Question:

spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates.  Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness.  It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children.  But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill

Response:

see you below

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates.  Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness.  It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children.  But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill

we refused to watch it–we had seen one ad where they asked if the people had "d*m*ns" in their heads??  we wrote a letter to primetime–submitted via forms at their website; sent a copy–with an extra paragraph about local tie-ins to the chicago (local for us) abc affiliate and emailed a copy to the chicago tribune.  we are pasting the copy that went to the local station below–the last paragraph was what was added for them.  the rest went to the network–and the local station replied within 24 hours–telling us they would take comments into consideration if they did a future tie-in and that they also sent the letter to the network.  we doubt it will do much good, but we were angry….michelle note there are no splats in the letter….use of words like s*x*al ab*se, r*pe, r*t*al ab*se, May 1, 2002 The News Director WLS-TV 190 North State Street Chicagi, IL 60601 Dear Sir/Madam: While watching "Nightline" and the terror experienced in the Jenin Refugee Camp late Tuesday night, I saw an advertisement for "Primetime’s" upcoming episode on "Murder and Multiple Personalities"–with the voice-over on the ad asking if these "men have demons in their heads!!"  ABC News has now proven that the takeover by Disney is complete–and the "dumbing down" of what was an excellent news organization has occurred. As one diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID is the preferred term to MPD.), your tasteless advertisement feeds into the already rich stereotypes held by many in society when they hear about people with this disorder.  First, we don’t have demons in our heads–and those theories went out with the advancements in medicine that proved that most mental illnesses have physiological factors as well as environmental ones.  In addition, not all people with mental disorders are violent criminals nor is the reverse true.  It would be truly amazing if just once a news organization would portray someone with a mental illness in a positive light–talk about what causes the disorder; talk about treatment protocols; talk about what they can and have accomplished; in essence talk about a "normal" person with a mental illness. Most DID people suffered severe and ongoing trauma from a very young age–sexual abuse, ritual abuse, violence and more.  The use of dissociation–splitting away from the body–was the only way the young child could deal with the trauma.  Therefore, it was not me that daddy raped–it was someone else.  In the extreme, there are actual other personalities–complete and separate–often acting without knowledge of the others.  In lesser forms, there are parts of others–or personalities that act together–that are co-conscious with each other, and co-exist. Many people with this disorder interact within society and you might never know they have DID.  They have gotten to a point where they are able to have the right person out at the right time.  So, a college student with DID would not have a child alter take a final exam, but the child alter might be out in the dorm room.  Personally, an adult alter may sit in the waiting room at the doctor’s office because the staff does not know about the diagnosis, but once in the privacy of the exam room, with just the doctor, a child alter may come out in reaction to certain medical procedures which trigger memories of early molestation.  But looking at me in the waiting room, you would think I was just a regular person who was sick, and coming to see the doctor.  Certainly, there are going to be parts of a DID person’s life that are affected by the disorder; perhaps they cannot work full time or have difficulties in some social situations, but they are certainly not possessed by demons. It is difficult enough for those of us in society with mental illnesses to overcome the rampant bigotry that exists from generations of people believing that the mentally ill are not ill but lazy, or possessed, or faking.  It is difficult enough to deal with those in society who are uneducated and refuse to learn.  However, as one with an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication (Yes, we can get MAs, too!); I would expect more from a news organization!  I would expect research and an even handed approach, but the advertisement demonstrates that this show was made to lead into May Sweeps and that Disney is betting on the masses.  Therefore, journalistic integrity is set aside.  I imagine I will watch the show–well, then, maybe I’ll watch "Law & Order" on another network–at least it is not supposed to be a hundred percent accurate–it is a television show; not a news program. While I am aware that as an affiliate of ABC, you do not have "influence" over their progamming, you do decide, along with producers and reporters, what will be shown in the local market.  It is not uncommon for a program such as this one to be expanded upon by the local news media.  If this is your intention, perhaps it would serve you well to note the comments above. The fact is no matter what the program discusses, damage has been done to many innocent people by merely running such a self-serving promo.. Sincerely,

Response:

I didn’t see this particular show on DID but I have seen many.  I used to be drawn to watch  anything and everything pertaining to DID.   Then I figured it out.  Not much has changed since the airing of S’b'l in the 70’s and probably won’t in the near future as far as the media is concerned.  What I really can’t stand is how we are portrayed on television dramas these days.   Sometimes I wonder if I really am DID because I am nothing like what is portrayed and then I squash that denial!   I got to be like a duck.  I just let it roll off my back.  I know what being DID means to me and to some others here at asd but I also realize that there are as many "types" of DID as there are people who are DID.   I want to declare here that I am a person with DID that will never, ever have to use it as a defense in a cr’m'n’l trial.  Sorry it tr’gg’r'd you.  That makes me mad! El

Response:

See ya below the spoiler – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates.  Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.

Nope, didn’t see it.  Wednesday nights in my house are art class, West Wing, and Law & Order. :)     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).

I’ve had people have the same reaction to things that I’ve shared with them.  I must admit that I’m fairly open about who I am and who lilrainy is and our relationship to each other and stuff.  Sometimes I think I’m too open but unfortunately, my logical little brain says dang it, if you’re going to know me and like me then you have to know the important stuff too – which includes lilrainy.  And unfortunately, being open to sharing things like that is just part of who I am – of course that being open doesn’t extend to my innermost feelings about myself and the world around me. But I digress.  I had a high school classmate just two weeks ago tell me that dissociation was a product of the d*v*l and not the way G*d intended us to protect ourselves as we should be leaning on h*m for pr*t*ction. (I believe that G*d did create it as a way for us to pr*t*ct ourselves from irrepairable h*rm – just my .02 mind you)     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness.  It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children.  But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.

*nod*  Wonderful society we live in – they *gn*re the *b*se of our children and then they also turn around and *gn*re the effects that *b*se has on them as adults. :P     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.

I TOTALLY agree with you here.  The m*ntal h*alth community is continuously being shoved out of existence by politicians.  My co-workers and I were just talking the other day about how they’ve continuously cut funding for m*ntal h*alth in our state.  We’ve had guys in our program who have m*ntal h*alth issues and are basically forced to live in the homeless shelter because they can’t get SSI to help them out.  And even with meds, they’re unable to live "normal" lives (whatever that may be). And unfortunately, the sad thing is that many in the m*ntal h*alth community, such as it is, DON’T have the wherewithal to defend themselves. :(     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings?

Things like this always bring out the frustrated teacher in me – thinking ideologically that if people were just educated properly on these issues than maybe we wouldn’t have the stigma associated with them.  Of course most of me knows that this is a naive approach to life, but there’s that small part of me that still wishes that were the case. trill

Rainstar — To e-mail remove extra from address

Response:

<< a lot of quality stuff which I’ve snipped Great letter!  But who knows how much, if any, impact it’ll have on the powers that be. By the way, I saw the show, and noticed its definite bias towards showing DID (or, as they said, "…MPD, as we call it") as a flaky, questionable, even nonexistent illness.  I personally am not multiple, I’m just dissociative with depersonalization and derealization, but I was HUGELY offended by this show’s portrayal of DID, even if it was specifically geared to the person they were spotlighting.

Response:

I applaud your letter, michelle.  I’ll send one, too.  The more sent, the better chance of having an effect.  I hope that mh care providers / workers will also protest. trill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – see you below spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates.  Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness.  It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children.  But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill we refused to watch it–we had seen one ad where they asked if the people had "d*m*ns" in their heads??  we wrote a letter to primetime–submitted via forms at their website; sent a copy–with an extra paragraph about local tie-ins to the chicago (local for us) abc affiliate and emailed a copy to the chicago tribune.  we are pasting the copy that went to the local station below–the last paragraph was what was added for them.  the rest went to the network–and the local station replied within 24 hours–telling us they would take comments into consideration if they did a future tie-in and that they also sent the letter to the network.  we doubt it will do much good, but we were angry….michelle note there are no splats in the letter….use of words like s*x*al ab*se, r*pe, r*t*al ab*se, May 1, 2002 The News Director WLS-TV 190 North State Street Chicagi, IL 60601 Dear Sir/Madam: While watching "Nightline" and the terror experienced in the Jenin Refugee Camp late Tuesday night, I saw an advertisement for "Primetime’s" upcoming episode on "Murder and Multiple Personalities"–with the voice-over on the ad asking if these "men have demons in their heads!!"  ABC News has now proven that the takeover by Disney is complete–and the "dumbing down" of what was an excellent news organization has occurred. As one diagnosed with Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID is the preferred term to MPD.), your tasteless advertisement feeds into the already rich stereotypes held by many in society when they hear about people with this disorder.  First, we don’t have demons in our heads–and those theories went out with the advancements in medicine that proved that most mental illnesses have physiological factors as well as environmental ones.  In addition, not all people with mental disorders are violent criminals nor is the reverse true.  It would be truly amazing if just once a news organization would portray someone with a mental illness in a positive light–talk about what causes the disorder; talk about treatment protocols; talk about what they can and have accomplished; in essence talk about a "normal" person with a mental illness. Most DID people suffered severe and ongoing trauma from a very young age–sexual abuse, ritual abuse, violence and more.  The use of dissociation–splitting away from the body–was the only way the young child could deal with the trauma.  Therefore, it was not me that daddy raped–it was someone else.  In the extreme, there are actual other personalities–complete and separate–often acting without knowledge of the others.  In lesser forms, there are parts of others–or personalities that act together–that are co-conscious with each other, and co-exist. Many people with this disorder interact within society and you might never know they have DID.  They have gotten to a point where they are able to have the right person out at the right time.  So, a college student with DID would not have a child alter take a final exam, but the child alter might be out in the dorm room.  Personally, an adult alter may sit in the waiting room at the doctor’s office because the staff does not know about the diagnosis, but once in the privacy of the exam room, with just the doctor, a child alter may come out in reaction to certain medical procedures which trigger memories of early molestation.  But looking at me in the waiting room, you would think I was just a regular person who was sick, and coming to see the doctor.  Certainly, there are going to be parts of a DID person’s life that are affected by the disorder; perhaps they cannot work full time or have difficulties in some social situations, but they are certainly not possessed by demons. It is difficult enough for those of us in society with mental illnesses to overcome the rampant bigotry that exists from generations of people believing that the mentally ill are not ill but lazy, or possessed, or faking.  It is difficult enough to deal with those in society who are uneducated and refuse to learn.  However, as one with an MA in Journalism and Mass Communication (Yes, we can get MAs, too!); I would expect more from a news organization!  I would expect research and an even handed approach, but the advertisement demonstrates that this show was made to lead into May Sweeps and that Disney is betting on the masses.  Therefore, journalistic integrity is set aside.  I imagine I will watch the show–well, then, maybe I’ll watch "Law & Order" on another network–at least it is not supposed to be a hundred percent accurate–it is a television show; not a news program. While I am aware that as an affiliate of ABC, you do not have "influence" over their progamming, you do decide, along with producers and reporters, what will be shown in the local market.  It is not uncommon for a program such as this one to be expanded upon by the local news media.  If this is your intention, perhaps it would serve you well to note the comments above. The fact is no matter what the program discusses, damage has been done to many innocent people by merely running such a self-serving promo.. Sincerely,

Response:

hi, trill, I saw the little promotional clip and was upset by that. I toyed with watching the show to see what they actually did talk about, but I didn’t have possession of the remote so didn’t end up watching it. I wanted to and didn’t want to, because I figured it would be more misinformation and untruth. Sounds as if it was just that. Tiresome, isn’t it. I like the letter, and will think about writing a similar one if I can figure out where to send it. Tired of being portrayed as dangerous, etc. No wonder I can’t tell anyone of my dx. Would they believe I taught, and taught brilliantly, for all those years? Prolly wouldn’t. jane – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates.  Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness.  It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children.  But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill

Response:

Great letter!  But who knows how much, if any, impact it’ll have on the powers that be.

==  thanks, annie.  i don’t expet it to have an impact, but if i did nothing it definitely would have no impact.  at least this way we feel like we tried.  when we worked for a semester at an nbc station in graduate school, we learned all the tricks–and we know that even though about 30% of the letters never get to the reporter to whom they are addressed (and that was at a station in the local market), it was worth trying to send it.  even if a field producer or a researcher sees it and thinks twice the next time they do something dealing with mental illnesses we will feel we have accomplished something. (of course, we won’t know, will we?)  i guess we believe that changes come one step at a time–and we can’t expect the general public to understand and accept a disorder that those in the mental health community, itself, are still not in agreement on–and may never be. there are no clear cut answers here–wish there were–like when a throat culture can determine that one has a strep infection–but unfortunately, we are not so lucky. By the way, I saw the show, and noticed its definite bias towards showing DID (or, as they said, "…MPD, as we call it") as a flaky, questionable, even nonexistent illness.  I personally am not multiple, I’m just dissociative with depersonalization and derealization, but I was HUGELY offended by this show’s portrayal of DID, even if it was specifically geared to the person they were spotlighting.

==  the thing that irritates me–and i come at this with a degree in electronic news–is that i know a lot of reporters who could do a much better job–and provide a much less biased approach.  h*ll even with our bias because of having the disorder i could have written a more even handed piece.  don’t get me wrong–news is never unbiased–it is shaped by the mores and values of the reporter who does the story simply by what is chosen to include in the story and what is excluded–however, we believe we could have received a fair representation of DID from many local reporters.  in addition, there are politics and ratings crap that comes into play–since may sweeps determine advertising revenues for the fall programming schedule. therefore, abc is more likely to play to the masses–and that means the people who do not understand our disorder.  and, even if they were talking about the specific individual, we all know that data such as that gets generalized to people with "multiple personalities".  it is normal for people to take what is seen in a specific case and generalize it to all with the disorder; although that is not scientifically the correct way to go.  it happens….so anyone who saw that program and has no other source of information will judge all folks with DID by what "primetime" chose to portray us as. ==  okay–time to get off the soapbox here!  sorry….i guess it just really angers me to see someone with that kind of influence (that the media have) mis-using it! michelle — There are far too many people in the world…. And NOT enough HUMAN BEINGS!!

Response:

I applaud your letter, michelle.  I’ll send one, too.  The more sent, the better chance of having an effect.  I hope that mh care providers / workers will also protest. trill

trill, thanks for the kind comments.  hey the more folks they hear from the more apt they are to think twice the next time–and if we affect one member of the staff–even a researcher or a field producer–since they do all the leg work in the early stages–we will make a difference! perhaps we should write to nmha and others?? michelle — In Memory of Colette Cassavaugh ***8/13/99*** –who lost her will to live   to the external demons   charged with her care.   and then… –lost her life to internal demons. –REFORM MENTAL HEALTH CARE– Remove spam from email for response.

Response:

hi, trill, I saw the little promotional clip and was upset by that. I toyed with watching the show to see what they actually did talk about, but I didn’t have possession of the remote so didn’t end up watching it. I wanted to and didn’t want to, because I figured it would be more misinformation and untruth. Sounds as if it was just that. Tiresome, isn’t it. I like the letter, and will think about writing a similar one if I can figure out where to send it. Tired of being portrayed as dangerous, etc. No wonder I can’t tell anyone of my dx. Would they believe I taught, and taught brilliantly, for all those years? Prolly wouldn’t. jane

hi jane, if you want to email them–you can reach primetime via the website–they have forms to use.  it is at: http://abcnews.go.com/sections/primetime/2020/Primetime_email_form.html michelle — There are far too many people in the world…. And NOT enough HUMAN BEINGS!!

Response:

I applaud your letter, michelle.  I’ll send one, too.  The more sent, the better chance of having an effect.  I hope that mh care providers / workers will also protest. trill

hey trill– just thought of something–i could send a letter from each of the alters–with different email addresses……we could do a little were arriving complaining about the show???? michelle ;-)

Response:

hi jane,     glad to find you here.         ;!     "sweet sorrow"     please scroll.

hi, trill, I saw the little promotional clip and was upset by that. I toyed with watching the show to see what they actually did talk about, but I didn’t have possession of the remote so didn’t end up watching it. I wanted to and didn’t want to, because I figured it would be more misinformation and untruth. Sounds as if it was just that. Tiresome, isn’t it.

yes.  I’m very tired.  exhausted. I like the letter, and will think about writing a similar one if I can figure out where to send it. Tired of being portrayed as dangerous, etc.

you’ve never scared me. No wonder I can’t tell anyone of my dx. Would they believe I taught, and taught brilliantly, for all those years? Prolly wouldn’t. jane

i believe you. trill

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates.  Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness.  It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children.  But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill

Response:

Hi Michelle,     Yes.  And so do a lot of other Canadians.  Bush takes Canada for granted and he is trying his best to screw Canadian industry.  Already thousands upon thousands of workers have lost their jobs here because of the 28% duty on Canadian lumber.  This in spite there being a free trade agreement.  The U. S. tried to screw our wheat farmers but the commerce department backed down.  Now Bush is subsidising the farmers to the tune of several Billion dollars.     Canada offered tremendous help to the U.S. on 9/11.  And that included billeting hundreds of stranded americans when North American air space was shut down.  Foreign aircraft sat on our airport taxi-ways wingtip to wingtip.  But George Bust gave every other country a mention in this famous speech to congress, except Canada.     Sadly Canada has already made payment in the war on terrorism in blood. Four Canadian Paratroupers were bombed by the enemy.     I think the U. S. does take Canada for granted.  Your stupid question is proof of that. Peter – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – ==  do you share our distress over having bush for president until 2004?? michelle — In Memory of Colette Cassavaugh ***8/13/99*** –who lost her will to live   to the external demons   charged with her care.   and then… –lost her life to internal demons. –REFORM MENTAL HEALTH CARE– Remove spam from email for response.

Response:

peter, i know the canadians are taken for granted.  i have some great friends from there.  and the "stupid" question was more rhetotical than a real question. there are many things about canada that those of us in the states admire–like national health care.  forgive me for trying to add a bit of a joke to the response.  perhaps that was out of line since i am new posting here and only know a few folks from other newsroups/lists.  you don’t need to worry we will not offend you again or bother you again. michelle & the rest

Response:

ugh… see ya below spoiler

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates. Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative

reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic

picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness. It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple

personalities got them – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – from being severely *bsed when they were young children. But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill

No thoughts or feelings on the dubya issue, though I sense that you’re probably correct.  (His whole attitude abt ppl and life and the world triggers me, cuz my ncl comes from the same sort of belief system.  How long til the next election??)  Sorry you got triggered by it.  :(  It’s a scary thing, to be in such a readily p*rsecutable group as the mentally ill.  :((( I saw spider maan the movie yesterday.  I’m not 100% sure I liked their take on multiplicity, either.  The bad guy takes a bio-enhancement drug that has ins*nity as one of the side effects.  He starts losing time a bit and hearing a voice. Eventually the voice taunts him (basically it’s a Dr. Jeckel & Mr. Hide thing) and the Mr. Hide part goes looking for Dr. Jeckel.  The Dr. leads him to where he’s "hiding", which ends up being a mirror (quite skillful dramatic effect, actually.  Camera work in this film was award-winning calibre, imho.) In a scene that also impressed me with the acting, directing and camera-work, Mr talks to Dr back and forth in the mirror.  If the actor did this in one sitting, I’ll be outrageously impressed.  Dr. clues Mr in to the fact that the bad guy did all these terrible things that Mr wasn’t aware of, and turns him to the dark side.  Buah hah hah!!! (sorry.  :) ) I told my hubby that I wasn’t sure I liked the portrayal of multiplicity, that it was bad press.  Hubby disagreed.  But then, we had a fight on the way home about something stupid and I got out and walked the rest of the way, so I’m not sure how much I trust his judgement.  :P  *ahem*  ;)  Just kidding. I guess in the sense that it seemed to portray loss of time accurately afaics, and definitely pointed out how clueless one part can be to another part’s actions, I guess that wasn’t bad.  I guess it just bothered me that the "ins*nity" caused by the chemical was multiplicity – my own trigger issues there – and that the effect of the multiplicity was to turn the character into a power-hungry super-villain. At the end, in fact, spidey is winning their battle, and the character switches (apparently) to the Mr part.  "Peter? It’s me.  … Save me from <myself, basically.  I knew I could count on you to help me.  You’re family to me.  I’ve been like a fthr to you."  Meanwhile, he’s used the time to hit a button on his remote control thingy that’s supposed to take out spider mann.  Will refrain from further discourse in case ppl don’t like having a movie’s secrets exposed. But … I dunno…  The more I think about it, the more sure I am that the movie didn’t do any harm to the public’s image of multiplicity – though it might not have done much good, it didn’t foster any misconceptions.  The Dr even said to the Mr part that he was just giving him what he’d wanted all along: power.  So it wasn’t the multiplicity that caused the villainy – it was the thirst for power.  The multiplicity just made it possible.  *shrugs* So the more I think of it, I guess it wasn’t bad (I’d appreciate anyone else’s insights, of course).  I’m just bugged by the fact that this was the "ins*nity" caused by the chemical. waah. ;) jt/dyenths

Response:

Hey jt/dyenths Thanx for the movie review!!  :o) Sounds like a fun flick! Prolly a bit to sc*ry for the G’daughter though! So we prolly won’t get to see it! Thanx Now we’ll drop below the spoiler – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – spoilered beccause the t.v. show disturbed me and it might disturb others. it was bad press on d.i.d. and v*olnce y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y y

Having not seen the show nor the previews we really cannot comment other than to say I’d expect nothing more/nothing less from our current day media…. It’s a shame!    But that’s the way it is!   :o ( We do agree with Ellen (waves Ellen) We don’t think that DID is a valid defense.. If one of us is behaving badly, society has every right to demand protection… I do think that it should come into play during sentencing though IMHO a DIDer has better odds of rehabilitating than many other criminally vented disorders… If we’re talking capital_punishment, then most certainly any mental disorder must be taken into consideration… IMHO a headache, a hangnail, even a bit of malaise that day is a good enough reason to stop an ex*cution…. J/c. opinionated as ever – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – On Wed. night, 5/1, I foolishly or critically watched a "special’ PrmeTme Lve about mpd / did as a defense for de*th row inmates. Anybody else see this.  It stank, badly.     It was full of sensationalist propaganda against the dx.  Lsl*e St**l went as far as to speak in sardonic, mocking tones about the term "dissociative identity disorder."  She, nor anyone else, ever explained the meaning of the dx.  The so-called "investigative reporters" kept falling back on mpd and speaking of it as if some "demons" (that is the actual word they used, repeatedly) had invaded these guys brains (or not).     It was sick and demeaning and showed not a holistic picture nor anywhere near normal picture of what most of us with d.i.d. or any other type of dissociative disorder actually behave like, struggle with, and cope with our lives.  It neglected our talents and empathy and kindness. It said that "some professionals" claim that people with multiple personalities got them from being severely *bsed when they were young children. But that statement was made in a tone and context that presented it as dubious.     I think that the U.S.A. is preparing us, and other people with mental health difficulties, whatevere the source may be, to be casualties of the war that Dubya and his intelligence-sophisticated gang are waging against the rest of the world.  After all, they’ve got to cut costs somewhere on some of the people they perceive to be moochers.  They must think of us as the easiest group for front-line devastation.  They must believe that we have not the wherewithal to assert and defend ourselves.     Anyway, besides aggravating and disgusting me, the show also triggered me. Other responses?  Thoughts on these issues?  Feelings? trill No thoughts or feelings on the dubya issue, though I sense that you’re probably correct.  (His whole attitude abt ppl and life and the world triggers me, cuz my ncl comes from the same sort of belief system.  How long til the next election??)  Sorry you got triggered by it.  :(  It’s a scary thing, to be in such a readily p*rsecutable group as the mentally ill.  :((( I saw spider maan the movie yesterday.  I’m not 100% sure I liked their take on multiplicity, either.  The bad guy takes a bio-enhancement drug that has ins*nity as one of the side effects.  He starts losing time a bit and hearing a voice. Eventually the voice taunts him (basically it’s a Dr. Jeckel & Mr. Hide thing) and the Mr. Hide part goes looking for Dr. Jeckel.  The Dr. leads him to where he’s "hiding", which ends up being a mirror (quite skillful dramatic effect, actually.  Camera work in this film was award-winning calibre, imho.) In a scene that also impressed me with the acting, directing and camera-work, Mr talks to Dr back and forth in the mirror.  If the actor did this in one sitting, I’ll be outrageously impressed.  Dr. clues Mr in to the fact that the bad guy did all these terrible things that Mr wasn’t aware of, and turns him to the dark side.  Buah hah hah!!! (sorry.  :) ) I told my hubby that I wasn’t sure I liked the portrayal of multiplicity, that it was bad press.  Hubby disagreed.  But then, we had a fight on the way home about something stupid and I got out and walked the rest of the way, so I’m not sure how much I trust his judgement.  :P  *ahem*  ;)  Just kidding. I guess in the sense that it seemed to portray loss of time accurately afaics, and definitely pointed out how clueless one part can be to another part’s actions, I guess that wasn’t bad.  I guess it just bothered me that the "ins*nity" caused by the chemical was multiplicity – my own trigger issues there – and that the effect of the multiplicity was to turn the character into a power-hungry super-villain. At the end, in fact, spidey is winning their battle, and the character switches (apparently) to the Mr part.  "Peter? It’s me.  … Save me from <myself, basically.  I knew I could count on you to help me.  You’re family to me.  I’ve been like a fthr to you."  Meanwhile, he’s used the time to hit a button on his remote control thingy that’s supposed to take out spider mann.  Will refrain from further discourse in case ppl don’t like having a movie’s secrets exposed. But … I dunno…  The more I think about it, the more sure I am that the movie didn’t do any harm to the public’s image of multiplicity – though it might not have done much good, it didn’t foster any misconceptions.  The Dr even said to the Mr part that he was just giving him what he’d wanted all along: power.  So it wasn’t the multiplicity that caused the villainy – it was the thirst for power.  The multiplicity just made it possible.  *shrugs* So the more I think of it, I guess it wasn’t bad (I’d appreciate anyone else’s insights, of course).  I’m just bugged by the fact that this was the "ins*nity" caused by the chemical. waah. ;) jt/dyenths

Response:

Hi Peter Excellent flag waving   :o ) Though you forgot to mention the wonderful ovation our national anthem received on the day that we were burying our boys… Oh wait those arn’t cheers we hear… those are **boo’s * that are drowning out the music!!!!  What state was that in?   OH yea New_york !!!!!!! Waves michelle   :o ) michelle wrote  ==  do you share our distress over having bush for president until 2004?? Actually we outsiders are a might bit more pessimistic, we  expect to be distressing over Dubya till 2008! :o ( Yup.. war time pres… albeit a little low in the polls!! Right wing media propaganda machine in place!! Betcha a Dubya/Rice ticket in 2004 will clinch it for him! J/c the optimist   grin<

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Hi Michelle,     Yes.  And so do a lot of other Canadians.  Bush takes Canada for granted and he is trying his best to screw Canadian industry.  Already thousands upon thousands of workers have lost their jobs here because of the 28% duty on Canadian lumber.  This in spite there being a free trade agreement. The U. S. tried to screw our wheat farmers but the commerce department backed down.  Now Bush is subsidising the farmers to the tune of several Billion dollars.     Canada offered tremendous help to the U.S. on 9/11.  And that included billeting hundreds of stranded americans when North American air space was shut down.  Foreign aircraft sat on our airport taxi-ways wingtip to wingtip.  But George Bust gave every other country a mention in this famous speech to congress, except Canada.     Sadly Canada has already made payment in the war on terrorism in blood. Four Canadian Paratroupers were bombed by the enemy.     I think the U. S. does take Canada for granted.  Your stupid question is proof of that. Peter ==  do you share our distress over having bush for president until 2004?? michelle — In Memory of Colette Cassavaugh ***8/13/99*** –who lost her will to live   to the external demons   charged with her care.   and then… –lost her life to internal demons. –REFORM MENTAL HEALTH CARE– Remove spam from email for response.

Response:

    Thanks for the boost Cliff.  And you are right; booing a national anthem is bad form indeed.  But I’d just as soon leave dubya to the history books and worry about my own mental health.  I got a little triggered there; normally I aim for tranquility and happiness. Peter

Response: