Outside the Box

Euthanasia is a subject we either hold close, or try to keep as far away from as possible. It’s a touchy issue.

My reflection on the debate is more on the issue of what constitutes Dignity.

Dignity reflects basic human rights of virtue, respect, self-respect, autonomy and enlightened reason (be that religious or intellectual).

I have known several people who have fought, won and lost their battle with cancer and never have I seen more dignity in a person than when a single tear runs over the cheek of terminally ill friend while holding a photo of his family.

Just because you have cancer and fight the battle to the end, does not mean you do so without dignity.

I am NOT a Euthanasia supporter. But I am a believer in Autonomy within the bounds of governing law. From a legal perspective, The rational individual has the right to make decisions for themselves based around their own personal beliefs.

Like any profession teachers and teacher aides have to work within standards and procedures set out by the department.

In Australia, while the marking procedures have gone through several changes, the overall system remains basically unchanged.

Albert Einstein was quoted as saying “I never teach my pupils. I only provide the conditions in which they can learn.

However, this can only work if the same conditions are reflected outside the school environment.

As Parents we also need to take an active role in this. Teachers are not babysitters.

Going from a labouring job to manager, my salary would probably double.

A teacher is in charge of 20 or more students (Primary school), yet their salary doesn’t change. In fact, teachers are in management positions and probably being paid as labourers.

Teachers have been dealt an unfair hand in the media recently. The Education department (system) are the ones rocking the cradle, because like any government based department, they rule the roost.

Those who don’t do a particular thing will usually suffer at the hands of those who do. I think they call it democracy, don’t they ?

Those who choose not to smoke will suffer by those who do.

Those who smoke will suffer by those who choose not to.

Non-Smokers have the right o enjoy a meal in public without being choked by nearby smokers.

Smokers pay their taxes too (even more since they pay for their smokes). So one can only say that since the product is currently legal, smokers have the right to enjoy a smoke in public too, don’t they ?

I have never smoked, but my dad did for years. He would never light up in public because he didn’t want to offend those who didn’t smoke.

He would always say that because HE chose to do it (smoke), it was HIS responsibility to do so in a way that was respectful to those who didn’t.