Cempaka Belanda: Nine myths about euthanasia in the Netherlands

"A Summary" – Apr 2, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Religion, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Intelligent/Benevolent Design, EU, South America, 5 Currencies, Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Middle East, Internet, Israel, Dictators, Palestine, US, Japan (Quake/Tsunami Disasters , People, Society ...), Nuclear Power Revealed, Hydro Power, Geothermal Power, Moon, Financial Institutes (Recession, Realign integrity values ..) , China, North Korea, Global Unity,..... etc.) - (Text version)

"The Timing of the Great Shift" – Mar 21, 2009 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Text version)

“ … Here is another one. A change in what Human nature will allow for government. "Careful, Kryon, don't talk about politics. You'll get in trouble." I won't get in trouble. I'm going to tell you to watch for leadership that cares about you. "You mean politics is going to change?" It already has. It's beginning. Watch for it. You're going to see a total phase-out of old energy dictatorships eventually. The potential is that you're going to see that before 2013.
They're going to fall over, you know, because the energy of the population will not sustain an old energy leader ..."

"Update on Current Events" – Jul 23, 2011 (Kryon channelled by Lee Carroll) - (Subjects: The Humanization of God, Gaia, Shift of Human Consciousness, 2012, Benevolent Design, Financial Institutes (Recession, System to Change ...), Water Cycle (Heat up, Mini Ice Ace, Oceans, Fish, Earthquakes ..), Nuclear Power Revealed, Geothermal Power, Hydro Power, Drinking Water from Seawater, No need for Oil as Much, Middle East in Peace, Persia/Iran Uprising, Muhammad, Israel, DNA, Two Dictators to fall soon, Africa, China, (Old) Souls, Species to go, Whales to Humans, Global Unity,..... etc.)

"The Recalibration of Awareness – Apr 20/21, 2012 (Kryon channeled by Lee Carroll) (Subjects: Old Energy, Recalibration Lectures, God / Creator, Religions/Spiritual systems (Catholic Church, Priests/Nun’s, Worship, John Paul Pope, Women in the Church otherwise church will go, Current Pope won’t do it), Middle East, Jews, Governments will change (Internet, Media, Democracies, Dictators, North Korea, Nations voted at once), Integrity (Businesses, Tobacco Companies, Bankers/ Financial Institutes, Pharmaceutical company to collapse), Illuminati (Started in Greece, with Shipping, Financial markets, Stock markets, Pharmaceutical money (fund to build Africa, to develop)), Shift of Human Consciousness, (Old) Souls, Women, Masters to/already come back, Global Unity.... etc.) - (Text version)

“… The Shift in Human Nature

You're starting to see integrity change. Awareness recalibrates integrity, and the Human Being who would sit there and take advantage of another Human Being in an old energy would never do it in a new energy. The reason? It will become intuitive, so this is a shift in Human Nature as well, for in the past you have assumed that people take advantage of people first and integrity comes later. That's just ordinary Human nature.

In the past, Human nature expressed within governments worked like this: If you were stronger than the other one, you simply conquered them. If you were strong, it was an invitation to conquer. If you were weak, it was an invitation to be conquered. No one even thought about it. It was the way of things. The bigger you could have your armies, the better they would do when you sent them out to conquer. That's not how you think today. Did you notice?

Any country that thinks this way today will not survive, for humanity has discovered that the world goes far better by putting things together instead of tearing them apart. The new energy puts the weak and strong together in ways that make sense and that have integrity. Take a look at what happened to some of the businesses in this great land (USA). Up to 30 years ago, when you started realizing some of them didn't have integrity, you eliminated them. What happened to the tobacco companies when you realized they were knowingly addicting your children? Today, they still sell their products to less-aware countries, but that will also change.

What did you do a few years ago when you realized that your bankers were actually selling you homes that they knew you couldn't pay for later? They were walking away, smiling greedily, not thinking about the heartbreak that was to follow when a life's dream would be lost. Dear American, you are in a recession. However, this is like when you prune a tree and cut back the branches. When the tree grows back, you've got control and the branches will grow bigger and stronger than they were before, without the greed factor. Then, if you don't like the way it grows back, you'll prune it again! I tell you this because awareness is now in control of big money. It's right before your eyes, what you're doing. But fear often rules. …”

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Nine myths about euthanasia in the Netherlands

RNW, 29 February 2012, by Belinda van Steijn

(Photo: ThinkProgress)

The Dutch law allowing euthanasia under certain sharply defined circumstances often raises eyebrows abroad. And it gives rise to countless unfounded allegations.

The criticism is often made in foreign media that euthanasia is too easy in the Netherlands. The elderly are said to fear for their lives in Dutch hospitals. A Dutch clinic where people tired of living can have their lives terminated is apparently going to open its doors soon. These of course are bogus reports, but what exactly is the real state of play?

Myth 1: Euthanasia is really easy is in the Netherlands (as claimed by Lifenews)

In April it will be a decade since the Dutch law allowing doctors to perform euthanasia was passed. A patient is required to ask for the procedure specifically and be the victim of unbearable suffering – having an incurable disease, for example – or of hopeless psychological problems. All cases of euthanasia have to be registered with special review committees.

Performing euthanasia and assisting suicide are in principle illegal, with a maximum sentence of 12 years in prison. The procedure is only allowed if the doctor has fulfilled the legal requirements.

Myth 2: Elderly Dutch people prefer to go to hospitals abroad for fear of being murdered by doctors in hospitals in the Netherlands

Dutch hospitals are not allowed to end people’s lives. Dutch people do sometimes go abroad for treatment but this is to avoid being put on a waiting list and get certain operations or treatments more quickly.

Myth 3: Children can use euthanasia to get rid of their elderly parents in order to get their hands on the inheritance

Children have no authority whatsoever concerning the ending of their parents’ lives. One can only ask for one's own euthanasia. Euthanasia is only allowed when people of sound mind have themselves more than once let it be known that they do not wish to continue living under certain circumstances. The request has to be made verbally and in writing to a doctor who has a professional relationship to the patient.

It has to be proven that it’s a case of hopeless suffering. Someone suffering from dementia can no longer request euthanasia since he or she is no longer of sound mind. People can make a living will requesting euthanasia in certain circumstances before they become demented. Relatives can oversee the performance of their parents’ living wills.

Myth 4: A Dutch clinic is to open where you can end your life

Right to Die-NL (NVVE) is due to launch an ‘end-of-life’ clinic for assisted suicides in the second half of 2012. But you can't simply check in when you're feeling a bit down. Patients can make use of the facility only if they fulfil the conditions specified by the euthanasia law but their doctors refuse to carry out the procedure.

After requesting admission to the clinic, patients are first screened and then interviewed by a doctor and nurse. They look into whether or not the conditions of the law have been met and a relationship of trust with the patient is then built up. If a choice for euthanasia is made, the possibility of the patient ending their life at home will first be explored. If that is not possible, the patient will be able to go to the end-of-life clinic. The clinic is operated by the NVVE and as such is recognised by the Dutch authorities.

Myth 5: One telephone call and a mobile team turns up to end your life

(as claimed by Czech TV and Al-Yaum)

From 1 March 2012, six mobile teams from the NVVE, each comprising a doctor and a nurse, will be available to visit patients on request. But they don't simply turn up and kill the patient. The teams can be contacted when a family doctor is unable or unwilling to perform euthanasia or assist suicide despite the fact that the patient fulfils the conditions of the law. A independent consultant will be brought in to make the legal position absolutely clear. Euthanasia can then take place in the home.

Myth 6: Dutch people go around with wristbands saying they don’t want to be euthanised

This allegation was made recently by US Republican presidential hopeful Rick Santorum. Elderly Dutch people, he claimed, had wristbands with the text, “No euthanasia please”, on them. The Washington Post checked up on the facts and was able to reassure the American public. The claim was totally false. What had Mr Santorum heard?

He must have heard that the Albert Schweitzer hospital in Dordrecht has implemented a system using wristbands. Patients who do not wish to be resuscitated, should they lapse into a life-threatening situation, get a red band. Doctors are able to see in an instant the patients who do not wish to be reanimated.

Myth 7: Ten percent of Dutch deaths are down to euthanasia and many people are forced into it (another quote from Mr Santorum)

In 2010, 136,058 people died in the Netherlands, which has a population of over 16.5 million. In that year, there were 3,136 reported cases of euthanasia. That is not 10 but 2.3 percent. The real figure could be slightly higher as the most recent research based on figures from 2007 shows that about 80 percent of euthanasia cases are reported. Forced euthanasia is not permitted in the Netherlands.

Myth 8: Everyone can come to the Netherlands in order to have their life terminated

That is what Chinese website Sina.com alleged. But in order to be eligible for euthanasia, people have to be within Dutch jurisdiction. Foreigners cannot simply come to the Netherlands and have euthanasia carried out.

The legal procedure requires that the patient's request is voluntary and well-considered, and that the patient is suffering unbearably and is without any chance of recovery. This is to be judged by the patient's regular doctor.

Myth 9: Parents can get rid of their handicapped child

This is not considered euthanasia, since very young, severely disabled children, or babies with hardly a chance of survival, cannot ask for an end to their lives, or give permission for it. But this form of merciful death does exist, and is referred to as 'life-ending action without the express wish of the patient'. Doctors and parents decide jointly not to begin medical treatment, or to discontinue one, if it is deemed pointless, or because the situation lacks any hope of improvement.

Children aged between 12 and 16 can decide that they want euthanasia, but they still need the approval of their parents or carers. Teenagers aged 16 and 17 are considered adult enough to take the decision on their own.

Related Articles:

MP questions Santorum's forced euthanasia claims

Dutch Puzzled by Santorum’s False Claim of Forced Euthanasia

Dutch euthanasia advocacy group supports 'mobile' teams
‘Stop backstreet abortions: change the law’

Red = don't reanimate!