The Tony Nicklinson Case
This is a very difficult case and Tony Nicklinson seems certain that he wants to end his life, as is reported here on the BBC.
I am not sure, how I would feel if I were in the same state as Mr. Nicklinson. In fact as I am not anywhere near in the same state, I don’t think I have any right to comment.
But I do have more experience in this area than most.
Over the last five years, two of my closest relatives have died in great pain from cancer. My wife, when she was near the end, had wished it could have been ended, whereas our son carried on until the bitter end, not wishing it could be terminated.
So I have witnessed two totally different reactions, from a mother and son.
If I am honest, my reaction might be closer to that of my son, but that’s only because I am a very stubborn person and tend to feel that if there is life there is hope.
i also wouldn’t want to put anybody in a position, that they did something against their conscience. I also wouldn’t do something like throw myself under a train, as I know the reality of that from stories told to C, by one of her clients. I also wouldn’t like to mentally upset someone, who was just doing his job.
I am rapidly coming to a conclusion.
Everybody should have the right to do what they think best!
And no so-called religious man or politician has any rights over my choice. Years ago though, when I was down, but not suicidal, I spoke for twenty minutes or so with the Rev. Chad Varah. His advice saved our marriage. But then they don’t make them like him any more.
So to return to the Tony Nicklinson case. I feel that if he wants to end his life, then that is up to him. Provided of course he is of sound mind and capable of making a rational decision.
Is Holland and Barrett A Health Store?
I was surprised on Sunday to see one of Holland and Barrett’s employees outside their store having a quick ciggie.
I though they were a health store?
Or have I missed something and ciggies are now healthy?
My Dalliance With Joan Collins
Joan Collins was on BBC Breakfast this morning plugging a book.
I actually met her once in the queue for Immigration at Heathrow, after we’d both flown in from the United States. All I can say, is that she looked a lot better this morning, as I suspect she’d had time to do her make-up properly.
She did ask me a favour in the queue at Heathrow, which I declined. but then I never light anybody else’s ciggie. Or even one for myself, for that matter! Even if it belongs to Joan Collins!
Interviews Before Execution
This article on the BBC web site, puts a whole new slant on reality television.
We’re back to the public executions at Tyburn that finished in the last 18th Century. The list on Wikipedia of those who were executed there, includes Oliver Cromwell, who was actually posthumously executed, after exhumation of his body from Westminster Abbey.
A Glorious Celestial Display
The next few months are very exciting if you are an astronomer or even just someone interested in the stars. This excellent summary from the BBC lays it out well. Last night, I was able to see Venus and Jupiter above the houses at about six, as I walked to the bus to go to Islington. So if I can see it in Central London, the view must be much better, where there is no light pollution.
The article mentions a Transit of Venus in June. I was lucky enough to observe the one in 2004 from Suffolk.
Considering they occur rarely, Iwas very lucky. In 2004, no-one actually was able to watch their second Transit of Venus, as the previous one had occurred in 1882.
Wikipedia says this about their frequency.
Transits of Venus are among the rarest of predictable astronomical phenomena. They occur in a pattern that repeats every 243 years, with pairs of transits eight years apart separated by long gaps of 121.5 years and 105.5 years.
I’ll try and find the pictures, I took at the time.
The Anonymous Widower 