Gag Orders

So this is a thing ...

Pharmaceutical organisations working with Whitehall to maintain medicine supplies in the event of a no-deal Brexit have signed 26 “gagging orders” that bar them from revealing information to the public.

Figures show that 16 drug companies and 10 trade associations have been asked to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) which prevent them from revealing any information related to contingency plans drawn up with the Department of Health and Social Care.

If people ask you to do something evil, such as withholding life-or-death information, you should either:
1) refuse if it is safe for you to do so or you're comfortable becoming a martyr, or
2) lie like a carpet and then discreetly sabotage the evil plan; in this case, by leaking the information so people are not caught unawares.

Don't join team "I was just following orders."  >_<

How to Kill Doctors

 The loss of control, feelings of helplessness, and general misery in the "health care" industry kill doctors* as well as patients.  It's not a failing of doctors.  It's because they are human beings and when you abuse humans, they tend to die on you.  Don't tell them to "get help."  Stop torturing them.  I'm not exaggerating. Sleep deprivation is torture that kills people.  Don't act like this is a surprise or you didn't see it coming.  It's really quite obvious.  People just don't want to admit that the "health care" system murders people.

EDIT 12/25/18: rhodielady_47 pointed out that the system also destroys nurses, lab technicians, EMTs, and everyone else involved in health care.  I did know this; the article of the moment was referring specifically to doctors.  So I wanted to add the others.

Christmas Breakfast & Brunch Recipes

 Mmm, so good.

Holiday Self-Care Tips

 Be excellent to yourself.

Poem: "The Deepest Heartache"

This poem was written outside the regular prompt calls. It was inspired by the "odd couple" square in my 11-5-18 card for the Family Ties Bingo fest. It is posted here in trade for the story "A Little Left of Normal" by dialecticdreamer. This poem belongs to the Shiv thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.

Warning: This poem is all about a very uncomfortable conversation. Highlight to read the warnings, some of which are spoilers. It includes anxiety, smoking, reference to recent sexual assault, relationship challenges, difficulty talking, anger and love muddled together, violent language, asking if someone was sexually abused, reference to past child molestation, minor loss of superpower control, family issues, and other angst. If these are touchy topics for you, please consider your tastes and headspace before reading onward.

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Holiday Beverages

Warm up with wassail or hot chocolate.  Some folks may prefer mulled wine.  If you get chilled, use warming spices or foods -- not alcohol -- to combat the cold.

Poem: "In the Warm Circle of Family and Friends"

Merry Christmas! I was hoping to get farther than I did with the Christmas thread in the sale, but I managed to arrange a swap for the previous poem, and I'm posting this one as a holiday gift to you-all.

This poem was written outside the regular prompt calls, somewhat inspired by an idea from torc87. It fills the "WILD CARD: gifts" square in my 7-1-17 card for the Winterfest in July bingo. It belongs to the Shiv thread of the Polychrome Heroics series.

Warning: This poem contains some holiday angst and references to Shiv's wretched past, but it is mostly fluff.

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Notes for "In the Warm Circle of Family and Friends"

Here are the notes for "In the Warm Circle of Family and Friends."

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New stories by Siliconshaman

siliconshaman has posted two new stories:

"The Point of a Sword" follows my poem "In the Warm Circle of Family and Friends."  Luci brings Shiv the original gifts she had intended for him.

"The Angel of Rain City" shows what Theodora does in the month after the Cascadia Cataclysm.

Read "The Work of Christmas"

Here's a classic poem, "The Work of Christmas."

Things like this always make me think about how most people who claim to be Christian don't actually like anything that Jesus stood for.  But there are always a few following the hippie dude, going around doing all the stuff he did.  It's not about naming names or praying prayers or building a cathedral.  It's about doing the work.