Press Release 2 18th November 2003 For immediate release
Armed with a doctor’s certificate, recommendations from two psychiatrists and a straight-jacket, a group of campaigners will attempt to get George W Bush sectioned under the Mental Health Act (1983) during his visit to Britain this week.
Under the Act, a person is subject to compulsory admission for assessment in a mental institution if a doctor fears they are “likely to cause harm to themselves or others”. Using their knowledge of the system, the group composed of doctors, psychologists and mental health professionals will attempt to force an emergency section.
An emergency admission for observation under Section 4 of the Act lasts for three days and can be sanctioned by one doctor. Admission under Section 2 can last for 28 days, whilst under Section 4 the patient can be detained for up to six months.
The group behind this plan is he No Confidence Campaign, a non-aligned group of activists and health care professionals who were formed before the outbreak of war in an attempt to force a vote of no confidence in the Tony Blair’s leadership on the grounds of mental incapacity. They believe that President Bush’s mental stability also needs to be examined. His youthful penchant for sticking firecrackers in live frogs and his defence of the practice of branding fraternity pledges with heated coat hangers has been reported in the New York Times and concerns about his messianic style of leadership are widespread. Consultant psychiatrist Dr A Walker said today;
“In Mr Bush we see an individual who believes he has been chosen by god, who holds to certain beliefs regardless of logic or fact, and who demonstrates an inability to empathise. These are classic symptoms of someone suffering from psychotic grandiose delusions.”
Stefan Simanowitz, spokesman for the NCC, said today;
“Under the Mental Health Act 1983 a person can be sectioned if they are likely to cause harm to themselves or to others. It is beyond dispute that George W Bush has caused grievous harm to thousands of people Iraq. Unless he is locked away in a secure institution, he looks set to continue to threaten lives and stability on a global scale.”.
Whilst the NCC recognises that the attempts by “men in white coats” armed an compulsory assessment order are likely to fail, they insist that whilst the action may be a ‘stunt’ it is certainly no ‘joke’.
“The war in Iraq was based on the principle of ‘anticipatory self defence’ or ‘preventive war’. If we allow the concept that wars can be fought on the basis of what states might do rather than what they have done or are about to do it will shatter the precepts of international law and spark problems across the globe. It is nothing short of madness.” Simanowitz said.
The group will be tracking President Bush throughout his stay and hope that police will cooperate in enforcing the Section.
Contact: NCC Press Office - 020 75871667 or 07799650791
Armed with a doctor’s certificate, recommendations from two psychiatrists and a straight-jacket, a group of campaigners will attempt to get George W Bush sectioned under the Mental Health Act (1983) during his visit to Britain this week.
Under the Act, a person is subject to compulsory admission for assessment in a mental institution if a doctor fears they are “likely to cause harm to themselves or others”. Using their knowledge of the system, the group composed of doctors, psychologists and mental health professionals will attempt to force an emergency section.
An emergency admission for observation under Section 4 of the Act lasts for three days and can be sanctioned by one doctor. Admission under Section 2 can last for 28 days, whilst under Section 4 the patient can be detained for up to six months.
The group behind this plan is he No Confidence Campaign, a non-aligned group of activists and health care professionals who were formed before the outbreak of war in an attempt to force a vote of no confidence in the Tony Blair’s leadership on the grounds of mental incapacity. They believe that President Bush’s mental stability also needs to be examined. His youthful penchant for sticking firecrackers in live frogs and his defence of the practice of branding fraternity pledges with heated coat hangers has been reported in the New York Times and concerns about his messianic style of leadership are widespread. Consultant psychiatrist Dr A Walker said today;
“In Mr Bush we see an individual who believes he has been chosen by god, who holds to certain beliefs regardless of logic or fact, and who demonstrates an inability to empathise. These are classic symptoms of someone suffering from psychotic grandiose delusions.”
Stefan Simanowitz, spokesman for the NCC, said today;
“Under the Mental Health Act 1983 a person can be sectioned if they are likely to cause harm to themselves or to others. It is beyond dispute that George W Bush has caused grievous harm to thousands of people Iraq. Unless he is locked away in a secure institution, he looks set to continue to threaten lives and stability on a global scale.”.
Whilst the NCC recognises that the attempts by “men in white coats” armed an compulsory assessment order are likely to fail, they insist that whilst the action may be a ‘stunt’ it is certainly no ‘joke’.
“The war in Iraq was based on the principle of ‘anticipatory self defence’ or ‘preventive war’. If we allow the concept that wars can be fought on the basis of what states might do rather than what they have done or are about to do it will shatter the precepts of international law and spark problems across the globe. It is nothing short of madness.” Simanowitz said.
The group will be tracking President Bush throughout his stay and hope that police will cooperate in enforcing the Section.
Contact: NCC Press Office - 020 75871667 or 07799650791
Comments
Hide the following 10 comments
Keep it up.
18.11.2003 13:52
With every madcap stunt of the perpetually angry protesters, MORE Americans stand by the man you're trying to pillory. When you're done wallowing in the vainglory and hatred, try feeding someone, making a job for them or contributing in some way to the well being of society. No, I mean in a REAL way. Not just "demanding and seizing justice for the oppressed masses of X" or whatever the ready-think phrase is this day of the week.
When rational people hear the "hate hate hate", it's clear to them that it's about a protester saying "me me me" and little else.
Joe
e-mail:
nomoreanger@fivepercentoftheplanet.net
Joe, YOU'RE Insane too!
18.11.2003 15:40
never in the history of the United States have hundreds of thousands gathered in major cities from coast to coast to scream in anger and shame at the President of the United States.
The idea that humiliating the jackass in London is going to make Americans support George W. Bush is absurd.
Right on People of London! Strap the nutter to a bed in the looney bin and don't let him out!
The people of the these United States are mad as hell at the entire Bush - Cheney nightmare, and the pack of stinking weasel neo-cons who set them up to this disaster.
The sooner we lock them all up the better!!!
thunder
Joe, anti-war activists are not the ones spreading HATE
18.11.2003 16:07
the HATE is all coming from the right wing fanatics, who do nothing but spread fear, hatred and prejudice in order to "support" Bush and Cheney.
your opinions are definitely not those of a "rational" or "objective" person.
HATE radio is PURELY a phenomenon of the religious right, who seek to dominate all discussions with their perverted views about the "end of the world." Get a life, Joe, and stop dumping on the only people who are actually doing something and speaking the truth.
Anti-Bush protesters are demanding (a) freedom of speech (b) due process of law (c) investment in society's needs instead of "infinite war"
For those interested here is a decent article about the HATRED and BILE that is constantly spewing out of the right wing freak show.
Meanwhile, people of London, we are marching beside you in spirit! Spit on the fascist pig, George W. Bush, and his brown-nosed poodle, Blair!
news monitor
keep keepin' up
18.11.2003 17:38
Oh yeah, Joe - shut it up, the all knowing and well meaning will tell you that you're having a psychotic episode. And if you belive in god, then you're a REAL hater... (?)
When all else fails do it with everyone? No-one outside your cult could possible have a point because they're just plain MAD? Anyone who disagrees with one? Everyone other than oneself? Where can one stop this line of thinking about others when it starts? It seems elitist, and somewhat narcissistic. I'm sure it makes for such great citizenship!
If the only way one has of dealing with others' position (to TOLERATE them) is to maintain the illusion that they're disturbed, then we are all in trouble. That empathy (and hence tolerance) is only possible because out of this sort of pity only points to emotionial state of our aggreived friends with the butterly net.
Face it- it's hate. No-one will believe that hate is somehow only the province of the right (whoever you think the right is or where it starts.) And it's obvious to any onlooker.
A personal note: I used to be a centerist, open to being convinced of the opinions on the further edges of the left and the right. The wild assertions of activists changed all of that. They managed to get themselves shut out the competition for ideas. They made themselved implausible.
I know what internecine hated is about - I'm a Lebanese immigrant - it's a huge part of why people fled for their lives. What you're wagging your finger at (the religious and the religious right) is far from anything like it. Seems to me that Activists WANT human misery because it gives fuel to their souls. If things improve what would one be left with?
The responses START with a finger pointing at anything in the front of the mind. Religion, the right, any tiny siezed upon fact that fits the bill, confusing the right with the religious, and with the religion... An especially insulting bit of pedantry.
One question: how will you live with a world that can't do everything that you want it to do?
>
Joe
e-mail:
whybotherwith@aworldwithhaters.info
Good work
18.11.2003 18:25
f from sf
Lazy complicity in psychiatric oppression... Typical
18.11.2003 22:24
While I applaud the motivation, this is puerile, offensive and tasteless. It is clear you know nothing about the stigma attached to those who fall foul of a section, and you seem to share the popular prejudice that mad=bad and dangerous to know.
BTW, Bush has not taken us to war because he is mentally ill. He did it because it suits the US bourgeoisie he represents. Can't take that into account in thinking of an angle for your sub-Dom Joly prank? Then fuck off, because I don't want to protest alongside you.
Find another way to make your point to Bush. Because this stinks.
Herbert Marcuse
stop the straight jacket coalition
18.11.2003 22:48
right on
...
18.11.2003 23:51
The fact these activists claim to be “mental health professionals” only makes me more despairing of the psychiatric system. I hope those in your care are aware of your insulting activities.
And the responses: "Strap the nutter to a bed in the looney bin and don't let him out!" Seems the Stalinist left’s old methods of dealing with political opponents die hard.
I admit, Bush is IGNORANT. But it seems the right has no monopoly on that trait.
You people really ought to be ashamed of yourselves. If the left is to become relevant again, it will need to demonstrate its opposition to ALL forms of oppression.
If I see you over the next few days, I’ll be sure to tell you what I think of you. I encourage other activists to do the same.
Herbert Marcuse
Sf Bay Area Health Not War salutes you!
19.11.2003 00:45
Kathryn
Gulags
19.11.2003 08:34
Fascist
e-mail:
thecentralcommittee@hotmail.com