Posted on 02/23/2005 5:29:08 PM PST by InHisService
First, let me say I am a Christian, and am anti-abortion. I have read quite a bit about the Terri Schiavo case and my heart goes out to her and her family, and yes, even her husband.
I'm quite sure I will take a lot of flak for this opinion, as everyone here seems determined to keep this poor woman alive.
It seems no one is sure whether or not she is in a persistive vegetative state, and doctors on both sides are firm in their convictions.
I only know that if it was me, I would, without a doubt, NOT want to be kept alive this way. Terri doesn't have the capability to state what she wants, but had she been if asked the question when she was healthy, (as her husband states) most likely, she would not want these ongoing court battles, the media circus and the heartbreak for all involved. Really, would any of us want that for our families?
I believe in letting her die with dignity. I do not believe it is murder. I have made sure to tell my family members, if this ever happens to me, do not keep me alive in this state.
May God's will be done.
Same thing happened in "Roe".
Same exact thing.
Think through that for a moment. What you just said strikes a stake through the heart of liberty. Because what is liberty? That the wishes of the individual are paramount over the needs of government or corporations. By your statement, if the government wishes to take your property for a purpose other than your wishes and your desires, well, they can just do it.
But even if government takes your property, well, you still have your life. Oops, you're in a car crash. Well, the government can't ask you if you wanted to live or die, but, dadgumit, you are costing your insurance company a lot of money. So what do your wishes matter against the bottom line of that insurance company?
Think through the implications of your thoughts...
I believe people would have a different opinion if they experienced it firsthand.
Hi Hair...are you still over in Tumwater?(Ithink I remember you said you lived there, at least at one time)
Yes, our family dynamic is very complex....but luckily we have it all sorted it, and the three of us, my husband, my son, and myself, all know what each other wants, and we know who will go about making sure that our wishes are carried out...and that certainly does ease my mind..
My dad died of cancer...lingered for a few months, and then died...at the end he was in so much pain, that the amt of morphine needed to alleviate his pain, was also enough morphine to put him into a coma, and let him die, painlessly...now, lots of folks would have never allowed that, as they seem to figure, that horrible suffering is good for one, as they die...but I would not allow my dad to die in pain, and thankfully he had a doctor, who was concerned about alleviating the pain, even tho it might bring on my dads death a day or so quicker...dad died, in no pain, and surrounded by his family...
Mom, had Alzheimers, and at the end she did not know a thing, could not longer speak, did not know who I was, did not know where she was, and was completely bedridden...I took care of her for almost 2 yrs that way...I offered her food and drink, 6 times a day, and when she wanted to, she ate and drank, and when she refused, I did not force her..one of the visiting nurses I had, just about insisted that I have a feeding tube put into my mother....my mother, when she told me her wishes, absolutely demanded that I never have such a thing done to her...and so I did not..this nurse kept insisting, to the point where I had to request that the Nursing Service, not send her to my home again...she refused to follow my mothers wishes, and wanted to insert her own...she got fired...
But these were my parents wishes, and I followed them...mom slowly ate less and less and drank less and less, but I continued offering her food and drink, right up until the day she died...she died on her terms, not mine, not the nurses, but her own...
I did what I did for my parents, because that is what they wished...It was not always easy, and I realize the burden I have placed on my son is not easy, but he also realizes that, and is still willing to be my advocate...he said it will be weird to stand in for my husband, but that is what is needed in our family...
Have you seen the videos?
You believe wrong, in more ways than one.
Agree 100%.
Me too, Lauralee. Me too.
Even though God has made us in His image, some people have chosen to disregard that. They think only some of those "images" are ok to be alive.
I wonder how they draw the line between who is still in God's image and who has changed too much to now be worthy of life, even for themselves.
You've taken what I said wrong...
In the situation I spoke of, I was gone, a shell of a person in a hospital bed. I'd hope the smartest people in the room, my family who cares about me, with my doctor's advice, will do what's right and reasonable for me when I no longer can. Don't twist it into something else.
Feeding tubes have been around more than a hundred years. Since about 1910 for the closest version to what we do now.
Ah, but here is the crux of it. Any officer at the local Humane Society will be the first to tell you that old age and illness are not the most common reasons for Fido to be brought in for possible euthanasia.
Costs are not insignificant trifles in keeping the brain-dead alive. I'd hope my husband and family did not throw all the family assets and all their credit limits into keeping me alive without hope for recovery. Who'd wish bankruptcy on their family when there is no hope that such sacrifice would even bring me back?
Let me get this straight. You, and no doubt, countless others here, would deny Terri the right to die, but have no problem enforcing the death penalty, even though it has been shown that innocent people are put to death. (Not to mention the time, energy and court costs at taxpayers expense for every appeal.)
Ludicrous.
Let me get this straight. You, and no doubt, countless others here, would deny Terri the right to die, but have no problem enforcing the death penalty, even though it has been shown that innocent people are put to death. (Not to mention the time, energy and court costs at taxpayers expense for every appeal.)
Ludicrous.
No, I haven't - and you are avoiding the question. You said this quite clearly:
I'm not all wrapped up with the idea that my wishes are the most important thing
That is pretty profound. From that statement, you are willing to cede your will, your God-given liberty, and your very spirit, to others. And, if that is what you truly belive, that is your choice.
However, that is not yours to impose upon others. If you chose not to carry a concealed firearm, that does not give you the power to deny others that right. If you chose not to speak out on a subject, that does not give you the power to deny others the right to speak out on that subject.
And if you decide you would not want to live as Terri lives, that does not give you the right to speak for her. The only one who should speak for Terri is Terri, unless her husband can speak for her without no apparent conflict of interest. Which, IMO, he has not even begun to do.
Once again, that is for you to decide for your family situation. That is not yours to impose on others.
Personally I'm not married, yet, but I would do anything and everything in my power to protect, nurture, comfort, care for, and mostly uphold my fiancee's wishes. I couldn't bear to see her in Terri's condition, and I would do whatever she wanted in this case beit life or death. Although, perhaps selfishly, I would try to keep her alive against her wishes as it were, if there was a shred of hope that she might recover. After 15 years the fight has to be exhausting and the prospect of ending it has to be a welcome thought whichever side the final judgement comes down on. I just hope in the end the ruling is in Terri's best interests and the will of God is served.
Thanks for the debate:)
They had no bearing on my assessment, because someone in her condition responds to stimuli. Smiles are not really smiles as we know them. Unfortunately, I have seen this before in the past. It is very hard to look at and not have empathy.
I could get into all this stuff, but I will not.
It is sufficient to say that I am convinced that she is indeed in a vegetative state, as the court was, after looking into this multiple times. I have seen all the other stuff about the husband, and find it a result of venomous actions by the parents and complicated by conjectures and gossip on the Internet.
I don't think it's ~that~ vital that I understand the intricacies of Terri's case to the tune of an 89 minute interview. I have no power over Terri's situation.
If you can summarize it and want to, do.
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.