100% agreed, similar to the gender issue, and particularly as a psychiatrist I fully understand everyone's point of view is fine for them and I support everyone to think what they want to provided they don't impinge on my freedom in an unacceptable way. In my practice I encourage my patients to pursue things they strongly want to even if I believe they won't work...libertarianism as well as very strong personal opinions are at the core of who I am. I have and will always have the greatest respect and veneration for people like you, Dusty and all the other brave warriors who stood up against the gender woo when it was hard and the men were aggressive (I know it still is and they still are). But as the supreme court decision permeates slowly through stuck and not very intelligent brains....although of course we are not at the end...but I think perhaps it is the beginning of the end for this ridiculous concept .....so for me personally now, supporting assisted dying will step up to occupy a bigger part of my consciousness and so I will unsubscribe, with thanks and respect and rejoin substacks like this if the gender wars seem to be going backwards. Thanks for your service
Thanks to both for a very respectful conversation which is always welcome on this substack.
I appreciate what a difficult topic it is but remain opposed to assisted dying and I think the MAID scheme in Canada is a perfect example of the dangers.
On the gender wars the Supreme Court judgment is a major game changer, of course, but I'm afraid we haven't won the war yet - see, for example, the Conversion Practices Bill and the encroachments on free speech.
I hope you reconsider, Helen, but if not thank you for all your support to this substack and all the best for the future.
Was reading along happily common sense boxes ticking away and then it gets added, apropos of nothing relevant a swipe at assisted suicide which the public overwhelmingly wants. Dusty I don't know whether you are rich enough or related to enough doctors who can tip the other doctors the wink to have this luxury belief, because if not you stand a far from zero chance of fervently wishing it was a possibility as you witness in yourself or loved ones the pain, indignity, boredom and loss of control that a "natural" death often involves. Not unlike "natural" childbirth but a lot more depressing and only one outcome. If you want to rant about this topic that I am by no means clear is a given that your readers will support, then can you start another substack about that and keep with the common sense stuff here
Firstly, thanks very much for your comment which I welcome although I remain opposed to assisted suicide.
I am afraid I am neither rich nor related to any doctors. My mother died in very difficult circumstances after a fall down stairs when she was in her 90s so I do appreciate the realities of such a situation.
The substack remains mainly aimed, of course, at the gender madness and the related central issue of free speech.
I welcome other comments both for and against. I consider all comments very carefully.
I appreciate discussion of the topic on here Helen. I had previously supported assisted dying and hadn’t thought much beyond the issue of the suffering of some people and their right to choose. It was only when I started to look into it that I realised that there is a distinct possibility of a ‘slippery slope’ and that there will be pressure put on people to die as is seen in Canada where the numbers have soared. As for people supporting it ….thats probably because they’re like I was and haven’t thought about it much, in the same way that people used to support transgender ideology because they didn’t understand it. It’s only open discussion that has opened people’s eyes to the problems. Surely open discussion is always a good thing.
As a doctor and a psychiatrist for 35 years I know how dreadful the death process generally is unless you are one of the lucky ones, and how many people on this planet do not, and never will want to be alive, (but the law is not for that of course). I've seen a few relatives in my many years who likely would push the button on a demented partner if they could, but no law including this one would allow that. I will have my living will firmly in place and my children know my very strong views that if I have lost my marbles I did not work all my life for that money to be (in my view, just about me, no one else) wasted on people wiping my butt etc etc pointlessly until my very strong body decides to follow suit. Whether my children would do it or not is another matter of course and most people and most families would not make that choice, which is fine by me. There's a point near the end of life when for most it's mostly about pain and suffering and at that point I think a lot of people would like a choice....can't really think of any reason why anyone wouldn't even if they themselves choose not to take it. We're already very good at picking up when people's families are taking their money or exploiting them in various ways, and I have no doubt that if any of the screening authorities had any doubt at all, permission would be denied....but if we look at the countries where it happens we don't generally see problems, I think the increasing numbers reflect the fact that the human death rate is 100% and quite a large proportion of these, if allowed and acceptable, would (very sensibly in my view) opt to miss the very unpleasant last bit. If you are a doctor or related to a doctor, or have private healthcare of course, generally nods and winks could hopefully be exchanged, the morphine is turned up and a much kinder end ensues.....if not, unlikely
Thanks for your reply Helen and I appreciate that this is an incredibly sensitive subject with valid opinions on both sides. But I hope that you can accept my point about open discussion being a good thing, how else do we learn? But, this is Dusty’s substack which he produces with a huge amount of work for virtually no gain. He is entitled to discuss whatever subject he wants, isn’t that the point of substack? And you are perfectly entitled to disagree and say so.
100% agreed, similar to the gender issue, and particularly as a psychiatrist I fully understand everyone's point of view is fine for them and I support everyone to think what they want to provided they don't impinge on my freedom in an unacceptable way. In my practice I encourage my patients to pursue things they strongly want to even if I believe they won't work...libertarianism as well as very strong personal opinions are at the core of who I am. I have and will always have the greatest respect and veneration for people like you, Dusty and all the other brave warriors who stood up against the gender woo when it was hard and the men were aggressive (I know it still is and they still are). But as the supreme court decision permeates slowly through stuck and not very intelligent brains....although of course we are not at the end...but I think perhaps it is the beginning of the end for this ridiculous concept .....so for me personally now, supporting assisted dying will step up to occupy a bigger part of my consciousness and so I will unsubscribe, with thanks and respect and rejoin substacks like this if the gender wars seem to be going backwards. Thanks for your service
I’m really sorry to hear that Helen as it’s good to hear different views and I’d appreciate you staying on here. I hope you reconsider.
Thanks to both for a very respectful conversation which is always welcome on this substack.
I appreciate what a difficult topic it is but remain opposed to assisted dying and I think the MAID scheme in Canada is a perfect example of the dangers.
On the gender wars the Supreme Court judgment is a major game changer, of course, but I'm afraid we haven't won the war yet - see, for example, the Conversion Practices Bill and the encroachments on free speech.
I hope you reconsider, Helen, but if not thank you for all your support to this substack and all the best for the future.
Dusty
Was reading along happily common sense boxes ticking away and then it gets added, apropos of nothing relevant a swipe at assisted suicide which the public overwhelmingly wants. Dusty I don't know whether you are rich enough or related to enough doctors who can tip the other doctors the wink to have this luxury belief, because if not you stand a far from zero chance of fervently wishing it was a possibility as you witness in yourself or loved ones the pain, indignity, boredom and loss of control that a "natural" death often involves. Not unlike "natural" childbirth but a lot more depressing and only one outcome. If you want to rant about this topic that I am by no means clear is a given that your readers will support, then can you start another substack about that and keep with the common sense stuff here
Hi Helen
Firstly, thanks very much for your comment which I welcome although I remain opposed to assisted suicide.
I am afraid I am neither rich nor related to any doctors. My mother died in very difficult circumstances after a fall down stairs when she was in her 90s so I do appreciate the realities of such a situation.
The substack remains mainly aimed, of course, at the gender madness and the related central issue of free speech.
I welcome other comments both for and against. I consider all comments very carefully.
Thanks for your support for the substack.
Dusty
I appreciate discussion of the topic on here Helen. I had previously supported assisted dying and hadn’t thought much beyond the issue of the suffering of some people and their right to choose. It was only when I started to look into it that I realised that there is a distinct possibility of a ‘slippery slope’ and that there will be pressure put on people to die as is seen in Canada where the numbers have soared. As for people supporting it ….thats probably because they’re like I was and haven’t thought about it much, in the same way that people used to support transgender ideology because they didn’t understand it. It’s only open discussion that has opened people’s eyes to the problems. Surely open discussion is always a good thing.
As a doctor and a psychiatrist for 35 years I know how dreadful the death process generally is unless you are one of the lucky ones, and how many people on this planet do not, and never will want to be alive, (but the law is not for that of course). I've seen a few relatives in my many years who likely would push the button on a demented partner if they could, but no law including this one would allow that. I will have my living will firmly in place and my children know my very strong views that if I have lost my marbles I did not work all my life for that money to be (in my view, just about me, no one else) wasted on people wiping my butt etc etc pointlessly until my very strong body decides to follow suit. Whether my children would do it or not is another matter of course and most people and most families would not make that choice, which is fine by me. There's a point near the end of life when for most it's mostly about pain and suffering and at that point I think a lot of people would like a choice....can't really think of any reason why anyone wouldn't even if they themselves choose not to take it. We're already very good at picking up when people's families are taking their money or exploiting them in various ways, and I have no doubt that if any of the screening authorities had any doubt at all, permission would be denied....but if we look at the countries where it happens we don't generally see problems, I think the increasing numbers reflect the fact that the human death rate is 100% and quite a large proportion of these, if allowed and acceptable, would (very sensibly in my view) opt to miss the very unpleasant last bit. If you are a doctor or related to a doctor, or have private healthcare of course, generally nods and winks could hopefully be exchanged, the morphine is turned up and a much kinder end ensues.....if not, unlikely
Thanks for your reply Helen and I appreciate that this is an incredibly sensitive subject with valid opinions on both sides. But I hope that you can accept my point about open discussion being a good thing, how else do we learn? But, this is Dusty’s substack which he produces with a huge amount of work for virtually no gain. He is entitled to discuss whatever subject he wants, isn’t that the point of substack? And you are perfectly entitled to disagree and say so.