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- 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis movie'
- 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch'
- Society's ignorance towards child porn
- 'A Judicial Joke'
- 'Verbal sewer' harming our children?
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- Heartbreaking plea to stay with Mum
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What we're talking about
- Mat on 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis ... Shows what sort of society we've become when people want someone dead just so they're no longer inconvenienced. more
- Cheryl on 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis ... Doesn't he know we lose interest in news stories quickly these days, shoot him and get to another story, lol more
- M. on 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis ... A lethal weapon reference Derryn? Getting too old for this s--t. more
- Al Capone on 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis ... First of all the person who provided comment on this issue under the name of Al Capone presented through the Sly Fact File ... more
- Mylene on 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis ... What would Mick Miller have done? :p more
- Put This Baddy in the Binse on 'They'd never be in a Bruce Willis ... This is beyond a joke, people want to get home to their places, this nasty man is delaying people's lives.The police should ... more
- garry on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' i dont care to much for craig thomson but as long as he is there, workchoices is not and thats a great thing. more
- Mylene on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Hinch is just mad that Craig Thomson quoted To Kill a Mockingbird instead of Death in Newport or The Ultimate Guide to ... more
- The Anti Corruption Barbeque on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Every Australian citizen is currently very concerned with the direction our nation has taken over the last decade and the ... more
- Janesse Hurd on Heartbreaking plea to stay with Mum Please lend your Voice and Support to the Four Queensland Sisters......"Kids Without Voices".... for the Benefit and Safety ... more
- Steve on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Jason think you'll find he has already been judged by an independant body put in place by his boss. Or are Work Fair ... more
- Geoff Mathers on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Wonder who paid for Thompson's legal script writers?Would have cost plenty. If he's no longer a member of the Labour Party, ... more
- jason on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Stop trying a man before he's even gone through the legal process. You're acting like a loose lynch-mob, and degrading ... more
- Al Capone on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' I sincerely hope both of the major parties realise what is at stake here. Both parties are currently teetering on the ... more
- Steve on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' If he knew he was being set up why sign off the expenses? I only had taxi driver put through a trip I did not take and I ... more
- Skeptic on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Thomson looked more rehearsed than a Kabuki actor... more
- Senga on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' YOU got Addicted to Corruption, Craig Thomson.Because the system in the goverment is so easy to rort there aren't very many ... more
- Kate on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' Any non profit organisation like a union would still be accountable to it's members. Credit Card Statements are issued ... more
- Jonathon L Benson on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' I trust the Victoria Police and poor ole NSW ones too and the Taxation Department will pursue this joker and put him before ... more
- mark on 'Craig, you’re no Atticus Finch' craig is a federal politition ,we have to believe him more
Dying with dignity: The time is now
OK. We keep telling each other that we live in a democracy. That we elect politicians, state and federal, to represent us and our ideals and our ideas.
Then, how come, once elected, they ignore us? I was going to say they ignore minority groups. But they don't. Minorities seem to get all the attention. Too often it's the majority who can go hee.
And there is a classic case today. I'll admit it concerns an issue I have campaigned for for about 30 years. But I'm not alone. Not according to a new poll just out.
The issue is voluntary euthanasia. Your right to die with dignity. The new poll shows that 84% of Victorians support voluntary euthanasia. 84%! Only 10% oppose it. And that figure is pretty consistent nationally.
87% in NSW. 82% in Queensland. And in South Australia tonight there will be a conscience vote in the Upper House to approve euthanasia, to approve dying with dignity.
The bill is a private member's bill introduced by Greens MP Mark Parnell and they are confident this time it will pass. It's failed before. Of course there was legalised euthanasia in the Northern Territory – briefly - until the Howard Government overturned it.
But the federal government cannot interfere if a state passes such a law. So why is the Victorian government so opposed. It would pass overwhelmingly at a referendum. Are more than 80% of Victorians wrong?
Upper House member Colleen Hartland has tried with a private member's bill.
Her aim is simple and succinct. She has said 'If the patient is suffering profoundly and has given up the fight after considering every alternative, then let them ask for assistance to die in a way the sufferer believes is dignified, and consistent with their values.' And that is right.
Let terminally ill people pass away with dignity and pride and to their own timetable. Don't make them flee overseas to a Swiss clinic or smuggle illegal drugs in from Mexico. Don't make loved ones co-conspirators facing the risk of murder or manslaughter charges just for lovingly responding to one final plea.
Why won't your elected politicians listen?
Blog comments
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Nathan, YOUR charming church has permanently destroyed lives, and NOW you want to dictate their suffering before death? We live in a democracy and people have a personal right to dictate their demise. Just for ONCE show some degree of compassion, instead of flogging your usual twisted propaganda~!
Lenny Monday 2 November, 2009 - 10:26 AM -
Nathan - STILL defending paedophiles? What Nathan conveniently forgets to mention is that BROKEN RIGHTS was actually set up by the victims themselves of sexual abuse, purely as a measure to at least make the church accountable~! Nathan, you can run, but you can't hide~!
Lenny Monday 2 November, 2009 - 10:13 AM -
Why won't your elected politicians listen? Now that is just plain silly, Mr Hinch.
Maybe because they are not the Nazi party who as you probably are well aware had no problems with euthenasia as well as other forms of assisted deaths. Are you seriously expecting your listeners to believe Hitler got it right?
The Australian government has an ethical duty to defend and protect the lives of its citizens, not to assist in their demise. Both euthanasia and assisted suicide contradict that fundamental purpose.Nathan Saturday 31 October, 2009 - 10:21 PM -
Put a sock in it, Lenny. You're like a broken record that plays the same tune over and over and over again to whatever poor old soul will listen. Stop spending so much time on the internet and get a life.
Nathan Saturday 31 October, 2009 - 10:03 PM -
Hi Cinzia~! We could start with two words - BROKEN RIGHTS, and the 115 priests & brothers in Australia who have come under notice of this organization since its inception (1993), in relation to sexual abuse. Sorry but I totally disagree. Its like saying guns don't kill people - people kill people. Religion has killed more people than anything else & there are numerous examples right throughout history, up to and including current day killings. THE most recent and obvious would have to be Ireland. Things are calmer in Ireland, but I'm yet to be convinced that its a permanent ceasefire. To me its an insane irrational war~! The killings are still occurring regardless. Religious leaders have played a significant part in MANY examples of genocide or 'ethnic cleansing'. Let me run through a few recent examples: Iraq, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Israel & numerous surrounding countries, Iran, China & the Uyghurs, Russia/Chaitanya, Pakistan/India, Turkey/Armenia, Yugoslavia/Bosnia, Indonesia, etc. The biggest 'war' at the moment is between Christianity & Islam. We also have religious terrorist groups such as Ku Klux Klan, Army of God, Aryan Nations, Christian Patriots & The Lambs of Christ etc. Sorry, but you will never convert me to Catholicism. The only religion that really appeals to me is Buddhism, purely because of its simplicity. The perfect example to me is Bali. The people are totally family orientated and they have such a gentle loving nature. I am not dismissing the good work done by many priests, but the other (at least) four percent do a HELL of a lot of damage. A recent example would be Ballarat & the church's handling of this situation leaves a lot to be desired~!
Lenny Friday 30 October, 2009 - 2:03 PM -
Hi Lenny - I'm sorry to hear you think that way. It's astounding how many people say exactly the same things as you ... it's almost like parrot talk. The truth is that it's PEOPLE who use religion as an excuse that are responsible for wars etc. not religions themselves. Most religions fundamental teachings are about doing good, right morals and loving God and one's neighbour. I follow Christ essentially - everything he says sounds right and good to me and I believe in Him and love him deeply. Why don't you try reading the gospels just for once, THEN make a judgement. Just a suggestion! Cheers.
Cinzia Thursday 29 October, 2009 - 8:29 PM
