Surprise response to my blog article about the 'right to die'

I received this surprise e-mail today regarding my Blog Article titled: Margo MacDonald's 'End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill'

Dear Austin,

Picked up your blog comments on Margo's End Of Life (Assistance) Scotland Bill and was pleased to see that you generally support the Bill.

I have included a link to the Bill and its accompanying documents which I think may answer some of the points that you raise concern about. For example the referral process. You suggest 3 independent doctors should be involved…our suggestion is that there should be the attending physician (doctor) a psychiatrist to assess the mental condition and competence of the patient and two further witnesses who have and will have nothing to gain from the death of the person ( thus excluding any family member or friend who may be named in a will for example) and this process will have to be done twice… we think that this is a very robust system.

In terms of insurance, this is a reserved matter and we are unable to make any comment on the face of the Bill about this.

Finally I am really not sure about your other point about half the estate of the deceased going to the Government…many people who die do so in circumstances that may indeed be termed 'costly', but this should in no way be factored into their care, or their decision to withhold from treatment (advance directives for example) or decision to end their life if this Bill became law.

But thank you again for picking up this issue…

Yours aye

Peter Warren
Office Manager - Margo MacDonald MSP

I do welcome this response and can confirm full support behind the bill as stated in my previous blog.

At least someone is reading my blog.

Thanks





Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
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This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog Section)

Margo MacDonald's 'End of Life Assistance (Scotland) Bill'

Margo MacDonald MSP who sits as an 'Independent' in the Scottish Parliament is trying to push through a bill that basically allows people the right to end their life if they are ill with no chance of recovery.

I must admit when this was first put forward I thought that it might be a bad idea, I mean how could be be sure people would
not abuse this 'right to die'? Would family members force or suggest that people in their family kill themselves to take the pressure off the family? I hope that this would never be the case but with the world that we live in we have to take this flaw into account.

Margo MacDonald MSP has assured us 'that as a person who is ill' it has the protection that is needed to stop family members forcing people to end their life. Overall I do support the bill however, to make sure that there is no abuse I would like to see some things put in place;

1. If people choose to end their life half of their assets should go to the Scottish Government to help pay for legal aspects of introducing this bill and any other costs that come with maintaining the 'right to die'.

2. Any life insurance policy would not be paid out unless the insurance company allows payments if customer uses their 'right to die'

3. If anyone has been found to have forced someone into using the 'right to die' they would face a murder charge.

4. Three independent Doctors should decide if the person in in question (the person who wants to use their right to die) should go through with the procedure.


The first two of my points are things that I would like to see in the bill, the last two in my view should be necessary. The first two points were made to put anyone off using the 'right to die' for money or any other assets.

In General I do support the bill and I wish Margo MacDonald all the best regarding this bill.
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This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (Blog Section)

Hand's off Lorne Street Culture and Sport!

Proposed Closure of Lorne Street Community Centre in Kinning Park (Glasgow Govan constituency)
I object in the strongest terms about Culture & Sport Glasgow’s proposed closure of Lorne Street Community Centre. To deprive a re-emerging community a space to shape and develop ideas and capacity is a cruel and unusual form of punishment for an unknown crime.

I am offended by the stated criteria for closure "With low usage, Lorne Street has minimal internal space which limits the type and amount of activity which can be delivered" This has been based on outdated statistics and incorrect information. Since 08-09:

Lets have increased by 26%

Users have increased by 59%

Or 6,000 more users and 150 more lets in human terms

There are no outstanding repairs to the building so I would appreciate if you could provide me with a more detailed breakdown of the estimated repair bill from GCC Strategic Asset Management Plan. The £98,800 quoted consists of £84,150 of "desirable" repairs. The review is incorrect as well as out of date. Lorne Street Community Centre has a car park and is well served by the subway.

I also note that other facilities in the city, such as Garrowhill and Ruchazie are not recommended for closure, as they are the only community facility in the area. To close Lorne Street would be to lose the only CSG facility locally and with the uncertain future of Kinning Park Community Centre building the community would be left without any facility. I wonder why Kinning Park School’s Out service could not have been transferred to Lorne Street to keep it within the community. Lorne Street Primary School is in a poor state of repair and is cramped with no room to store equipment and materials that I, and other groups use.

I understand that Invercraig Hall will close, as the water damage is too expensive to repair. Kinning Park would welcome Drumoyne to Lorne Street. This would increase users and lets even further. Some users are out with the Glasgow area, never mind Kinning Park and to paraphrase our neighbours, STV "from Kinning Park to the world"

So much of what happens in Lorne Street easily fits within the vibrant theme of the Community Plan. I know that CSG worry that communities do not relate to vibrancy. This happens organically in Kinning Park and there is scope for growth by utilising the pitches. Strathclyde Police has shown interest in using these for diversionary activities, which will also relate to the Safe theme of the Community Plan.

In conclusion I state again that the recommendation for closure cannot be justified by using out of date statistics and to rip out the heart of Kinning Park for a second time would be to repeat the devastation caused by the M8’s construction.

If you have any questions please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

This article has been adapted from Kinning Park Community Council standard closure campaign letter




Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

Austin Sheridan MSYP, MYP chosen as Vice Charman of Malawi '10 Steering Group

I was elected to take up the role of Vice Chairman the Malawi '10 steering group. There is a trip planned to the African country in Spetember 2010. We have lots of challeneges ahead and I'm looking forward to co-leading the group. The biggest hurdle for the group to overcome will be fundraising. We will be contacting lots of different organisations in the hope that they will donate to our project.

In Malawi we will be working with the Malawian Youth Congress discussing issues from HIV Aids to youth participation. We are also hoping to volunteer in hospitals, schools and orphanages.

If you have any questions then please contact me at: austin.sheridan.msyp@sypmail.org.uk

Posted by Austin Sheridan

Lib-Dem leader Nick Clegg to be Grilled by young people

Nick Clegg the leader of the Liberal Democrats will be questioned by young people on twitter and the UK Youth Parliament online forums! (UKYP thread: http://www.ukypforums.org.uk/showthread.php?p=174777&posted=1#post174777)

This will be the first time that any party leader has taken part in a question time on the UK Youth Parliament forums. He has said he will answer as many questions as possible between 4:30pm and 5:00pm on the 20th January on the forums and twitter and will answer more in a video message which will be posted on the UK Youth Parliament website (www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk)

If you are a young person and you want to take part in the Question Time with Nick Clegg on the UKYP forums then Join the forums and register an account: www.ukypforums.org.uk

Don't forget, the 20th January 2010 4:30 - 5:00pm

See you then!


Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP
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This article can be found at: www.AustinMSYP.co.nr (blog section)

Happy New Year 2010

I would just like to take this opportunity to wish all of my blog readers a very happy new year and all the best for 2010.

I hope this year brings you fortune, happiness and joy for you and all thoes around.

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP

Christmas Message

Scotland's First Minister and SNP leader Alex Salmond sends his Christmas wishes to the people of Scotland in his Christmas message:

"It is important at Christmas time to extend our grateful thanks to all those who work year-round to help meet the challenges faced by Scotland and the wider world.

"In tough times, the Year of Homecoming delivered a much-needed boost for Scottish tourism and the wider economy.

"And as environmental issues become ever more pressing, Scotland's Parliament united across the parties to pass a world-leading Climate Change Act.

"As we celebrate Christmas and look to a new year, Scotland must continue to support economic recovery at home and meet our commitments abroad.

"We pay tribute to the dedicated staff of our emergency and armed services, who work tirelessly and serve over the holiday period, as they do the whole year round.

"Christmas is an opportunity to consider the past as well as what the future holds, to spend valuable time with friends and loved ones, and to consider those less fortunate than ourselves.

"On behalf of the Scottish Government, I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas."

Posted by Austin Sheridan MSYP MYP