So, My Black Cat, you’re at it again trying to scare the wits out of every one with your conspiracy theories.

You are getting very excited because it is reaching mainstream newspapers!

What is?

Democracy is being put through a mangle.

It is being flattened into something beyond all recognition.

What have you found now?

A columnist in The Telegraph.

I thought it was a blogger.

That was yesterday.

Is this somebody different?

THE END OF THE GREAT DECEPTION

“So the trap has snapped shut. It was somehow apt that the politician who finally let the EU get the constitution it has craved so long should have been President Vaclav Klaus, the veteran anti-Communist who predicted, just before the Czech Republic joined the EU in 2004, that it would mean the end of his country as “an independent sovereign state”. And what a delightful irony that Pravda, of all newspapers, greeted the news last week with the headline: “Twenty years after the fall of the Berlin Wall, the EU is now a reincarnation of the Soviet Union”.

A blogger. A columnist. Different people. Same newspaper.

The columnist article has 201 comments?

You want me to read all the comments too?

OK, I might read it all.

When I get round to it…….

But we witches don’t really understand all this stuff about the European Union, My Black Cat.

And for that matter, you understand it even less!

In fact, probably nobody understands it.

And that is bad.

Very bad.

a red apple ……………………

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I suppose you are all busy getting on with your mundane day as you meander into oblivion, you stupid feeble “citizens” of The Humankind.

In much the same way, The Witch Doctor is dabbling about in The Spell Pantry in total denial that there could possibly be a conspiracy of gigantic proportions going on.

“Creep” she calls it.

Creep.

What the devil is “Creep?”

Anyway, witches cats are not alone with our conspiracy theories.

It now seems to be seeping into that corner of the blogosphere occupied by the mainstream media.

FUNERAL OF FREEDOM

About time too!

And Gordon Brown is using his habitual throw–away term “common purpose” in a speech once more!

BERLIN WALL – BROWN MARKS 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF ITS FALL

As he has done in the past.

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It is difficult to take time off from blogging to do other things, because there is always some important drama or another going on in our society that seems to make the computer keyboard beckon.

Sometimes, My Black Cat asks me why these dramas happen.

Presumably she thinks they are part of The Great Big Conspiracy.

I just tell her I don’t know why, but it is probably connected to the complexity of a society that no longer gains from the healthy exhaustion that comes from hard physical graft required in earning a living from the land.

She thinks I’m nuts.

Anyway, this drama is about Professor Nutt.

Professor Nutt was sacked as a government advisor.

FACTUAL ERRORS

ESTIMATING DRUG HARMS

CRIME AND JUSTICE

AUDIENCE WITH DAVID NUTT

JOHNSON “MISLED PARLIAMENT” OVER NUTT SACKING, LIB DEMS CLAIM

KNEED IN THE NUTS OR A SHOT IN THE FOOT

Everyone knows he was advising on something to do with drugs. Now, My Black Cat, on the matter of drugs, I have my views and you have yours. Your views and mine may be sensible, or they may not. You and I may disagree or we may not. You and I may agree with David Nutt. We may not. His committee may disagree with each other, they may not. The government seems to disagree with Professor Nutt, and his committee of experts. You may feel that you may want to be free to express your views if you want to, particularly when there is a disagreement. I certainly want to live in a country where I have that freedom. David Nutt may feel the same way.

Drug addiction is a difficult and emotive subject.

But that, My Black Cat, is not the point!

It does not matter what a Professor and his advisory team were advising on. It might have been education, finance, or whether it was good for everyone to drink bottled water umpteen times a day to “wash out their kidneys” and consequently boost the economy by increasing the sale of plastic.

It just does not matter!!!

An expert in his field, whatever that field might be, not employed by the government but chosen by government, to head a team all of whom gave their own time to use their expertise to try to help with a difficult problem, was sacked.

Why?

He had hard facts gathered over many years that informed his opinion. He voiced these facts and opinion as a professional, to professionals, in a professional journal and at a professional meeting.

He did not stand at Speakers Corner or wander about the streets of London with a billboard, although in a free country he should have been free to do so.

It appears that the government did not like him behaving as if he lived in a democracy where freedom of speech is sacrosanct.

His opinion might lose votes perhaps?

His opinion might upset the alcohol mega-industry perhaps?

It seems as if it needed to be demonstrated that the state dictated what he was and was not allowed to say.

Do we now live in a country where independent expert advisors need to be sacked if they cannot be gagged?

Is this government making it clear that it only wants expert advisors who are creeping “yes men” who know their place as subordinates of the state, and are not free to speak out?

This appears to The Witch Doctor to be a deliberate attempt to destroy freedom of speech.

And you know where that can creep!

Don’t you, My Black Cat?

That is why we witches do not believe in gagging of any kind unless it is in very exceptional circumstances such as a genuine threat to national security or for example, where free speech might temporarily be detrimental to delicate negotiations which might free a hostage.

Assuming Alan Johnson regards the UK as a democracy, he was wrong to sack Nutt. If he did not intend to curtail free speech in the UK, if he did not fully understand the importance of the neutrality of The Scientific Method in a free society, then he should immediately ask Professor Nutt to resume his position.

Alan Johnson should apologise to Professor Nutt. There is nothing wrong with making a mistake. Once reinstated, whether or not he chooses to take the advice is a separate debate.

On the other hand, If Alan Johnson does not want experts to advise on difficult matters………..

If Alan Johnson does not regard freedom of speech as important……………

If Alan Johnson before he sacked him anticipated there would be an outcry …………….

If somebody was pulling Alan Johnson’s strings.…………..

Then, My Black Cat, I will begin to listen to all the rubbish you talk about conspiracies.

However, it may well just have been an error of judgement.

a red apple ……………………

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INTOVERTED, SELFISH, TIDY, CONFUSED, NAVAL-GAZERS, OR VICTIMS OF A NEW WORLD PHILOSOPHY?

The colourful language used by the Dr Rants of the world may disgust some people.

We witches are not disgusted by it even although we ourselves choose to express ourselves in a different way.

Where is Dr Rant anyway, My Black Cat?

There are some words that disgust us though.

A “healthy” husband and wife recently committed suicide together because they wanted a “good death.”

We are disgusted by the words “Good Death”

All witches loathe this term.

It is like a sick joke.

No.  It’s worse than a sick joke.  It is sinister. It is intrusive.

Believe this witch, who is well qualified to talk about death – there is no such thing as a “Good Death.” It is just that some deaths are less bad, less painful and less sad than others.

“Good Death” is a hygienic term for the unthinkable. It is a play upon words. Worse still, it is play upon ideas. It is a formula for the future. It is a seed that is being sown that will de-stablise the thought processes of many troubled, elderly and dependent people. Particularly the naval-gazers, the ones who think too much about themselves, those who focus on their fears rather than enjoying what they have and getting on with life.

It is a term that will add confusion to muddled minds.

It is a term that will encourage the selfish folk.

It is a term used that will encourage the organised, tidy folk of the world who plan every life event.

Even death.

You should also believe this witch when she talks about planning your life, and death. The witch doctor has lived by the philosophy of only doing a minimal amount of planning, but a maximum amount of adapting to circumstance.

“The best laid schemes o’ mice an’ men gang aft agley……”

For The Witch doctor, like Rabbie Burns, knows that there is always a wicked uncle chuckling in the background when you make your plans.

She has a lot of experience of foiled plans, death and  “Chuckling Wicked Uncles.”

Incidentally, we witches also loathe the other sanitizing words “Ethnic Cleansing” We consider it to be one of the most offensive terms in the English language. It is, however, used by television commentators and newsreaders without them batting an eyelid.

Perhaps they will stop using it now.

“Good Death”

“Ethnic Cleansing”

They are both subliminal intrusions of the mind.

These terms and the “hygienic” ideas behind them disgust us.

a red apple ……………………

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SOME MAGIC FOR BEN

Although we witches are usually associated with our Black Cats, it is often not appreciated that we are soft on all animals and are usually surrounded by a veritable menagerie in addition to our feline helpers.

Being one of the most ancient of witches, The Witch doctor was interested to discover that there is a club for dogs that are also past their prime who would like a home where they can get peace and quiet and lots of nice titbits and comforting things.

Wouldn’t we all?

This is Ben.

BEN NEEDS A NEW HOME. FIND OUT ABOUT HIM AND OTHERS AT THE OLDIES CLUB

 

He is a “Golden Oldie” – well really a “Black and White Oldie” that maybe could be made happy somewhere.

Calling all witches with a spare kennel in their back yard. No. A doggie bed in the spell pantry, a comfy couch in the sitting room, or a king sized bed….

If Ben can’t find a witch, a human would do………

I suppose.

GONE!

The Witch Doctor and My Black Cat are wending our way home after The Great Big Party!

Two days and two nights it went on!

We didn’t think we were in a fit state to be in charge of The Old Rickety Broomstick! (The Broomstick Maker is still trying to mend the new one which has an autopilot).

So we’re having to walk.

We feel shattered!

But we have a Very Important Spell to do so we will need to pull ourselves together!

So we will take a little break from blogging.

We will be gone for quite a while since we need to rack our brains about this one!

And we need to gather many strange ingredients too…..

But who knows, when we return refreshed, you might even see The Fruits of our Labour!

a red apple ……………………

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Well, My Black Cat, the time has come for The Great All Hallows’ Witching Party.

We have to report that it is now The Witching Hour and the moderators and philosophers have not accepted our offering on the BMJ Blog. As promised, we will now reveal to all of cyberspace the deeply profound things that The Witch Doctor said that offended so much.

The comment referred to the opening paragraph of a post by John Coggon. He wrote:

“If I asked a physiologist to show me where her conscience is, I’m fairly sure she’d not be able to.”

As it happens, The Witch Doctor agrees totally with this utterance.

Consequently, it seemed appropriate to expand the theme.

So The Witch Doctor said:

“If I’d asked William Shakespeare to show me where his genius was, I’m fairly sure he’d not have been able to.”

If I’d asked Joseph Mallord William Turner to show me where his genius was, I’m fairly sure he’d not have been able to.”

If I’d asked Ludwig van Beethoven to show me where………….

Etc. etc. etc.”

Was that offensive?

That was the very first comment they received.

And if you’ll forgive me for saying so, very erudite for a witch it was too!

A conversation stopper maybe….

Anyway, it was consigned to the trash can!

Just like that!

Truly!

No matter, soon after, another blogger crash-landed into the BMJ corner of blogosphere.

Nothing meek and mild about this blogger!

Bet they wish now they’d stuck with The Witch Doctor!

Eh, My Black Cat?

a red apple ……………………

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The Witch Doctor finds it remarkable that she was so busy getting through the days that she was oblivious to the clever footwork that seemed to be going on at the BMA annual conference in 2005 when a spurious vote was taken which effectively moved the pendulum from “Against” to “Neutral” regarding the BMA’s position on assisted suicide.

Yes “neutral.”

The “D’oh!” moment!

Doctor’s have no view on whether they should help kill or not!

I suppose The Witch Doctor was not alone in having her head in the sand at that time.

Some of the medical profession were awake, however.

Below is an open letter that was sent later that year to MP’s and Peers regarding these activities.

Note particularly para 3 where it is alleged there was some attempt to persuade medical students and young doctors to drop their opposition to euthanasia.

“Open Letter to MPs and Peers about the BMA ARM
Open Letter to MPs and Peers about what happened at the BMA ARM in June 2005

“Just before the summer recess parliamentarians were sent a statement from Ms Sue Marks, Head of the Parliamentary Unit of the British Medical Association, regarding the Association’s change in policy, making it now neutral on physician-assisted suicide.

As two BMA members present at the Annual Representatives’ Meeting where this took place we consider Ms Marks’ description of the event to be highly misleading. It is vital that parliamentarians understand that the whole process was highly questionable and the pro-euthanasia group achieved their vote – by a small majority of only 93 for and 82 against – through clever manipulation of procedure.

In the year 2000 it became clear at a BMA Consensus Conference on Physician Assisted Suicide that, contrary to the majority opinion of grass roots BMA members, a significant number of BMA Ethics Committee Members – including chairman Dr Michael Wilks – determinedly supported both euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. Their campaign has been strengthened by the input of ‘expert’ members co-opted (not elected) to the Committee from the political and academic liberal elite, three of whom gave evidence to the Lords’ Select Committee on behalf of the Voluntary Euthanasia Society last autumn. Dr Michael Wilks, has made a number of attempts to change the Association’s policy and in particular earlier this year used his position to try to persuade the Students’ and Young Doctors’ Divisions to drop their opposition to euthanasia – a move which was singularly unsuccessful.

This summer, however, things were different. As well as being chairman of the Ethics Committee providing ‘expert input’, Dr Wilks was made Chairman of the Annual Representatives’ Meeting which was to consider the issue of euthanasia, and was also appointed Chairman of the Agenda Committee (which ultimately became responsible for framing motions to be considered). At the start of the Representative meeting, Dr Wilks used his position as chairman to introduce a new procedure for deciding the issue. In a departure from past protocol none of the motions submitted by BMA divisions were to be voted on. Instead, on the Tuesday there was a debate for half an hour on draft motions submitted to the conference by councils and divisions from around the country. The Agenda Committee was then deputed to submit a Motion based on the debate in which a majority of speakers (six of eleven) were strongly opposed to any change in BMA policy: the motion would be voted upon two days after the original debate at the end of the Conference! However, instead of one Motion based on the debate, the Agenda Committee submitted three Motions. The first opposed euthanasia and assisted suicide; the second supported a neutral stand on physician-assisted suicide; and the third Motion supported the adoption of a policy in favour of the legalisation of euthanasia and physician assisted suicide. These were not voted upon until one hour before the end of the meeting when more than half of the delegates had left. Furthermore, delegates were not given written copies of the motions until just before the vote – so many delegates did not even see the Motions which – furthermore – had never been discussed by grass roots members and divisions.

The manipulations did not end there. As Chairman of the Conference Dr Wilks sought permission for the order of voting on the Motions to be reversed – so that the motion in favour of legalised euthanasia came first with the motion in favour of the BMA taking a neutral stand on physician assisted suicide second and the motion in favour of retaining the current policy third. In the event, the last motion was never voted on because the second motion won a majority. Thus 93 delegates were enabled to reach a decision for 133,000 grass roots members on a Motion the latter had never seen – let alone discussed. Such anti-democratic procedures to force through a Bill in Parliament would cause a public uproar and we urge you to take these matters into account if the BMA’s new position is used in debate to support any attempts to legalise euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide.”

Peter Saunders, General Secretary, Christian Medical Fellowship
Tony Cole, Chairman, Medical Ethics Alliance”

a red apple ……………………

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You could say The Witch Doctor grew up in a nutty environment. Her mother loved nuts and she ate some nearly every day. Not the mamsy-pamsy shelled nuts you buy nowadays in little packets. She would buy big paper bags full of almonds,  hazelnuts, walnuts and brazil nuts with their shells still on and crack them open with The Old Nutcracker.

And there were peanuts of course.

Peanuts were they easy ones to crack. The reason they were easy is that they are not nuts at all. They live in pods, not shells. This is because peanuts are of the pea, bean, lentil and lupin family. The Witch Doctor didn’t know that then. Her mother didn’t know that either. We just thought they were nuts with fragile shells.

Sometimes The Old Nutcracker was misplaced in our untidy house and then the nuts were wrapped in a newspaper and  broken with a hammer.

A more interesting way, though, was to find a door to break them.

If you don’t know how to break a nut in a door, then I’m not going to tell you. Just work it out! The Witch Doctor has been doing it since she was five years old!

If you don’t know how to break a nut in a door, it is probably because you were brought up in a tidy house where doors were not to be meddled with, and there was a place for everything and everything was in its place.

Poor thing!

Although The Witch Doctor became an expert at cracking nuts at a very young age, she never ate them.

Absolutely never!

She hated nuts.

She still does.

Mark you, she will happily eat nuts concealed in cooking or baking as long as the are well ground up and well hidden, but she would never dream of eating a whole nut (or a peanut for that matter).

She wouldn’t even eat a chocolate bar with whole nuts in it!

Honestly!

Well, she might eat all the chocolate round about the nuts and leave the nuts in an unhygienic pile somewhere.

Or feed them to the birds.

The reason The Witch Doctor avoids nuts is simple. It’s nothing to do with the taste. In fact, she quite likes the taste. Once she has chewed, and chewed, and chewed a nut it seems to float around inside her mouth and never seems to reach a consistency that is suitable for swallowing.

So she spits it out!

Since spitting is frowned upon nowadays, she refrains from eating nuts.

We witches never demonstrate bad manners!

It is at this point, The Witch Doctor feels she must confidently disagree with Albert Einstein.

“When I read philosophy I have the feeling of chewing on something that is not there to swallow.

ALBERT EINSTEIN”

Philosophy, Mr Einstein, is more like a great big nut. It’s there all right, and you can if you want indulge yourelf in an awful lot of chewing, but it never reaches the correct consistency to swallow.

Best to spit it out!

Or, if mannerly, don’t put it in your mouth in the first place!

Yes, My Black Cat, philosophy and nuts have much in common.

a red apple ……………………

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The BMJ group has a number of blogs relating to individual journals.

Two bloggers were very quick off their mark to comment on the Kerry Wooltorton case.

The first was a lawyer, Professor Sheila McLean who is a distinguished academic with a particular expertise in medical law. She provided a summary in the BMJ blog of the legal situation regarding the outcome of the inquiry but did not enter into any discussion in the comments that followed the post.

According to the books and papers she has written it appears that Professor McLean is not only a distinguished member of The Humanist Society and also appears to be strongly in favour of voluntary euthanasia becoming legalised.

Dr McLean is a member of the ethics committee of the BMA.

The second to put pen to paper on the BMJ Group Blogs was Dr Iain Brassington. His post was in the Journal of Medical Ethics. There is quite a discussion in the comments section, some of it in the foreign language of philosophy.

If you scroll down the comments section to October 12, you reach a very short comment that seemed rather odd to The Witch Doctor.

“Forgive the intervention – I’m delighted to see Iain finding support in case law and statute.

John Coggon”

More recently the name John Coggon appears again, in a post of his own, this time in the BMJ blogs.

CAN A CONSCIENCE DICTATE?

Here is the opening gambit of his post:

“If I asked a physiologist to show me where her conscience is, I’m fairly sure she’d not be able to.  Yet, it seems, a great many doctors appeal directly to their consciences, or at least wish to be free to do so.  This is a little strange. If a patient says “God makes me do it” suspicions arise.  So why should a doctor be at liberty to appeal to something beyond the empirically demonstrable?”

Now, The Witch Doctor has no idea who John Coggon is, but she was quite taken by his smiling face, so in order to say “Hi” the way we witches do, she placed a little comment at the end of his blog.

She saw it in print, but it indicated it was waiting for moderation:

There it sat, and sat, and sat………

Waiting, waiting, waiting……….

Then……

It vanished. Just like that!!!

My Black Cat and I fear the moderators didn’t like it!!!

Perhaps John Coggon didn’t like it?

So, it seems the BMJ does not allow witches to express themselves freely in the comments section of their blogs.

The Philosphical Folk – yes.

The Ethical Folk – yes.

The Witches – no.

No free speech for witches.!

Probably everyone reading this is now worried sick about what The Witch Doctor could possibly have said to cause such offence.

Well, the witch just gave a little twitch.

That’s all.

Surely they could have published a little twitch?

From a witch……..

N.B. If the comment has not appeared on the BMJ blog by Halloween, then The Witch Doctor will let you know exactly what she said as a little trick and treat before she flies off to The Big Party on the All Hallows’ Eve Holiday.

a red apple ……………………

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So, 2005 was the year that it has been said there was some kind of rigging of a vote at the annual meeting of the British Medical Association.

The vote did not concern a trivial matter.  There is a view that it was the most significant vote in the history of the BMA.

“A 30-minute open debate on euthanasia took place on Tuesday, June 28. Most of the speakers opposed euthanasia. But in a striking departure from past procedures, no vote was taken. This was not the only departure: Liberal Democrat Evan Harris — also a member of the ethics committee — was allowed to speak, even though he was not a delegate. But the tenor of the debate confirmed what everyone knew: that British doctors are opposed to euthanasia by a margin of about 2 to 1.

Based on the issues raised in the debate, the apparatchiks of the agenda committee drafted three motions. These were voted on two days later, on Thursday, only minutes before the end of the four-day meeting. Most of the nearly 450 delegates had already left. Only 174 actually voted.

Critics of the BMA’s decision claim that there had been a gentleman’s agreement to vote first on whether the status quo should be preserved. This would almost surely have passed. Instead, the first motion put to the meeting was whether the BMA should support euthanasia. Unsurprisingly, this failed by 101 to 73. Next came a vote on whether the BMA should withdraw its long-standing opposition. This carried by a vote of 92 to 82. Whether British doctors should uphold the status quo was never voted upon at all.

In short, a rigged vote by a fraction of delegates to the annual representative meeting made what is probably the most significant decision in the BMA’s history.

Doctors who oppose euthanasia have every right to feel outraged and to demand a referendum of all members on this vital issue. Controlling an agenda, breaking unwritten agreements and manipulating a quorum have been standard fare in shady trade union ballots. But it beggars belief that professors of ethics should use these Leninist tactics to engineer a change in the BMA’s euthanasia policy and very soon, perhaps, a change in the law. It is a chilling start to Britain’s debate on Lord Joffe’s Assisted Dying for the Terminally Ill Bill.”

Now, those who do not attend national medical meetings may not be aware that the audience dwindles substantially on the last hours of the last day of any meeting. Always. This is because delegates have come from far and wide and have planes and trains to catch or a long drive ahead of them. Every delegate knows this, every speaker knows this and every organiser knows this.

Everyone knows.

So, this vote was taken at a time that it was known there would have been many vacant seats.

a red apple ……………………

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It seems the British Medical Association had a Homer Simpson moment a few years ago.

Round about the same time The Royal College of General Practitioners had a double dose of Homer Simpson moments.

Apparently.

What about?

Euthanasia.

The following was written after an event that happened a few years ago ie the annual meetng of the British Medical Association:

“June 30 was a Homer Simpson moment for the British Medical Association. At the end of its annual representative meeting, delegates voted to withdraw the BMA’s firm and long-standing opposition to euthanasia and assisted suicide. This leaves the world’s most prestigious gathering of medical professionals in the absurd position of having no opinion on whether killing their patients is good or bad. Doh!

Admittedly, this is an advance on the double-Doh position of the Royal College of General Practitioners. At the moment this august body has a policy of total ignorance: it doesn’t support euthanasia; it doesn’t condemn euthanasia; and it is not neutral.

MA for moral agnostic is not a qualification that most people want on their doctor’s brass plaque. If their teenaged son wants steroids so that he can have a body like Arnold Schwarzegger, they expect their GP to say No. If their teenaged daughter has anorexia nervosa, they expect their GP not to tell her that it is a lifestyle choice. And if the aged parent is depressed and wants to die, they expect cheery advice and a pat on the hand, not a needle.”

In view of the Kerry Wooltorton suicide case and the subsequent myriad of convoluted ideas emerging regarding the right to live and the right to die, it might be worth revisiting what happened at that meeting of the BMA in June 2005.

“Neutrality on euthanasia is so daft a policy for doctors that only two things can account for it: monumental stupidity on the part of the profession or a Byzantine plot to legalise it. Perhaps fortunately for the health of the nation, the latter is the case. Here is what happened in June 2005”

THE BYZANTINE PLOT

The D’oh! moment proved to be a wake-up call for some members of the medical profession. But for others, they missed the moment, and the significance of the whole incident passed them by as they busied themselves in their respective mundane daily doctoring tasks.

My Black Cat’s advice to all medical practitioners is to resign from one committee that you sleep through and use all that valuable time to keep at least one eye open for D’oh! moments.

a red apple ……………………

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The fiery debate about the Kerry Wooltorton case has been rekindled over at Dr Grumble’s blog:

There, a lawyer (Marjorie) has entered the informal discussion. This is welcome, because this suicide has opened up a whole supermarket of cans containing legal, ethical, clinical and moral worms. These worms, having been set loose following the rare and complex circumstances surrounding this case, are liable to be found wriggling around in more straightforward and common situations, if the conclusion reached in the Wooltorton inquiry sets a legal precedent for doctors regarding the future management of patients who have attempted suicide.

This case has several facets.

Three of the most important are the role of (1) The Advance Directive, (2) The interplay between Consent, Capacity and Self Determination, and (3) The legal relationship between the Mental Capacity Act and the Suicide Act.

THE ADVANCE DIRECTIVE

The fact KW carried an advance directive indicating that she did not want to be treated, but only to be made comfortable while she died, has been raised in some of the discussions.

However the KW case was not about advance directives.  The AD was irrelevant since the patient was conscious.  She was in a position to refuse treatment. The case is about imposing treatment on an un-consenting adult patient and whether if so doing would render the doctor in charge guilty of assault.

That is what the lawyers say.

The Witch Doctor can grasp that.

So, forget about the AD.  That is another debate for another day.

THE INTERPLAY BETWEEN CONSENT, CAPACITY AND SELF DETERMINATION

This is crucial but extremely complex.  Ignore it for the moment.

THE LEGAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MENTAL CAPACTY ACT AND THE SUICIDE ACT.

It seemed to The Witch Doctor that a legal error may have been made, because of a clause in  the Mental Capacity Act. There appears to be a conflict between the MCA and Suicide Act.  On Page 6 of The Mental Capacity Act 2005 there is something called a “declaratory provision” which specifically says:

“Scope of the Act

For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that nothing in this Act is to be taken to affect the law relating to murder or manslaughter or the operation of section 2 of the Suicide Act 1961 (c. 60) (assisting suicide).”

It seems to me “The Scope of the Act” is the attempt of the law to avoid a situation such as happened in Norwich. i.e. The Suicide Act over-rides the Mental Capacity Act.

Looking at the wording of the Suicide Act 1961 (c.60)

“2 Criminal liability for complicity in another’s suicide

(1)A person who aids, abets, counsels or procures the suicide of another, or an attempt by another to commit suicide, shall be liable on conviction on indictment to imprisonment for a term not exceeding fourteen years.”

The words used seem to have many shades of grey.  These are complicity, aids, abets, counsels, procures.

The greyness means that individuals may have different ways of interpreting these two acts.  For The Witch Doctor, it seems clear that the Suicide Act always trumps The Mental Capacity Act. i.e. the Mental Capacity Act was not addressing suicide and to assume it did do so was not only misinterpreting its intention, but was placing it at odds with The Suicide Act.

In the initial article by Sheila McLean, The Suicide Act seemed to have been ignored. In fact even the very word suicide was avoided in her summary of the legal situation. Check it out for yourself. I wondered if this omission was intentional.

There is also the debate as to whether omitting to do something is a positive act or whether it is an act at all.

There is a view that an omission is by definition not an act.

The Witch Doctor disagrees with this.

Marjorie (the lawyer) contributing to the discussion in Dr Grumble’s post states that omission is an act.  It is an act of omission as opposed to an act of commission.

The Witch Doctor agrees.

However, Marjorie disagrees with The Witch Doctor’s suggestion that there may have been a legal error or oversight regarding the content of The Suicide Act over-riding The Mental Capacity Act in the KW case.

The following seems to be the key to the reason for the view it is not a legal oversight and could be the reason why most lawyers who have commented on the case seem to be in agreement.

“As a general rule, our legal system does not treat acts of omission as criminal acts”.

However, The Witch Doctor is still of the opinion that if she omits to treat a patient in order to save a life, and she knows that her intervention will save the life or has a high chance of doing so, then choosing not to intervene is a positive act following a definite, deliberate decision for which the doctor must take full responsibility. This responsibility takes on a particular prominence if The Witch Doctor, her medical peers, her patients, and society at large are of the view that one of the main roles of a doctor is to save life. If the outcome is death, she must take full responsibility for that. The Witch Doctor would then be complicit in ensuring the fatal outcome, because she knew how to avoid it, had the facilities to do so, and in addition was the consultant responsible for the care of the patient. The circumstances in a suicide case such as this are quite different from those surrounding a terminally ill patient where a doctor does not have the advantage of knowledge or capability of ensuring the patient does not die.

So, regardless of the law, regardless of the stance taken by philosophers and medical ethicists, The Witch Doctor believes that she would have been responsible for her death because she was responsible for her care. Of that she has no doubt. She therefore believes she would have been complicit in the death.

It is the word – play surrounding “complicit” that is important.

It is likely that someone cleverer that The Witch Doctor could find a way of trying to relieve the Witch Doctor of this burden of responsibility and complicity by introducing a different meaning to the vocabulary above.

But it won’t wash. The Witch Doctor will regard this simply as a facile play upon words.

So, believing herself to be complicit in the suicide, she would consider herself in breach of The Suicide Law.

And she would have to plead guilty.

But it seems she would not have been charged on this particular act of omission because legally the word “complicit” seems to have a different meaning within the legal profession to the other word “complicit” that The Witch Doctor uses on a day to day basis.

(It is interesting that if The Witch Doctor’s act of omission had been not to disclose the driver of her car when an offence was committed, she would have been charged and probably found guilty).

Conversely, if she had not allowed the patient to die, she may have been charged with assault.

But she would have pled innocent because the Mental Capacity Act was not drawn up with this situation in mind but The Suicide Act was, and she did not breach it.

Would she then have been found guilty?

And if so, what would have been the likely sentence?

a red apple ……………………

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What happened in Norwich in the Kerry Wooltorton suicide case concerns me a great deal as a doctor, but it concerns me even more as a patient or as the relative of a patient.

There is a conversation going on at a BMA website just now about this. I was going to post the comment in full below, but it would have been too long so I have posted  here and the comments section in the BMA post should pick it up as a track-back.

It does not require membership of the BMA or a password to access the the original post and the discussion. I have closed comments here so that if there are any, they can take place at the site of the original post.

COMMENT:

A doctor’s clinical role is normally to diagnose with a view to saving life and make it as comfortable as possible for the patient. That is his job almost all of the time. Occasionally it may be his job to let a life go, but that is not the norm. The way to let a life go may be by a deliberate act of doing nothing. Before a doctor deviates from his normal role of saving life, i.e. what he was trained to do, and what is expected of him, there has to be a definite, carefully considered decision made taking many aspects into account. These aspects will be unique to the patient and the situation. The decision may lead to the act of ensuring the patient is comfortable, but otherwise the act may be one of masterly inactivity.

And yes, when the patient dies, the doctor is complicit in the death. How can he not be?

It was however, an act.  He behaved in a specified way, contrary to the norm, following a decision.  The doctor was not a passer-by who didn’t quite notice something was amiss or did not have the confidence to intervene or was in a hurry somewhere. The doctor was in charge and responsible for the patient’s management. It was a decision, an act, a behavior to allow death because the doctor knows how to save life. And that is his normal role.

Quote from the comment on The BMJ Group –Journal of Medical Ethics Blog October 21 2009 at 9.59am:

“In the Wooltorton case, I’m not sure that there was anything too blameable about not intervening.”

I agree. But note the word “too” before “blameable.”

It is the “I am not sure” that is important. Uncertainly is rife in medicine. It is that kind of job. You have to live with the consequences of making a wrong decision and often there are several possible decisions. Consultants are paid a lot of money to make difficult decisions. However, if you are “not sure” life will take precedence over death. To make a decision to end life rather than save it when you are unsure is not the way to practice medicine. It is as simple as that.

It seems the problem was that the consultant who was looking after KW, sought advice.  He sought advice because he was unsure.  But who could be sure? It was always going to be a decision that dealt with an uncertainty. In seeking advice, he likely set off a chain reaction which eventually put the problem into the hands of lawyers who tossed about words and ideas and difficult interpretations so much that they forgot to draw the legal link between the Mental Capacity Act and The Suicide Act. At least, that is how it seems to me and to several other members of the medical profession.

It also seems that lawyers and ethics committees need to get their heads together again soon, because what has happened in Norwich has set a legal precedent that is at odds with the code of practice of most doctors. Indeed, most doctors that I know, placed in similar circumstances would break the law as it now stands.

What is to be done when that happens?”

a red apple ……………………

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Is silliness politically incorrect?

Why do you want to know, My Black Cat?

You are worried about Dr Grumble and Dr No?

Why?

They have been caught up with a couple of silly girls.

Don’t worry, My Black Cat, they are both mature, streetwise male versions of The Human Kind. They will have had lots of experience of silly girls. Lots and lots.  They will be able to handle anything that the fairer sex throws at them, for sure.

They can cope with any female.

Don’t worry about them.

But they are calling them “silly girls.”

Uh Huh?

You think they might get themselves carted off to  The Tower or something for using politically incorrect terminology.

No they won’t, My Black Cat. Don’t be stupid! The country is not quite at that stage yet.

Once people start to get locked up for being paternalistic, then they will have to worry about calling people silly.

But no, the country is not quite there yet.

They are not being politically incorrect.

Yet.

And anyway, even if they were, we witches quite like people who are politically incorrect. We find many of them are particularly un-gushing, freethinking, independent, challenging individuals who don’t creep. We find also that they are often the caring ones.

Not the ones who go around with clip-boards “releasing time to care”

I mean the ones who care but they don’t talk about caring when they care, so the silly folks who have a need to listen to “nice” caring self-indulgent drivel can’t work out they are being cared for and who is doing the caring.

And there are plenty of silly folks wandering about amongst The Humankind.

OK. That’s “silly girls” dealt with.  Now you want to know if the term “bad boys” is politically correct or not.

Go away, My Black Cat.

You’re doing this old witch’s head in.

a red apple ……………………

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You think David Cameron is a clone of Harriet Harman, My Black Cat?

CAMERON WILL IMPOSE ALL WOMEN LISTS

“David Cameron has indicated he is ready to force Conservative associations to adopt female candidates to fight the next general election.

In a move which will anger sections of his party, the Tory leader said he was now prepared to impose all-women shortlists for the first time.”

He may indeed be part of the banal clone of politicians who are hell bent on demeaning merit, ability, education, intelligence, and knowledge in this country of ours, My Black Cat.

Who knows what is going through the minds of our politicians nowadays?

Who knows who is pulling their strings?

We witches would not allow ourselves to be patronised in this way.

We would not allow our names to appear on a trite shortlist.

We would not be so insulted.

We are as good as any man.

We can compete with the best of them.

And win.

If we wanted to.

Often we don’t want to.

However, as we have said before, it is possible to turn a crazy notion into an advantage. It indicates we might soon have all-male shortlists for applicants to medical schools so the balance can be restored there.

We witches would have hated to attend a medical school where we outnumbered the male students. What kind of fun would there have been then?

Listen, My Black Cat, see if you can find out if red-headed witches are well enough represented in the conservative party?

Or whether we are being discriminated against.

a red apple ……………………

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It could be argued that when an individual grabs a gun and shoots himself (usually himself) then the intention was to commit suicide.

It could be argued that when an individual hangs himself or herself by the neck, then the intention was to commit suicide.

When the deeds are done, these people are usually not in a position to withhold consent for treatment. They have chosen a Fast Death. This is much easier than a Slow Death where onlookers have the opportunity to debate whether the conscious individual really means what they say they mean, followed by another debate on whether it is legally or morally correct to try to save a life, taking into account the right of self determination.

This decision-making lack of decision-making must be painful for those watching The Slow Death.

The Law in England assumes that capacity is present until proven otherwise, that a depressed person is not necessarily lacking in capacity, and that the right to self-determination in the individual who has capacity is paramount.

So, in England, if you see a conscious person pointing a loaded gun to their head with their finger on the trigger, the default position is that they have capacity and since they are also holding the trump card of self-determination in one hand and a gun in the other, then let them shoot.

Keep it simple.

Keep within the law.

Let them shoot!

As long as you can be sure that they are only going to shoot themselves of course.

So maybe that’s a bit of a conundrum.

Not a good example.

Anyway, ignoring the conundrum, the paternalistic ones of the human race may shout, “Don’t shoot! Come and talk with me and I will help you!”

i.e. you will intervene to try to change that person’s will using the technique of persuasion.

Paternalism, although not yet illegal, is frowned upon in England.

Father figures are not welcome.

However, persuasion is OK. Think of the adverts on billboards and everywhere you look. Think junk mail.  Think sales talk. Think alternative medicine. Think bottled water……

Persuasion is hallowed in England.

It has to be.

We have a nation of people employed one way or another in the tactics of persuasion.

So don’t call your intervention “Paternalism.” Call it “Persuasion.”

For goodness sake!

Here is another example with less of a conundrum.

In England, if you see a young woman with a noose around her neck and she is about to jump down into a stairwell, then if you are paternalistic, by all means shout a fatherly “Don’t jump!” You could even talk in a gentle hypnotic voice to her as you climb the stair to be beside her.

Remember, you might be criticised because you are intervening with her right to self-determination, but in England it is still within the law to be paternalistic.

Paternalism is bad, though. Very bad. But at the moment you can safely assume you won’t go to jail for it. But you can conceal the fact you are using paternalism by calling it persuasion. Then you won’t be an outcast.

The law, however, seems to be on your side if you just stand by and watch.

But don’t shout, “Go on – Jump.”

Because then you would be aiding and abetting.

Mark you, if you shouted very loudly “don’t jump” then that might give her a terrible fright and she might lose her balance.

Maybe somebody would then accuse you of aiding and abetting.

No.  The intention was to prevent rather than facilitate.

But who can prove that?

Perhaps you just chose your aiding and abetting words carefully. It was the volume you used to shout them that had the desired effect of suicide facilitation.

Aiding and abetting in the context of suicide is bad. It is illegal and carries with it a prison sentence.

Watching and allowing is good.

Three words: “Go on – Jump” make you a criminal.

Two words “Don’t jump” might make you criminal too, but you probably won’t get caught because everyone will believe the words, not the scary way you used the words.

But the outcome for the individual with the noose around her neck is the same.

Death.

In suicide, The Outcome is not important.

But The Pathway is.

So they say………

By doing nothing you have acknowledged the prime and noble positions legally and morally of “capacity by default” and “self-determination” in a conscious patient.

You have not aided and abetted.

But you have allowed.

This play upon words means that at night you can sleep the sleep of the righteous with The Book of Law under your pillow.

While you cuddle into your pacifier blanket enchantingly embroidered with the nursery rhyme called :  “The Alternative Moral Code of the State”

a red apple ……………………

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One of The Witch Children stayed and worked in Holland for a while, so The Witch Doctor had the opportunity to visit this country from time to time, not so much to see the sites but to absorb the way of life there in a small town. She liked the place and the people. And the flowers.  She supposed in time she would have missed the mountains, hills and glens. Or maybe, being an adaptable witch she would have grown used to the flatness. She was intrigued how almost everyone in The Netherlands has a symbiosis with their bicycles in much the same way as we witches have with our broomsticks.

They seemed a tall nation and since all witches have big feet, The Witch Doctor quickly spread the news to the witching community that this little Dutch town is a place where witches could find shoes that fit.

There were very few fat people in this little town. Presumably this was related to their daily cycling habit.

There was something about the Dutch personality that The Witch Doctor liked but she didn’t know quite how to describe it. They seemed polite and friendly but not gushing or demanding. They were a sensible lot who would not be intrusive or stick their noses into other peoples’ business but nevertheless be helpful if the need arose.

We witches like that.

The Witch Doctor also recollects that this is one of the few countries of the world where MRSA is not a problem due to the good common sense of the Health Service there when this irksome little organism first appeared on the scene.

With all of this in mind, The Witch Doctor was recently a bit surprised to read this on a Common Purpose Website. (Category A2 information)

“In the Netherlands, where there is little or no tradition of citizenship, Common Purpose has a difficult job: to engage individuals from all parts of the community, and inspire them to transform society.”

Els Swaab, Amsterdam Municipal Theatre; Dutch National Bank

In what way exactly would Common Purpose want to transform the society of this country.  And why?

Why does Common Purpose, which started off as a small a UK charity, feel it is required there?  Do the Dutch people feel a need in their country for CP’s charitable acts ?  Did they ask them to come? What are these charitable acts costing the Dutch people and do they see a gain?

Would someone from The Netherlands please inform The Witch Doctor if her judgment is becoming impaired and whether The Dutch need themselves transformed using the Common Purpose leadership agenda?

After all, the Common Purpose Folk say they are having a difficult job there with you all. You don’t seem to be conforming to their matrix.

Would it not be fairer to them if you just told them to go home?

Or something?

Back sometime……..

a red apple ……………………

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The Euthanasia Society of America was founded way back in 1938. The theme of full blown euthanasia was too radical to be accepted and instead the accent was placed on the concept of informed consent and a patient’s right to refuse unwanted treatment. Although renamed “The Right to Die Movement” it is likely that euthanasia remains the ultimate aim and is being achieved by gradual social engineering over many decades.

Somewhere The Witch Doctor came across the view recently that The Death with Dignity Act allowed physicians in Oregon to administer a lethal injection. This is not the case. The patient is responsible for the self administration of lethal doses of oral drugs which have been prescribed by a physician and dispensed by a pharmacist.

The safeguards relating to The Death with Dignity Acts in both Oregon and Washington are outlined below.

Notice Section 16.

1. The patient must be a competent adult (age 18 or over).

2. The patient must be a resident of the state of Oregon or Washington.

3. The patient must be capable of self-administration (only the patient can take the medication him or herself).

4. The patient must be terminally ill, defined as someone with an incurable illness who is expected to die within six-months or less.

5. A second physician must confirm the terminal diagnosis.

6. If either physician suspects the request for aid in dying is motivated by depression or coercion, a third examination by a psychologist or psychiatrist is required.

7. Only the patient himself or herself can initiate the request.

8. The patient must make two oral requests for the medication, separated by a minimum 15-day waiting period.

9. The patient must make a third written request witnessed by two people who know the patient and who can testify, if necessary, that the request was an informed and rational once.

10. Witnesses cannot stand to gain financially from the patient’s death.

11. Prior to writing the prescription, the physician must confirm that the patient is both still competent and capable of self administration.

12. The physician is required by law to counsel the patient on alternatives to a hastened death, including hospice, palliative care and pain management.

13. The physician must recommend, but not require, that the patient inform his or her family of the decision to hasten death.

14. No insurance policy or contract can be made invalid if a patient uses the law to hasten death.

15. The patient can change his or her mind at any time.

16. Any physician, pharmacist or medical facility opposed to aid in dying does not have to participate.

17. If a death occurs under the law the physician is immune from any civil or criminal liability.

In the UK, as a result of the “allowed” suicide in Norwich, there is now a precedent set that may result in doctors in the UK having no choice LEGALLY but to ALLOW suicide to occur in the context of this recent interpretation of the MCA. ie by doing nothing, they are participating in that death and therefore have no option but to opt in or abandon their patient in an emergency situation. ie unlike in Oregon and Washington, they cannot opt out.

Although the circumstances are different by a hairsbreadth, it could be argued that the UK has now moved further down the euthanasia road compared to Oregon and Washington.

Unlike the USA, if the recent precedent in the UK is now accepted, the wings both of doctors and the institutions they work in have been well and truly clipped.

Enter The Will of the State.

a red apple ……………………

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Andy Cowper made a comment on one of  Dr Grumble’s recent posts.

He introduced a term usually heard in legal context.

“Beyond reasonable doubt.”

This concept seems to The Witch Doctor to be important in the allowed suicide of Kerry Wooltorton.

The Witch Doctor wonders how many doctors, if faced with the decision to allow this young woman’s life to end, could say to themselves that it was “beyond reasonable doubt” that suicide was really intended at the time the decision not to treat was made.

Furthermore, even if it seemed it was “beyond reasonable doubt” then, how many doctors could say “it was beyond reasonable doubt” that she would be sure she wanted to die a week onward, a month onward, a year onward, five years onward, a lifetime onward.

None, probably.

So, are patients to be allowed to die nowadays when the criteria of “beyond reasonable doubt” is not satisfied?

Is that what medical students are now going to be taught?

Is this how the next generation of doctors will be expected to behave?

Can this term ever be satisfied longitudinally in the context of suicide?

I think not.

This week, it was reported that a widow received a settlement following the death of her husband in a hospice.

Why?

It was because the controversial Liverpool Care Pathway was initiated.

However, it is reported that the patient was “cured” of his “terminal” cancer and was in fact was suffering from a treatable pneumonia.

Presumably though, the consultant concerned who decided on the terminal “treatment” felt it was “beyond reasonable doubt” that the patient would die soon from recurrent cancer.

This brings to mind a lesson that The Witch Doctor remembers way back as a medical student.

“Never diagnose cancer without histology.”

Maybe  The God Doctors among us don’t need histology.

The Witch Doctors, however, are not so clever.

a red apple ……………………

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During the witching hour, we witches were all saying how much we despair of The Humankind.

We ration our contacts with The Humankind.

They drive us batty!

We think they are like a flock of daft sheep!

Here is the evidence.

Watch this first:

MUSIC MADE FOR WITCHES

MORE MUSIC TO MAKE WITCHES WEEP

Now, when you’re emotionally stable again, read this and watch the videos.

SOMEWHERE ELSE

Proof of daftness!

If ever there was!

Eh, My Black Cat?

a red apple ……………………

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The Witch Doctor remembers reading some time ago that an insurance company in the USA had sent out letters to cancer patients telling them that a particular expensive palliative chemotherapy prescribed for them by medical staff would not be funded. However, in the same letter they gave them the good news – they would, however, be happy to fund a prescription for assisted suicide.

Apparently this benevolence caused a bit of a stir in the USA and the company concerned back-peddled and said it was a clumsy administrative error.

Clumsy?

Sure.

Apparently it was such a clumsy error that the establishment concerned will no longer put this in writing.  Instead, someone will phone the patient and discuss the options with them.

We would agree a positive, sympathetic voice is always less clumsy than factual, chilling text at times of great anxiety.

Wouldn’t we, My Black Cat?

The right kind of voice, at the right time, can be very reassuring and persuasive.

And comforting.

Can’t it, My Black Cat?

REASSURING COMFORT

The Witch Doctor couldn’t find where she first read about this information that had found its way into the depths of her brain. However, last Saturday, by magic, a second diet of the information fluttered from cyberspace on to her computer screen.

This time it was from a different source.

So, now she has read about it twice. Therefore, this serious matter might well be true and therefore requires equally serious consideration.

The epicentre of these events was that corner of the world where Qalys were born.

Oregon.

It seems it that those from Oregan Health Plan (OHP) wrote to patients with the bad news followed by the ultimate, dignified, but irreversible good news.

Some years before, Oregon voters approved a new act. They say some voters thought they were voting for compassionate care and better pain control towards the end of their lives. They say some thought they were voting for the right of self-determination in the sense that their opinion would always be sought before embarking on rigorous treatment in an attempt to prolong a life that was ending.

Choice.

It seems reasonable to vote for Choice.

It is understandable that, if asked, most of The Human Kind will vote for Choice.

Just as, if asked, they would vote for Liberty.

After all, this act had a name that gave great comfort.

It was called the “DEATH WITH DIGNITY ACT”

The beginning of Creep always seems reasonable and rational and right.

That is why only witches notice the beginning of Creep.

That is why witches in the UK are right now questioning the meaning of the word “Choice.”

Just as they are questioning the meaning of the word “Change”

Just as they are questioning the meaning of the word “Leadership”

Just as they are questioning the meaning of the word “Democracy.”

Change, Choice, Leadership, Democracy

They are all words that are reasonable and rational and right.

Eh, My Black Cat?

a red apple ……………………

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The Hemlock Society is no longer in existence.

It has been renamed. This is probably just as well because “The Hemlock Society” seems to conjure up thoughts of a tragic yet romantic nature.

There is nothing romantic about suicide.

It is probably no coincidence, nevertheless, that there is a strong link with Oregon.

Oregon, I understand, is where Derek Humphry now lives.

Derek Humphry, an American journalist born in the UK founded the Hemlock Society in 1980 in a garage in Santa Monica, California. He was perhaps strongly influenced by his own personal tragedy. This right-to-die movement fought for “voluntary euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide to be made legal for terminally and hopelessly ill adults.” This work continues.

It is of interest though, that in 2006, Derek Humphry said the following:

“For the 25 years that I have been campaigning for the right to choose to die, and get help with it, I have kept my arguments confined to the terminally ill and the hopelessly ill competent adult. People are always asking me why don’t I include the mentally ill in the struggle.”

He gave nine reasons for this.

This was his 9th reason:

“I gently tell such troubled people that I don’t think anybody is going to help them to die — it’s just too much to ask — and if they are still determined to leave this world they must handle it themselves. Some do, most don’t so far as I can tell, at least, not until later on.”

It is just too much to ask…….

a red apple ……………………

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The Witch Doctor has, for many years, kept an eye on Oregon USA.

Why is this?

Well, she first heard of Oregon when she was spirited away by the NHS many years ago for a brainwashing management course. This took place in a posh hotel by the seaside. It was compulsory.

It was there that The Witch Doctor first heard about Qalys.

Oregon is the home of Qalys.

The details regarding what she learned and what she thought about Qalys are for another day.

However, she was unusually vocal at this meeting regarding Qalys. She said Oregon would become the epicentre for voluntary euthanasia.

“Just wait and see,” she said.

In fact she said much more than this. But that too is for another day.

Some present at the meeting thought The Witch Doctor had lost the plot.

But then, nobody there was aware they were in the presence of a witch of considerable stature within the witching community. If they had known that the might have listened to what she had to say.

Here is what this witch is saying now, to all of those who attended that meeting:

I told you so!

The Creep is now well on its way and the Oregon way of death has spawned into Washington State too.

In addition, there is an Act floating about on the other side of the Atlantic just now called:

“AMERICA’S AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE CHOICES ACT 2009 (HR3200)”

The intent of this legislative proposal is:

“To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth of heath care spending and for other purposes.”

Note: “for other purposes”

What purposes do you suppose they might be?

Eh, My Black Cat?

a red apple ……………………

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THE CASTING OF A WICKED SPELL

We are recovering from a busy night in The Spell Pantry, My Black Cat and I.

The Big  Jar

Powdered Magic

Exceedingly dangerous butter

Orange peel, not carrot

Crystals of  Sweetness

Sticky Liquid Sweetness

Ready for the Magic

A view in side The Big Cauldron

A Flattened Spell

Two slabs of The Ultimate Magic Sweetness

A view inside The Small Cauldron

After The Incantation

A Bloggers Helping of Magic

a red apple ……………………

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Mr Cameron, I hear you are entering the eBay scene late in the day!

(Or is it Mr Lansley, My Black Cat?  Who cares – lets go straight to the top man!)

Now, Mr Cameron, you may find this difficult to believe, but this ancient witch is The Witch Queen of eBay!

She was probably buying and selling stuff on eBay when you were just a boy in short pants.

Because The Witch Doctor has bought and sold lots of stuff on eBay, she has lots and lots of feedback.

The Witch Doctor has 100% feedback.

Do you know what this means?

It means that this witch has learned to work the system so nobody ever gives her bad feedback.

That’s right. The Witch Doctor NEVER gets bad feedback.

She has never had less than 100% feedback for any transaction.

Not Ever.

Let me tell you, Mr Cameron, just a few ways how to work the system so you get 100% feedback.

AS A SELLER

1. Your little corner of the eBay world should look either clean and business-like or beautifully artistic but in an understated way. Unless you are very clever and know exactly what you’re doing don’t use Flash or any form of animation. There should be nothing tacky about the design even if you are selling tacky goods. THIS MAKES YOU SEEM PROFESSIONAL.

2. You need a decent digital camera. Lots of excellent quality photographs of the wares you are selling are essential. Any flaw in the goods you are selling should be demonstrated in a close up photograph. You should describe the flaw in detail. If there is no flaw just pretend there is one. THIS MAKES YOU SEEM HONEST.

3. Start the bids at a low price. THIS MAKES YOU SEEM FAIR

4. Wrap the goods up beautifully as if it is a birthday present for someone very special. THIS MAKES YOU SEEM CARING

5.  Post them to the buyer the day after the auction ends. THIS MAKES YOU SEEM PUNCTUAL

Now, The Witch Queen of eBay may the most unprofessional, dishonest, unfair, uncaring and always late eBayer in the world, but nobody will know.

If you keep up this act until you have say 1000 positive feedbacks, each one 100% then everyone will be thronging around your auctions willing to buy.

Then, if you are crooked you can strike! You sell a ruby that belonged to Queen Elizabeth 1, or a piece of moon rock or a genuine Cezanne and everyone will believe you!

People can act the part Mr Cameron.

Even dangerous people.

Patients were keen to have Dr Shipman as their GP.

He would have had excellent patient feedback.

And Mr Cameron, just a whisper in your ear…….

Both sellers and buyers give feedback on eBay.

It works both ways.

Patients about individual doctors.

Doctors about individual patients.

Both ways….

Eh?  Mr Cameron.

PS In case you have nothing to sell but instead you want tips on how you can get 100% feedback as a BUYER then just drop My Black Cat a line, Mr Cameron.

She may or may not reply.

(Actually, My Black Cat, eBay sellers and buyers are much more sensible than we are making out, but since Mr Cameron and Mr Lansley are turning somersaults in the political circus ring in an attempt to attract votes, they won’t listen to proper advice about how patients with any wits are quite able to make their own judgments about doctors without the machinations of politicians)

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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Way back when, Common Purpose had a different logo.

Here it is.

My Black Cat is getting very excited.

She calls it a Symbol not a Logo.

She loves Symbolism.

She says Symbolism is a necessary ingredient of a Conspiracy.

She loves Conspiracies.

She wants to know the meaning of this Logo Symbolism.

Can anyone tell her?

So The Witch Doctor can get some peace!!!

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

Listen, My Black Cat, do you understand what the European Union is all about?

No.

Do you understand what the Lisbon Treaty is all about?

No.

Do you know anyone who does?

No.

Neither do I.

No matter, My Black Cat. Ireland has had TWO referendums referenda referendums on The Lisbon Treaty.

Not one but two. One for, one against.

Deuce.

Are they going to have a third one to decide, My Black Cat?

No?

The Irish people have voted properly this time. All the tricks of the trade were used tame the Celtic Tiger.

The First President and The First Lady of the EU are likely to be Mr Tony Blair and his wife Cherie.

How proud the citzens of the UK will be!

One of their very own very special Prime Ministers making history like this!

Eh, My Black Cat?

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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There is a powerful conversation going on just now in Dr Grumble’s blog.

Every patient should read it.

Every doctor should read it too and make up their minds about where they stand on this, regardless of the law.

They should also ask themselves the question:

“What are doctors for?”

Perhaps every doctor who agrees that they would have allowed this young woman to die should pin a large conspicuous red label to their white coat. Those doctors, who would have done everything within their power to try to save the life of the patient regardless of their own skin, should wear a large conspicuous green label.

Similarly, any doctor in the USA who is prepared to offer his/her services in the execution of prisoners could wear a similar red label. Those who would not participate could wear a green label.

In fact, the more I think about it, the wearing of these labels should become compulsory for all doctors worldwide.

Those compulsory labels should be large enough so that those with failing eyesight do not have to find their specs. They will probably need to be of different shapes so that those who have red/green colour-blindness can understand the message. Perhaps the red one should take the form of a cross and the green one a tick.

These labels would tell patients much about the inner sanctum of their doctor’s being.

These labels would allow patients to distinguish those doctors who CREEP from those who don’t.

These labels would offer patients A CHOICE wherever they travel in the world.

After all, patients are forever being told they want CHOICE.

So CHOICE must be what they want.

These labels will tell much more about a doctor than REVALIDATION ever will.

Or, for that matter too, it will tell them much more than patient feedback sites such as Iwantgreatcare ever can.

RED or GREEN.

CROSS or TICK.

Patient CHOICE.

I suspect the red labelled doctors would have a quiet life and wither on the vine.

But nowadays, who knows……

P.S. I have this on my bookshelf.

“DOCTORS UNDER HITLER”

by

Michael H Kater

It is as yet unread, because I fear the account it gives will worry me and make me very, very angry with my own profession.

Perhaps tonight is the night that I’ll open it for the first time.

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

There has been child abuse in a nursery in Plymouth.

Criminal checks prior to employment only help for a single moment the second time around.

One of the problems with nurseries and schools is that parents have to trust the system. Normally they do not know individual members of staff well, they have no control over who is employed, and their instincts (which may a good judge in choosing individual babysitters informally) cannot easily be brought into play.

Over the years, at a personal rather than a professional level, The Witch Doctor has had a brush with people, who have criminally abused, and in some cases murdered, children.

The first concerns a secondary school:

One of The Witch Doctor’s teachers is now serving a prison sentence for child abuse. He was fully qualified having had gone through university and teacher training college.  Who knows whether other teachers had any suspicions about his activities way back then. They should have had, since many of The Witch Doctor’s school-mates were uneasy about him and his name sometimes cropped up in cycle-shed gossip.

However, he slipped through the net for decades.

The second concerns a nursery school:

The Witch Doctor used to drive a colleague to pick up her child from a nursery in the grounds of a nearby hospital. One evening, about 30 minutes after collecting my colleagues child, a father equipped with a gun, entered the nursery and murdered his own child in the presence of the other children and staff. The father was a hospital worker. He had become crazed with anger relating to a dispute with his wife.

The third concerns a mass murderer of many young primary schoolchildren:

The Witch Doctor refused to let one of her own children participate in an activity with someone who was considered to be a “kindly volunteer.” The reason? No, she is not an overly precious parent.  However, she knew nothing about this man so why on earth should she trust her child with him? His name was Thomas Hamilton.

The fourth story was over twenty years ago. It cannot be told because it is no more than a suspicion in the depths of The Witch Doctor’s mind. There is no proof.

There is no doubt that professionals can be guilty of abuse and murder. The Witch Doctor, though, would be interested to know to what extent being a member of a true profession with demanding admission requirements, followed by long and difficult training under the close supervision of teachers as well as the scrutiny of peers might offer a degree of protection by decreasing access or filtering out those individuals showing traits that might lead to future abuse.

Maybe it does.

Maybe not.

It is important to know this now, since society has recently moved into a system where skills and competencies are replacing more prolonged and intellectually taxing courses. This, among other reasons, is thought by some to cost less. In addition, volunteering may be encouraged much more than it is at present – the kind of volunteering that requires one to one contact alone with the vulnerable. Volunteering comes cheap. Consequently, it might become much easier for disturbed individuals to wheedle their way into jobs that fuel the needs dictated by their psychological flaws. Many more may slip through the net. This may be relevant not only for childcare and teaching but for the care of the elderly also.

It is time look out this information. It must be available somewhere.

The design of the studies and the statistics used need to be scrutinised too.

This is more important than nit-picking away at police officers’ informal childcare arrangements.

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

My Black Cat and I have been confounded for some time about the meaning of Democracy.

This came to a head the other day when we became extremely perplexed over the ridiculous assumption that all human beings MUST be viewed as  Child Abusers until the Thought Leaders gave the nod of clearance to individuals they deemed to be safe.

How would they know!

We wondered if Democracy meant total state control and loss of all individual freedom and judgement. This was because we assumed we live in a Democracy.

Wrong!

Dr No has cleared up this matter nicely for us. Democracy is rare. We don’t live in one. We live in an oligarchy, which, like a democracy, is a deviant form of government.

We live in a Pretend Democracy.

This makes life much easier to understand!

That’s one of our many problems solved, My Black Cat.

My Black Cat is grateful to Dr No for this information because it seems to justify the way we always vote. Regardless of which political party is in power, we cast the Anti-Hubris Vote at the polling booth and if necessary we back it up with the Anti-Hubris Spell as well.

Belt and braces, My Black Cat.

So thank you, Dr No. We will now ignore the word “democracy” when we see it, and be very suspicious when any group repeatedly labours that word because we will know they are spinning like a top in order to confuse.

Instead we will talk about “Freedom.”

Do you suppose we will now have to set to work defining “Freedom,” My Black Cat?

Incidentally, my clever cat has traced a significant Intertwinglement between Common Purpose and Ofsted. We are glad that this government department will be reviewing the warning given to the two policewomen regarding their childcare arrangements.

Zenna Atkins is the Chair of Ofsted. Presumably she will have views on this matter. She is a leader. Her name appears both in Julia Middleton’s book “Leading Beyond Authority” and on the Common Purpose website. The Intertwinglement therefore satisfies both Grade A1 and A2 criteria.

Here are some more of Zenna Atkins’ views in The Guardian:
.

CIVIL SERVICE DAMNED AS “UTTERLY ANTIQUATED”

“The civil service, she added was ‘overpopulated with highly intelligent people who can’t do simple, menial tasks, simply or menially’. It was also full of fiercely risk-averse people ‘because no civil servant ever got fired for doing nothing. They get fired for doing something.’

Atkins made the comments while discussing a report on leadership from Common Purpose, an organisation that offers training for leaders and managers. “

Back sometime……..

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

What’s wrong with you, My Black Cat?

You tail has become all tangled up with The Intertwinglements relating to Common Purpose?

Is it painful?

Yes? And until you get it unraveled, you can’t chase rats?

This is very serious, My Black Cat.

What you will need to do is tackle one little tangle at a time. Where do you suppose is the best place to start?

You think The Jury Team might be matted deep into the depths of a tangle but you can’t find the end so you can’t unravel it.

Well, if you can’t find the end of the tangle it may not be important.  Leave The Jury Team alone just now. Are there any other tangles with the end showing?

POWER2010 – COUNTDOWN TO NEW POLITICS

Never heard of Power2010, My Black Cat.

It’s very new. It appeared on the scene just a few days ago.

“POWER2010 is a unique campaign to give everyone the chance to have a say in how our democracy works for us.

What is different about POWER2010 is that you’re in the driving seat. We’re not asking you to back our goals. We’re asking you to help create them.”

Ah.  That word.  Democracy. We in the witching community are all wondering about that word.  Aren’t we, My Black Cat?  We are having great difficulty fathoming out the meaning. We are suspicious over the way it is being flaunted by certain groups nowadays. It might even be some kind of double take.

What else do you know about Power2010?

They are enraged over the scandal of MP’s expenses. They talk about “broken politics” and how the next parliament needs to be reformed.

It sounds as if they are saying much the same things as The Jury Team, My Black Cat?

What else are they saying?

They say they are seeking out “The Wisdom of the Crowd.” Well, they don’t say that in as many words but that is effectively what they are doing.

A kind of Citizens’ Jury……

I don’t suppose what they are doing is relevant to what we were trying to explain in our last post, My Black Cat?

Or are they data-mining?

“We need you to tell us your ideas – the democratic and political reforms you most want from the next Parliament – through our website, by attending one of the public meetings we will be supporting, or by writing to us at the address above.

You have until midnight on Thursday 5th November. It might be cleaner funding, better privacy protection, a fairer voting system, or giving local people the right to ‘sack’ disgraced MPs – you decide.

All the ideas submitted will then be considered by a panel of citizens selected from across the UK who will decide the list of proposals to be put to the public vote.”

Hey!!!! The Witching Hour of the 5^th of November?

The Witching Hour of Guy Fawkes night, for goodness sake!!!

Gunpowder, treason and plot!

Someone in Power2010 has their tongue in their cheek, My Black Cat!

Notice the cleverness of their logo.

POWER 2010 – The letters WE in POWER as in shocking pink. The letters POR in a pewter colour merging into the background.

Clever that!

Same sense of humour as The Media Standards Trust’s involvement with “The Orwell Prize.”

Same sense of humour as Sir Paul Judge’s “Judge and Jury” of The Jury Team!

We have read so much when we study Intertwinglements, that we can pick up the language/dialect/jargon/vocabulary/style – call it what you will – a mile away.

It’s all great fun!

Eh?

Are there any other tangles that have ends to them that you can unfankle from your tail?

Ofsted.

You think Ofsted and Power 2010 are tangled up with Common Purpose Intertwinglements.

Well, My Black Cat, it may be that is what you think, but remember The Witch Doctor will only accept Grade 1A and 1B criteria as evidence of an Intertwinglement, so you better check it out properly once your tail is free and painless again.

Gunpowder, treason and plot indeed!!!

Whatever next!

THE JURY TEAM

http://www.juryteam.org/

POWER2010

http://www.power2010.org.uk/

OFSTED

http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/

……………………

Back sometime……..

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

If you don’t speak or read Russian you will have missed this advert for a plum job.

It’s somewhere on the site which I believe is The Kremlin’s official site for tenders:

PLUM JOB

The advert is along these lines:

“Invites proposals for “researching the basic ways of promoting state interests with the help of specialized social networks”. The details of the call stipulate that the winner should be able to identify “specialized social networks”, create a database of them, develop a system for monitoring them, and come up with a strategy for “promoting state interests” on them.”

You can read all about this concept of government manipulation of the web in this interesting blog that My Black Cat recently discovered during her search for Intertwinglements.

THE KREMLIN NO LONGER HIDES ITS SPINNING STRATEGY

This blogger invented a new word that tickled us.  We’re sure it will become common usage in the years to come.

“The Spinternet”

There are a couple of sentences that made My Black Cat arch her back.

“Mapping connections between different parts of the blogosphere and understanding how they influence one another – the subject of the announced tender – would be crucial to this effort.”

The concept of mapping connections seems a bit familiar to us and might be to you to if you have been following the chaotic sequence of our posts recently.

This seems familiar too:

“involving the public into decision-making would also allow to blame them for the failed policies. Realistically speaking, no one in Kremlin would let bloggers anywhere near influencing Russia’s foreign policy; they would be allowed to give input on minor issues – or on issues that are bound to fail, so Kremlin wouldn’t risk anything.”

You can watch a presentation given by Evgeny Morozov here:

IS THE INTERNET WHAT ORWELL FEARED?

This presentation was given live in the UK on two occasions recently. In Oxford and London.

There is a slight Intertwinglement but not worth mentioning.

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

My Black Cat and I are puzzled by the word “democracy,” although we are beginning to get the gist of what it means.

For example, in a “democracy” it seems that the Thought Leaders dictate thus:

All doctors MUST be assumed to be Shipman clones!

All human beings MUST be assumed to be child abusers!

The Thought Leaders of our “democracy” will allocate safe doctors and safe childminders after their rigorous investigations are completed on each individual.

This “democratic” country of ours is morphing into something very ugly, My Black Cat.

Rewards, associated with childcare, require registration.

This is not necessarily financial reward. It could be a reciprocal arrangement of free baby-sitting in return.

REVIEW OF BABY-SITTING BAN ORDERED

“The warning comes after Ofsted told two policewomen to end an arrangement to care for each other’s children.

According to the Mail on Sunday, Ofsted told two detective constables, Leanne Shepherd, from Milton Keynes, and Lucy Jarrett, from Buckingham, to end their arrangement.

Ms Shepherd told the newspaper: “When the Ofsted inspector turned up, the first thing she said was: ‘I have had a report that you’re running an illegal childminding business’.

“I straightaway thought she must be mistaken, so invited her into my home to explain we were police officers and best friends helping each other out.

“But she told me I was breaking the law and must end the arrangement with Lucy immediately.”

I suppose a box of chocolates or a bottle of wine at Christmas is a reward too, My Black Cat.

It stands to reason.

I suppose sleep-overs are particularly dangerous and will be banned completely unless childminders designated by the Thought Leaders are hired for the purpose.

It stands to reason.

I suppose since parents and family may abuse their own children, the Thought Leaders in our “democracy” will have identified this dangerous loophole and will be poised to move in there too.

It stands to reason.

I suppose some sort of system will be put in place to validate the safety of the Thought Leaders?

Will it?

Is this government hell bent on causing civil unrest or changing us into a nation of anarchists, My Black Cat?

Or are they just asinine and should be pitied?

Or Both!

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com

So, My Black Cat, this is interesting. Harriet Harman has plans to have the laws of the EU amended so that companies will be allowed to discriminate in favour of women.

“The Equalities Bill going through Parliament will allow companies to discriminate in favour of women…..”

If this is successful, do you suppose it opens the door wide for medical schools to contest that they are allowed to discriminate their applications in favour of men?

In the interest of equality and diversity, and the need for full time doctors at a time of challenging demographic change.

The unintended consequences of creep can turn systems upside down.

Can’t they, My Black Cat?

a red apple ……………………

The Witch Doctor – Link to a random page

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LINK TO UK MISSING KIDS WEBSITE

LINK TO MISSING PERSONS WEBSITE

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© Dlundin | Dreamstime.com