wendygs

Was life any better before soaps and big brother, ie did we have a more caring and constructive approach to things and if so how could we have had documentaries such as "Kathy Come Home" about the homeless crisis less than 40 years ago?

I have read this thread with great interest. In 1993 my consultants diagnosed I had Multiple Ad Polyps in the Colon - a very rare and aggressive form of bowel cancer. My Consultant said I had a 92% chance of developing bowel cancer if I didnt have major surgery to remove my colon and that I would then be dead within 5 years. The standard treatment for this condition is removal of the entire colon. I consulted a naturopath who said this condition is extremely difficult to treat. Following his advice was indeed very hard work. I am not sure many people would have the staying power to deal with health issues in this way. Specifically it demands substantial and extended periods of supervised detoxifcation several times a year which is not cheap supported by a special diet of fruit, vegetables, nuts, seeds, pulses and grains. No meat, fish, dairy products, fats or oils and manufactured foods. After 2 years of intensive work under my naturopath's care and regular observations I enjoyed a most marked reduction in the condition to the extent that it was almost non-existent. My naturopath does not treat patients using alopathic medications because it gives rise to complications which are then high risk. IN all the medical conditions when I used naturopathy, those conditions have resolved to my personal satisfaction which I can not say has not been my experience when taking alopathic options generally provided by the medical profession. I would have found it more difficult to achieve this result but for the co-operation of my Consultant who was most reluctant to allow me to undergo this regime. I am saddened that the issues affecting this debate typically evoke an unwarranted and highly charged emotional over-reaction. This therefore obstructs any reasoned or measured evaluation of the merits involved with complementary medicine, naturopathy in particular. Naturopathy is certainly considerably cheaper than the alopathic options - until my voice loss immediately after an investigation my GP considered that my health care didnt cost the NHS very much at all. However I do not have any doubt that today's world is hardly conducive to a truly naturopathic lifestyle - one would need to be a virtual saint and live in the middle of nowhere. I hope this account introduces a few useful facts with just a little scale and relativity to the debate which does seem to have become emotive.

I quite agree with Uncleheed. I've just been having a discussion about this and related issues with a friend of mine who is very concerned by the general decline in standards over the past 10 years or so. I dont think it's just a case of swearing or using the dreaded "F" word inappropriately either.

Carmine, please dont make assumptions about my politics or the position I take. I just think Anne Widdecombe has some interesting things to say some of the time which is not my view of Robin Cook's extra-marital activities etc and I totally agree with Kookykoo's concerns

Those that arent students may be working and are too shattered at the end of the day to go anywhere other than the pub. Alternatively, and quite probably, they are on low incomes, income support or the dole in which case they havent got any money to go out and enjoy themselves.

I like Anne Widdecombe - what's wrong with her

It's not the case that politics is boring or sexy. It's that people with power, ie clout, often seem to believe they can act as if the people without power just dont count. WHen did you last listen to Question Time. It's an absolute shambles all they do is shout, insult each other and generally try to defend their pitch

The sheffield public transport system is a load of extremely expensive rubbish. ANyone who spends any time in and around London will know that they have a far better and more cost-effective system in place. Travel costs are pegged and do not increase every 2-3 months as they do in Sheffield and travel arrangements are far more generous. I am surprised that anyone can afford these costs which are at best excessive.

People dont get involved in politics because it is a waste of time; people with clout dont want to know; public and private sector just steamroller around without a care in the world. They know the laws we have pay lip service. It has absolutely nothing to do with Anne Widdecombe wondering around the Palace of Westminster. In fact if you listen to what she's got to say it can occasionally make sense which is more than I'd say for our Sheffield council officials.