In the wake of the legality, the religion and the politics relating to who can decide what life means for you, or me, or Terri Schiavo, I have been moved to research a “living will.”

“[In NSW] An advanced health care directive or “living will” is a written statement which contains information about the medical treatment which you desire. It comes into effect only when you are no longer able to make your own decisions. In NSW, advanced health care directives are not supported by legislation, unless they are part of the appointment of an enduring guardian. However, if a potential decision maker, such as a health care worker, guardian of the Guardianship Tribunal is aware of the existence of your advanced health care directive, it is likely to be influential when decisions about your health care are made. An advanced health care directive should be up to date and consistent with anything you have said to the decision maker previously.

If you do nothing about planning, as discussed above, the Guardianship Act will apply to you by identifying persons who are best able to make decisions on your behalf.”

It was this observation made by the rude one that moved me to action…

“[…]compares Schiavo’s situation to abortion, infantilizing her, taking away her voice completely. And there’s the truth of the matter, no? Those who want Terri Schiavo to be forced to live need those miracles because it will be as if she has come full-term, like a fetus. It is paternalism, sexism, and degradation.
In the end, it is her husband who, with the agreement of every court that’s heard the case, wants to give voice, give agency, to the adult.”

Image from here

Image from here

Previously, the Immigration Department has viewed conversions to Christianity with suspicion. But yesterday a spokesman for the Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone, confirmed the only reason for reconsidering 30 cases of people currently in long term detention was their new religion.

"All these people had exhausted the [assessment and appeals] process and failed. Once you have exhausted the process and failed, you’re over. You’ve had your go and that’s it."

– Spokesman for the Immigration Minister, Amanda Vanstone.

Once Australian, are you free to find Haile Selassie, Guru Adrian, or the Seventh Day Advent Hoppists?

Or will it be structured like a fiance visa? If the conversion doesn’t end in consummation within six months then out of Australia you go?

Update:
HoWARd denies religious bias, and a new immigration worker gets moved to media liaison…

Image from here