Posted on 02/26/2005 3:47:17 PM PST by Hildy
For all of those who have called me every imaginable name because I dare to suggest that there are some things worse than death...I don't wish you on you anything that poor woman goes through on a minute by minute basis. Because you know so much, and are so sure that you are right because you are all so freakin self-righteous...I'm leaving FreeRepublic because I no longer want to be a part of something that has become so twisted. Hannity is right, this website has been hijacked. It was a good run...but we'll find another place. Save your jabs, I won't be reading them. To those who have privately agreed with me, and there are many, thank you. I'm just worn out and frankly, don't even care what most here think.
Let me clear that up for you. Terri Schiavo continuous-never-ending-torture advocates are the wack jobs.
Apples and oranges, but yes, I have gone without food for more than 72 hours, and water for 48.
Multiple times on either training exercises, real situations or just for fun.
Lack of food is not painful, it is aggravating, but certainly not painful.
Water on the other hand causes dryness in the mouth and nose and is quite discomforting.
But this is really moot, because Terry cannot associate or rationalize discomfort and aggravation. These are higher brain functions.
And it is also moot because any noticeable distress would be medicated, as is my understanding of the situation.
No, it is not painful. But that is not what makes it right or wrong.
I have searched my bible for guidance on this and there is little to be found.
There is a bit in the Old Testament where God lectures a man for killing another who wanted to die, saying that part of God's job is suffering or something to that effect, but this addressed suicide, not easing or quickening the death of someone who cannot ever recover the functionality of a human, even to a small degree.
The Bible just does not address it.But there is plenty from Jesus about compassion and living.
I would guess that they dealt with something like this much in the same way, except they never would have had the ability to keep Terry alive. They had no tubes, no dietary glop to maintain life.
So I asked myself what would be acceptable then and noted the fact it was not addressed, so therefore I assume it was not a problem and was a private matter, much as it is today. Basically if one cannot take food and drink then one died.
But again, we come to this case, and it is no longer a private matter. The Shiavo's are determined to keep her alive at any cost, even the removal of limbs, and any intervention that is needed to keep her breathing.
I don't know where they learned that this would be what God wants.
I understand some of the emotional basis of it, but I fail to see what good this does for their daughter.
Perhaps they believe their own BS. Perhaps they believe that Terry can learn to eat and communicate.
If for some reason this case goes their way, they are in for a rude awakening I am afraid. They will eventually doubt their convictions and all the while Terry's husband will know that his wife is being much more mistreated by fruitless efforts to revive her than she would have otherwise.
In the end, the death will come as it does for all, but at what cost. IMO, the human costs have already been very high.
If I am to believe the Old Testament interpretations, it would seem that this is what God wants?
I am not so sure of that. The error if made appears to be ours to make. After all, we are human and have human frailties as sinners.
Unfortunately we cannot be sure who is committing a sin here, or a sin or greater magnitude.
When reduced to it's most common denominator, the sin if there is one would be in the intervention and the denial of death for the rewards of a nonexistent existence that can be extended for many years.
A moral dilemma? Yes it is.
Can we argue about it?
Yes we should.
But I think we should keep the argument civil and the interferences at a minimum, because this should not be a matter for public dispute, or intervention.
It is a matter between this family and their God. And the courts that arbitrate it. Neither answer to the arbitration will satisfy what is desired, and that is having Terry come back.
However it turns out, I pray they somehow come to closure and have some enjoyment of a very short lifespan. My wish would be that the two parties regain consensus and cease this epic and now excruciatingly public battle. That is what I want.
Nope. Wrong. From someone who knows the family:
The feeding tube only goes in twice per day for a milkshake similar to ensure. When the feeding tube is not in the port, Terri's is completely free of any devices
He he can read with prescribed glasses but he cannot drive.
He can't see big objects (cars) but he can see little ones (print). There's some common sense. Btw, my Dad was legally blind so I have first hand experience.
You've taken the first step. Now get counselling.
BTTT.
Well, I don't know what to tell you, other than to google it or ask a speech pathologist - they specialize in the swallowing thing.
I didn't mean to get into the specifics about the debate, was just trying to clear up another false rumor about her being able to eat til he chose to put her on a tube.
I think those kind of things are just wrong - it's bearing false witness.
As I said, I think they should re-test her. I agree with the guardian ad litem Wolfson's recommendations to Bush.
http://www.miami.edu/ethics2/schiavo/wolfson%27s%20report.pdf
Yes, I have contempt for Hammesfher. My posting history from this week gives the main reasons, if you want to know why.
Actually, the court of appeals don't usually review the evidence that way. http://www.2dca.org/opinion/June%2006,%202003/2D02-5394.pdf
I'm so sorry to hear about your mom. : / I'd be livid and worried. You're right - we cannot let them get away with that sort of thing.
wow... do you live in the real world at all?
"nutty conspiracy theory"...
so everyone who thinks Michael is a monster buys into a "nutty conspiracy theory" ???
if you think MS is a good person than YOU are the nut.
I'm sorry, but they are lying to you, as usual.
The tube is implanted. Period.
I think you are a good person and I respect you, and I really think it is disgusting that you and so many others are being constantly fed such packs of lies.
There are good reasons not to remove her tube. They should focus on those reasons and stop all the propaganda. My dad always warned me that God would never bless an effort I made if I used unGodly methods of achieving it.
Terri advocates should heed that advice, IMO.
Very thoughtful post. Thank you.
You are welcome!
Where do you suppose the port is and where does it go? It's surgically implanted and frequently referred to as a peg. Why on Earth do you suppose that the Court has to give permission to remove the feeding tube?
As far as his vision, I have your experience trumped- and you are wrong. I have been in Judge Greer's Court on more than several occasions. He is not totally blind as you would have everyone believe. He is legally blind.
Anyone with vision worse than 20/200 that cannot be improved with corrective lenses is considered legally blind. In addition, people with a visual field of less than 20 degrees diameter (10 degrees radius) are also considered legally blind. Take your pick
Sheeese.............
It starts to get to ya, doesn't it?
I'm off for a while myself.
Take care. : )
I would miss her, too. I hope she will rethink this.
To quote a line from Ruthless People, "That very well could be the stupidest post on the face of the earth."
Now now, pesky facts aren't wanted on these threads.
Amen!!
No, THANK YOU.
Your comments are awesome and THOUGHTFUL.
I have given this quite a bit of thought over the past few months.
I have a great deal of empathy for all involved, and I am just trying to make sense of what I see and feel.
I avoided these threads until I had something reasoned to say.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.