Professor Hawking hits back at US conservative nutjobs
The Don highlighted a good story this morning, which illustrates just how far beyond the pale conservative elements in the USA are prepared to go. Apparently an American magazine called Investors’ Business Daily decided to publish an editorial that included the following sentiment about eminent physicist Professor Stephen Hawking:
“People such as scientist Stephen Hawking wouldn’t have a chance in the U.K., where the National Health Service would say the life of this brilliant man, because of his physical handicaps, is essentially worthless”.
Such a notion is part of the concerted attack being led by Sarah Palin and other right-wing nutcases against President Obama’s plans for healthcare. Palin herself has been saying that Obama intends to set up “death panels” which would decide whether or not Americans are worthy of health care. As opposed to the current situation where they are treated as if they simply aren’t worthy of it.
However, the fightback seems to be underway against the craziness that seems to have been unleashed in American politics. Republican Senator from Georgia, Johnny Isakson yesterday described the sort of nonsense available on Palin’s website as “nuts”. Isakson has been a strong proponent of what is known is Georgia as “durable power of attorney”, which describes what you want to happen to you when in certain health related situations.
Palin’s website described this as enforced euthanasia.
Stephen Hawking himself retaliated against the claims by the American right when he said, “I wouldn’t be here today if it were not for the NHS…I have received a large amount of high-quality treatment without which I would not have survived.” Slam fucking dunk.
Similarly I would not be here if it were not for the NHS, as I was involved in a road accident as a passenger and got a serious head injury/smashed up shoulder which meant being needed to be taught how to move limbs/walk/talk/then work.
(the stupid b****)
Hanna and any of his Conservative lot would have found it necessary to leave me to die under a private healthcare system; I had no private health insurance.
The NHS sorted me out. I feel badly sorry for anybody that is the position I was in.
I feel even sorrier for people who are in the position but live in a country where healthcare is an “elitist” thing.
We used to have such a system in the UK, where people died for many unnecessary reasons.
That is why the NHS was developed.
Off to bed now, got the “DEATH PANEL” in the morning; I hope they decide I am worth more than 22k(gbp)!
Stephen Hawking: kick ass, excellent.
I myself have serious health problems this week I went to see a doctor now have a nurse to visit me at home because my disability is getting worse. The hospital did have problem with me at first, but thats lack of funding from the Tories and lets not kid our selves labour.
but now without them I’d be dead.
We need to make sure the NHS stays it has to we cannot have a two tier in which hospitals seek out the rich making the poorest wait, because it was happening here. I was once in a seventeen bed ward and was the only one who was NHS
Hi Dave
It seems that you have moved on with your website, looks quite professional if I may say so, just thought I would have my sixpeneth as I am quite passionate about the NHS
I have been under extensive medical treatment for approx 2 years now, which is currently ongoing within the NHS and up until recently havent known what the problem was. However after being referred to a number of consultant surgeons and clinical scientists and being put through some of the most rigerous tests using state of the art technology etc It is becoming apparent that the problem is due to a routine operation I had around 6 or 7 years ago where it seems a lot of internal damage was done.
However, given my personal experience under the care of the NHS I have access to specialists all over the country as and when needed and due to my situation being rare, I have been referred to specialists in rare conditions and havent had to complete a single claims form, i.e. where needed the help has just been there?
However I must point out that had the original surgery gone ok in the first place I most likely wouldnt be in this impossible situation now but the Irony is, the original surgery was performed in a private hospital, which kind of explodes the myth of private health care being in anyway superior to state funded public health care??
I shudder to think what position I would be in under a private, insurance driven system? Would I be able to get cober with a medical history? And more appropriately, would I be able to afford the premium?
I am not saying the NHS is perfect, like any organisation things can always be better or go wrong from time to time, but the fact that help is on hand when you need it or least expect it is priceless?
Likewise, I wouldn’t be here if it were not for the NHS. When newly born, I fell sick with a condition that is universally fatal without the right medical care. My parents couldn’t have afforded fancy private care, or even high level insurance – and the NHS was there. Several operations later, I was better.