[Cboldt]

Podohertz says ...and because she cannot speak, he has the legal authority to speak for her

It is no wonder the public get this wrong. Even the highly educated are parroting a falsehood. Michael's "legal authority to speak" (actually, duty to carry out the patient's wishes) comes from the court's divining of the patient's wishes.

[xsmommy]

his point as to how both sides view this is absolutely right on.