tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post5670824835664226167..comments2024-03-28T19:18:40.387-04:00Comments on Northern Reflections: How We Take Our LeaveOwen Grayhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-63450398596754241982016-06-04T03:36:56.345-04:002016-06-04T03:36:56.345-04:00The problems of equal access to doctors and drugs ...The problems of equal access to doctors and drugs are two of the problems the legislation needs to solve, e.a.f.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-18319974981112277832016-06-04T02:05:23.877-04:002016-06-04T02:05:23.877-04:00The right to die, yes we want it. I should have t...The right to die, yes we want it. I should have the right to "check out" when I want, not when someone else wants. <br /><br />The right to live. Yes, there can be a problem if family and governments want us to exit stage left because there is a high cost involved when we wish to continue on. So that is where the safe guards come in. <br /><br />The issue has come up now, because people in North America have been travelling to European countries to die. They want to die at home. There is more political will at this point, because we the aging baby boomers have always had more control over our lives than previous generations. We now enter the final stages of our lives and many are not interested in continuing on in this life if its not on our terms. <br /><br />Many have no interest in prolonging an end which we know is coming and will not be fun or comfortable. It in fact will be painful and without dignity. there maybe those of religious persuation who believe dying is a process. Well there are processes some of us are not interested in and would prefer in fact insist we do not participate in. I for one want to select the date and time of my exit. I do not believe there is a here after. You're dead, you're dead. I want to say good bye to friends and family while I can and then close my eyes and go to sleep. In the Netherlands my uncle was able to select the time and date. It was civilized. We visited, we said our good byes. <br /><br />The sooner this legislation is passed the better. Not all of us have doctors who will help us along. Not all of us will have access to a supply of drugs which will help us along. We need the right to ask health care practioners to help us exit this life, when we are ready. Only we can decide that for ourselves.e.a.f.noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-18808994908990811652016-06-03T19:33:01.539-04:002016-06-03T19:33:01.539-04:00The problem, Steve, is that -- just as relatives o...The problem, Steve, is that -- just as relatives or friends can profit from the estate of a deceased person -- others can profit if someone speeds up his or her departure. There need to be assurances that the decision is being made freely, without undue or unfair influence.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-78864549250517964062016-06-03T18:27:58.205-04:002016-06-03T18:27:58.205-04:00Trudeau can violate the Charter if he wants to and...Trudeau can violate the Charter if he wants to and anybody who says he can't is a Trudeau hater. <br /><br />Have I got that right, anonymous? <br /><br />Other than the colour of your tie or scarf your different than a Harper fanatic are you? <br /><br />Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12465953801145126160noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-39300910123133450362016-06-03T17:53:55.058-04:002016-06-03T17:53:55.058-04:00The Mound is a man of strong, unvarnished opinions...The Mound is a man of strong, unvarnished opinions, who believes deeply in the Charter and is suspicious of any abridgement of the rights it guarantees, Anon. But, because he is a retired lawyer, I'll let him defend his opinions himself.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-40147178103310571012016-06-03T17:17:50.985-04:002016-06-03T17:17:50.985-04:00The Walkom article is one of the best written on ...The Walkom article is one of the best written on the subject, and the one most who work in the health system would recognize. But the Mound will not let anything stand in his path of attacking the Liberal government. It's a pity more people don't stand up to that bully and tell him to stop trying to push people around. Where is their courage I wonder? And what will be their legacy?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-80828274228931819752016-06-03T17:01:31.384-04:002016-06-03T17:01:31.384-04:00i will die for the right to off myself, what is mo...i will die for the right to off myself, what is more personal than that. Seriously I went through this with my Dad and we do not really need a law, doctors do the right thing every dayStevehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14162783936999869984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-43437033474844038372016-06-03T13:26:00.705-04:002016-06-03T13:26:00.705-04:00I suspect the law will be challenged immediately, ...I suspect the law will be challenged immediately, Mound. It will be up to the court to strike a balance -- if they choose to do so.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-58377508981764196262016-06-03T13:12:13.518-04:002016-06-03T13:12:13.518-04:00There is no "debate," Owen. That's s...<br />There is no "debate," Owen. That's something we've experienced too often from those seeking to block action on climate change. Politicians debate. The Supreme Court of Canada doesn't. It has found a constitutional right to humane death under the Charter. That's the end of this nonsense about debate. <br /><br />Walkom seems to think that suicides are a matter of misfortunates having a bad hair day. He overlooks what the Court acknowledged, that people can have to endure both physical and psychological suffering that is unbearable.<br /><br />I agree that we need far more palliative care for the majority who will always prefer to die a natural death. Now, where's the money?<br /><br />I'm not sure that the Liberals' unconstitutional law will find its way to the Supreme Court of Canada. If this week's decision by the Chief Justice of the BC Supreme Court is any indication, it might not even get as far as some province's Court of Appeal. Do you think this cowardly, craven government has the stomach for subjecting a person in unbearable circumstances to that ordeal while it drags the matter out to the Supreme Court of Canada?<br />The Mound of Soundhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09023839743772372922noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-30967319975091182002016-06-03T11:42:15.554-04:002016-06-03T11:42:15.554-04:00Good question, Dana. And the question is the essen...Good question, Dana. And the question is the essence of the neo-conservative critique of government -- which takes its cue from Ayn Rand. It's difficult to strike a balance. And that's why the law, when it is eventually passed, will be challenged again all the way to the Supreme Court.Owen Grayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06464860078574618579noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-35117130.post-91514483601087506072016-06-03T11:08:23.369-04:002016-06-03T11:08:23.369-04:00The debate is also about personal sovereignty.
A...The debate is also about personal sovereignty. <br /><br />And for government that is the thin edge problem. If individuals are ultimately and solely sovereign unto themselves what might that mean to external authority structures? Danahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12465953801145126160noreply@blogger.com