The two can affect each other, especially when one of them goes ignored.

The Psychological and Brain Sciences building is seen on Friday, January 24, 2020. (Wyatt Dlouhy/The Daily Iowan)

Wyatt Dlouhy

The Psychological and Brain Sciences building is seen on Friday, January 24, 2020. (Wyatt Dlouhy/The Daily Iowan)

Wyatt Dlouhy

Wyatt Dlouhy

The Psychological and Brain Sciences building is seen on Friday, January 24, 2020. (Wyatt Dlouhy/The Daily Iowan)

Ally Pronina, Columnist February 4, 2020

Mental and physical illness are often talked about as separate concepts, but this is not as simple a division as some think.

People with terminal physical illnesses may experience depression. For example, panic-attack symptoms are both mental and physical, with someone experiencing a racing heart, sweating, and trouble breathing.

I spoke with Emily Kroska, clinical assistant professor in the University of Iowa Psychological and Brain Sciences Department, to learn more.

We dont have data to indicate causality, but there is quite a bit of data suggesting the two [physical and mental health] are related, Kroska said. I have studied how childhood trauma impacts mental health, somatic symptoms, as well as problematic or risky health behaviors. If persistent, risky health behaviors can lead to long-term negative physical health consequences.

Fortunately, psychologists can work at medical clinics which treat physical illnesses.

Integrated care is one model of incorporating psychologists into medical systems that is becoming increasingly more common, especially in VA health-care systems, Kroska said. Psychologists are in-house, where they are able to work with patients and providers. Many of the patients presenting to medical clinics are experiencing mental-health systems, and whether these symptoms are caused by a physical or mental illness, psychologists can often be helpful.

Mental and physical illnesses can affect a person simultaneously. Psychologists should always, not just often, be integrated.

Critics might argue this would make health care too expensive. A research report from psychologists Linda Carlson and Barry D. Bultz contradicts this concern.

Studies of cancer patients perceptions of needs find that they feel under-served in many areas, including the provision of treatments for these high levels of psychological and emotional distress, the report said.

The case of euthanasia is a good hypothetical. What if someone living with severe physical problems wanted to end their life via euthanasia? Mental-health screenings are required for that. Would that treatment their mind?

Critics of this idea might also argue people with physical illnesses can find treatments themselves if needed. Sure, but it would be nice if on top of their mental and physical problems, they would not need to worry about finding care.

Plus, not everyone in that situation is going to admit, or even realize, they need mental-health services. Oncology patients might argue their lack of energy and lack of interest in activities is a result of cancer. New mothers say crying and being irritable results from a lack of sleep and the stress of taking care of a newborn. Yet, all these peoples symptoms could actually be caused by a mental illness such as depression.

Not everyone who has a physical illness has a mental one as well, though it could happen. People in these situations should have their mental health checked and given options for mental-health treatment if necessary.

Columns reflect the opinions of the authors and are not necessarily those of the Editorial Board, The Daily Iowan, or other organizations in which the author may be involved.

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Opinion: Understanding the link between physical and mental health - UI The Daily Iowan

A bill to stop puppy and kitten mills died Monday over concerns for Colorado pet stores.

House Bill 1084 originally would have blocked pet stores from selling dogs and cats. While that was amended out, the legislation still had teeth: requiring stores to use state-licensed breeders, limiting the number of litters per dog and ensuring those animals are treated humanely.

In the end, it wasnt enough. The bill died on a 6-5 vote before the House Rural Affairs Committee, with Democrats Reps. Bri Buentello of Pueblo and Donald Valdez of La Jara voting with Republicans to can the bill. Lawmakers asked for more work to weed out bad breeders and good ones who supply small businesses that sell pets.

Proponents in the hours-long hearing described pet stores as the pipeline for mass breeding operations.

Rep. Monica Duran, D-Denver, said the choice to amend the bill to exclude pet stores was tough, but she didnt want to lose the improvements she thought she could get, from veterinarians, dog breeders and legislators sympathetic to pet store owners.

Im disappointed and heartbroken at what we had to give up, she said before the losing vote.

Duran said she would continue to push to end puppy and kitten mills.

She said more than 4,000 puppies were sold in pet stores in Colorado last year, and some came from breeders with hundreds of dogs and a long list of egregious animal welfare violations.

The bill doesnt affect hobby breeders or others who dont need a state license now. It also doesnt apply to service animals, livestock or dogs used in hunting. Exemptions for county fairs and educational events were carved out of a ban on outdoor sales.

Pet store owners and employees said abusive breeders do not represent the industry, whose operators stake their licenses on operating reputably, and whether theyre being pushed out by animal welfare groups to make way for retail rescue operations that turn a profit.

Pet store owners told the committee that drastically amending the operations of licensed, taxpaying, small businesses would only drive up the prices of pets and steer determined customers to unlicensed and out-of-state suppliers, decreasing both the quality and quantity of pets.

Animal rights advocates urged the committee to protect animals in breeding operations by toughening state laws, including cutting off the high-volume breeding operations that supply pet stores.

Aubyn Royall, an attorney and state director for The Humane Society of the United States, said the decision to take out the ban on pet store sales was not made lightly.

This bill, as amended, demonstrates our willingness to compromise on even the most essential provisions in an attempt to move the needle in the right direction for dogs living in puppy mills, she said.

Mike Morgan, owner of Just Pets in Lone Tree and Centennial, recounted the taxes he pays to state and local governments. He said limiting breeders to 25 dogs is counterintuitive.

Professional breeders have full-time staff tending the animals, including veterinary care, whereas those with fewer than 25 are probably part-time breeders with other jobs.

Ive had breeders with less than 25 dogs, but I dont have them anymore because their quality was not there, Morgan said. The 25-dog limit is a backdoor pet-store ban, thats all it is.

Dr. Jackie Christakos, president-elect of the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association, said her organization supports the overall intent of healthier dogs from good breeders, but thinks more work and more science needs to be put into the bill.

The CVMA opposed the bill. Christakos said the bills limit of 25 cats or dogs per breeding facility doesnt address quality of care by focusing on quantity of animals. She pointed to provisions that arent based in science or veterinary medicine, including limiting the number of litters, having a veterinarian to determine if an animal could have healthy offspring and making euthanasia the vets call.

CVMA is very much in favor of healthy breeding practices, but we cannot support this bill as drafted or with the proposed amendments we have seen, Christakos said. We recommend postponing this bill and engaging stakeholders in order to make (shelter standards) more effective for the citizens and animals of Colorado.

We are driven by our deep respect for our environment, and our passionate commitment to sustainable tourism and conservation. We believe in the right for everyone - from all backgrounds and cultures - to enjoy our natural world, and we believe that we must all do so responsibly. Learn More

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Puppy mill legislation dies over concerns for Colorado pet stores - OutThere Colorado

Find true love at The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe at its Pooch Smooch adoption event on Valentines Day weekend.During Moradas Sunday brunch on Sunday, Feb. 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., guests can cozy up to eligible canines up for adoption in the hopes of making a perfect match.

For the adoption event, The Inn is collaborating with SPOT (Saving Pets One at a Time), a volunteer organization advocating for homeless dogs and cats in San Diego County that are at risk for euthanasia. SPOTs mission is saving treatable, trainable, manageable and misdiagnosed animals from San Diego shelters by providing a system of transport, training, fostering and adoption. SPOT also supports spay and neuter programs and TNR (trap, neuter, release) programs for feral cats.

As part of the event, there will be a Pooch Smooch kissing booth where 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit SPOT. For more information on the adoption application process, please visit spotsavespets.org

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The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe hosts 'Pooch Smooch' dog adoption event on Feb. 16 - Rancho Santa Fe Review

Lifeline Animal Project is an organization aiming to end the euthanasia of healthy and treatable dogs and cats in metro Atlanta shelters. They also run a private animal shelter, where during the holiday season they made sure the animals felt loved and happy! Thankfully, theyve shared videos and photos of the shelter animals enjoying themselves and were hoping it inspiresyou to adopt an animal in need!

The pups and kittens at Lifeline are lucky to have been rescued and in a safe place for the holidays, but theyre in need of furever homes. Lifeline shared the video above of the dogs joyously opening their presents with the caption: These happy pups cant wait to meet you at the LifeLine Community Animal Center! They are all crossing their paws in hopes that they will find their perfect match in time for the new year.

The cats werent left behind either. They also enjoyed toys and treats brought to them by kind volunteers.

By adopting a pet, you are not just saving an animals life but you are doing yourself many favors. There are plenty of benefits to taking care of a pet. For instance, walking a dog keeps the heart healthy, having a companion is always a plus, and more importantly youll be taking an ethical stance against the cruelty of breeding.

Puppy and kitten mills are cruel places where the animals are kept in wire cages for their entire lives, forced to breed and give birth only to wean the babies and then repeat the process. Disease runs rampant in those places and when the dog or cat is no longer of use to the breeder, they are killed.

Save money and a life by adopting instead. Or maybe you cannot adopt right now. Well, dont worry, you can also donate to organizations like Lifeline, enabling them to continue their amazing work!

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Seeing How Shelter Animals Celebrated the Holidays Will Inspire You to Adopt in 2020! - One Green Planet

The bill, sponsored by Del. Mark Chang, would require shelters to take a series of steps to reunite animals found as strays with their owners when possible.

A bill pre-filed by a Maryland House member would set standards for animal shelters, with the goal of reaching a save rate of 90%.

The bill, sponsored by Del. Mark Chang, would require shelters to take a series of steps to reunite animals found as strays with their owners when possible.

The bill would require shelters to make an attempt to identify an animal by checking for license tags or microchips within 24 hours of housing the animal. They would also have to prominently post their hours and the process for owners to recover pets who end up there.

When a shelter decides it must euthanize a pet, the bill would require a series of steps, including checking with other facilities that may have room, or making reasonable attempts to find foster care when permanent placement isnt available.

The proposal would also bar shelters from banning the transfer of an animal based on its breed.

Maryland lawmakers will head back to Annapolis for the General Assembly session on Jan. 8.

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Maryland lawmaker aims to reduce euthanasia in animal shelters - WTOP

The President of the Vaticans Pontifical Academy for Life comments on the Message of Pope Francis for the annual World Day of the Sick. In it, the Pope reiterates the Churchs respect for life from conception to its natural end.

By Luca Collodi

In your work, may you always strive to promote the dignity and life of each person, and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness.

Pope Francis makes this appeal to healthcare professionals in his message for this years World Day of the Sick on 11 February. Life must be welcomed, protected, respected and served from its beginning to its end, says the Holy Father in his message released on Friday.

According to Bishop Vincenzo Paglia, the president of the Vaticans Pontifical Academy for Life, it is a stand that is taking on an increasingly inter-religious and even secular dimension.

In an interview to Vatican Radio, he noted that in October, the representatives of the Abrahamic monotheistic religions had handed over to the Pope a signed common document, which condemned euthanasia and assisted suicide, and encouraged accompanying the sick and palliative care everywhere and for everyone.

Around the same time, he said, a secular institution like the World Medical Association, had also expressed its stand against euthanasia and assisted suicide.

Archbishop Paglia said that it is very important for medicine and doctors to rediscover their duty. In this regard, the Pope calls for a personalized approach to the sick, not just of curing but also of caring, in view of an integral human healing. Even when we cannot heal, the fundamental action is to remain close to the sick, never abandoning them, especially those in the most difficult or weakest situations.

The 74-year old archbishop said that we must flee the temptation of an omnipotent medicine that, when it fails and cannot heal, it must withdraw. This is a technical position based on efficiency that is detached from the humanistic perspective.

Regarding Pope Francis support for conscientious objection regarding issues such as euthanasia and assisted suicide, Archbishop Paglia said that his contacts with the World Medical Association have been positive, because a doctors healthy conscience has been formed to heal, not to eliminate.

Archbishop Paglia said that palliative care is promoted in all countries because of the fear and terror of pain and loneliness. But if all this is defeated, the strong desire to shorten ones life will be done away with. Palliative care, the archbishop said, wants to accompany and surround the life of the weakest with the cloak of love.

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Archbishop Paglia: never euthanasia, assisted suicide and abandoning the sick - Vatican News

ROME Pope Francis urged healthcare workers to defend the inviolable right to life from conception to natural death, urging them this weekend to resist euthanasia, abortion, and other crimes against life.

In your work, may you always strive to promote the dignity and life of each person, and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness, the pope told healthcare workers in his annual message for the World Day of the Sick.

As part of their vocation to life, doctors, nurses, and medical personnel are called to bear witness to the value of human life, even resorting to conscientious objection when pressured to act in any way contrary to life, the pontiff suggested.

Let us remember that life is sacred and belongs to God; hence it is inviolable and no one can claim the right to dispose of it freely, Francis said. Life must be welcomed, protected, respected and served from its beginning to its end: both human reason and faith in God, the author of life, require this.

In some cases, conscientious objection becomes a necessary decision if you are to be consistent with your yes to life and to the human person, he said. Your professionalism, sustained by Christian charity, will be the best service you can offer for the safeguarding of the truest human right, the right to life.

Healthcare workers play a key role in the effort to offer care and renewal to their sick brothers and sisters. Thanks to their expertise, they can make patients feel the presence of Christ who consoles and cares for the sick, and heals every hurt, the pope said.

When confronted with the limitations and even failures of medical science before increasingly problematic clinical cases and bleak diagnoses, you are called to be open to the transcendent dimension of your profession that reveals its ultimate meaning, he said.

What is needed is a personalized approach to the sick, not just of curing but also of caring, in view of an integral human healing, the pope said. In experiencing illness, individuals not only feel threatened in their physical integrity, but also in the relational, intellectual, affective and spiritual dimensions of their lives.

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Pope Francis: Human Life Must Be Respected from Its Beginning to Its End - Breitbart

Pope FrancisPope FrancisPope calls on all governments to ensure access to health care Pope apologizes for hitting hand of woman who grabbed him Obama, Trump tied for most admired man: Gallup MORE called on governments around the world to ensure that their people have access to health care in hisannual papal message for the World Day of the Sick.

Francis said health institutions and government leaders should not neglect social justice out of preoccupation for financial concerns.

Jesus does not make demands of those who endure situations of frailty, suffering and weakness, but offers his mercy and his comforting presence. He looks upon a wounded humanity with eyes that gaze into the heart of each person. That gaze is not one of indifference; rather, it embraces people in their entirety, each person in his or her health condition, discarding no one, but rather inviting everyone to share in his life and to experience his tender love, Francis wrote in the message.

Dear healthcare professionals, let us always remember that diagnostic, preventive and therapeutic treatments, research, care and rehabilitation are always in the service of the sick person; indeed the noun person takes priority over the adjective sick. In your work, may you always strive to promote the dignity and life of each person, and reject any compromise in the direction of euthanasia, assisted suicide or suppression of life, even in the case of terminal illness, he continued.

Francis offered thoughts for health care workers serving in some contexts of war and violent conflict, adding in some areas, too, political authorities attempt to manipulate medical care for their own advantage, thus restricting the medical professions legitimate autonomy. Yet attacking those who devote themselves to the service of the suffering members of society does not serve the interests of anyone.

It is my hope that, by joining the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, efforts will be made to cooperate in ensuring that everyone has access to suitable treatments for preserving and restoring their health, he continued.

The message came a day after the pope shared a video on Twitter calling for reconciliation and fraternity among all people of varying faiths in the new year.

pic.twitter.com/MSxotMPlTi

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Pope calls on all governments to ensure access to health care | TheHill - The Hill

JANUARY 6, 2020 Updated 14 minutes ago

technology

Political advertising policies at Facebook and Twitter have been reviewed - and here's how they'll apply to this year's general election.

Facebook started in 2004 as a way for Harvard students to rankgirls by "hotness". Just over a decade later, it was being blamed for altering the course of a United States presidential election.

After Brexit, after Trump, after Cambridge Analytica, Facebook has had enough. In 2018, it launched a platform that allowed the public to see almost exactly how much money American political parties spent on ads, who they targeted and who ended up seeing them. The policy is mandatory in some countries and voluntary in others - including New Zealand, where only ACT and the Green Party have opted in.

On Twitter, political ads - including advertisements referencing a ballot issue like the upcoming referendums on voluntary euthanasia and legalising recreational cannabis - will be banned entirely, CEO Jack Dorsey announced in October.

The online ad landscape

Facebook's ad library allows the public to see a handful of details related to any given active ad, including from non-political groups or individuals and on non-political causes. For those political parties which sign up to increased transparency, a wider range of data is shared and inactive ads, or those that have already run their course, are included as well.

For example, the Green Party ran an ad from December 9 to 13 inviting people to meet with MP Jan Logie in taki. Less than $100 was spent and the post received between 2,000 and 3,000 impressions. More women saw the ad than men, a 61 percent to 36 percent. 56 percent of the people who saw it were based in the Manawatu-Wanganui region and 43 percent were in the Wellington region.

By comparison, an active ad on the page of a political party that hasn't opted in merely displays the ad itself and the date it started running.

"For us, signing up to ad library report was an obvious step. We believe in a strong democracy where people can see where information is coming from, who is paying for it, and how its being used," Green Party spokesperson Pete Huggins said.

"As social media becomes more and more powerful, we think its important for political parties to be transparent about the information they are putting out."

ACT confirmed to Newsroom that both the party page and party leader David Seymour's page are or soon will be signed up to the ad library.

A National Party spokesperson said only that the party is "considering it, and well make a decision in due course". Labour and New Zealand First did not respond to a request for comment and neither are currently signed up to the ad library.

A Facebook spokesperson also told Newsroom that the platform will announce "specific integrity products for NZs 2020 election" next year.

Facebook and Twitter diverge

While Facebook has strived for increased transparency on political ads, it has come under fire for not vetting ads based on content. When fake news articles are shared on the website, it will often attach a tag alerting readers that the content may be unreliable. However, if false claims are part of a political ad, no such tag is added and the advertisement is not taken down.

President Trump has already put more than a million US dollars into Facebook advertising for his reelection campaign, putting up hundreds of ads that often contain falsehoods. To protest against inaction by the tech platform, Democratic candidate Elizabeth Warren ran a political ad falsely claiming that Zuckerberg had endorsed Trump.

In order to circumvent the tricky role of choosing what political speech to allow and what political speech to ban, Twitter has simply banned promoting political advertising outright. In response to a request for comment, Twitter directed Newsroom to the new policy, which states that "Twitter globally prohibits the promotion of political content. We have made this decision based on our belief that political message reach should be earned, not bought."

The platforms definition of political content is broad and would cover ads related to the referendums on legalising recreational cannabis and voluntary euthanasia. "We define political content as content that references a candidate, political party, elected or appointed government official, election, referendum, ballot measure, legislation, regulation, directive, or judicial outcome," the policy states.

"Ads that contain references to political content, including appeals for votes, solicitations of financial support, and advocacy for or against any of the above-listed types of political content, are prohibited under this policy."

However, promoting posts on Twitter rarely has a major impact and, under the new policy, regular non-promoted political tweets will still be allowed. This means parties and politicians can continue to tweet out their messages, they just won't be able to pay for those messages to be promoted to people who don't follow them.

It is unclear whether Facebook's transparency policies would also apply to referendums. A Facebook spokesperson did not respond to multiple requests for further comment.

Continue reading here:

Online advertising reviewed ahead of 2020 election - Newsroom

Olly Mann and The Week delve behind the headlines and debate what really matters from the past seven days.

In this weeks episode, we discuss:

Reports are circulating that president Emmanuel Macron intends to bestow France's highest award, the Legion d'honneur, on the city of London, for providing a base to the leader of the French Resistance, Charles de Gaulle during the Second World War. Is it a meaningless gesture, eighty years too late? Or one that could serve to remind both nations of their shared history in a post-Brexit world?

Belgium and the Netherlands are considering extending their already liberal euthanasia laws to give dementia sufferers the right to die. The move is supported by liberal parties in both countries, as well as the majority-Catholic Flanders region in Belgium. But following some controversial deaths by euthanasia, right-wing parties are calling for a review of existing laws.

People across New Zealand have been filming themselvesturning over magazinesfeaturing Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on the front cover, posting their videos to social media and hashtagging them#TurnArdern. The protesterscomplains that the PM should spend more timefixingthe countrysproblemsand less time doingphoto shoots. Is Arderns star on the wane?

You can subscribe to The Week Unwrapped on theGlobal Player,Apple podcasts,SoundCloudor wherever you get your podcasts. It is produced by Sarah Myles and the music is by Tom Mawby.

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The Week Unwrapped podcast: Medals, magazines and mercy killing - The Week UK

December 19, 2019 (Live Action News) Irish pro-lifers have been embattled ever since the repeal of the pro-life Eighth Amendment last year, which legalized abortion. Now pro-lifers in the country are readying themselves for a fight on a new life issue, as a poll by the Journal shows that three in five Irish support legalizing euthanasia.

The president of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children (SPUC)lamentedthe creeping erosion of pro-life protections in the Republic of Ireland:"We have witnessed dreadful changes in Ireland in recent years in relation to abortion. Now we are seeing a further threat to innocent lives looming on the horizon. We need to combat these threats by exposing the reality of assisted suicide. Evidence from around the world shows that the so-called right to die quickly becomes the duty to die."

The recent media spotlight on euthanasia comes from Vicky Phelan, who is known in Ireland for herexposure of massive deficienciesin a government cervical cancer screening program. Because of these mistakes, she missed a critical diagnosis window and is currently suffering from terminal cervical cancer. Now, 45-year-old Phelan has emerged as the latest face of the euthanasia movement in the country. According to the Journal, the mother of two told the Irish Mail on Sunday that she would avail herself of the procedure, and that she would campaign for others who want it. Euthanasia and assisted suicide are currently illegal in Ireland.

As reported byExtra.ie, Phelan explained that she believes she only has two years left to live. "I would be pro-euthanasia, definitely. I would hate to be in a position where I was in a lot of pain or lingering, as can happen a lot, that people are waiting for four or five days for somebody to die," she said. She portrayed terminal illness as intolerable for both family and patient: "It's terrible for the patient. It's terrible for the family having to sit and watch their loved one [dying in pain]. It's not a nice sight to see people when they're dying."

Unfortunately, Phelan isn't a minority here. According to a poll conducted by theJournal, 63% are in favor of assisted suicide or euthanasia, making it the next major pro-life target in Ireland. Just 16% reported they wouldnotsupport the legalization of euthanasia in Ireland.

What Phelan and supporters don't understand is that legalizing euthanasia always ends up hurting society's most vulnerable. In countries likethe Netherlands, euthanasia legalization nearly two decades ago initially began with hard cases like Phelan's in mind. But the slippery slope of legalizing euthanasia has led to the endangerment of those with mental illness, the elderly, and even children. It's why former euthanasia activists like Dutch ethicistTheo Boerso ardently warn other countries to avoid going down this path.

A similarcasebefore the high court failed in 2013, but the conversation has since re-emerged, and with major countries like New Zealand putting it on the table, it could force the issue in Ireland.

Published with permission from Live Action News.

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With gay marriage and abortion enshrined, Irish to tackle euthanasia next - Lifesite

Euthanasia, also known as assisted suicide, is a very hard hitting topic. It is seen as an act of kindness to put a suffering pet to sleep, but is much more complicated when it comes to people. According to Medical News Today, euthanasia is defined as a doctor legally able to end a persons life as long as it is by painless means and the patient has persistent and incurable suffering.

There are many different kinds of euthanasia. The most common is voluntary, involuntary is when a person is physically unable to consent and the decision is made by another admissible person. Involuntary is equivalent to murder, it occurs when the decision is made without the patient's approval and against their will. There are two different types of procedures, passive and active euthanasia. Passive euthanasia is when a doctor abstains from giving a patient possible treatments for their illness while others argue that giving a patient strong medications that can have dangerous side effects is also considered passive, even though they are not attempting to take the patient's life. Active euthanasia is ethically questionable for many, it is the use of lethal medication to end a patients life; this is the most common way to euthanize someone.

Voluntary euthanasia is currently only legal in the states of Oregon and Washington, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Many people living in areas where euthanasia is illegal will travel to these areas where it is legal to get the procedure done. According to the 2007 Regional Euthanasia Review Committee, The Netherlands had over 6000 cases of voluntary euthanasia and has increased tremendously over the past few years. Though this number is high, this type of death is not a leading cause of death in the countries and states where it is legal by any means.

People with a mental illness should be thoroughly examined before considering euthanasia. It is never to undermine the seriousness of mental health, but in any case, all other actions should be taken to help the patient before serious action is taken. This is one instance where euthanasia becomes complicated. Mental health is just as important as physical health, but people with suicidal thoughts can request euthanasia without considering the other possibilities. According to BBC News, there was a recent case where a 29-year-old woman chose to be euthanized because of her psychiatric illness. Though euthanasia is most common for physical illnesses, some cases have been argued for incurable mental illness. The woman had several different mental illnesses and said that her pain was unbearable and hopeless, just as the suffering of a physically ill person. In cases like this euthanasia should be able to be considered, but only when all other treatments have been tested.

There are positive and negative things about human euthanasia. To many, euthanasia is morally and ethically questionable. Religious people may see it as morally wrong and a form of murder. It is incredibly important that the patient requesting euthanasia is competent and aware of any other alternatives. Medicine and cures for illnesses are constantly being studied and improved; because of this, there is a possibility that a patient who chose euthanasia could have been saved.

A large pro is that everyone should be able to make their own choices, that is what legalizing euthanasia does for people in an incurable state. People with incurable illnesses go through things that no one else can understand. Instead of a slow death, euthanasia can prevent a lot of pain and suffering from those people and they can die the way they want to die. The resources used on people who are in tremendous pain with incurable illnesses could be used on patients who can be cured and survive. This may sound harsh, but it is the truth. Families and friends of the patient who have requested euthanasia do not have to go through the painfully prolonged death of a loved one. Suffering beloved pets are euthanized frequently because the owners wish for their pain to be over. Pets are different than people, but the same idea applies. The reason euthanasia is legal in certain areas is because it is used to prevent the prolonged suffering of another person with an incurable illness.

It is not to say that euthanasia is good or bad or that all of the United States should legalize it, but it should be considered as an alternative to a slow and painful death.

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Assisted suicide remains a contreversial option for the chronically ill Sonoma State Star - The university's student-run newspaper - Sonoma State...

Kendrick Wells, Tupacs former personal assistant talks about Tupac Euthanasia record label that didnt get to happen.

euthanasia

After Nipsey Hussles passing many felt that Nipsey did more for his community, and Tupac on the hand only spoke about what he wanted to do. This argument isnt much of a fair argument given the fact that Tupac passed at the age of 25. News didnt travel as quickly or frequently as it does today with social media and smart phones. All of which did not favor Tupac, not too mention Tupac always wanted to keep things he did off camera.

One of those positive things Tupac was trying to do doesnt get much attention. Kendrick Wells in an interview with Cam Capone News touched on Tupacs vision of a record label called Euthanasia. Pac really wanted to do some stuff. His reputation changed. Hes a boss millionaire, hes doing everything flamboyant. He really wants to start a label called Euthanasia to help kids and mothers.

All he told me was it was gonna be community based. He was gonna give back. He was start a record label to bring up and sign positive artist, to pretty much do what his originally intentions were. Like I told you before, his original intentions were panther power, explains Kendrick.

Also read: Tupacs Former PA Confirms Suge Knight Bailed Him Out, NOT Interscope

That was gonna be positive. It was gonna be connected to community things. He really saw himself going on the edge as an artist this way. So, he wanted to give back this way.

Money would be an issue in making Tupacs vision a reality. It is well known at the time of Tupacs passing he did not have much money. He had owed a lot of money to Death Row records which included studio time, cars, homes, and other expenses. Whatever the reason, and however the money was being managed or rather mismanaged Tupac had a hard time funding his label.

Kendrick Wells still till this day doesnt know exactly why, but he did find it weird that Tupac wasnt able to fund his label. He really wanted to do some positive stuff. And, to fund this label he really had to get some of his advancements, or some of his money from Suge. And, It was weird when wed go get the money, the money wasnt coming. Like heres some money in your pocket, that money came fast. But when I went to go get money for this label, this new label, it was hard going. We had to kinda get that going from scratch.

Kendrick Wells contributed in helping get things moving with his own money. A lot of my money, out of my pocket, to move people, and do things. And, this apartment we turn into an office for him, says Kendrick. He really wanted to start this label called Euthanasia records.

Listen to: Young Noble Presents: Outlaw Nation Vol 6, Free Download

Yaki Kadafis mother, Yaasymn Fula, also contributed to the label. We got her out here. She moved into that office, says Kendrick. We didnt get any Death Row funding. She moved in and started working. I hired another girl to help her, and they started moving and stuff. They started to get things off the ground but it never came to fruition.

Kendrick Wells recalls the times he would go over to the Death Row office to collect money for the Euthanasia label, and would end up getting the run around. When it was just money for Tupac to spent or whatever, Id go to the office and Here you go Kendrick, envelope, soon as I walk in the door. But, When we was trying to get the Euthanasia stuff together, I go to the office and it be like I didnt know you was coming.

Also watch: Boosie Badazz Says If Tupac Was Alive He Would Have Called Him!

There had been many speculations in the past that Suge Knight wasnt happy Tupac was starting a label. Those around at the time denied ever hearing or seeing any concrete evidence of Suge being upset. One can image from a business perspective someone like a Suge, a label owner himself, wouldnt be too happy of his top artist leaving. From a business stance I could understand. Some things Suge did was genius, as a older man I look at that sh*t. Some of it was kinda foolish.

Read the original post:

Tupac Euthanasia Record Label Plans And Why It Never Happened - O4L Online Network

OPINION: Election year is almost here.

But before we get started on that, Stuff's gallery team has come together to award our ruling class both brickbats and bouquets for 2019.

Quote of the Year: "They are us." Jacinda Ardern in the hours after the terror attack in March making absolutely clear that the victims of the attack represented New Zealand far more than the alleged shooter.

Runner-ups: "Okay boomer" Chloe Swarbrick sent an already-existing meme into the stratosphere when she chided a (Gen X) National Party MP. Swarbrick ended up basically killing the meme, but this was only possible because those two words speak so well to how young people feel about their forebears right now.

"If [Nelson] Mandela can walk out of Robben Island after 27 years and forgive his oppressors, so can I." Winston Peters discussing his relationship with the news media.

"One person's misinformation is another person's fact." Simon Bridges takes a trip away from objective truthin a Morning Report interview.

Chris McKeen/Stuff

Winston Peters was a runner-up for Quote of the Year.

The Michael Cullen award for the funniest House moment: David Seymour's euthanasia bill finally passed in November after a two-year slog. Naturally the moment was joyous for the MPs and activists who had worked to make this happen, but the House waits for no man, and before the clapping and hugging had stopped Todd Muller was already rising to start speaking on his "Companies (Clarification of Dividend Rules in Companies) Amendment Bill" which is somehow more boring than it sounds. As he did this Labour MP Kiri Allan saw his plight and started cheering him on, screaming "let's go, Todd! let's do this!" as loud as she could across the chamber.

Ken Bone award for unexpected bipartisanship:National's finance spokesman Paul Goldsmith, for hisadmission that Grant Robertson's public debt settings were "about right" which briefly ended decades of National and Labour squabbling about fiscals.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

National Party leader Simon Bridges put questions over his leaderhip to bed in 2019.

Steven Joyce award for hole-digging: Simon Bridges was asked earlier this year to describe new UK PM Boris Johnson, and started out by noting a "buffoon-like quality". Realising this may have been slightly impolitic, he attempted to back-pedal, saying many others had noted this quality, that it was a term of endearment, and he was someone who"sometimes gets a bit of marmalade on his chin, who sometimes doesn't say quite the right things, whose personal life can be interesting".

The Edward Snowden award for cyber-security:Treasury, whichmanaged not only to putconfidential budget data online but also to describe the accessing of that data using a search engine as "hacking".

Worst members' bill:Slim pickings this year, with no absolute shockers like Clayton Mitchell's bill to make English an official language (2018) or anything to do with lost luggage. Matt King's bill to stop the media reporting the name of a police officer involved in a shooting is definitely a law going in search of a problem the media don't do this by convention anyway.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Justin Lester had insult added to injury by the prime minister after she forgot he had run as a Labour candidate.

Aaron Gilmore award for not knowing who someone is: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, clearly seeking to distance herself from former Wellington mayor Justin Lester after he lost his election, noted he had not run as a Labour Party candidate. He had. Talk about adding insult to injury.

Ross Geller award for being a terrible friend: Opshop frontman Jason Kerrison for trying to secure some low-level immigration help from minister Kris Faafoi and then going to the media when Faafoi wasn't as helpful as he'd hoped.

Martin Luther award for angering the Catholic church: Brooke Van Velden, the David Seymour staffer (and potential ACT MP) who did the most to make sure the End of Life Choice bill passed through Parliament, against the considerable efforts of the Catholic church (and others besides), ably channelled through former prime minister Bill English.

Twitter

National list MP Jo Hayes sent this nasty tweet late on Friday night, seemingly unprovoked.

The Sean Plunket award for worst tweet of the year: Jo Hayes, the National MP who wasbeaten forselection in the Palmerston North electorate by 17-year-old William Wood, randomly replied to a months-old tweet from a former Labour candidate late at night to say: "OMG Youre such a nastyperson and i hope that people checking you out for future work will visit your twitter page and see how ugly you really are [sic]."

The hurry-it-up award for slowness in public office: To the Serious Fraud Office, which hasbeen looking into the allegations against the National Party made by Jami-Lee Ross for months and months and months. The party is not yet cleared but not yetcharged either. The closer we get to an election the worse the timing will look just ask James Comey.

Rookie on the rise: National MP Hamish Walker has a long career ahead of him. This year he made a lot of political hay over the downgrading of the Lumsden Maternity Centre, to such a point that he entered the preferred prime minister polls. Not bad for a guy who was only elected in 2017.

KEVIN STENT/STUFF

Nicola Willis wins backbencher of the year for the second year in a row.

Backbencher of the year: National MP Nicola Willis, for the second year running. This year Willis, a former staffer for John Key, ran a strong campaign against Julie Anne Genter over Wellington transport. One to watch.

The Postman Pat award for actual policy delivery: Climate Change Minister James Shaw got bipartisan support for his Zero Carbon Bill this year, is passing a law to (technically) bring agriculture into the Emissions Trading Scheme, and is looking to limit emissions at 2020 levels.

Party leader of the year: Simon Bridges began the year with the rot of the Jami-Lee Ross saga hanging over him, and the airing of real questions over his leadership. He's put those questions to bed and has kept the party vote up in the polls.

Politician of the year: Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern had a year for the history books. Her response to Christchurch hit the exact right note not just rhetorically but also legislatively. It was not a perfect year but it's unlikely to be one she will ever top.

Read more here:

Stuff's political awards for 2019: The best and the rest - Stuff.co.nz

Many of us love our dogs and cats like theyre our kids. So when they die, the grief hits hard.

David Haarsagers mission is to help you through that. Its the nicest thing I do, he said.

He is the owner of Heartfelt Memories, an Everett-based business that offers an array of pet cremation services. Since forming the business 10 years ago this month, hes helped tend to an estimated 4,000 pets.

He does his work with the decorum of a funeral director.

Were very, very respectful, Haarsager said. We treat the pets as if they were our relative.

Haarsager or his assistant pick up deceased pets for cremation at a facility in Sultan, and then present the animals owners with an urn containing their ashes, a certificate guaranteeing the cremains are those of the pet, and a clay impression of the dog or cats paw.

Its meant to be a service for those who cant or dont want to transport their pet to a crematorium after they die.

I was the only one doing home pick-up for pets that have passed away, he said of Snohomish County 10 years ago. Im still the only one.

Haarsager also can arrange for a veterinarian to provide at-home pet euthanasia. He partners with eight vets for this service.

He mostly helps with the cremation of dogs and cats, but he will pick up any animal birds, rabbits, ferrets, gerbils, hamsters. The largest pet hes ever picked up for cremation was a 250-pound pig. The smallest? A beta fish.

Kurt and Nichole Menzer, of Marysville, have said goodbye to three dogs with Haarsagers help: Daisy, Duke and Dolly.

Dolly, a golden retriever-German shepherd mix, was the first dog theyd ever had to put down, so it was by far the hardest. She was only 4 years old when she was diagnosed with a softball-sized tumor in her uterus. There was no guarantee it wouldnt grow back after surgery.

Hiring Heartfelt Memories services for Dolly in 2015 was essential to the Menzers because Nicholes mother had just passed away. Having Haarsager arrange everything took a lot of stress off her. They said goodbye to Dolly in the comfort of their living room. Duke, a 13-year-old Jack Russell terrier, and Daisy, a 15-year-old wire-haired Jack Russell, also were euthanized at home, in 2018 and 2019, respectively.

They still have three dogs Dixie, Chase and Zola and a cat named Dehlila. The couple said theyll call Heartfelt Memories when each of those pets reach their end of life.

They said they appreciate Haarsagers gentle voice and soothing, compassionate manner.

Ill never go to another service if I had to put another dog down, Kurt Menzer said. In a time of grief like that, its nice to have someone come along and take care of it for you. Im extremely thankful because our pets are like our kids.

Michael and Sarah Niemer, of Lake Stevens, recently lost Lammy, an English pointer with a severe autoimmune disease. He was only 6 when he had to be put down this November.

My husband and I were an emotional wreck, Sarah Niemer said. They were incredibly professional and compassionate everything I could have hoped and wished for during this difficult time.

Haarsager made their children, Annelise, 9, and Boden, 8, clay paw prints to keep. The kids plan to decorate them.

Sarah said she still expects to hear Lammys bark when she pulls into the driveway or see him greeting the kids as they get off the school bus. Hed watch for them from his perch on their play set in the back yard.

He was a really good dog, and he deserved a good death, she said. (They) provided that for him.

It was a Sunday in October when Tim and Nanette Connor, of Woodinville, said goodbye to Coco, their chocolate Lab. She was 9. Coco had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer that caused her great pain. When she no longer greeted Tim as he got home because she was avoiding the stairs, he knew it was time.

You have to do it when its the right time for them, not the right time for you, because that time will never come for you, he said.

They didnt want to wait after making the decision, so they had Haarsager and a vet drive out that same day.

Cocos urn and clay paw print now sit on a shelf next to the urns of Tim Connors mother and father.

Coco was more than just a dog, she was part of the family.

Haarsager, 65, has had pets all his life. Hes loved and lost a number of dogs and cats even a salamander named Sir Isaac the Newt.

He keeps the ashes of a beloved cat in an urn. She was named Taz, after the Looney Tunes Tasmanian Devil, and she had long black-and-white fur. He made his own clay paw print memento.

Our kitty was very affectionate, Haarsager said. She gave us a lot of love.

About 10 years ago, he and his wife, Elizabeth, had Taz euthanized at a vet clinic. She was 16 and her liver was shutting down. Even with both of them there, Taz was so scared that she bit and scratched Elizabeth. His wife had to get a tetanus shot.

It wasnt a very good memory, he said.

Not long after they said goodbye to Taz, David Haarsager was chatting with a veterinarian about pet cremation services and how they wished they had done home euthanasia and realized he could start his own business.

Haarsager launched Heartfelt Memories in 2009. He built a website and got his first call that December.

He works out of his home and is available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. But Haarsager said he will help whenever he is needed. Call him at 206-571-4439.

The Heartfelt Memories website has a list of transportation, pet hospice, veterinary and grief resources. Go to http://www.heartfeltmemories.pet for more information.

You also can download a free e-book, Is It Time to Say Goodbye? A Guide for Considering a Difficult Decision for Your Pet, by Timothy J. OBrien. Haarsager recommends the book to his clients because OBrien is an expert on grief management.

OBrien guides readers through making end-of-life decisions for their pets. His book also goes over the three types of grief, what to expect before and after the procedure, how to deal with feelings of loss and when is the right time to get a new pet.

Pet loss is sometimes worse than losing a mother or father, Haarsager said, adding that he still has a 9-year-old black cat named Cosmo. Sometimes our pets are our closest relationships.

Haarsager also is dealing with his own grief. He lost his wife last year to esophageal cancer. She was 51.

He said running his business is good therapy for him.

Helping other people with their grief is helping me with my grief, he said. Its been a wonderful, wonderful outlet.

Sara Bruestle: 425-339-3046; sbruestle@heraldnet.com.

Gallery

David Haarsager started Heartfelt Memories 10 years ago in Everett. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

David Haarsager takes a heart-shaped clay paw print impression of Sprite, a 12-year-old dog that passed away in Lynnwood. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

David Haarsager (left) hands Sprites paw impression to her owner, Wesley Clement. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)

Coco the chocolate lab passed away in October. She was 9. (Tim Connor)

Dolly the golden retriever-German shepherd mix died in 2015. She was 4 years old. (Kurt Menzer)

Lammy, an English pointer with a severe autoimmune disease, passed away this November. He was 6. (Sarah Niemer)

Duke, a Jack Russell terrier, and Dolly, a golden retriever-German shepherd, both are now gone. Duke was 13 and Dolly was 4. (Kurt Menzer)

Daisy, a wire-haired Jack Russell terrier, died in October. She was 15 years old. (Kurt Menzer)

Read more from the original source:

His mission: Care and compassion when a beloved pet dies - The Daily Herald

I am throwing out articles about euthanasia, and now pain in December? What kind of holiday spirit is this? The truth is that talking about pain warms my heart for one reason I can do a lot to help it. Pain is sorely (see what I did there?) underdiagnosed in our pets because they arent whiny enough. I cant even count the number of times Ive heard that a pet is limping, but not painful. If your pet is limping it is BECAUSE they are painful.

Often during a physical exam, I will find an area of a pet that is painful which owners were not even aware of. However, when we talk about changes at home, owners have noticed things that may actually be related to pain. Reluctance to jump or go on walks, snapping in certain situations and other changes can be due to pain. The important thing to know is that if your pet is limping at any point, that is due to pain. I promise. Once we figure out a treatment plan that works, we can return pets to comfort and people are always surprised at how lively and happy they are.

I am not telling you this to sell you drugs or because the pharmaceutical companies bought me yachts. Plenty of you arent my clients and I dont even have a kayak. I am telling you this because I know what chronic pain feels like, and I know how much it can affect your daily life. If you have ever had an ongoing injury or chronic pain, you know that it isnt an occasional thing, it touches many aspects of life.

If your animal has a severe and acute injury (like a broken leg), you will certainly know that they are hurt. However, there are many types of pain that dont show up as quickly. Think of a sore knee that you dont think to see a doctor about, but you find that you are taking aspirin every day. Our animals do not have the benefit of knowing how much pain is too much, and often will try to hide the pain completely until it is severe. They will literally just limp through things. A lot of this is leftover instinct to survive, and cats are especially adept at keeping their pain a secret.

As our pets age, they also get osteoarthritis. It is estimated that about 20% of pets start developing arthritis, and it may begin as early as one year of age! Extremely active lifestyles (such as frisbee, agility or intense fetch), injuries and the natural conformation of your pet can all hasten this. Back pain is extremely common and does not lead to limping in the same way that a hurt leg can, so can be harder for owners to detect.

Pain in cats commonly presents as not wanting to go to the litter box, constipation, and less jumping up to high places. As back pain progresses, posturing to go to the bathroom becomes painful, so many cats try to go less (which can also lead to eating and drinking less). They may also associate this pain with the litter box, since that is when they feel it the most, and start avoiding the litter box completely. Youll notice this for sure.

Pain in dogs is also commonly very slow to catch the owners attention. Dogs will accommodate their lifestyle much in the way that people do, so you may not notice a sudden change. However, chronic pain does take a serious toll on our pets. I will see dogs limping that owners dont think to have any pain, because they still want to walk or play. I still snowboard, but it doesnt mean it doesnt increase my pain. However, this is a choice I make, while our pets dont get those choices. It is our job to look out for their best interest, which may not mean cutting out fetch, but finding ways to make it hurt less.

When we do find pain on a physical exam that is limiting a pet, there are options to improve their lifestyle. For dogs, there are many types of medications that help ease the pain. There are also treatments like acupuncture and cold laser for all types of animals that can help pain with less of an effect on organs. Losing weight and improving gentle activity can be very beneficial as well.

One of the most common things that we hear after finding and treating pain in pets is that they return to doing things the owners forgot about! Our pets can be so good at adapting their lifestyles that we may not even notice they stopped doing activities they once loved.

It is VERY important to never, ever try to treat any type of pain in your pet without consulting your veterinarian. Many human medications are extremely toxic to pets; they cannot take Tylenol, Advil, Motrin or Aleve and others without the risk of fatal effects.

There are injuries in our pets that can be self-resolving, like a sprain. However, your veterinarian is trained to assess injuries and know when further examination is needed. A torn cruciate, broken leg, Lyme disease or ripped toenail may all cause your pet to act the same way.

The most important thing to remember about pain in animals is that even though they may not show signs, they do feel pain in the same way that we do. Chronic pain decreases our pets quality of life and makes it difficult for them to enjoy their daily activities. This is part of why subtle changes can mean big things.

Dont worry, there are many ways to treat pain to help your pet live a more comfortable life. And also dont worry, my weight loss article is coming! I just wanted to give everyone a break this week while you finish up your Christmas cookies and holiday pudding.

Original post:

Ouch! Pain management for your pets | Off The Leash - Rutland Herald

MINDEN, LA (KTBS) Recent meetings of Mindens City Council have resulted in little more than shouting matches.

You all look like a bunch of damn idiots, a woman named Lisa McKinney shouted at the council at an early December meeting, following heated debates and the rejection of grant money for the citys airport.

In early November, three council members walked out minutes after the meeting began, costing the council its quorum and forcing the meeting to adjourn. The walkout was the result of a motion to add an item to the meetings agenda, seeking to discuss the citys employee manual.

On a quieter side of Minden, a city department with only one employee struggles to stay afloat on a shoestring budget.

Im just here taking care of these animals and doing the best I can, said Tommy Primeaux, Mindens sole animal control officer who also runs the citys animal shelter.

Minden Animal Control operates on a budget of $99,385 per year, which includes Primeauxs salary and benefits.

A part-time, uniformed volunteer assists Primeaux at the shelter, which cant afford the liability of allowing volunteers from the community at large.

We rely on a lot of donations to keep us going, Primeaux said.

The shelter would barely function without the generosity of local nonprofits.

Its a very hard job, but we have to look at it as if we didnt do it, I dont know who would, said Stephanie Gantt, a volunteer for the Webster Humane Association.

The school teacher and mother of three spends much of her spare time rounding up loose animals and assisting with adoptions across Webster Parish.

We do work a lot with the (Minden) shelter, trying to pull animals out because they are very limited on their supplies and any in-housing facilities that they have there, Gantt said.

Webster Humane provided food and beds for the Minden Animal Shelter, along with outdoor kennels and large fans so that dogs have a place to go when the shelters eight indoor kennels are being cleaned. Gantt said Webster Humane even had to donate drain covers after puppies began falling into the drains.

Webster Humane is also in charge of adoptions in Minden because the shelter cant afford its own program.

With the Sterilization Act with the State of Louisiana, all animals have to be spayed or neutered before leaving the shelter, and fully vetted, Primeaux said. And since were not allocated all that money to all that service, we rely on rescue groups to take care of that part for us.

The shelter came close to euthanizing multiple dogs in early December because it was past capacity, until the nonprofit was able move the animals out at the 11th hour.

Primeaux said collaborating with nonprofit rescue groups has helped hundreds if not thousands of dogs escape euthanasia. Thats something the shelter wasnt doing before Primeaux took over in 2015.

According to Primeaux, 242 stray animals were taken in between October 2018 and October, and 122 were euthanized during that time (Primeaux said he has not euthanized an animal since). The previous year, 154 strays were taken in and 112 of them were euthanized.

Before Primeauxs tenure at Minden Animal Control, he said the previous director was putting 200 to 300 dogs down each month.

Primeaux is now asking the city for more money to help in his efforts.

We have to wait our turn just like everyone else, Primeaux said.

The city relies on (the shelter) to help clean up the streets with the animals and cats and dogs that are out in the street, but then they dont support the shelter when the shelter needs their help, Gantt said.

Mayor Terry Gardner said money is tight in Minden, and the city has been forced to cut millions of dollars across different departments.

Gardner said hed like to take advantage of grant programs, like those that assist in training service animals, to bring more money to the shelter.

For that to happen, it would have to go through the city council.

Im hoping that we all come back after Christmas with a fresh approach, a good attitude, Gardner said.

Primeaux is urging members of the community to do their part to help reduce euthanasia rates by spaying or neutering and micro-chipping their pets.

Read more here:

Struggling animal shelter budgets on kindness of others - Q13 News Seattle

2019 was a year book-ended by tragedy. As the prime minister and leader of the opposition both got more comfortable with their roles it was also a year absolutely full of huge political moments. Here are the Stuff's gallery team's picks of the biggest moments of the year.

Under-siege PM announces 'year-of-delivery'

It was a sunny day in Martinbrough and KiwiBuild was falling over.

Just days before the out-of-office caucus meeting in January, Housing Minister Phil Twyford had admitted that KiwiBuild would not be getting anywhere near close to 1000 homes ready by July. Jacinda Ardern, facing her caucus with the media pack watching, needed a line that might change the narrative that her Government hadn't really done much so far. Her press secretary Andrew Campbell came up with just the thing: The "year of delivery". It led headlines everywhere. But it also would come to haunt the Government.

March 15 followed by Ardern's decisive leadership

When an Australian gunman allegedly attacked two Christchurch Mosques on March 15 in the worst terror attack on New Zealand soil, life here changed forever. The globalised nature of terrorism - in this case far-right extremism - was brutally demonstrated in the quietest Christchurch suburbs of Riccarton and Linwood. Ardern responded swiftly and decisively.

AP

The tragedy of March 15 upended our politics.

The prime minister was in New Plymouth when the news filtered in. In a hastily arranged newsconference she set the tone for how New Zealand was to respond to the event by proclaiming very clearly that the Muslim community was every bit as Kiwi as she was. The next day she made clear that this would not be a tragedy that went unanswered, telling media directly that gun laws would change. They soon did.

Labour ditches CGT- Forever

The Capital Gains Tax had been kicking round in one form or another as Labour policy since 2011. By the time Labour eventually made it into Government, two of the three people who introduced it, Phil Goff and David Cunliffe, had moved on to greener pastures (David Parker was the third). Andrew Little nixed it, but Ardern brought it back briefly before kicking the idea off to a tax working group. After an agonising wait, the tax working group finally delivered its recommendation which was (surprise surprise) a form of capital gains tax. However, introducing it wasn't so easy. Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters was against the idea, and would not be brought round. Ardern was forced to announce the tax had been axed.

Ardern announced it was off the table on April 17. Labour caucus was notified beforehand and a few were dispirited, although most concede rolling on CGT is a small price to pay for power. Ardern didn't just axe the tax, she ruled it out while she was still leader, meaning a CGT in any form is probably very far away.

GETTY IMAGES

Simon Bridges stared down a potential challenge from Judith Collins.

Simon Bridges stares down Judith Collins in caucus

Judith Collins had been sharpening her knife since she lost National's leadership election last year, but no-one quite knew when she'd decide it was time to plunge it into leader Simon Bridges' back. Then, over a Parliamentary recess media reports began to seed the notion that Collins was about to make her move.

On the morning of April 30, when National was set to have her caucus meeting, Collins told media she was loyal to the National leader, but she could not bring herself to say that she was loyal to Bridges. But Bridges survived. Leaked details of the caucus meeting have Bridges facing Collins down, telling her to pull herself into line. It worked. Bridges emerged from caucus elated, with leadership squabbles.

Ardern travels to Paris to put the boot into tech companies

Two months to the day after March 15 Ardern sat in a ludicrously opulent room in the lyse Palace with many of the most important people in the world - the leaders of the UK, France, Canada, and several major tech companies. She unveiled a somewhat complicated but potent pledge that the companies were going to co-sign, making sure a live-streamed mass murder would not happen again.

AP

French President Emmanuel Macron and New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at the Christchurch Call summit in Paris.

Notably, US President Donald Trump and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg were not in the room. Questions remain over how much the "Christchurch Call" will change a tech world which mostly only pays attention to US laws. But it certainly showed that New Zealand and many other countries would no longer be content with just ignoring how much big tech has degraded the world community.

Budget 'hack'

It was the Tuesday before the Budget and Ardern had just started her normal mini-press conference before her caucus meeting. Suddenly someone was asking her about leaked budget documents that had pinged their way onto journalist's phones as she walked towards us. Ardern was visibly confused and said reporters shouldn't take anything the National Party said as read.

Things got crazier from there. More (utterly boring) budget details leaked out, then the Treasury secretary said they had been hacked and got the police involved. Two days later to great fanfare Bridges made it obvious just how much of a non-hack this was. It overshadowed what should have been one of the best days for the Government this year.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern says there will be no CGT, "not because I don't believe in it, but because I don't believe New Zealanders do".

Double poll - June

There are nowhere near enough political polls in New Zealand any more, thanks to their prohibitive expense and the ever-worsening financial state of news media.

But there was an embarrassment of riches on June 9 when two political polls came in at the same time, and completely disagreed with each other: One from Newshub/Reid Research and one from 1 News/Colmar Brunton. The Newshub one could well have killed Bridges' leadership if it had stood alone - it had National at 37.4 per cent, well below the 40 per cent line that was rumoured to be the trigger point for reconsidering his leadership. But the 1 News poll had National at a very strong 44 per cent, safely above Labour. What a moment.

Reshuffle kills off Twyford

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF

Phil Twyford lost his housing portfolio in a Cabinet reshuffle.

KiwiBuild was in complete crisis by June, with Twyford no longer being able to promise 100,000 homes - the core of the actual policy. When the prime minister did her first proper reshuffle she took housing off him and gave it to Megan Woods, along with a frank admission that the policy had been a failure thus far. It wasn't the first moment Ardern had be to brutal with a minister, but it felt like the most important one yet.

Ardern intervenes in Ihumtao

The protests at Ihumtao have been going since 2016. But after an eviction notice was served on 23 July things kicked into a much higher gear, and people started to talk about it as another "foreshore and seabed" moment. Ardern sought to put a pin in all that with a hastily arranged press conference where she announced Fletchers would be pausing construction while some kind of deal was worked out. That deal has not yet eventuated - but her intervention was massive.

Chris McKeen

Hundreds of people walked in a hikoi from Ihumatao to Mt Albert to deliver an invitation to visit the occupied land of Ihumatao to NZ's Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern.

Part-time prime minister

It was late-July and Ardern was in Tokelau, a country that is technically part of New Zealand's realm but is also incredibly hard to get to. Simon Bridges wanted to get across that Ardern was travelling too much, particularly as Ihumtao was really kicking off back home. So he called her a "part-time prime minister" - and it stuck.

The line is of course ridiculous. Every prime minister works ludicrous hours. And going to Tokelau - a realm-of-New-Zealand country that hasn't had a prime-ministerial visit since Labour wasin government last time - definitely counts as work. But the emotional logic of the attack, particularly to a right-wing that wants to attack Ardern as incompetent as much as evil, worked perfectly.

Terms of trade

New Zealand's terms of trade - the prices New Zealand receives from its exports - unexpectedly hit near record levels driven by strong lamb, beef and dairy prices. A boostin the terms of trade, as well as abetting a strong export sector, it flowed through to the Government coffers giving Grant Robertson more money to play with.

Reserve Bank considers 'unconventional'monetary policy

As the economic clouds on the international horizon advanced towards our shores, Reserve Bank Governor Adrian Orr made the shock decision to slash the Official Cash Rate by 50 basis points, the biggest cut since March 2011, which was a response to the Christchurch Earthquake. It was August 7. Things were looking bad - and worse still, with rates already very low, there wasn't much room to cut further, should the economy require it.

Orr told journalists he was prepared for this, but the response was something New Zealand had never seen before: unconventional monetary policy, which Orr said the bank was "well advanced on". This would be tools like quantitative easing (printing money).

Euthanasia goes to a referendum

The hardest vote for the End of Life Choice bill wasn't whether it should pass or not. It was whether it should go to a referendum or not. Plenty of people who wanted the bill passed didn't want it to go to a referendum. And yet almost all of them voted for it, because it was the only way NZ First would stay on-board with the bill - meaning it would eventually pass.

ROSS GIBLIN

ACT's David Seymour celebrates his euthanasia bill passing.

NZ First Foundation comes to the fore

For months - and years - rumours have swirled around NZ First and how it handles donations. Stuff's Matt Shand broke the story of the secretive New Zealand First Foundation that has been effectively used as a political slush fund for NZ First's political activities. Shand's investigation found that donors who thought they were making a political donation were donating to the foundation and that thefunds appeared to be used for campaign activities.

HYEFU

On December 13, Treasury unveiled its latest set of forecasts for where the economy was heading. But the big news wasn't where the economy was headed, it was Robertson's decision to open up the chequebook and get spending after two years of playing coy with economists of all stripes, including the Reserve Bank Governor.

Robertson defied cynical expectations with a massive $12 billion infrastructure package, mainly geared towards transport. Economists licked their lips, but sounded a note of caution: it's very easy to announce spending, but very difficult to actually get the money out the door. That's the big question hanging over the Robertson, and the Government at large as it heads into 2020. It's next year of delivery has got to be better than this one.

See original here:

The biggest political moments of 2019, from tragedy to farce - Stuff.co.nz

Our politicians aren't just taking a break from Wellington this summer, most of them are taking a break from the piles of briefings, memos and correspondence.

If you fancy holidaying like a politician (and I'm not recommending it), try picking up one of the following doorstops:

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern told Stuff she'll be cracking into the many books she hasn't had the opportunity to finish the last couple of years. She has publicly declared that daughter Neve was developing a fondness for The Very Hungry Caterpillar by Eric Carle.

Opposition leader Simon Bridges didn't give Stuff any concrete recommendations either, but said: "I probably read, swot, study think policy too much."Bridges said he was thinking about taking Paul Goldsmith's advice and read something more relaxing over summer.

READ MORE:*Euthanasia bill passes second reading*Judith Collins loses portfolio in National reshuffle following Amy Adams' departure*Euthanasia bill has decent but not certain chance of surviving second reading*Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern rules out changing electoral laws for 2020 election

Green party co-leader Marama Davidson will be reading Still Lives: A Memoir of Gaza by Marilyn Garson, a memoir about moving to Gaza and working with the United Nations and NGOs.

The other Green party co-leader, James Shaw will be reading Overstory by Richard Powers; Agent Running in the Field by John Le Carre; and We are Here by Chris McDowall and Tim Denee.

ACT leaderDavid Seymouris readingGood Keen Manby Barry Crump. Seymour was recently given Crump's collectedstoriesand was so excited he sent Stuff four photos of him reading it.

Green MPGolriz Ghahraman has a long reading list including plenty of non-fiction and a smattering of graphic novels. She'll start off with The Interregnum a collection of essays edited by Morgan Godfery; Somewhere, Women's Stories of Migration, edited by Lorna Jane Harvey; No Friend but the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani; Rolling Blackouts by Sarah Glidden and Persepolis 2 by Marjane Satrapi. Ghahraman also has Christopher Wylie's Mindf*ck on her list, a book about the Cambridge Analytica scandal, but she's putting it off until she's had a bit of a break.

Supplied

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern reads Hairy Maclary from Donaldson's Dairy as part of the new Goodnight Kiwi series. This summer she'll be cracking into the many books she hasn't had the opportunity to finish the last couple of years.

Finance Minister Grant Robertson told Stuff, "I haven't actually made my summer reading list yet, but a significant part of it will be cricket programmes". Robertson said Treasury was likely to sneak in some summer briefings and he'd be catching up on about 32 issues of The Economist"

His opposite number, National finance spokesperson Paul Goldsmith will be reading Red Notice: How I became Putin's No 1. Enemy by Bill Browder, and Bill Bryson's The Body, he will also be reading The Hobbit with his daughters

National housing spokesperson Judith Collins said she will be too busy writing her own book over the summer break, which she says will make her too busy to read other books.

Trade Minister David Parker has a summer of heavy reading with The Siberian Dilemma, by Martin Cruz Smith and The Triumph of Injustice - How the Rich Dodge Taxes and How to Make Them Pay by Emmanuel Saez and Gabriel Zucman, perhaps a harbinger of a tough new tax policy in 2020?

Conservation MinisterEugene Sagewill be reading the Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment's report on the environmental impact of tourism, Pristine, popular imperilled? The environmental consequences of tourism growth -- quite intense reading for a holiday. She's also reading The Struggle for Maori Fishing Rights: Te Ika A Mori by Brian Bargh; The Reality Bubble: Blind Spots, Hidden Truths, and the Dangerous Illusions that Shape Our World by Ziya Tong.

Supplied

David Seymour will be reading Barry Crump this Christmas

On the fiction side of things, Sage will be cracking into The Island of Sea Women by Lisa See, and The Book of Dust by Philip Pullman.

Minister for Women and Associate Transport and Health Minister Julie Anne Genter plans to finish Between Debt and the Devil: Money, Credit, and Fixing Global Finance by Adair Turner, a book about the role of debt in the Great Financial Crisis.

Bonus points to Nicola WIllis for sending us not just a list of books, but a brief review of why she's reading them. It's a busy summer of reading for the National list MP, beginning with Tayi Tibble's Pokahangatus, with the poem "Hoki Mai" which Willis, a former English lit student said hit her with a boom at the 2018 ANZAC day ceremony. She's also reading These Truths: A History of the United States by New Yorker writer Jill Lepore. Willis visited the US this year which made her want to read more about it's history.

MONIQUE FORD/STUFF

Bookish Nicola Willis plans to squeeze in a lot of reading this summer.

She's also reading Fiona Kidman's This Mortal Boy, "I'm interested by the events leading up to the Mazengarb report into youth delinquency in 50s NZ". She also plans to read Boris Johnson's (yes, he writes books too) The Churchill Factor and Margaret Atwood's booker-prize winning The Testaments.

She's also catching up on issues of Cuisine magazine and The Economist andreading the Harry Potter novels to her children.

National's Transport spokesman Chris Bishop will also be reading a British political memoir, only this time from one of Johnson's opponents, Ken Clarke a pro-EU Tory MP until he resigned ahead of this year's election. Bishop plans to read Clarke's memoir, Kind of Blue.

Here is the original post:

Debt, refugees, and a Very Hungry Caterpillar: What MPs plan to read this summer - Stuff.co.nz

Proponents of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide (PAS) contend that terminally ill people should have the right to end their suffering with a quick, dignified, and compassionate death. They argue that the right to die is protected by the same constitutional safeguards that guarantee such rights as marriage, procreation, and the refusal or termination of life-saving medical treatment.

Opponents of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide contend that doctors have a moral responsibility to keep their patients alive as reflected by the Hippocratic Oath. They argue there may be a "slippery slope" from euthanasia to murder, and that legalizing euthanasia will unfairly target the poor and disabled and create incentives for insurance companies to terminate lives in order to save money.

PROS & CONS BY CATEGORY

CORE QUESTION

Definitions

Euthanasia in Practice

Legal Right and End-of-Life Documents

American Healthcare System

Physician Involvement in Euthanasia and PAS

Moral Differences in Forms of Assisted Dying

Historical Issues

Opponents of euthanasia and physician-assisted suicide contend that doctors have a moral responsibility to keep their patients alive as reflected by the Hippocratic Oath. They argue there may be a "slippery slope" from euthanasia to murder, and that legalizing euthanasia will unfairly target the poor and disabled and create incentives for insurance companies to terminate lives in order to save money.

PROS & CONS BY CATEGORY

CORE QUESTION

Definitions

Euthanasia in Practice

Legal Right and End-of-Life Documents

American Healthcare System

Physician Involvement in Euthanasia and PAS

Moral Differences in Forms of Assisted Dying

Historical Issues

Read this article:

Euthanasia - ProCon.org