[Amelia]

I for one had NO idea that this is what we sometimes did to people when they're at end of life, but the person I spoke with yesterday insists that this is something they do almost daily....Maybe that's God's real purpose for Terri here. To raise visibility of something that's affecting far more people than any of us ever knew about.

It is very common, and the other night CNN interviewed some people you've never heard of who had similar battles between spouses & parents in similar situations. Biggest difference was, the battles didn't receive national publicity.

I agree that it's about time for a national discussion. Hopefully one without all the wild accusations and finger-pointing.

[jstolzen]

Doesn't it frighten you that it IS apparently common (to 'off' ill or otherwise inconvenient people this way?)

I'd say that 98% of Americans have no idea we're practicing this end of life 'treatment' in our hospices. My God, this is Euthanasia without laws allowing it. (Simply skating around the law by denying food. That way, they don't "officially" kill anyone - eg: by lethal injection, which is illegal).

This is madness.

Terri's case brings national attention to this horrific practice that few (if any) knew was so commonplace.

[northernlightsII]

People at the end of life is not the scenario that we are now dealing with.
Prior to her tube being taken out and her being deprived of any sustenance by mouth she was ahealthy albeit brain impaired woman of 41 yrs.
THE 2 SITUATIONS ARE COMPLETELY DIFFERENT AND SHOULD NOT BE EQUATED.