Ceredigion Election

#autism + politics

As someone recently diagnosed as being on the autistic spectrum scale, I find it difficult to not only communicate or articulate my thoughts to the outside world, but to understand other peoples words or actions as well.

The bitter events which have transpired over the past few days have left a very sour taste in my mouth.

This local election in Ceredigion has seen some underhanded tactics to secure potential votes. I was singled out on twitter having my tweets screen shot and reposted labelling me with having a a “shameful attitude” towards child abuse.

I was disgusted at this remark. Having personal experience of the matter. I will no longer be ashamed of my past. My “shameful attitude” was due to me not knowing who a political paedophile was even though they were active both politically and otherwise before I was born.

I admitted my ignorance on the matter. I tried to explain my point of view, where by the constant dragging up of historic cases can pose significant danger to vulnerable people.

In the post Saville age, where historic cases dominate the media, it's hard for many people to cope.

It has been positive for a lot of individuals, myself included. But I worry for the people who don't have the strength to open up about their experiences. The people who have repressed the traumatic events for so long, being constantly reminded of their emotional turmoil as it's bombarded at them on a daily basis through TV, newspapers, and social networks.

To have this stuff dragged up for political agenda is not okay. I opened up publicly, after hearing my response, the person who did this apologised. Then blocked me before giving me opportunity to accept their apology. For me with my autism, blocking on twitter is a bit of a “trigger” issue for me. Each tweet is designed to communicate with an open world. Unless your tweets are set to private. To single someone out and block them is pointless, as you can simply view on any alternate account. Twitter is designed to be a public forum. I was just going to accept their apology and ask them to remove the tweet labelling me as having shameful attitude towards child abuse. But they blocked me. So I snapped, went way over the top. Had their twitter account flooded with the same tweet. All from separate accounts, demonstrating how redundant blocking on twitter really is. I couldn't understand why someone would apologize and than block me.

Mike Parker the Plaid candidate follows this account on twitter. He has 2406 followers and follows 1206 people. I sent him a facebook msg last night which was read then marked as unread. 

If Mike Parker is to win the election and become my local representative, then I would be one of his constituents. I have trouble trying to express myself, twitter can compound the issue with the short character limitation.

After the election, if Mike Parker wins, will he continue to ignore his constituents, like myself because he doesn’t like or understand them. 1 out of every 100 people have a form of autism and have difficulties in social situations. Causing varying degrees of anxiety. When people hear of the 1% they think of bankers, people with money, the rich and privileged. But when you consider that figure of autism, 1 in every 100. That is the 1% that gets forgotten about.

Is the following still Plaid's position on autism as this was published 3 years ago and I know from personal experience that accessing support services in the local area is almost impossible. It took about 2 years if not more to get my formal diagnosis though, and that was only done with the epic support of Mark Williams and his staff.

On Autism Awareness Day (2nd of April 2012), Plaid Cymru has reiterated its commitment to supporting people with autism. Around one in every hundred people has autism in Wales, and this often misunderstood condition can hinder access to support.

Plaid Cymru’s Health spokesperson Elin Jones said:

“Autism affects hundreds of people in Wales. Often it is misunderstood, undiagnosed, and can leave those with the condition and their loved ones struggling to cope. When Plaid Cymru was in government, we implemented a number of initiatives to support those who have the condition such as establishing a support website, raising awareness and training for advocacy personnel, and support targeted at adults who have autism.

“Plaid Cymru believes that while early diagnosis and early intervention are hugely important, much can be done to support children and adults who have autism such as supporting them into employment and tackling discrimination. We will continue to call on governments at all level to help those with autism harness their talents and skills and be full members of society.

I am utterly shocked and dismayed at the cavalier attitudes of __________ and company. For example this back and forth relating to someone with PTSD. Someone using the name Dilys Davies using dangerous terminology and raising doubts as to whether the person suffers from PTSD. As she has treated many people for PTSD in her carer. I would be interested to know what her job title actually is. To be such an expert that she could diagnose/assess people via twitter. PTSD is a complex condition that affects people in varying ways. Just like all mental health conditions. Using the term TROLL can be dangerous. For prime example: A woman who "trolled" Madeleine McCann's family on Twitter killed herself days after she was challenged by reporters, an inquest concluded.

Brenda Leyland, 63, from Leicestershire, was found dead after she was confronted by Martin Brunt from Sky News over the abuse.

Perceptions on social media have contributed to a number of suicides, self harm. Because people aren't mindful of what they are saying, but most importantly whom they are saying it too. There is such a rancid stigma when it comes to mental health issues,

The BBC Panorama Special Suicide in the family was a huge wake up call. 24% of deaths for men aged 18-24 is suicide. That is almost 1 in 4 children who will grow up to end their own lives. In men over 40 suicide is a bigger killer then cancer. I have read the Plaid manifesto with only 2 little burbs on Mental Health on page 19. this is a far bigger issue and needs much more attention. Mental Health does not discriminate between, class, race, religion or political affiliation, and can effect anyone at any time for any number of reasons. ___________ and co complain about people not being genuine and open on twitter, yet hide their own names and faces. That makes them hypocrites and cowards, and I will expose this hypocrisy at every turn

My Reply From Mike Parker whom is perfectly reasonable. Hopes that we can both resolve it. Start by being much more mindful of mental health issues.

• Mike Parker
  

  
  

  
  

  Hi Jamie, thanks for your message. I'm really sorry for all that's happened, it sounds like you are a really strong person to be getting through all that has happened. As for the twitter blocking, I agree that it sounds as though a misunderstanding has gone on, I hope you both can resolve it. And yes, post election, whoever wins, let's hope that they get on with the job and get to making this country a fairer place to live. Thanks again, and all the best.
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  4/14, 9:07pm
  

  Jamie Matthew Dearden
  

  
  

  
  

  No worries, cheers for getting back to me. Yes it was a misunderstanding that blew out of portion. People who think they can say what ever they like behind a veil of anonymity on social networks. People who are to scared to put their own name and face behind their opinions. This person spouted political rhetoric assuming they were beyond reproach. It's incidents like this and the scandal you experienced yourself last week which puts people off getting involved in politics. Only 65.1% of people turned out to vote in the last election, that still leaves over 1/3 of population who don't care or are uninterested. I wanted to go an volunteer in the election this week, as after my Nan died, I was suddenly out of a job with no qualifications or references. I wanted to get some fresh work experience and push myself out of my comfort zone to socialize with people. Build my confidence back up, so I can re-enter the working world. But because of all this, the child abuse thing, my autistic public rant/meltdown, I felt I would just upset or disrupt things so have just shied away. I am very worried about mental health services in the local area, not only for myself but for all vulnerable people. If their are 75,900 people in Ceredigion, and 1 out of every 100 has autism then their are roughly 759 people in Ceredigion who are on the autistic spectrum scale. These are people that need adequate support services put in place. Also with suicides being such a problem, stats for young man soar so high you would be forgiven for mistaking it for a pandemic. 24% of deaths in men aged 18-24 is suicide, that’s almost 1 in every 4 young boys who will grow up to end their lives tragically young, unless something can be done to change it. Worryingly according to an Oncologist the biggest killer of men his age is suicide not cancer. If suicide is claiming and effecting this many lives, shouldn't more be done to combat it. I would love to know what plans Plaid have to improve services in the area. I know from expierence that Ceredigion is a problem zone for accessing any kind of mental health support services.
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End The War On Drugs Win The War On Crime

As Bob Dylan once sang, Times they are A changing. Just never as swiftly as one would hope. Drug Policy and Drug Reform remains a taboo subject for anyone whom is actually in a position to effect any real sense of change. Most senior members of parliament only voice concerns upon “soft issues”. Things most people can agree upon thus not losing any potential votes. So most people are afraid to voice their own opinions, in fear of offending and alienating votes they already have banked within their respective constituencies. Reformation is always a painful and arduous task. Look at the catholic reformation of 1560 and the 30 years war that followed. Such a divide amongst the people causes much friction. Which can burst into open flame. All out open rebellion if common ground cannot be reached by all sides. The UK itself has a murky history in relation to drug policy. The British role in the Opium Wars 1856-1860, which primary school aged children of the orient are thought at school. Yet is omitted from our own curriculum. Heroin was discovered in Scotland in 1874 by Charles Romley Alder Wright . Accidentally after trying to find a less addictive form of morphine. The illegal and unregulated production sale distribution and consumption of Heroin since then has lead to much social decay. Throughout different communities. Throughout different cities, countries even continents. The social pandemic of addiction has even spread across the class divide. Addiction does not discriminate.

 

Durham's Chief Constable Mike Barton said “It's time to end the war on drugs”. He made a comparison I had never really considered before. Comparing our current stance of prohibition to the prohibition era of 1920s America. It felt like a real shift in perspective. The war on drugs cannot be won. It just empowers and enriches criminal enterprises like that of said 1920s gangsters. Only in the modern era it's far more brutal. The gangsters of 1920s had a roguish appeal the press and public admired to a certain extant. They were just breaking a law that no one really believed in apart from the Woman's Temperance League. Who felt the consumption of alcohol was a moral issue. The 13 years of prohibition raised vast fortunes for the underworld.

 

When it ended they simply diversified like any other corporate enterprise would. They invested in Cuba, Las Vagas all around the world. Shipping and distributing drugs. The corruption evolved and spread. It hasn't gone away. It's only gotten worse. From the stereotypical Mafioso to violent cartels in South America. It's lead to murder and chaos, suffering and abuse on an almost unfathomable scale. At the moment these criminal organizations have sole control over an underworld economy. Many of which are cash rich individuals that are to afraid to put money into ligitmate banks, because they can't declare illicit income. That revenue sits outside the conventional economy. One of the major advantages of decriminalization, regulation and taxation would be stripping the power from these nefarious networks of individuals. End the war on drugs, and Win the war on crime.

 

The World Health Organization have stated that drug addiction is a Health issue. “Substance dependence cannot be understood without describing the social settings in which it develops. It adversely affects the phycial, psycholgical and social health of both the individual and the general public.” Substance abuse and dependence issues for each individual are different but they are not limited to illegal substances. Alcohol & Tabbaco both have addictive properties. But they are socially acceptable vices. We don't consider the masses of people who binge drink in the streets and fill our accident and emergency rooms which is a needless drain on already strained resources, as an issue of morality. How many people have died from alcohol related deaths. Either killing their livers slowly over a lifetime, or drinking so much it leads to an unforeseeable accident. Every time your drunk your judgement is impaired. You could decide to walk home and get hit by a car and die. How many deaths are there from Tabbaco. Lung conditions, cancer. A long list of things which could be argued should be a moral issue for intervention by the state. But that will never happen. The tax's levied from the sale of Alcohol & Tabbaco are fairly substantial. Why is it justifiable and socially acceptable for the sale consumption and taxation of these substances but not others. Where do we as a people decide to draw the line with what is morally appropriate and acceptable?

 

 

Professor David Nutt was employed by the state to give his professional opinion. When it wasn't the opinion the state wanted. He was fired. How was that morally justifiable. How can you fire someone for doing their job. Professor Nutt Has said “There is no such thing as a safe level of alcohol consumption”, “Drugs are taken for pleasure – realise this and we can start to reduce harm”. Those are some pragmatic scientific opinions. There are many avenues to explore with the concept of large scale reform. It would protect the public and create new streams of revenue for state coffers. Illegal street drugs are cut down each time they change hands. Mixed with all sorts just so they can make a marginal bit of extra profit. At the expense of the common users safety.

For instance, say there is a particularly weak/diluted strain of a particular substance. The user has a high tolerance with this weak product. Then something comes along that is a lot more potent. The user takes the same dosage as with the inferior one. Only this time over doses. If things were regulated events like that would not happen. It would protect people, even from their own ignorance. Take the high profile case of Philip Seymour Hoffman, a recovering addict who had been abstinent for many years suffered a relapse and according to Professor Nutt “Once people stop using, the tolerance that they develop during the period of drug/alcohol use wears off. A dose that would previously have been acceptable becomes lethal. Even though the users probably realise they are less tolerant, the compulsive nature of opioid, alcohol and cocaine use impairs their ability to stop. A few drinks or a single line or shot can lead to a lethal binge”. With drug reform there are no right answers. It's just important that we start asking the right questions and stop punishing and vilifying people like Professor Nutt and Chief Constable Barton for being brave enough to voice a view not shared by their respective counter parts. 

When you look at legal alternatives to illegal substances. Legal Highs, it becomes apparent how deadly these substances can be. The mortality rate soared up by 80% in 1 year. Mephedrone or Meow Meow was the 1^st of these designer drugs to hit mainstream press and be made illegal. But it hasn't stopped the illegal sale and consumption or death rate of this harmful substance. Think of how much it cost to create a new law, then putting it into legalisation. Furthermore you have the never ending cost of enforcing that law. Meanwhile the people producing this stuff need only alter the chemical compound, re-brand the product and they are back on sale until they have to do it again. “Not Fit For Human Consumption” clearly displayed on packaging for these substances, meaning that as they are never intended for human consumption they are not required by law to conform to the same tests or health and safety regulations as substances designed for human consumption, such as cough medicine. The research in the effects of these designer party drugs is being carried out, at public expense I assume.

Richard Nixon started the war on drugs. A man who is remembered for being one of the most shady head's of state the world had ever seen. He is pretty much a social reference to the epitome of greed and corruption. It's been 43 years since the war on drugs began. That's three decades longer then the prohibition era of the 1920s. How many battles have been fought? Lives ruined and lost? For what? Just to preserve a twisted sense of morality from a man who was fairly immoral himself.

 

The cultural media which has evolved since the James Cagney gangster movies of the 1930s to The Godfather, Scarface and any other cultural icons you can think of. They all glorify and romantasize the villain. Bare in mind, that life intimates art and vice versa. People emulate and hero worship the bad guys. Aspiring to the greed, and hunger for power.

It's not the media's fault. Much is the case that many of these stories are based on real events, like Goodfellas for instance. Art intimating life.

 

Yet at the same time media has also proven to break down social barriers, mainly through comedy. Like Futurama's regular parody of Nixon, Family Guy and so on. You look at productions like Cheech & Chong in the 70s, How High or the Harold and Kumar films in more recent years. The “stoner” comedy genre. Has made careers and large streams of revenues for both production companies and cast members. It's okay to make these kinda comedies, that's fine it's socially acceptable.

It's okay to joke about restrictive

and oppressive policies but openly debating

them is absolutely absurd.

Addiction is a complex issue and is not limited to substances. You can be addicted to a vast number of things. Gambling, for instance, destructive compulsion. People can even be addicted to adrenalin, they are just more commonly known as thrill seekers, sky divers. People who are just looking for something to fill a gap or void in their life. Something that brings them comfort or joy, a feeling of happiness. A state of calming bliss. People should be allowed to pursue their own interests so long as they are not at risk of harm to themselves or others. We cannot stop people abusing drugs. But we could minimize the risks. Look at Washington DC and their new stance on the Cannabis issue. Washington is arguably the capitol of the “free” world. They have created new industry’s of business at a time when the global economy is in recession. There is an industry which is growing, please excuse the pun. The money raised from these industry's is providing funding for the public sector. Putting more teachers in schools, police on the streets, doctors and nurses in hospitals. Not to mention funding drug treatment facilities. How is that not a better way of doing things. Rather then wasting resources investigating and prostituting users and addicts. Filling our over crowded jails with more often then not victims themselves. Prison can make drug use and drug addiction worse. People can become clean inside and relapse again after falling into the same habits, comfortable familiar lifestyles once released. All we are doing is treating the symptoms instead of tackling the disease of addiction.

 

 

Reference links

 

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/cocky-drug-dealers-jailed-after-posing-with-cannabis-and-bundles-of-cash-9318014.html

 

 

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/dec/03/drugs-pleasure-reduce-harm

 

 

http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/29/police-chiefs-warn-barton-careful-message-drugs