However, the judge is within the law. The problem is with the law.
I had NO idea that a feeding tube and hydration could be considered "extraordinary measures." I read in the Indiana paper today that there was a case very similar to this one back in the early 90's, which resulted in the removal of the feeding tube. I didn't even remember it, because it got such little press attention at the time.
A lot of the controversy about this case is because people didn't know that a situation like this was possible. Now we do.
The laws need to be changed. By the way, I looked up living wills in Indiana, and while you can REFUSE treatments through one, you can not ORDER that treatments be continued. There is something I had not thought about, either.
Lots of things to think about in this issue, regardless of the character failings of Michael Schiavo OR the Schindlers.
I'm in total agreement that the laws need to be changed, so that this can never happen again.
Exactly. The reason that every single court that has reviewed this case has sided with Greer is because there is no evidence that Greer has abused his interpretation of the law. For the second time in a few posts, here it is again:
10) "Life-prolonging procedure" means any medical procedure, treatment, or intervention, including artificially provided sustenance and hydration, which sustains, restores, or supplants a spontaneous vital function. The term does not include the administration of medication or performance of medical procedure, when such medication or procedure is deemed necessary to provide comfort care or to alleviate pain.
This is from 765.101 Florida Statutes. Deport has a link above.
Is he? Are you sure this is a problem with the law, or is it that some people have become subservient to a process?
This is a big deal, Miss Marple. This is not merely a legal matter where a judge screwed up and the enntire system whitewashed starving an innocent person against their wishes. How it plays out will illustrate the strength and weakness of human morality.