[highball]

I do not believe the state, or any government agency, has the right to overturn any citizen's constitutional rights.

That's very cute rhetoric, but it isn't what happened here.

The state didn't make the medical decisions. Her husband did, as is his right and his obligation. That you don't like the decisions he eventually made does not justify sophistry.

[T'wit]

>> The state didn't make the medical decisions. Her husband did, as is his right and his obligation.

A guardian may not make medical decisions for his ward, nor can any guardian make a decision that would cause death or harm to the ward. There are exceptions for guardians who are qualified physicians, but the rule is, guardians are not permitted to practice medicine.

The whole case was framed on the ludicrous fiction that Terri made the decision, as is her right (to refuse treatment). The feeding tube was added by law to life-prolonging devices AFTER Terri's injury, so she could not possibly have given informed consent.