Messages

121

Nutrition and Food Engineering / Re: Cold-brewed iced coffee: a summer pleasure

« on: July 13, 2014, 05:32:05 PM »

Thank you sir. I lke cold coffee.

122

Public Health / Re: Health Guidelines for Ramadan Fasting

« on: July 13, 2014, 05:29:31 PM »

very helpful. thanks

123

Journalism & Mass Communication / Re: Stand of Education Minister regarding TIB study report

« on: July 13, 2014, 05:27:24 PM »

Really appreciable. Nice post.

124

Journalism & Mass Communication / Re: Iftar Recipe for the Bachelors

« on: July 13, 2014, 05:26:21 PM »

Makes me thirsty.,

125

Law / Four questions every law student gets asked (and how to answer them)

« on: July 13, 2014, 05:23:25 PM »

Having taken advantage of the temporary freedom from exams to venture outside of the library, I have rediscovered a planet where law students are subjected to a relentless barrage of well-meaning attempts at making conversation with us when people really should know better.

My heart bleeds for my fellow peers and so, like a fairy godmother, I have conjured up advised responses to a few of the most common questions put to law students. All for you to print out and stick on your statute books until the clock strikes twelve on graduation day.
1. Is that how it really happens / what's the law on this?

It is borderline impossible to watch a legal drama with a non-lawyer and avoid being asked whether the law presented in Garrow's Law, Law and Order or Legally Blonde is correct. The standard answers for those being "I wish / Nope / I'm insulted you'd even ask".

Remember the assisted suicide episode of Silk in the last series, where Martha Costello claims that her client is guilty of assisted suicide instead of murder?

I knew law school had taken over my life when a friend called me during the episode just to ask if I'd "spotted that the correct charge had to be murder because the drugs weren't self-administered?" What's sadder still is the fact that even though I had realised the mistake, I still watched the whole episode clinging to the hope that Costello would eventually correct herself.

When watching a TV show with non-lawyers, being a law student becomes a game of fortunately / unfortunately. Fortunately, you can understand the legal jargon in Suits and then sound really clever explaining it to everybody else.

Unfortunately, studying law has ruined your capacity to watch any of these shows without being driven to anguished howls. My advice is to do the former, or simply to avoid watching these shows with non-lawyers.
2. So why do you want to be a lawyer?

This is a leading question of course, and a little unfair considering most law students don't go on to become lawyers. Inevitably there are some who will gush about Atticus Finch or knowing they wanted to be lawyers since they were three. There are plenty of law students, though, who are driven to an existential crisis every time they hear the question.

If you are posed this question, do point out the great reasons that motivate us all, like having an interest in reaching practical solutions and a fascination for the way language works. Please, whatever you do, don't say that it's because you enjoy arguing or want to be just like Harvey Specter.
3. Gosh, you're studying law! You'll be doing a lot of reading, then? I know you lot live in the library

This comment on campus might just be a light-hearted observation from a non-lawyer. On the other hand, it could be a veiled threat to the spot in the library which you (totally understandably) guard fiercely with a pitchfork and have had cordoned off, just as I have. You have every right to suspect that the questioner is eyeing your table because it has a pretty view of the campus garden.

Advised response? Run to the library as fast as you can and make sure to pile lots of textbooks on your table. Next, the tried and tested technique, it seems, is to use your knowledge of criminal law and the Theft Act to frighten away any potential threats.

Of course, you'll have to make an excuse for abandoning the conversation so suddenly, but that serves you right for leaving the library in the first place.
4. Is studying law boring?

This is mostly asked by apprehensive year 12 students who are wary of joining our motley crew.

But I truly cannot think of a more interesting subject than law; it's unique in that it allows you to pursue your interests in any area of human existence. How could a subject like that ever be boring?

I don't know why people insist on interrogating law students with these questions. Is it revenge for the fact that we start conversations with, "so there was this case…" despite knowing that everyone's eyes will glaze over? For our inexcusable habit of communicating in lists?

I fear that, along with the question, "what would a law student do with free time?", this will remain forever unanswered.  (The Guardian)

126

Law / Desmond Tutu: a dignified death is our right – I am in favour of assisted dying

« on: July 13, 2014, 04:59:36 PM »

During all my years of pastoral care, I have never had the privilege of being with someone when they die. I've visited dying colleagues and friends at St Luke's hospice, Cape Town, in the last period of their lives; I've witnessed their being cared for beautifully – but I've never been there at the exact moment of passing. I've been asked why I consider it a privilege to be present when temporal death takes place. It comes from my belief system. It is the wonder of a new life beginning, the wonder of someone going to meet their maker, returning to their source of life. In some ways, death is like a birth; it is the transition to a new life.

I am myself now closer to my end than to my beginning.

Dying is part of life. We have to die. The Earth cannot sustain us and the millions of people that came before us. We have to make way for those who are yet to be born. And since dying is part of life, talking about it shouldn't be taboo. People should die a decent death. For me that means having had the conversations with those I have crossed in life and being at peace. It means being able to say goodbye to loved ones – if possible, at home.

Recently I discussed my wishes with my youngest daughter, Mpho: my choice of the liturgy, the hymns, and who should preach. I'd like to lie overnight in St Mary's Cathedral in Johannesburg. It was such an important place in my life; it's where I became a deacon, where so many important things happened. I would like to be cremated; some people are not comfortable with that idea. I'd like my ashes to be interred at St George's Cathedral, Cape Town.

There are certain African traditions I am not comfortable with: the turning of photos to face the wall, the clearing of furniture from the bedroom and placing of straw mats for the women to sit on for days. I am comfortable that on my passing these traditions should not be followed. It concerns me how people get into debt at funerals, buying expensive caskets, slaughtering animals they can ill afford to pay for. I want to role model modesty. I would like a simple coffin, the one of plain wood, with the rope handles. I would like modest refreshments after my funeral. If people want to slaughter an animal as part of traditional ritual, I'd be happy with a sheep or a goat – it doesn't need to be a big animal. My memorial stone should also be modest. My concern is not just about affordability; it's my strong preference that money should be spent on the living.

This takes me to the question of what does it mean to be alive. What constitutes quality of life and dignity when dying? These are big, important questions. I have come to realise that I do not want my life to be prolonged artificially. I think when you need machines to help you breathe, then you have to ask questions about the quality of life being experienced and about the way money is being spent. This may be hard for some people to consider.

But why is a life that is ending being prolonged? Why is money being spent in this way? It could be better spent on a mother giving birth to a baby, or an organ transplant needed by a young person. Money should be spent on those that are at the beginning or in full flow of their life. Of course, these are my personal opinions and not of my church.

What was done to Madiba (Nelson Mandela) was disgraceful. There was that occasion when Madiba was televised with political leaders, President Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa. You could see Madiba was not fully there. He did not speak. He was not connecting. My friend was no longer himself. It was an affront to Madiba's dignity.

It is important for all of us to talk about death and our dying. A survey was done of doctors in the UK in 2008. As many as two-thirds of them said they had difficulty discussing end-of-life care with their patients. Physicians were once healers of life and easers of death. In the 20th century the training for the latter has been neglected.

Death can come to us at any age. The clearer we are about our end-of-life preferences, the easier it will be for our loved ones and our doctors. I am coming to understand the importance of having a living will or advance directive, as some people call it. I do not want artificial feeding or to be on an artificial breathing machine – I don't want people to do their damnedest to keep me alive.

I've learned there are wider societal benefits to living wills. In La Crosse, Wisconsin, where physicians campaigned for decades for all adults to sign their end-of-life preferences, one benefit has been the savings, for families, for the government and healthcare companies – savings now used more creatively elsewhere. The second upside is that having discussions earlier in life seems to put people's minds at rest and they live longer – how else do you explain that life expectancy in La Crosse is now statistically higher than other similar geographies?

I was asked recently what I would wish for myself if I had a terminal illness and my quality of life was seriously deteriorating. This year I followed the case of the French doctor Nicolas Bonnemaison, who assisted several people to die. It was anticipated that there could be a heavy prison sentence. Several witnesses, family members included, wrote to support the doctor's actions as compassionate. The doctor was acquitted. There were jubilant celebrations. And Britain's supreme court recently ruled that a ban on assisted suicide is incompatible with human rights.

We need to revisit our own South African laws which are not aligned to a constitution that espouses the human right to dignity. On our own soil Craig Schonegevel, after 28 years of struggling with neurofibromatosis, decided his quality of life was too poor. He'd had so many surgical procedures the thought of enduring more was unbearable. He could find no legal assistance to help him die. On the night of 1 September 2009, he swallowed 12 sleeping pills, put two plastic bags over his head tied with elastic bands and was found dead by his parents the next morning. Craig wanted to end his life legally assisted, listening to his favourite music and in the embrace of his beloved parents, Patsy and Neville. Our legal system denied him and his family this dignity.

I am coming to understand the importance of language on this sensitive issue. The words euthanasia and suicide carry negative connotations. Suicide is considered a premature death often accompanied by mental instability. Craig's thinking was crystal clear; he wanted autonomy and dignity.

Some say that palliative care, including the giving of sedation to ensure freedom from pain, should be enough for the journeying towards an easeful death. Some people opine that with good palliative care there is no need for assisted dying, no need for people to request to be legally given a lethal dose of medication. That was not the case for Craig Schonegevel. Others assert their right to autonomy and consciousness – why exit in the fog of sedation when there's the alternative of being alert and truly present with loved ones?

I have been fortunate to spend my life working for dignity for the living. Now I wish to apply my mind to the issue of dignity for the dying.

I revere the sanctity of life – but not at any cost. I confirm I don't want my life prolonged. I can see I would probably incline towards the quality of life argument, whereas others will be more comfortable with palliative care. Yes, I think a lot of people would be upset if I said I wanted assisted dying. I would say I wouldn't mind actually.

On Mandela Day on Friday we will be thinking of a great man. On the same day in London, the House of Lords will hold a second hearing on Lord Falconer's bill on assisted dying. Oregon, Washington, Quebec, Holland, Switzerland have already taken this step. South Africa has a hard-won constitution that we are proud of that should provide a basis to guide changes to the legal status of end-of-life wishes to support the dignity of the dying.

On our continent of Africa, dying as an elderly person is a privilege. We are sadly too familiar with the early deaths of loved ones. War, violence, HIV/Aids and socioeconomic diseases take their toll. We need a mind shift in our societies. We need to think. We need to question. What is life? And isn't death part of living – a natural part of life?

Desmond Tutu is archbishop emeritus of Cape Town and a Nobel peace laureate. He is chair of the Elders, an international group of former political leaders brought together by Nelson Mandela to work for peace, justice and human rights. (The Guardian)

127

Law / Law Via the Internet (LVI) conference 29th September to 1st October 2014

« on: July 13, 2014, 04:55:32 PM »

Every year, the Free Access to Law Movement holds the Law Via the Internet (LVI) conference that brings together individuals and institutions from all corners of the earth who are united in their belief that public legal information is the common heritage of humankind and that such information should be made available free of charge and free from any restrictions on its use and re-use.
Cape Town is famous for its breathtaking sceneries, beautiful vineyards, pristine beaches, the Cape of Good Hope and many other attractions. It is nestled within and around the majestic Table Mountain ranges and was named the World Design Capital for 2014 by the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design.
Cape Town is also famous for its world-class Afropolitan university - the University of Cape Town, where this year's LVI will be held. Kenya Law, the African Legal Information Institute (AfricanLII), and the Southern African Legal Information Institute (SAFLII) are teaming together to host what promises to be an exciting conference in this beautiful setting.

128

Law / Re: Weekly Law Joke 1

« on: May 11, 2014, 02:25:42 PM »

Oh! seen them but they were kidnapped & killed!

129

Law / Re: ‘The laws are grossly discriminatory in some areas’

« on: March 18, 2014, 02:41:15 PM »

Who is Juris sir? Whatever thanks him.

130

Law / Re: Dealing with bank cheques lawfully

« on: March 18, 2014, 02:37:36 PM »

Thanks Sir, very informative.

131

Law / Re: Legal shield for women

« on: March 18, 2014, 02:36:32 PM »

Give them showrd.

132

Law / Re: Preserving our national heritage

« on: March 18, 2014, 02:35:31 PM »

All are negative duties. Can you provide some positive rights i.e. to destroy?

133

Law / Re: Opening a company in Bangladesh

« on: March 18, 2014, 02:30:07 PM »

Need money to open a company.

134

Law / Prisoners 'could serve 1,000 year sentence in eight hours

« on: March 15, 2014, 09:24:50 PM »

Future biotechnology could be used to trick a prisoner's mind into thinking they have served a 1,000 year sentence, a group of scientists have claimed.
Philosopher Rebecca Roache is in charge of a team of scholars focused upon the ways futuristic technologies might transform punishment. Dr Roache claims the prison sentence of serious criminals could be made worse by extending their lives.
Speaking to Aeon magazine, Dr Roache said drugs could be developed to distort prisoners' minds into thinking time was passing more slowly.
"There are a number of psychoactive drugs that distort people’s sense of time, so you could imagine developing a pill or a liquid that made someone feel like they were serving a 1,000-year sentence," she said.(The Daily Telegraph)

135

Law / Re: Friday class traffic

« on: December 04, 2013, 03:52:14 PM »

Let's make it fruitful.