Top of the posts: Dangerous dogs, everyday sexism and Georgy Porgie makes the girls cry

By Laura Davis
Notebook
Friday, 24 August 2012 at 5:51 pm

Ever since Diane Pretty brought the subject of euthanasia to the public forum ten years ago, there has been a long discussion in the UK as to whether the law should change to grant some individuals with their right to die. Tony Nicklinson’s case has highlighted how little we’ve moved on, as he fought to be entitled to a dignified death at the hand of permitted doctors, which he was denied by the High Court last week.

Before Tony Nicklinson’s passing this Wednesday, Dr Tom Riddington discussed his condition of locked-in syndrome, which left him paralysed, and unable eat or move or speak without help: “Tony has been robbed of his self-determination, and now his dignity is further degraded as he becomes the visceral embodiment of an ethical curiosity.”

Today Anders Breivik was declared sane and sentenced to the maximum term 21 years for the murders of 77 victims last year in Oslo. Owen Jones thinks the reaction from Norway is denying the far-right terrorist the martyrdom he sought: ”Breivik argued the attacks had been necessary to stop the “Islamisation” of Norway. But, in the initial months at least, they helped fuel a profound backlash against bigotry.”

With George Galloway managing to offend the majority this week with ill-informed comments about what can be considered as rape, James Bloodworth points out that this isn’t the first time he’s riled feathers. Galloway has previously “described the President of Syria Bashar al-Assad as the “last Arab leader” and also “heaped praise on Saddam Hussein for his “ indefatigability””. As politicians continue to categorise their own forms, Archie Bland also discusses how although there may be differing levels of severity and intent, the simple fact remains that sex without consent is rape.

As new blog Everyday Sexism works to address the complacency many feel towards making small actions and comments of misogyny we’ve grown to ignore, its creator Laura Bates explains exactly why we should be talking about matters on the ground: “These things might seem minor,” but these “minor incidents which build up day by day, little by little, create an overwhelming and frustrating sense of prejudice and powerlessness.”

Elsewhere, Louise McCudden compares the media’s stark and varying reactions to celebrities breaking the moral code; Ellen E Jones and Ben Shires debate whether compensation should be given in comedy when viewers are offended; Susan Elkin offers examples of those who didn’t need to attend university to succeed; Lisa Watts explains some truths about breastfeeding; Sarah Ismail targets the stereotypes seen in Channel 4’s ‘I’m Spazticus’; Stephen Isaac-Wilson speaks of the reality of a lack of employment; Rima Amin offers ideas as to how the Save Maryam campaign could improve; James Bloodworth peeks into the greedy underbelly of the railways; Dr Victoria Martindale asks why we’ve failed to address the problem of dangerous dogs in society and Lee Williams gives an example of some over-zealous work colleagues.

Here are the most viewed blogs this week, as determined by stats:

1. There are those who are appalled by George Galloway now, and those who have always been appalled by George Galloway By James Bloodworth

2. Who is the fairest in Hollywood? Celebrities such as Kristen Stewart face heavy moral pressure By Louise McCudden

3. Rapes might not all be the same, but they are all rapes By Archie Bland

4. Some with locked-in syndrome do not want to die. But Tony Nicklinson does. By Dr Tom Riddington

5. What the Save Maryam campaign completely misses By Rima Amin

6. Annoying work emails: Would you wink at/kiss a colleague in person? By Lee Williams

7. Everyday Sexism: What’s the big deal? By Laura Bates

8. The debate: Should those offended by jokes be offered compensation? By Ellen E Jones and Ben Shires

9. On GCSE results day: The great university con trick By Susan Elkin

10. Dr Miriam Stoppard’s breastfeeding article is factually inaccurate and irresponsible By Lisa Watts

11. Railways are too important to run on greed By James Bloodworth