If removal of a feeding tube is murder, then there are hundreds of such murders every day, and a legislative solution to the Terri Schiavo case will MOST CERTAINLY void all so-called "living wills".
Understand your logic here (and agree somewhat) - However, aren't we dealing with romantics in that if one has a living will the removal of a feeding tube would not be considered murder...it would be considered fulfilling the patients wishes (will) - Where as in the case of someone without a living will removing their feeding tube (and ending their life) without their wishes could be considered murder? -
Though, I do have a problem with the need for a lawyer that comes between the relationship of a husband and wife. That relationship should be sacred (and there should be no need for a lawyer to confirm with what one has told their spouse).
In that on the one had we hear some many yelling that "marriage" is sacred (no gay marriage, etc) - yet on the other hand they say that your words within that marriage are meaningless without the need for a lawyer confirming them (and if you don't have this the Federal Gov't can step in between this "sacred" relationship)
Dr. Kervorkian is still in prison (and rightly so).
You cannot legally will or consent to be murdered.
The right answer is, 1) It's not murder to remove a feeding tube, unless, 2) You do so with intent or design to benefit personally from doing so.
This actually is a big issue in end-of-life discussions every day, with or without a so-called "living will".
I read "living wills" every week, and most of them are worthless (except insofar as they appoint a decisionmaker). When that decisionmaker has a personal interest in the death of the "living will" author, it becomes quite complicated.
This case is a nightmare.
My opinion is that either Michael Schiavo should be arrested and charged, or the State should butt out.