The Schiavo issue

[mistyisjafo]

Since I don't have all the facts, am not in those peoples shoe's and believe the media is making this out to be something it isn't I can't give a good opinion. All I know is that I personally wouldn't want to be on life support except for a feeding tube.

I feel bad for both sides. It can't be an easy decision to make and to make matters worse they have to go through an ugly court battle.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by Motorboat Cruiser

Completely disagree. This is not a red herring. The law clearly states that as her husband, he is the only one with the authority to make this decision.

The problem, though, is that she is not brain dead. She is not on the "traditional" life support. It is for this reason that I don't think the power of life and death should be his decision. In terms of "pulling the plug", yeah, it would be his decision. Food and liquid is a requirement for all of us to live. just because she cannot give it to herself we should deny her of it?

How many ten of thousands of people are in nursing homes, unable to communicate and unable to feed themselves? Is it any different because they eat from a spoon? Should their spouse or eldest children (next of kin) be permitted to just tell the nursing home to stop feeding them? Hardly.

As I earlier stated, I would not want this for a loved one - who would? It is an absolutely nightmarish situation. This is why my wife and I have living wills - so that there is no question. However, I could never stop feeding my child regardless of their condition. If they were brain dead and on a respirator? Yeah, I'd have to make the tough choice. Starvation? No.

[Claire]

I woke up to the newspaper reports of all the political crap going on in this case, and I'm sickened by it all.

I feel the Republicans jumping in and supporting Jeb. Bush's (unconstitutional) Terri's Law and the Congressional crap they are pulling is just to show a united party front. It seems that every Republican who wants to be in the White House has something to say about it this weekend (or they're covering their asses.....DeLay anyone?). I'm tired of this crap.

And I'm tired of the wussy ass Democrats not saying anything about it. Except Waxman and Blumenauer, no one has the balls to step up and call the Republicans on their arsiness.

Sorry. I've been irritated by this for so long.....years.

I'm married. I'd want my husband to make the decisions in this case.

Also, if I was a beautiful, vibrant young woman of 25 or 26 and I had a heart attack and subsequent brain damage due to my chemical imbalance (induced by my eating disorder), I'd want to just be allowed to die. The "fact" that she'd said she'd not want to be kept alive on a machine doesn't surprise me in the least.

I knew my mind on this topic by the time I was 19 or 20, and I haven't changed it. The fact that I've long said that I wouldn't want to be kept alive on a machine to my husband, but never to my parents concerns me. It shouldn't. Damn straight I'll now be doing something to make sure my family.....all my family does not go through something like this. I'm just sick about this. Ugh.

Don't get me wrong....I'm not a big fan of the husband or anything. I've put myself in Terri's spot forever. It's always from her point-of-view that I've held my beliefs. I feel so horrible for everyone involved. Her death will be a horrible one. But long overdue. It's just horrible.

I've seen the videos of Terri and as a special education teacher of kids with severe disabilities I have taught students (many) that are in similar physical and medical condition as Terri. I've had many a discussion with lay people (read: my friends and family that are not special ed teachers or in the medical field) and I always support the families of these students. I've unfortunately seen a few parents who did not actually have the needs of their children in the forefront of their minds (severe Munchausen's moms--scariest women ever).

I want those extremely dedicated parents (or sometimes their court-appointed advocates, and sometimes even the State--many medically fragile kids are wards of the State) to have the say-so in their children's educational and medical situations. Their dedication is amazing and overwhelming. They make me feel fortunate for the life I live and the health of my children.

But their children are children and they are un-married. Terri Schiavo has a husband, and he says that she said she wouldn't want to be kept alive on a machine. And give who she was and the type of person she seemed to be, I have never disbelieved him.

I hate how horrible her death will be. It's disgusting. But the fact that there is no other course of action in this case is something that should be addressed. To my core, I believe that government should not be involved in this case or any similar case. I feel like it's a slippery slope for right-to-die and physician-assisted suicide cases, yes, in a way, abortion (it's no shock that Right-to-Lifers are flocking to Florida right now). Where will we be if we allow the government to step in in these personal family matters on a Federal level?

[mistyisjafo]

Originally Posted by Claire

I hate how horrible her death will be. It's disgusting. But the fact that there is no other course of action in this case is something that should be addressed. To my core, I believe that government should not be involved in this case or any similar case. I feel like it's a slippery slope for right-to-die and physician-assisted suicide cases, yes, in a way, abortion (it's no shock that Right-to-Lifers are flocking to Florida right now). Where will we be if we allow the government to step in in these personal family matters on a Federal level?

You go girl

[Nephythys]

I'm getting just a tad tired of people using this as a stick to beat the republican party with- can't we move past political posturing?

[Claire]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I'm getting just a tad tired of people using this as a stick to beat the republican party with- can't we move past political posturing?

Sure, if the Republicans in power could keep their noses out of it. Sorry, but I didn't start this fire.

[BarTopDancer]

Originally Posted by Nephythys

I'm getting just a tad tired of people using this as a stick to beat the republican party with- can't we move past political posturing?

We sure could if the Republican party would stay out of it and leave it to the family and/or the courts. This is not a matter for the government of FL or the USA. This is a matter for the family (husband) and/or courts to decide.

[scaeagles]

Sorry - the government has a clear and compelling interest because it is an issue of law. If asked by constituents, then the representatives or governors or whomever has the responsibility to become involved. Again, I'd bet Terri's parents are pretty happy for the help.

It is a large step from pulling the plug keeping someone breathing and beating to stopping nutrition and hydration. Let's head to the nursing homes and clear out the people with alzheimers who cannot feed themselves. Who would want to be alive in that state? There is absolutely no difference between starving Schiavo and doing that (assuming just one person who is the next of kin says it's what they would want - to hell with the other people who love and are willing to care for those individuals).

For each and every criticism of someone who thinks her life should be saved due to some religious concern (which it is not to me - it is a societal concern), I can throw a criticism saying that those who wish her dead are simply projecting their own fears of being in such a state or dealing with it (whether from personal experience or simple imagination) as a loved one.

The word of one man is not enough to starve a woman who is not brain dead. There is no medical consensus on her responsiveness. Why not err on the side of caution, if that would be consider erring at all?

[Nephythys]

another account-

Atty says Terri cried at the news

[Claire]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Sorry - the government has a clear and compelling interest because it is an issue of law. If asked by constituents, then the representatives or governors or whomever has the responsibility to become involved. Again, I'd bet Terri's parents are pretty happy for the help.

And that's your opinion. Other people have theirs.

But if "government" was really to respond to the concerns of every constituent, what would that entail, exactly? Are they (our governor, senators, and representatives) really compelled to become involved in every single personal situation where their assistance is requested? How would that work?

You can't tell me that there's no political posturing on the side of the Republicans. Step back and look at what's going on in Florida and tell me you don't see it.

In my opinion, the Democrats are keeping too low a profile on this one. Oh well. Let the Republicans hang themselves on their "life" issues.

Being willing to love and take care of a person who is extremely medically fragile is not equal to having the person's best interests at heart. Just because it fulfills the needs of the parents in this situation does not mean it serves Terri's best interests.