BlogHer - drugs - Comments

The lesson to learn

Nordette — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:23:02 -0500

Tresha, I think your comment is on point for the higher lesson we should learn from MJ's tragic death. Thank you.

Nordette Adams is a BlogHer CE & you can find her other stuff through Her 411.

True but

Nordette — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 14:18:41 -0500

If you take the pills by yourself, it's suicide. If the doctor injects you, it's homicide. If the doctor knows your history of mixing and matching drugs, and writes you a dangerous prescription anyway, it's negligence. If the doctor only knows what you told him or her and your blood work and records support your claims to him/her, then the doctor's off the hook. That's what I learned from watching House. Doctors can't make good choices unless we're honest. :-)

But I get what you're saying. It's dangerous whenenever we try to place blame on others for choices we make. Grieving families could have a field day if we blamed deaths from self-destructive behavior solely on physicians. If Michael had swallowed a bunch of pills alone in his home, I'd question why the doctors prescribed the pills and see it as moraly wrong, but I don't think I'd hold a doctor legally responsible. Even in the case of Elvis, the most his doctors could have been accused of is negligence and enabling. Homicide wouldn't apply if the medicine had clear instructions and Elvis abused the drugs.

Maybe we're in murky waters because we're debating the legal opinion of a news anchor. LOL.

Nordette Adams is a BlogHer CE & you can find her other stuff through Her 411.

Murky Waters

Diana — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 10:53:14 -0500

I do agree that the enabling of celebrities by doctors is a dangerous and serious issue that needs to be addressed. From the sounds of what is being published it's pretty clear these doctors were playing with fire when it came to the drug cocktails they administered to Michael. Charges are probably in order in this case. I do think however, we're getting into some murky waters when we conclude that: "homicide means Jackson would not have died without the doctor's involvement."

There are a number of potent prescriptions in my bathroom cupboard at home. Muscle relaxers and pain killers that were prescribed for good reason and well-within a doctor's legal and moral limits following an accident. If I were to go home and take the remaining pills today they would likely kill me. One could conclude that without the prescriptions I couldn't have done that and without the doctor I couldn't have obtained the prescriptions. Thus, without the doctor I could not have died. Our definitions today set the precedents for our legal action tomorrow and that particular definition is straddling a dangerous line.

In the context of Michael's case what the anchor meant by the statement is true, in the context of a vast many others it's not.

Thanks Nordette

Tre - — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 01:59:26 -0500

Thorough summary Nordette on a tough topic to write about..

It hits us all on so many levels...

I know for me it's just one more thing to nudge a closer connection with all my loved ones and friends....simply being there..always....like there's no ounce of pain going on in a loved one that I wouldn't want to not know about...how can we all stay connected and stay involved and be a more active part of everyone's life we care about...these are the things i'm asking....

again thanks so much for your coverage...

Tre~

tw: @tresha

fb: http://facebook.com/treshathorsen

e: tre@thoughtbythought.net

blog: http://thoughtbythought.net

Older and Stronger Read the Bills Act

DDCPrez — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 15:59:36 -0600

DownsizeDC.org has been presenting the Read the Bills Act for over
three years.

And it doesn’t come in the sunlight only when it’s fashionable.
DownsizeDC.org has generated nearly 150,000 messages to Congress in
support of this bill.

1) It requires 7 days before the vote, instead of 72 hours.
2) During those 7 days the bill must be posted online so that watchdog
groups like Heritage, talk show hosts, and the general public can read
the bill too — during the very time the public is most likely to be
interested in the bill.
3) It requires the bill to be read aloud, word for word, by the clerk,
during business, with a quorum present. This should mean fewer and
shorter bills passed because there are only so many hours in the day.
4) It requires the bill to include the language amended, instead of the
standard fare, like “strike the word ‘the’ and replace it ‘a’ in line
2, subparagraph a, section 5, article C, of USC 123.45″
5) It applies to bills coming up for review and renewal under sunset.
6) It’s a law with an enforcement mechanism, instead of a mere rule, which can be waived on a vote by vote basis.

You can check it out at…
http://www.downsizedc.org/etp/campaigns/27

What's Your Favorite Part?

JessSanders — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:47:17 -0500

I have fond memories of my 2 brothers and I sitting around the table as close to nightly as possible with my parents, talking about our days, our frustrations and wins, have casual conversation and act goofy.

As a parent myself now, I have a newfound respect for how hard it was for my parents to consistently create those memories! My husband and I try our best to do the same and keep the tradition alive.

I see that I am making a difference when my 3 year old feels comfortable initiating conversation. "What was your favorite part of the day, Mama?" he asked me over veggie soup and cornbread this evening. A question that we often ask him through the course of an evening meal. We talked easily about our days and connected. With any luck, we'll be doing the same through his childhood and teen years and he won't have to think about things to say to his parents because he's been having conversations around the dinner table for as long as he can remember.

Unappetizing Company

Patois — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:45:51 -0500

I remember being much better behaved than my own children are. Of course, my siblings and I lived in fear of my father, so I'm happy my kids feel safe enough to act like themselves. But, oh, what I'd give to get through a meal without disgusting sounds or constant bickering! I do buy into the idea of dining together. We do it so often, however, that we're going to dine alone Monday night. ;)

Unappetizing Company

Patois — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 10:44:26 -0500

yeah I think it is just about making yourself and the whole

Crunchy Carpets — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:19:20 -0500

family dynamic available. I make sure no matter how preoccupied I am..to give my full attention to the kids when they are bustin to talk about something.

We also try to do as much as family...walking home from school....watching a fave show together...anything.

Look for me at http://crunchycarpets.com or check out the ladies at www.wetcoastwomen.com

Misery like company

nakedanarchists — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:14:06 -0500

Not that I wish anyone poorly, but I am laughing at others' commiserating about the plight at the table! Our conversations mostly center around the fare: too many "chunky" foods, "you know I don't like this", "eating with elbows on the table makes it go down easier when I'm tired", "If I actually eat this, do I get dessert?", "other families get to eat pizza," and my favorite: "if only we would buy a microwave like normal people, maybe your cooking would be better."

Writing this has inpired me to get takeout tonight :-)

http://nakedanarchists.wordpress.com

great point

Amy Gates — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:41:44 -0500

Excellent point, Sue. Thanks for giving those other examples of ways to spend quality time with your kids. :)

Amy
Crunchy Domestic Goddess

BlogHers Act contributing editor

alternatives exist

sueblaney — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:39:25 -0500

While having dinner together is the ideal, when kids are teenagers often after school sports and other activities interfere. The objective of the family meal can be achieved in other ways... a parent can schedule regular one-on-one time with each teen by going out for coffee on Saturday mornings;turning the radio off in the car; making a ritual of a cup of tea at 9pm each evening...the point is to carve out time where families can just hang, be together and allow natural conversation to emerge. Even crabby teens who are appearing to give signals that they don't want parents around much need to know they are wanted and that parents will make time for them.

Sue Blaney

www.PleaseStoptheRollercoaster.com

www.ParentingTeensInfo.com

What's that?

Amy Gates — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 10:27:34 -0500

"Not to mention that I can't remember having an uninterrupted conversation with my husband."

What is that uninterrupted converstation thing you speak of? ;oP

Um yeah, they don't happen often around here either, at least not until after the kids are asleep.

Amy

Crunchy Domestic Goddess

BlogHers Act contributing editor

LOL You are NOT alone!

Kathy333 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 09:32:48 -0500

Most dinners consist of us sitting down, the toddler plowing through her meal, and then asking if she can get up and play. We insist she remains and talk for a few minutes. She tells us about her day and then we let her go. Then the baby wants down because her sister is down. Or the baby screams for the condiments, no matter how much we have already given her.

So, you are definitely not alone! I just keep thinking if we make this a habit then one day when they are a bit older it will click, and work.

My husband and I don't really have a full conversation until after the girls leave the table!

Kathy

Mama Marathoner

Allbusiness:Working Mothers

Am I doing it wrong?

nakedanarchists — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 08:11:32 -0500

We have family dinners 5-6 nights a week, but they are FAR from harmonious! Between an 11 yr old fighting with her 8 yrd old sister, a toddler and general mealtime/meltdown craziness, the intelligent conversation and daily check in does not flow. Not to mention that I can't remember having an uninterrupted conversation with my husband.

We are so far removed from mealtime harmony that I have put a sign in my dinig room : "The Road to Civilization is LONG and Tedious."

I'm sticking with it, though, no matter how much therapy they will all need after the "family dinner experience".

http://nakedanarchists.wordpress.com