#2.
€15,000 to avoid jail for rape?
Fcuk that. Make him pay the money and give him a few years.
Nobody should be allowed to buy their way out of such a serious offence.

I’ve taken hallucenogenic drugs and I have never sexually assaulted anyone. This is true of everyone I know who has ever taken hallucinogenic drugs. Not only is this not an excuse, THERE IS NO EXCUSE. One would imagine that, with the amount of horrible cases we’ve seen in the last few years related to sexual offences, we’d have a justice system that sees if for the horrendous crime it is. The slimey bastard should be jailed.

ATTACK: A man charged with a violent sexual attack on a 17-year-old girl could avoid jail time if he agrees to pay €15,000 to the girl. 29-year-old Graham Griffiths who has previous convictions for assault said he had taken hallucinogenic drugs and alcohol on the night of the attack, The Irish Times reports………how about this……………… if you have the cash you can get away with anything

#DEPRESSION:

Having developed symptoms of Bipolar disorder 4 years ago, while on “anti-depressants” for panic disorder, the one thing I notice the last 4 years is the lack of emotional support, stigma and discrimination. I am stronger now and do not feel the need for as much support, but I have been through difficult times.

I was lucky enough to meet up with people in Critical Voices Network through the internet and Facebook and met some great people. They want to help bring about change in our ‘mental health system’. They are not a support group but some of the people have got me through some difficult times in recent months. I have been let down by “people” who were going behind my back and reporting back to the ‘mental health service’. And I got to see written evidence of this. It would be an interesting scenario if I was ringing up their doctors behind their back! Once you have a label people treat you completely different and you become aware of that. Be it non verbal communication or whatever. I no longer attend the ‘mental health service’ due to their emphasis on medication.

Avoid Psychiatrists like the plague, with a few exceptions! You may go to them with one problem and end up with bigger problems. And they will judge you and write stuff behind your back that is not true. I know this as I go my records under Freedom of Information and could not believe what I was reading. I do not recommend
getting records as it can open a can of worms!

I only occasionally take medication now. I have done my research. The key for me in trying to get on top of Depression is exercise. I have a bike and I go to the gym. I try to write 3 pages in a journal in the morning. I meditate. Sleep is key. Alcohol needs to be avoided. Diet is important. Reduce sugar. I try to drink enough water and to avoid caffeine. Psychotherapy can help. When I was attending the ‘mental health service’ I had an Occupational therapist and she helped me a lot. I am on a short personal development course at the moment and I get to listen to motivational speaker Lou Tice on DVD. He is very good.

I went way out of my comfort zone this week as I got a chance to speak briefly on The Frontline with Pat Kenny about the impact of mortgage rate hikes. So my stress levels were high. But chances like that do not come up every day.

If on “anti-depressants” do not stop or change medication without consulting a doctor, due to withdrawal but I should never have been put on these drugs. And several years later I still have panic disorder so they do not cure anything! Breathing is important when it comes to panic and stress management. Plus lifestyle. “Anti-depressants” can lead to suicide, violence or mania. Going on or coming off these drugs is a particularly dangerous time.

Here is Psychiatrist Dr Peter Breggin speaking about the “chemical imbalance” theory that has never been proven. For me, depression is very much related to my thought processes: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARZ2Wv2BoFs

I also follow the work of Professor Ivor Browne, Professor David Healy (both Psychiatrists) and Dr Terry Lynch who is a GP/Psychotherapist who has recently written a book called “Selfhood” which addresses mental health and recovery. Less than 10% of Consultant Psychiatrists in this country are trained in Psychotherapy which explains a lot. Some of them do not seem to have basic listening skills. They are too busy judging the person and deciding what medication to give them. Going to see Professor Ivor Browne (83) a few months ago was a turning point for me. He told me that I am not “mentally ill” and that was half the battle. He gave me HOPE and direction, as I try to build back my confidence.

I like this short video “I had a black dog, his name was Depression”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

So… yesterday we have reports that the government are introducing new powers to be used by Gardai to tackle drink/ drug driving but with a new emphasis on the effects of driving under the influence of drugs in particular. This is because, well, drugs contain multiple chemicals as opposed to just the one in alcohol. Those chemicals can have profound effects on people to a far greater degree than alcohol. The effects vary from person to person wildly, unlike the quite predictable effects of alcohol, so it’s possible that a person wouldn’t know they were doing behind the wheel of a car under the influence of a drug and there’s no telling what could happen. So driving under the influence of drugs is about to become a very serious offence as well, you surely knew what you were doing prior to taking the drug and even if you did not, it is illegal to drive while out of your mind.

However, this morning we find that if you commit rape while under the influence of drugs with the argument that because you didn’t know what you were doing or that you were out of your mind on drugs as your defence, you can expect to be given a fine and let off.

There are no words.

I have to laugh… the economy is in flailing, people are trying to emigrate to get work (if they haven’t already) and revenue can’t even mention this is the real reason for their takings to be down… the mind boggles!

I love the way that only certain articles are available for comment