@redstar I'm taking it that you accept your own country's news outlets are no better than anywhere else in the world ? When it comes down to it, the majority of people can look and listen and then decide for themselves - unless every govt worldwide is completely transparent with what they are doing and can provide factual evidence which can be scrutinised by an independant authority, the populace has to decide for themselves. Be aware that personal bias will always be an element in what you choose to believe. Whilst each of us have the right to our own opinions, most will also freely criticise/question their own govts/politicans when they see fit. You don't appear to do so which I find a bit unusual. IME it's practically mandatory
There is always those that believe they know better and want to control other lives and deaths, the world is full of them, this country more than most, I think. Sod the lot of them. I do love to hate a "do gooder".
I've not heard about this five years of social media. It sounds a bit suspicious to me - not that I intend going there any more . We used to go a lot but have decided we don't wish to go there any more. A lot of our friends have said the same. Most, like ourselves, go to many other countries instead. We have friends and family in dozens of countries so choose to go to those instead - although we sometimes make a point of not visiting them as we want to wander their countries on our own. One humorous time when landing in San Francisco for a few days before going on to Hawaii was the comment by the customs official when he said to Mrs Shiney "So you're not visiting your brother this time?" Later this winter we shall be off on the road to Morocco.
I cannot bring the title to mind but I read a novel in which there was a group of people who attended terminally ill people in their own homes and brought wih them a can of gas ( or something ?) which would terminate life. They were prepared to sit and talk with their "client" for as long as it took until the final moment came when the client said "Yes, I'm ready to go" and they did the business. Only fictional unfortunately.
Looking at Australia, it doesn’t seem so difficult to get things organised. Queenslanders now have the right to die
And it’s not an exact science to determine how long one has after a terminal diagnosis. I’d prefer the option to be able to say, actually, I’ve had enough now, and I’m ready to go. Just keep upping the painkillers, and pour me a big glass of booze to go with it. 6 months is often guesswork. Our hospice is also only able to operate 8 beds out of the available 12, through lack of funding. It’s pretty ridiculous that such a vital service seems to treated as something outside the remit of the NHS. Wouldn’t there be an outcry if cancer treatments or even routine stuff like cataract surgery was only available if a charity raised the money to fund it? As far as politicians go, Im very happy to criticise our government when they behave with less than common sense. At least our Prime Minister has had to serve as a rank and file politician before taking on a top job. And he or she is at the mercy of their own party and of the people if they do less than a good job, or get involved in some scandal or another. There are enough checks to ensure that they can’t get into post and then promptly change the rules to give themselves immunity from wrongdoing. And as for appointing random drunks, chat show hosts, estate agents, golfing buddies and relatives, into positions of responsibility way beyond their intellectual capabilities - words fail me.
Does being on here count as social media? They either know or can quickly find out what social media you are on anyway.
There is documentary called, "Dying in Oregon" which follows people through their experiences. Real people. They film the "final" visit up until a few minutes before death. They do stop filming and leave to give the person and their families the last moments in privacy. It is extremely well done. Both the assisted dying and the documentation of the process. And tastefully presented.
Fake news is evidently when you say one thing in public and it’s recorded on video, and then deny you said it five days later, also on film, and verbally abuse the person that mentioned it. Also, if you WRITE IT IN CAPITALS, THAT ALSO MAKES IT TRUE. (Facts are optional, discouraged actually)
It's a myth that Ostriches stick their head in the sand when under threat. Given they can run at more than 40 mph and have a kick that could easily disembowel a predator they don't really need to. Sometimes they lay down and make like a rock.
@CanadianLori Thanks - that is really interesting re Dying in Oregon............. who performs the final act and how is it done ? I'm assuming Oregon has legalised assisting death ? Is it only for those with a terminal illness ? Food for thought for our lot if they'd just wake up
I know @NigelJ but it's an accepted description for those who refuse to see or understand what is in front of them.
I've just heard on the news about the possibility of needing to give your social media details for the last five years plus a number of other things. Can't see it as being practical and also it will certainly adversely affect the U.S. tourist industry.
