[jpsb]

'brings everything down to the most simplistic level."

Yes, that if you are going to fight in the realm of public opinoun you absolutely have to do. Complicate the issue and you lose all momentun in your direction. And in Terry case we (pro-life) need to generate momentum and fast so we must keep it simple.

[SolomoninSouthDakota]

I see your point. But over-reliance on that model runs a risk of creating/reinforcing a negative image of "simplistic, backward, fundamentalistic (is that a word), etc. pro-life wackos.
personally, I view Terri's case in terms of just plain proper ethics for a person about to die. No doubt it's the euthanasia movement pushing her death; I just still frame it in terms of dying with dignity. My wife has experience in hospice RN work and had to quit because of conscience. The push to death is alive and well I know. But if we keep clear on perhaps several moral principles, the battle can be won.