There is still no answer that will satisfy everyone as a proper way to deal with this tragedy. It would have helped, if there were a signed advance directive.
However, there are some real villains in this case. No, it is not Michael Schiavo, nor the Schindlers. The real villains in this case are:
1. Randall Terry. The conclusion is almost inescapable that Randall Terry has been manipulating the Schindlers by leading them on with false hope for a recovery by Terri Schiavo. In other words, Randall Terry is exploiting the Schindler's personal tragedy, to further his own agenda. Randall Terry would seem to deserve the title of ghoul, and as Neal Boortz said, Randall Terry is a scumbag.
2. Louis Sheldon of the Traditional Values Coalition. When the latest controversy started, Sheldon saw it as an opportunity for fund-raising. Sheldon sent out a massive e-mailing and snail-mailing fund-raising appeal, begging for long-term pledges of fund-raising to 'Save Terri'. However, the facts are the case will be settled within days, not months. Furthermore, Sheldon's fund-raising will not help Terri Schiavo. Terri Schiavo's brain was damaged beyond all hope of recovery. Sheldon is another ghoul.
3. Jesse Jackson, aka 'Jesse Jackoff'. His actions are so transparent, they are absolutely pathetic. Jackson jumped into the controversy, simply to further his own power and solicit fund raising (to further his own fortunes). Jackson is also a ghoul.
I feel sorrow over the Shindler's loss, but that does not excuse those who are exploiting them.
Are these the eyes of somebody not there?
This is the video that should be shown on the news everynight - it is even more powerful than the balloon video.
http://web.tampabay.rr.com/ccb/videos/Terri_Big_Eyes.rm
You need Real Player to watch this, available free on the internet.
This is not reflex action - she heard the doctor, she opened her eyes as wide as she could to impress him.
Even Fox news has ignored this clip.
i'm beginning to agree with you ... the "camera hogs" are benefitting themselves, even if the shindlers are taking some comfort in having support. there is also little medical debate that without her cerebral cortex, terri shiavo is "gone" in the sense of anything we consider uniquely human in the physical realm: communication, cognition, reflection, etc.
some groups are genuinely concerned about withdrawing life support on the basis of "quality of life" issues.. brain waves do not register from an embryo until a few weeks into gestation, until then are they "lesser" lifeforms?
it was also disturbing to see the memo circulating among repub. senate staff that pointed out the political advantage in taking up the terri shiavo cause in light of sen. nelson's (d-fla) vulnerability in 2006. it would be gratifying to see the repub. congress stand up (in spite of the recent polling results) to the courts.
put up or shut up. where is the political resolve from the POTUS that bucked world opinion and invaded iraq? why can't the POTUS or jeb show some resolve here?