For starters I really enjoy FR and have never not voted Republican, but I have to strongly disagree with what everyone seems to be saying here. Too many people are thinking emotionally (usually a trait we assign to Democrats) and not rationally. Somebody please cite a case where someone has been in a permanant vegatative state and come back after 15 years. This poor woman has been vegetative for 16 years with nothing more than the most basic of reflexive activities present (cardio, pulmonary, and nerve relfexes). It is sad and confusing for people to see color and breathing and a heartbeat and not understand that she is already gone. If I was ever in that state I've told those close to me to please let me go. There is no hope for her. Her husband has been an incredibly brave person in this whole terrible ordeal that I hope nobody is ever faced with.
You have no right to starve anyone to death. No matter what her state of consciousness is.
Many neurologists have said that she is NOT in a persistent vegatitive state. Tests that may confirm have not been allowed, i.e. MRI and PET scan.
Are you listening to the House of Representatives tonight?
Wife's great aunt was born with half a brain stem. Drs said she wouldn't live past two. She is in a nurnsing home now, pushing 90.
Not clear that that is the case.
Please cite for me any evidence that Terri is in a permanant vegatative state.
So every mentally retarded and disabled person should be starved to death? Their parents or guardians should have the right to stop their care because of their diminished capacity?
It's ironic that tonight's Boston Legal has the ultra-liberal lawyer arguing against the death penalty for a killer because of diminished capacity.
WRONG! Aren't you paying attention! She is not!
I don't care about dems or repubs but this woman is being slowly starved to death, it'll take long days for her to die of starvation and dehydration... a horrible way to go. Why do we allow a human being, whatever their state, to die this way when I'd get arrested for doing the same to my dog or cat because it's inhumane.
We are all terminal. We all live less than full lives. Where do you draw the line for those worthy to live and those worthy to die?
Do you have amazing skills at remote medical diagnosis, so that you can safely contradict what Bill Frist and numerous other physicians in the Senate and House, as well as numerous other medical experts are saying?
Or are you just hearing what you want to hear and repeating it, which we might describe as 'thinking emotionally?'
My guess is the latter.
Why make a permanent fatal decision without the benefit of modern technology, i.e. MRI and (more importantly) the PET scan. Why make a fatal decision without benefit of rehab. These things have been denied Terri. Do you really want to make medical decisions without using all the tools available? that is all that is being asked.
First it is not determined that she is a permanant vegetative state, second there was a girl who was hit by a driver in Kansas, IIRC, who was in a coma for 20 years and has recently awoken from it.
The fact that a state judge found that Terri is in a permanent vegitative state doesn't mean she is in a permanent vegitative state. Human beings, including judges, are fallable. That's why we have federal habeas review with regard to death-penalty cases, and that's why we should have a similar federal review here. The stakes are high because life is important, anf the 14 Amendment protects life.
You would see that, Chris, if you were not so unbalanced and emotional on this issue. Maybe you should try to think about this issue, instead of merely expressing your feelings.
Gladly:
Recovered “Vegetative State” Patient Kate Adamson Speaks Before Schiavo Rally
"For starters I really enjoy FR and have never not voted Republican, but I have to strongly disagree with what everyone seems to be saying here."
Hmmm... You sound suspiciously like a "seminar poster."
By the way she did not meet the Florida state law definition of PVS. The only similarity between this and what some doctors are claiming about her, is that the buzzword is spelled the same. The buzzword was good enough for Greer, who cares only about Florida law when he wants to.
Then you'd better put that in writing and get two witnesses because that is the only legal way in our state of Texas that you can file a living will. Terri signed nothing. We are to believe her husband who really, really wants her dead. I don't believe him because he has several good reasons for wanting her out of the way. If nothing else, Florida ought to get its act together an specify what constitutes a living will.