Planned Care Agreement. Advance Care Directive. Enduring Power of Attorney

Planned Care Agreement/Advance Care Directive/Enduring Power of Attorney

Part I

Death is often forgotten as the basic law of life.  It can come in any form or shape and more often than not when it is least expected.  But the general human experience is that death comes at old age after an individual (he or she) had enjoyed healthy and fulfilling life and left familial progeny.  The challenge that is often faced by a spouse, child, or a grand child is a decision respectful of mum, dad, grandfather, grandmother, or indeed one’s loved one or carer to end one’s life or prolong one’s agony, suffering and mental anguish.  Would I want one of my grandparents, parent, a wife or a sibling who is in intensive care with tubes and monitors stuck or inserted into his or her body and whose heart had stopped resuscitated? If that loved family member had left a document stating his or her wishes in such situation authorizing family member to make decisions in accordance with those wishes such a document would not only save untold remorse and agony but more importantly disputes and finger pointing between family members.  

The mindset, training, and expectation of health practitioner in emergency and intensive care setting is to treat and resuscitate a frail elderly patient whose most likely wish if he or she had a say is to go peacefully.  The untold fact is that five percent (5%) of patients whose heart had stopped and were resuscitated in intensive care ever make it out of hospital.  Those five percent who do make it often after short period return to die more agonizing death.   Legal issues can and indeed do arise for non intervention by health practitioners who are by no mean immune against civil suits by grieving and disgruntled family member or members.  Indeed this scenario could equally apply if the now deceased patient had left advance care authority or enduring power of attorney spelling out his or her wishes in such scenario.  Whilst there had been some legal decisions whether to treat or not treat it is still an area with wide shades of grey for both the medical and legal professions.  

Treating someone who is elderly against his or her wishes would constitute an assault on that someone especially if those wishes are made with undisputed mental capacity.   They could range from refusal to eat or drink, refusal to have blood transfusion, refusal to be intubated and forced fed or medicated against his or her will.  Imagine an elderly legal or medical practitioner in his or her 80’s blatantly refusing treatment having his or her arms and legs tied to bed and tube inserted to force feed or medicate him or her.  To me this is the most serious form of assault, undignified assault made under the pretence and purported protection of the medical profession though not necessarily against the wider or strict interpretation of the ethics of that profession.  It should, in my opinion be punishable as a crime under the Crimes Act of the State or Territory concerned and carries mandatory jail sentence.

In Part II I will look at recent court decisions and the issues that could arise when a person had entrusted someone with authority to make decisions in accordance with his or her wishes.

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Origin of Credit Cards and The Knight Templars

Origin of Credit Cards

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The Knight Templars

If I were to tell you that the origin of credit cards that all of us carry today to pay our bills, and purchases and to withdraw cash from Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) started in the thirteenth century some 750 ago you will think I am either mad, telling you a lie, or pulling your leg.  In fact I am telling you the truth, the literal Gospel truth that is supported by an overwhelming body of evidence.

Crusades

Without going into details of either the history or the reasons for the Crusades suffices to say that Europe (the Vatican, France, Germany and Spain) where outraged when on 18 October 1009 AD the Sixth Fatimid (Al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah) in Egypt ordered the complete destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem.  Pope Urban II arranged people crusade.  This first crusade was annihilated by the Seljuk army when it reached modern day Istanbul.  It was followed by a second crusade of trained army that was assisted by the then persecuted Christian community when they crossed from Constantinople into Syria and Lebanon fighting its way to Jerusalem and bringing that Holy City under Christian control for the next 130 years.  The Knight Templars followed the Crusades and established their private niche in Jerusalem around 1120 AD.  Historian and scholars tell us that the Templars are reputed to having dug around Solomon Temple for a period of some 10 years and held onto secret relics and loots which may have included the elusive Holy Grail.   It is the Knight Templars that set the ‘template and moulds’ in place for the plastic cards that manufacturer of purses and wallets make attractive sleek slots to fit our visas, Master cards, Diners, AMX and number of other financial institution now compete to give and attract customers.  It is hard to believe that what is accepted as a norm today for commercial transactions did in fact started some 900 years ago.  

Once the crusaders had settled in Jerusalem pilgrims started coming from the various European countries.  At best of time the journey from any country in Europe to Jerusalem was hazardous.  In come the highly trained Knight Templars to the rescue.   The Templars established a safe route from Europe to Jerusalem with accommodation and safe escort along the way.  Instead of carrying money or valuables that could be lost or stolen arrangements were made whereby pilgrims deposited lump sum in advance with institution set up by the Templars (modern day banks) and were given vouchers that recorded expenditure incurred on the way to and from and in Jerusalem.  When a pilgrim   returned to Europe all expenses, be they food, accommodation, purchases etc were recorded and tabulated against initial deposit paid by the said pilgrim.  If refund was due it was given and if a shortfall was to be paid by the pilgrim it was paid.   Needless to say the final figure would have included either a lump sum or a scale fee for administrative charges and services provided by the Templars.  

The Templars became popular and rich throughout Europe and soon were seen as economic and curial threat to kings, especially France, and the Vatican.  They were dispossessed of their wealth and their leaders. Especially in France were burnt at stake.  Considerable number of them fled to other parts of Europe especially Scotland, Ireland and the Scandinavian countries.  In Scotland with the financial assistance of the Sinclair Family they built the Rosslyn Chapel, an identical geographical coordinate settings and structural replica to Solomon Temple.

In Scandinavia the Templars fought in the various Nordic wars that were raging at the time and the conclusion of which led to modern day map of Northern Europe.  It is interesting to say the least that the regalia of the Swiss Guards that are responsible for police, safety and day to day functioning of the Vatican is almost identical to that warn by the Knight Templars.    What did the Templars find in 9 plus years digging around the perimeters of Solomon Temple?  Where in the modern day world are these finds mysteriously hidden?  It is interesting to note that the modern day flag of Switzerland is almost a replica of the Knight Templar uniform.  

No this is not Dan Brown this is reality!

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Post Mortem Conception: Life after Death

Post Mortem Conception

Life after Death

It is common experience that significant number of human at some stage in their life they either hear about, become aware of or knew someone or some family that shared the scourge and tragic experience of newly married son or relative all of the sudden diagnosed with terminal illness.   Illness that in matter of weeks starts a chain of metastasis ravaging the new husband immune system and turns the lives of the newly married and their family into living hell.  There are number of cancers and blood disorders that once diagnosed its literally impossible to treat or significantly arrest their progress to give the patient any meaningful remission to enjoy semblance of quality of life.   The suffering is not of the patient but also that of the immediate family and close relatives and friends.  The myth that needs to dispelled, is the often held belief that the terminal blood disorder, cancer, or disease started all of the sudden without warning.  Like plants those diseases take time and often grow silent or with minimal disruption in daily living.  Often a salient feature of such insidious diseases is subtle enlargement of lymph nodes in the neck, under the armpit and groin and a patient that had been feeling unwell for while. Such features are more often than not missed in routine medical check ups and visit to general practitioners.

What is often ignored and rarely thought about is that sperms in a male testis and spermatic cord survive up to 36 hours after that male officially declared dead.  Most major hospitals in densely populated areas and cities do have fertility clinics.  If the will of the newly married and now widowed wife (and possibly others) is to fall pregnant to the love of her life there is a real chance she can do so.  The sperms from the testis of the deceased can be surgically harvested and cryogenically frozen.  Thereafter it is a matter for the fertility clinic and the widowed wife to make the arrangement and attempt/s that leads to conception.  If that conception is successful a widowed wife can have as many children from her departed husband as the circumstance allows.  Bizarre as it may seem at first glance the cryogenically frozen sperms of the newly wed deceased husband can, at least in theory, as a donor fertilize and give hope to many women and childless couples.

More often than not it is the will of the newly married deceased to have children and the chances are that he would have discussed this with his wife. Off springs that carry his name and memory.      

When we think about it the genetic material that we as human carry and that distinguish us as individuals, the RNA and DNA (ribonucleic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid) are present in the nuclei of cell of all living species including plants and animals.   Cutting edge research in cellular biology and genetics is now being undertaken in many laboratories around the globe.  It is not beyond the realms of possibility, and more likely probabilities that species long extinct such as dinosaurs can be brought back to life.  These advances raise very interesting highly controversial question both ethically and religiously that none of the major religions had addressed.

Could a parallel be drawn between resurrection after death and the promise of everlasting life for those of us worthy of good deeds and the perpetual giving of life by post puberty male, as in our case a newly married husband whose sperms were harvested within 36 hours after death?  Certainly food for thought and reflection for the adherent religious believers non believers.    

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Forgotten Dedications of Doctor Yousiff (Joseph) Yahyi

Forgotten Dedications of

Doctor Yousiff (Joseph) Yahyi

In recent days my dear friend and neighbor in my beloved village Aramoun, Chauki A’rrif Abi Ghanaam, sent me a book entitled: ‘Aramoun in Reminiscence and Nature’.  The book is written by the author Shafiq Amin Yahyi and was officially launched in the village’ hall on 18 October 2013.  This particular copy of the book was dedicated to Chauki by the author. On the back of the front cover of the book there is beautifully handwritten poem by Chauki’ nephew - Ramzi Assad Yahyi.  I am indebted to Chauki for this endearing gift.  I also extend my deep appreciation and thanks to the author and to everyone that contributed to make this book possible.

Having read the book I can say that although I left Aramoun at the age of 11 years I related either from direct memory or through hearsay to substantial parts of the narratives and tales dealing with the distant past under the Ottoman era, the twentieth century, the present and continuum.  I was particularly touched and relate to the story of the Late Doctor Yousiff Yahyi and Palestine that appears on page 97.  The reason for being touched by the story stems from the fact that the Late Doctor youngest sister, May, was a student in the Seventh Day Advantest School in Aramoun at the same time I was in the primary section of that school.

From very young age I learned to play the Tabla (Durbeki) and learned the beats for common folkloric dances.  I also learned the beat that accompanies the poets on stage when they are hotly debating their Zajal and vibrating their hand held tambourine.  I specifically recall as either 8 or 9 or possibly 10 years old attending to May’s wedding.  I attended the night before the wedding and the following day when May dressed as a bride left her parent’s home with the bridal party.  The well known and highly regarded poets (now deceased): Zein Shai’eb, and Assad Saeed were present.  The night before the wedding everyone was anticipating the arrival of doctor Youssif from Damascus. Non more so than his elderly beloved father Sleiman.  Shortly before 11 pm the good doctor made his appearance and went straight to hug his father.  At this point Assad Saeed said a short poem (raadi) that brought tears to the eyes of everyone present.  Assad was asked number of time to repeat the poem and each time he added to it.  In essence the poem was a masterpiece and it could have easily come from John Chrysostom better known as the Golden Mouth, being so apt and opportune for the occasion.  Assad said: ‘once Jacob was so sickly melancholic that all learned and men of wisdom gave up on treating him and said it is a matter of short time before he departs life but Jacob’s zest for life and sight was restored when he smelled Joseph’ shirt and hugged him as long lost youngest and favourite son’.  Needless to say everyone who had gun or a pistol handy started shooting in the air.

The following day in a heated poetic debate between Assad and Zein during which Zein compared Assad to a porter in fruit and vegetable market.  Assad was in a fine form his reply was again like words coming from the Golden Mouth.  Assad reply in essence:  ‘you sent me as a sample porter to the market and the crowd was competing for my services. A rusted tin becomes so precious in the hands of wise metal worker and the most precious jewel will lose its luster and value in the hands of a fool’.  Again Assad was asked to repeat his reply and again everyone who had pistol or gun ready started shooting in the air.

I am proud to say I was the tabla player sitting next to Zein at that time!

After reading the story of doctor Youssif commencing on page 97 in the book it was the first time I became aware that the good doctor had built hospital and practiced medicine in Haifa Palestine before the creation of the State of Israel.  It is ironic in the extreme having escaped the wars immediately before and after the official declaration of the State of Israel in 1948 to be martyred 35 years later in his practice by Israeli bombing raid on Damascus during the 1973 Arab/Israeli war.  It is heartening to know that despite the hazard of the journey to Damascus at the time good number of fellow Aramouni made it to the funeral.   

It is heartening to know that his memory in Aramoun is eternal and a chapter in this commendable new book about Aramoun is dedicated to his dedication to the medical profession and humanitarian deeds.

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DSM 5 AND CLASSIFICATION OF MENTAL ILLNESS

DSM 5 AND CLASSIFICATION

OF MENTAL ILLNESS  

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On 18 May 2013, the fifth edition of the updated ‘Bible’ of the American Psychiatric Association’ Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) became available to practicing psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, neuro-psychologists, and others involved in psychiatry.  DSM 5 replaced DSM 4 which was issued in 2000.  Normally a select task force is entrusted with the required research and contribution involved in producing such a reference Manual.  In this case the Task Force was formed in 2007 and the Manual is some 947 pages.

Significance of DSM 5 on everyone

You may well ask why bother writing such a blog when it really is an intrusion on the domain of the medical profession and specifically, the specialty of psychiatry.  The reason is simply the effect DSM 5 will have either directly or indirectly on all, yes all of us!  Unless a patient who is not feeling well and his General Practitioner cannot find anything organically to explain that feeling he or she is often referred to psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.  The chances are that patient is often privately health insured.  Unless that psychiatrist or psychologist provides diagnosis based on DSM 5 classification that patient is denied medication and denied private health insurance coverage.  If not covered by the Public Health such as the Australian Medicare System that can be costly exercise for anyone undergoing treatment.

In DSM 4 excessive bereavement, homosexuality, gender identity disorders, post traumatic stress disorders, autism, certain types of schizophrenia and Asperger syndrome were included and classified as mental conditions for which medication were prescribed and all private health insurance covered.  DSM 5 sets the bars higher for diagnosis of these conditions by either adding further criteria or complete deletion of the condition.

In recent weeks there had been major discussion and criticism of DSM 5 by members of various psychiatric associations especially in USA, UK, Canada, and Australia.  The thrust of these criticisms relate to undue influence by psychiatric drug industry, lack of independent empirical support and corroborative evidence for the addition, revision, and deletions.  Perhaps the more telling criticism relates to the quality of the information in support of changes, confusion and contradictions.  The bulk of those telling criticism comes from practicing psychiatrists and clinical psychologists!   

Personally, I'm outraged. What are your thoughts?

        

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QLD Bikie Laws - A Mockery of Justice

Sun-Stroked Perception of Justice

or Sheer Insanity?

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The National Liberal Party won unprecedented majority in the last election in the State of Queensland.  A majority that can justifiably ignore, let alone take any heed of the Labor opposition and its contribution to debate matters of concern to the residents of the State of Queensland and to Australia as a whole.  The Premier Campbell Newman is first time Premier and politician for that matter having been inducted months before the election. Likewise numerous member of the Newman government are first time politicians that are  at best novices compared with seasoned politicians.  The novice aspect, the size of the majority, and lack of opposition pose unprecedented danger to the required and expected standard of parliamentary debate and speeches for passage or defeat of legislations.  This is more so when the legislations impacts on lives of every individual in Queensland.  The added danger to this mix of first time Premier, and lack of experience is the tendency of the Labor opposition to side with the Newman government.  Sadly this siding with Newman Government cannot be more ill conceived and pronounced then the latest maverick, ignorant, ill thought, unconscionable, and illegal legislations purportedly specifically geared to control Bikie gangs.  Legislations that not only demeaned the integrity of the office of the highest legal officer in the State of Queensland, that of the Attorney General, Jarrod Bleijie, but makes mockery of that office in the eyes of the legal profession in Queensland, the judiciary, and the civilized world.

Attorney General Jarrod Bleijie, did not grimace when he pronounced the proposed legislations entitled: Vicious Lawless Associations Disestablishment Bill, The Tattoo Parlours Bill, Criminal (Gang Disruption) Amendment Bill.  Each of these three Bills banishes and removes all judicial and legal discretion by imposing lengthy mandatory sentences that makes judicial officer rubber stamps.  Sentences, that are further enhanced and given weight by the imposition of additional (non concurrent) sentence by refusal to answer questions or divulge information to law enforcement officers.  The President of Australian Council of Civil Liberties, Terry O’Gorman was not wrong when he said these laws highlights the inexperience of the holders of the highest governmental offices in the State of Queensland and makes these laws a laughing stock.   Despite the size of its minority by not standing up and screaming loudly against these misconceived draconian laws, in my opinion the Queensland Labor opposition became part and parcel of that laughing stock.

Australia is a signatory to number of international treaties that guarantees human dignity, human rights including minimum standard for treatment of prisoners.  These obligations are clearly foreign to Premier Campbell Newman or is Queensland succeeding from Australia? Does Premier Campbell Newman seriously think he can build Bikie only prison and incarcerate Bikies in cell for 23 hours a day dressed in pink?  If he does I seriously feel sorry for the residents in the State of Queensland.

Before concluding this blog I would like to remind all Ministers in the State of Queensland that in a speech to the House of Lords, 9 January 1770 William Pitt, Earl of Chatham (1708 – 1778) and Prime Minister 1766-8 said: ‘unlimited power is apt to corrupt the minds of those who possess it. Likewise the famous British historian, Lord Acton (1834-1902) said: ‘power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely’.  

Finally I consider it to be the duty of the legal profession of Queensland either the Bar Association or the Law Society or combined to forthwith commence legal challenge in the High Court of Australia to strike out the three Bills.  If any doubt exists about the illegality of the three Bills section 29 of the Australian Constitution giving Parliament power to legislate for the purpose of ensuring Australia complies with its foreign obligation in international treaties and covenants  is a good start.      

         

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The Wasp

UNIQUE PRIESTLY HOMILY

Part 1

(The Wasp)

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I cannot say that I have firsthand knowledge of this homily but I can say that I did hear it from Abo Kamil who was the president and caretaker of St Elias Church in my beloved village of Aramoun.

Due to its size being some 40 homes the Christian Community of Aramoun could not afford to have permanent resident priest at all times.  The arrangement that existed was that the Orthodox Patriarchy of Mount Lebanon adopted rostering system in allocated priests to various villages in Mount Lebanon for Sunday mass.  The procedure was a priest will come late Saturday and leaves late Sunday.  This particular homily that left indelible tale in the village was delivered by a newly rostered priest, Father Francis, and that was his first mass in St Elias Aramoun.  Father Francis was in his mid thirties and arrived in the village midday Saturday.  He was met by Abo Kamil who showed him the church and took him as a guest to his house.  Father Francis was from the Akkar Region of Lebanon and Aramoun was the second village in his six week roster.  Besides the normal handbag containing the priest’ regalia Father Francis had a round brown bag that was strapped to his left shoulder.

As most serious church parishioners know before the main mass there are matins and and at night there are vesper masses in which chants are performed in one of eight tones in accordance with Byzantium traditions.  On this particular occasion with Father Francis Abo Kamil told me that the Epistle reading was from Saint Paul’s letter to the Hebrew and the Gospel reading was according to Saint Mark.  Girgi Abdallah was icon of Aramoun.  He had heavenly voice and was well trained in all Byzantium tones and church traditions.  After Girgi read/chanted the Epistle Father Francis read the Gospel and it was time for Father Francis to give his homily.  Not wanting to follow church tradition and give standard homily applicable to the Gospel Father Francis fetched the bag he carried strapped to his shoulder from behind the altar opened it and to the amazement of the Aramouni congregation he took out a human skull!  From behind the pulpit Father Francis lifted the skull so everyone could see it.  For a few seconds Father Francis appeared to be thinking how he was going to commence his homily.  He started:

‘From dust to dust, human life, one minute you are here the next you gone’ said Father Francis to his captive Aramouni parishioners looking at the skull.  He continued:  

‘Not one of you, neither I, know who this man was or how he lived his life.  Rich, poor, good, bad, dignified, undignified, saintly, wicked’ … then Father Francis screamed:

‘Hhhhhhhhhhhhh fuck, fuck’ as a wasp that was trying to get out from the orbital fissure (eye socket) stung Father Francis middle finger and another wasp followed as the stunned  Aramouni congregation ducked to avoid the two wasps now buzzing in the church.  Regaining his composure Father Francis said: ‘He could not have been a good man he was obviously ‘ibn sharmouta’ - wicked son of bitch.

Abo Kamil who is known as a man of wisdom in village opened the door so the two wasps left asked Father Francis either to retract the ibn sharmouta comments of a deceased person or give credible evidence that the skull is identified and it is that of a wicked man.  A parishioner lady named Salma sitting at the back shouted: ‘How do you know that the skull is not that of a woman?’ Now irate Father Francis nursing his swollen middle finger said: ‘If it is that of a woman then that woman is bint sharmouta - wicked daughter of a bitch.   Another parishioner asked Father Francis who he got hold of this skull.  Now clearly angry Father Francis with clearly swollen and red throbbing middle finger said: ‘if a deceased is able to harm a man of the church in death and years after death he or she is not only son or daughter of a bitch he or she is manuik or manuiki you interpreted whichever way you like’. Father Francis walked off the pulpit in disgust and refused to continue with the mass.

Needless to say Abo Kamil made formal complaint against Father Francis to the Patriarchy.  The following week Father Ephram fronted up to give the mass at Saint Elias.

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Conception, Life and Criminal Law

Conception/Life and Criminal Law

When does life begin? This is a question that occupied the minds of humanity greatest thinkers and philosophers throughout mankind recorded civilizations.  Different religions offer different answers.  Embryology tells us the full systems that makes the human body functional and that sustain life after birth, ie, the nervous system, the circulatory system, the kidneys etc are complete after 13 weeks gestation in utro.   But what legal right does that 13 weeks systemically fully functional foetus has before the common and criminal law?  This is a question that modern day societies have to come to term with.  The one thing that is certain the final version of that law whether it be amendment to the existing Crimes Act, or new precedent set by the Highest Court in the land it will reflect on each one of us as citizen.  How and why? Think for one moment about motor traffic and transport, illicit drug use, and the practice of obstetric and gynaecology.   

Imagine for one moment serious motor accident in which pregnant female was either the driver or passenger.   The concern of the medical staff and those involved in treating the injured mother is the status and injuries to the foetus.  If as a result of the injuries the mother passes away and the foetus cannot be saved is it one life or two lives that are lost?  If the mother passes away and the foetus is saved but sustains injuries what legal rights did that foetus have under the law? More importantly is the question when did that legal right become operative? Is it in utro or when the surgeon performed Caesarean operation and brought premature and deformed baby to life?

Let us take another example imagine for one moment a pregnant young lady is illicit drug user, heavy smoker, and alcoholic gives birth to a baby that is grossly under weight, malnourished, and has serious health problem including deformities.  Could this mother be charged under the Criminal Law with supply of drugs to her foetus/baby whilst in utro?   Theoretically yes depending on the answer to the question when life begins.

The question when does life begins? And that life is bestowed with legal rights is a question that often arises in medical malpractice against the medical profession and the specialty of obstetric and gynaecology. Questions and legal issues to do with life and legal rights more often than not arise in cases involving undetected foetal deformities, genetical or otherwise,  miscarriages, breeched deliveries,  and stillbirths.  The answer to these questions determines legal liability and award of damages.  At present all that lawyers go by in advising clients or counsel proffering advice are precedents set by the Highest Court in the land.

In the next blog I will attempt to address the question: when life begins and the legal rights that ensue from ethical, philosophical, and religious points of view.   

The Facts: Syria and Civil Wars

The Facts

Syria and Civil Wars

Whilst the United States, Britain, and France ponders the most effective military  punishment to dish to the Syrian government for purported use of chemical weapon against its people in the suburb of  Muadhamiya the historical facts about modern day Syria and President Bashar El Assad and civil wars should not be lost.  Here is a brief summary of those facts:

Historical Facts:

It is good and well for Prime Minister Cameron to call the House of Common back to get a vote authorising the use of force against Syria.  Perhaps in fairness before the House of Common votes on any motion authorising the use of force the House should debate another motion questioning Britain’ historical liability and blame for what is happening in modern day Syria. The indisputable fact is that after the collapse of the Ottoman Empire in 1918 Britain ruled and influenced the future course of Syria for good 25 years before Syria became independent country.  In order to oppose Arab Nationalism led from the Hijaz after the war Britain encouraged minor Islamic sects such as the Alawites (Nusayri Shia) to enroll and train in the army and air force. El Assad Family was amongst other families and candidates that took advantage of the opportunity.  

If Prime Minister Cameron chooses to ignore history and Britain’ historical liability for modern day Syria and obtain a vote in the House of Common authorizing bombardment of Damascus.  History will judge Britain harshly regardless whether the House votes on a motion authorizing use of force for the sole reason of Assad purported use of chemical weapon or Weapon of Mass Destruction.

Civil Wars:

The current death toll in Syria is some 100,000 or more likely 150,000 killed and some 2 plus million people on the move to neighbouring countries and internally.  The population of Syria is around 24 million people.  The war officially started in March 2011.  The percentage death in Syria to date taking a death toll of 150,000 is 0.63% of the population.

Between 1860 and 1864 America, the mighty USA, went through civil war between North and South.  In 1860 America’s population was in the region of 34 million.  The death toll was in excess 750,000 which represent 2.2% of the population which about 3.5 times of the death toll to date in Syria.

Between 1975 and 1990 Lebanon was embroiled in civil war.  The death toll during the 15 plus years civil war was 220,000. As at 1975 the population of Lebanon was in the region of 3 million.  The percentage death is whopping 7.3 of the population which is some 11.6 times the death toll to date in Syria.

Accordingly on any count taking either the American or the Lebanese civil wars as a guide Syria got lot of catching up to do.

Finally one should not lose sight of the fact that epidemics that could be spread by flea, mosquitoes, and rodents can kill substantial percentage of any population.

The risk involved in the USA, Britain, and France jointly bombarding Damascus should not be under estimated.  Each of the three religions that inhabit the Middle East sees the endgame and salvation in Jerusalem.  Control of Jerusalem is therefore a priority.

  

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