I thought it necessary to record my admiration for two women who were prominent in the media yesterday. Firstly Debbie Purdy who finally achieved victory in her long running legal battle to have the law on assisted suicide clarified. Her elation showed in every interview and although she looked exhausted, her smile was still there late last night when she appeared on Newsnight. We all know MS is an incurable disease and one which affects each sufferer differently. To undertake a battle with the legal system is ordeal enough for those who are physically fit - to do so as an MS sufferer shows extraordinary determination and strength of will.
The second woman I wish to applaud is Rose Gentle, the mother of Gordon Gentle who was killed in Iraq. Rose fought extremely hard to have an inquest held into Gordon's death and it resulted in the coroner stating the army's failure to fit an electronic device to his Landrover would have prevented the bomb detonating. She brings a palable passion to her campaign against the Iraq war and now the Afghanistan war. I heard her on Radio Scotland yesterday explaining her intention to accept Lord Chilcott's invitation go to London and personally discuss with him the questions military families of the fallen needed answered by the newly formed Iraq Inquiry. She will ensure Lord Chilcott is left in no doubt about the families' wish list.
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I fuly endorse your post, Subrosa. On a similar theme I read the other day how hardly, if any women were prominent in the collapse of the banking system. We need another Golda or Maggie!
Dearie me, "OLdrightie".
I'm not sure if I would agree with your posting's last sentence.In fact I would go so far as to say, " God forbid".
...and that statement has absolutely nothing to do with gender issues.
Totally agree Subrosa.
These two women have more 'guts' in their two little fingers than the majority of the 646 (and that's trying to be kind - though God knows why!)
In some ways it is immaterial as to their reasons but the important thing is that they have the determination to stand up for what THEY believe is right.
A handsome trait that is sadly lacking in many people since the word 'Great' has been insidiously removed, by our dictatorial Government, from this once proud nation of Great Britain.
. . . gone for a lie down ;-)
as to those two brave and resulute ladies.
My admiration for them, knows no bounds.
Having been a carer of a terminally of a lovely lady for years through her terrible illness and both of us knowing full well what the outcome would be.
This lady has not only won justice for herself and hers, she has won justice for all those unfortunate folk that may have a need of it in the future.
...and anyone who has witnessed the love of their live taken from them and their loved ones a bit at a time will say Amen to that.
...and as for Rose, aye I've met the lady and from one who has battled against adversity, closed officialdom doors, arrogance and deceit in the search of truth and justice myself.
Repect Rose, deep respect.
.
Thank you all for your gracious comments, most kind of you.
Yes wisnaeme, Rose is a woman who had to battle the class culture before she could even begin her fight for justice for her son. I so admire her because of her refusal to be intimidated by her lack of certain abilities. It really gratified me to hear her yesterday say she'd been invited to give the opinions of herself and others.
She is a superb example of what someone from her background can do if the will is there.
I just hope that if Lord Chilcott really means what he espouses - that he take heed and curtails any plans for a 'walk in the woods'. The precedents are not in favour of those who may expose the short-comings of the UK Government intent on grovelling to the US in the mistaken belief of sustaining a "special relationship".
Mrs Gentle's dignity, composure and redoutable duty to her son and his likes - puts the politicians and their likes lamentable self-interest and deceit - to shame.
Clarinda, I'm afraid we have to rely on Rose Gentle to ensure the families needs are met.
Truly it's appalling, indeed a national disgrace, that Mrs Gentle is now listened too. As you profoundly say for her sake and the sake of the UK we discover the real reasons for the Iraq war.
I, for one, won't be holding my breath.
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