Between you and your maker (Right to Die?)

Buffalo News ^ | 3-6-2005 | MYRIAM MARQUEZ

[Hildy]

I maintain that it is up to the patient, and their rights should be respected, no matter what they decide.

[Sloth]

These bloodthirsty types can't make up their d@mn minds. Either Terri IS in there, or she ISN'T.

Those who talk about "ending her suffering" obviously mean that she IS aware on some level, with a painful existence. In that case, even if Terri *did* want to die, it's extraordinarily unlikely that she'd choose starvation and dehydration as the method (how many suicides are performed that way?). Thus, their solution is to "end her suffering" by cruelly increasing it for days on end.

The other option is that Terri is, for all intents & purposes, completely gone. No consciousness or awareness of what's happening to her - a big hunk of mindless meat. If that's the case, then why are they so gung-ho for her to die? What difference does it make? Her parents are willing to take over responsibility for all her care, and Michael Schiavo could easily get a divorce so he could marry that slut of his, so why not? If she's just a lifeless husk of flesh and bone, whence comes the steadfast, years-long desire to see her dead and buried?

[SaltyJoe]

Curious about the Hippocratic Oath: does it also exclude abortions? I've heard that it did many moons ago. Is there an older version that forbids both abortion AND abortion referrals?

From what I understand of Stalin's efforts, there's a parallel abomination of Western societies--kill hope. It's been said that hope is the last to go. Many have died because they thought that they were dying when, by all medical accounts they should have lived. Conversely, some have lived when, by similar medical expertise, they should have died.

I've heard of those who've traveled to the rural and still very simple tribes in the African interior. They've witnessed how the indigenous can "know" the time of death of a patient hidden in a tent. Maybe it's because such people are very close to the spiritual reality of our existence.

The reality as I understand it is that we cannot determine the time of our own deaths. I think that God allows tragic death and murder to happen because that's a consequence of free will. I also think that God intervenes on behalf of Divine Mercy, Divine Justice, or even sometimes for reason only known to Him, and He saves a life or lives, or delivers the wicked to their own evil.

So, the greater lesson is not upon those last moments before inevitable death and Judgment, but upon the unhindered lifetime freed to will for or against Goodness.

[Ohioan from Florida]

They are totally different. It's sort of like asking the difference between a hard-boiled egg and a fried egg. A boiled peanut is salty and very moist, sometimes almost squishy but not quite. A dry roasted peanut is also salty but, well, dry and roasted. You have to try one to understand. But don't make the mistake of using raw peanuts like you can get in the north. They don't boil up right. You have to use green peanuts, meaning raw and fresh from the ground. They haven't dried out yet. My northern cousins never thought they'd like them, but now they are a family reunion favorite (that is, when the reunion is in Florida).

[Ohioan from Florida]

Hildy, although this may appear to have no bearing on Terri's case, could you tell me whether or not you believed that John Kerry had earned his three purple hearts, and why you believe as you do? If you can tell me, then I can explain to you how this relates to Terri's case. Thanks very much!

[UCANSEE2]

I maintain that it is up to the patient, and their rights should be respected, no matter what they decide.

OK. What has the patient, in this case, stated she chooses?

[UCANSEE2]

I maintain that it is up to the patient, and their rights should be respected, no matter what they decide.

OK. What has the patient, in this case, stated she chooses?

[UCANSEE2]

sorry for the DP.

[supercat]

The affidavit could be explained by simply claiming that Ms. Capone was lying.

I'd be more interested to hear how Michael would explain his refusal to allow Terri's parents to try to feed by her mouth when the gastrostomic feeding is ended. Why would he be worried about Terri aspirating fluid? It makes no sense (remembering that it's illegal to dehydrate someone by withholding oral fluids if they are able to accept it, and therefore any concerns which are not predicated upon an inability to accept fluids would be illegal).

I'd also like to hear Michael explain why Terri has often been given medication for pain. If she can't feel anything, what purpose would such medications serve?

Also, do not the statutes state that pallative care may not be withdrawn? Would not water considerably ease the suffering of someone suffering from dehydration?

[nmh]

History is repeating itself and devaluing life at the same time.

Hitler did the same thing - removed less than "perfect" people and murdered them. He got to play "god". Now we have idiots thinking this is "compassionate" but I'd bet they'd cringe when compared to Hitler. It's wrong for me to take a life in this kind of a situation and wrong for someone else.

This same "compassion" thing was used for abortion and look what we have now. It's a birth control method, a convenience and so will euthanasia if it is allowed. There is actually more incentive for wuthanesia - inheritance and dumping a "burden" of course all for "compassionate reasons. LOL - selfish reasons. This is very sad.

[PhilDragoo]

The affidavit could be explained by simply claiming that Ms. Capone was lying

I haven't seen Michael Schiavo saying Iyers or Capone are lying.

Their affidavits are compelling.

[supercat]

I haven't seen Michael Schiavo saying Iyers or Capone are lying.

They would rather have as few people as possible know about the affidavits; if they were to publicly accuse the affiants of lying that would increase awareness of them. Nonetheless, it would be easy for Michael and Felos to tell an investigator that Ms. Capone was lying, and that would be a facially valid explanation for why her statements don't disprove Michael's.

[Lauren BaRecall]

I know exactly what you're saying, and I agree with you 150%. There are so many people who haven't a clue - they just parrot things they hear on the MSM. And if they were compared with Hitler or the masses of Germans, they'd be in total denial, and look at us like we're the lunatic fringe.

Regarding the ones who know better, here's quote for you:

A fellow Nazi reported Eichmann once said "he would leap laughing into the grave because the feeling that he had five million people on his conscience would be for him a source of extraordinary satisfaction."

Holocaust Timeline

What a horrifying statement. It hits me right in the gut. It sounds like something only the devil himself could possibly say. How could a man say something like that?

And I wonder if Felos, especially, feels anything like that.

[Ohioan from Florida]

Felos is more a monster than a man.

[Lauren BaRecall]

I really can't think of an adjective that really does him justice.

[PhilDragoo]

Yes, Michael is lying low, breathing shallow, not stirring the grass.

Yoohoo! Michael! Columbo has just one more question for you. . .for now. . . .

The preponderance of evidence is that Michael and Felos and Greer are lying.

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