Talking about recent deaths among the adults,  I was moved to make the point about the law being stupid in treating a person who commits voluntary euthanasia as a “Murderer”.  He corrected me and said it is not treated as “murder” which is to kill with malicious intent, but rather “manslaughter“…I said I found this title equally appalling, and there should be a word that covers killing for the sake of love and compassion.  Murder and manslaughter are equally inappropriate to explain the definition of voluntary euthanasia.   I likened manslaughter to the slaughter of animals, which is undertaken for food.  In voluntary euthanasia, there are no practical benefits whatsoever to the person committing “the crime of assisting in a suicide”.   In fact the opposite is usually the case where a great deal of stress and soul searching occurs because the step is such a final action.   Sometimes ending years of happy companionship.  A distressingly self centered time where very very few people may be involved in the thought processes one undertakes at such a traumatic action time.  The one major benefit is the knowledge that a loved one is no longer suffering.  Perhaps even worse, when it is a solitary decision in which one dares not to share those inner most thoughts of finalization ending suffering, with another living soul for fear of being reported as “depressed and suicidial”.

He told me I’d get no argument from him (law enforcer)……..now for the law makers to hold the same sentiments……..

Choice Comments: What a shame that anyone who helps another to cease of life of pain and suffering should find themselves in this predicament – Our values in judging what defines a crime is atrocious.   I find this world of ours, a place I could leave quite easily.  A man murders a five year child with continual bashings before the killing,  and in Victoria -  get ten years jail, another helps a suffering person to die and they get judged as a murderer in the same vein.   It is a grandson’s 6th birthday party today, and frankly I just don’t feel like being there……..perhaps I’ll feel better once I see his bright happy face pulling open his presents. I can hope!.

You can learn more about this case on my Links Page.

Beckley, West Virginia, USA
Friday, August 17, 2007

Firstly I do hope Dr Philip Nitschke had a very enjoyable and happy 60th Birthday celebration somewhere in this big brown land of Australia.  I hope he was doing something he really like, like sitting watching the Sunset in Darwin, with a beer with his hand:

An article of interest Sunday Life pg 39 (Age Magazine) August 12 By Paige Kilponen.

The 2.6 million who care for a disabled or ill relative, vital they don’t neglect themselves. 

Caring for Carers!

Jan Sandercoe, 51, is a working mother of two teenage boys who makes the time to have a regular dinner with her friends, go to the hairdresser and have drinks with workmates. There is nothing unusual about this picture except that the two teenage boys are disabled. Jan is one of an estimated 2.6 million Australians trying to maintain a normal life while meeting the needs of a disabled, mentally or chronically ill or aged relative.

For Jan, maintaining her health and social life has been the key to managing her responsibilities with her sons. Kristian, 19, has a mild form of Asperger’s syndrome and Kyle, 16, is autistic, with the mental age of a five-year-old. While Kristian is more independent, Kyle requires full-time care and supervision. “I feel a bit worn out sometimes,” she says, “but I do things that give me a break.”
A high school teacher who returned to work when her husband died five years ago. Sandercoe insists it’s little things, such as a walk, a laugh with friends or shoe shopping, that keep her sane.

She has learnt that her own wellbeing is an important part of her job as a cater. There’s a support network of friends, acquaintances and carer services to help her take care of Kyle – and herself – and he goes to respite care one weekend a month.

But for most of the one in eight Australians caring for someone who is unable to look after themselves, the picture is quite different.
Carers Australia CEO Joan Hughes says many carers suffer a range of physical and emotional problems from back injuries and. fatigue to guilt, anger and dwindling relationships with other family and friends. “[They] believe they can do it best but they get physically and mentally drained and it would be better if they sought help sooner. You don’t have to do it alone.”

Hughes says it is vital for carers to take care of themselves. Simple time-out activities such as listening to music, regular exercise and health checks and catching up with friends are all effective antidotes to the stresses of providing care.

Carers Australia offers advice and assistance in all areas of care including counselling, community transport, nursing respite and income support. They can be contacted on 1800 242 636

Choice Comments: I often wondered why it seems more attention isn’t provided for the “carers” after they stop the “caring” due to death perhaps……What do they do with a life sometimes left empty of purpose because their every waking moment has been given over to someone no longer alive and needing their ministries – sometimes over a period of years?.  I know of one lady who visits her husband in his Nursing Home, six days a week now, for seven years  …I’m sure many of her previous friendships have been replaced by those she meets in the Home….will she continue to go there after his death, just because her expectations of a life outside the Home is limited…..I hope not, but older people, sometimes I feel,  become less open to new friendships….It is a long time since I was a “Carer” and I take my hat off to their contribution to the happiness and wellbeing they provide for friends and relatives, often a considerable personal inconvenience to their own needs. 

And further on the same page this item by Jane Overland, Diabetes Nurse Practioner, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital,

Our four-year-old son has juvenile diabetes and we would like to know the pros and cons of an insulin pump for an active child.
Insulin pumps are an ideal treatment for active four-year-olds with diabetes, which affects about one in every 700 Australian children. It is one of the most common serious diseases and while there is no cure, it can be managed through medication, diet and exercise.

The insulin pumps deliver a slow, continuous level of quick-acting insulin throughout the day. They can be programmed to give more insulin exactly when it’s needed or less insulin to help prevent lo blood glucose levels (BGLs) when your four-year-old
is more active. The pump can also be used to give a shot of insulin with food or if the BGL is high,

The insulin is delivered through a tiny tube under the skin that is changed every three days. This means giving one needle every three days rather than the multiple injections your son has now. The cost of the pump is covered by private health insurance and there are schemes to help if you don’t have insurance, However, there are some additional ongoing costs of about $25 a month.

Care is needed to ensure that the tube delivering the insulin does not become dislodged or kinked, as this can cause BGLs to rise and ketones to develop. So you will still need to be vigilant about your son’s BGLs and test at least four times a day.

Email your questions to Ask An Expert at sundaylifemail@fairfax.com.au

http://seeking-utopia.blogspot.com/     The article below was written by Daniel who seeks to highlight to shortfalls of the world political stage and make us think outside our comfort zone.   For me, he articulates the very essence of my argument for choice and dignity in dying when we look at how Wars are promoted, feed and instigated as the the first line of Defence.  Kill your enemy first, then establish the carving up of their land…..and yet to help one sick person die is seen as reprehensible and without merit!

If only men of his morals would stand for Parliament and be elected in their own right without factions or favaurs impending integrity.

Share of Arms Sales by Nation.

Dear Friends, I’ve just looked at an important Yearbook. It’s called the SIPRI Yearbook – 2007. It keeps tabs on military spending across the world. These are just a few of its disturbing findings:

- World military expenditure in 2006 is estimated to have reached $1204 billion in current dollars. In 2006 the 15 countries with the highest spending accounted for 83 per cent of the world total.

- US companies dominate the SIPRI Top 100 arms-producing companies: 40 US firms accounted for 63 per cent of the combined Top 100 arms sales of $290 billion in 2005. Some 32 West European companies accounted for another 29 per cent and 9 Russian companies for 2 per cent. Companies based in Japan, Israel and India, in descending order, accounted for most of the remaining 6 per cent of world arms sales.

- Parts of the US arms industry have benefited substantially from the USA’s post-September 2001 policies, particularly the increased demand for new equipment generated by the military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.

So there we have it. The world is awash with weapons. Each year the amount of them increases. The U.S. spends more on armaments and makes more of them than anyone else. Far more. What does that tell us?

That the U.S., along with Britain (both close allies in the Coalition of the Killing), account for 75% of world arms sales. In economic terms, they both have a vested interest in the perpetuation of war.

Clearly, the U.S., not content with arming the world, is now in the business of creating wars as well. Why? To make lots of money out of mass killing; to secure scarce economic resources for itself; and to build even more military bases in foreign countries while simultaneously continuing to hide behind a smokescreen of spurious, seemingly-noble, flag-waving propaganda.

Peace, for those who lead capitalist, militaristic America, is anathema!

Posted by Daniel at 8:22 AM 17 comments

http://seeking-utopia.blogspot.com/