[Jim Noble]

“Are we going to declare that only individuals who are self-aware AND capable of making conscious decisions ...” How is it that we would arbitrarily cancel her as unable to make conscious decisions when she can hear and respond —at least in her mind— to their directions? Are these scientists so dead in soul that they would not look for some means by which to communicate with this woman since she is able to hear their directions and do something with her mind to show it? God help us, how have we descended so deeply into the utilitarian deathpool?

Most of these cases are quite complex, and your simplification of the decisions which get made - every day, hundreds and hundreds of them - as a "descent into the utilitarian deathpool" is a gross oversimplification.

It has the secondary bad effect of making ordinary people terrified that you will ever gain a smidgen of political power.

[MHGinTN]

You must be in a state of bliss, ignoring the reality of our nation’s comoditizing human life and derigating the value of individual human life.

[StAnDeliver]

"Most of these cases are quite complex, and your simplification of the decisions which get made - every day, hundreds and hundreds of them - as a "descent into the utilitarian deathpool" is a gross oversimplification."

Which attitudes currently rule the deathpool -- Burton's or Owen's?

"It has the secondary bad effect of making ordinary people terrified that you will ever gain a smidgen of political power."

I have no doubt that nothing will ever come between your family's decision to Schiavo you someday, should it come to that.

[MHGinTN]

derigating should be ‘derogating’ ... tired mind and fingers.

[Reddy]

“Ordinary people” are logical and know that Terri was murdered.

[GoLightly]

It has the secondary bad effect of making ordinary people terrified that you will ever gain a smidgen of political power.

Many of us ordinary folk are terrified of those on the opposite side of the argument who have gained political power. I'm not waiting for the day with pleasure for the day that I'm told that it is my responsibility to die for the financial good of those who I'm leaving behind. The voice of those who will make that demand are getting louder daily, as the most despised generation ever (baby boomers) ages.