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"Even after the respirator is removed (no harm, no foul), a person can still express disgust that the action was taken, because the actor was intending harm."

But of course. And one would use the past tense in describing the removal, si? Saying something like, "It bothered me that the respirator was disconnected".

But Terri didn't say it that way. She used the present tense, according to her friend. Something along the line of, "I can't believe her parents are considering the disconnecting of the respirator".

Why am I not connecting with you here? Seriously. I thought I was very clear.

I do understand your argument. And if you can only see the expression as being as you describe, then the conversation between Terri and her friend must ALSO have occurred when Terri was 11, as that conversation is described using the same tenses.

Totally unrelated example ... one might say "I am disgusted with Hinkley's attemt to kill President Reagan," today, and it makes perfect sense, even though the attempt was years ago.

But Terri didn't say it that way. She used the present tense, according to her friend. Something along the line of, "I can't believe her parents are considering the disconnecting of the respirator".

Yes, and if that comment was made while they were watching a movie, then the comment is made in the frame of time reference of the movie. "I can't believe Al Capone is going to [future tense] order a Valentine's Day massacre."