[nickcarraway]

ping

[concerned about politics]

In this case, the desires of Mrs. Schiavo are sufficiently murky to cause me to conclude she should not be put to death.

Agreed. Her parents wish to take her. Let them have her, love her, and care for her.
Her husband can move on with his new mistress.

[uvular]

I was ready to blow over Koch's article, but parts of his comments made sense. I wouldn't do to a dog what Michael has done to Terri. But I disagree with Koch that this has anything to do with doctor assisted suicide. This has everything to do with Terri's parents belatedly realizing that Michael had something to do with Terri's present state. If Michael truly loved her and could not cope with her, her parents are more than willing. If he is innocent of any wrongdoing, he should have given up guardianship to her parents and gone on his merry way with his girlfriend, child, and the child on the way.

[Graymatter]

>>What he should do is divorce her.

Because? Koch doesn't say. Let me try.

In what sense is this a marriage? Among the characteristics of the state of matrimony, companionship, exclusivity, cohabitation, actual or potential parenthood, and mutual interests and goals.
Hmmm...Nope. Michael and Terri don't have any of that.

In what sense does Michael Schiavo WANT to be Terri's husband? Does he want to live with her, be a companion to her, be faithful to her, have a family with her? NO. He just wants to be her husband in order to end her life (and possibly to benefit financially thereby).

That's why he should divorce her, and why he won't.

[stands2reason]

Wow. First liberal who sees the actual facts in this case. I agree wholeheartedly with his assessment.

[kayak]

Mrs. Schiavo’s parents should be given full custody and control over their daughter and her medical care.

Some of his facts are in error but at least he's reached the right conclusion.

[supercat]

If Florida law does not allow for divorce under these circumstances, the Legislature should amend the law forthwith.

Florida law does allow for divorces in such cases without the explicit consent of the incapacitated person provided the person has been incapacitated for at least three years (as is the case here).

[RLK]

If I were in a vegetative state, I would not want to continue to live or to be resuscitated.

--------------------

Dear Sir: You are in a vegetative state. What do we do now?

[Future Useless Eater]

we can understand the husband’s concern for his wife and also his current relationship with another woman, the mother of his child. However, in view of these competing interests, he cannot be considered objective in this case on what his wife’s wishes were.

Thank you Mayor Koch.

The "other side of the story" you've never heard on CNN is shown here - Professor Appointed to Probe Schiavo Case

= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
Recent interviews/excerpts:
= = = = = = = = = == = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = =
"Hannity and Colmes" - Tuesday 10-14-03 --> (Terri's father) Bob Schindler: "MONEY and FOUL PLAY"

"On the Record with Greta" - Friday 10-24-03 --> Forensic Pathologist, Dr. Michael Baden: "Potassium imbalance UNLIKELY - HEALTHY heart - NECK TRAUMA"

"At Large with Geraldo Rivera" Sunday 10-26-03 --> Florida AG Christopher Darden and Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz: "You have eternity to be dead; You only have a limited amount of time to live"

"Hannity and Colmes" - Monday 10-27-03 --> (father) Bob Schindler and (neurologist) Dr. William Hammesfahr: "She absolutely CAN be rehabilitated -clearly NEVER had heart attack -Emergency room: damaged neck"

"On the Record with Greta" - Monday 10-27-03 --> (attorney) Pat Anderson: "BIG FIGHT -attempted STRANGULATION"

"On the Record with Greta" - Tuesday 10-28-03 --> (attorney) Pat Anderson and (brother) Bobby Schindler: "failing marriage -DIVORCE imminent -Potassium explained":

[TigersEye]

The life of Terry Schiavo, a Florida woman who has been living in a vegetative state for 13 years, ... Ed Koch

Not according to this medical professional specializing in cognitive speech pathology:

Pathologist's statement in Terri Schiavo case

5. Based on my experience and my observations, Mrs. Schiavo is clearly aware of her environment and interacts with it, albeit inconsistently. She is able to comprehend spoken language, and can, at least inconsistently, follow simple one-step commands. This is documented both in the MediPlex records and in the following behaviors noted in the following video segments:

10. It is not my opinion that Mrs. Schiavo is in a coma or in a persistent vegetative state. In my opinion, she exhibits purposeful though inconsistent reactions to her environment, particularly her family. Her eye movements, easily observed on the videotape, are particularly suggestive that she recognized family members and responded. She also appeared to have sufficient sustained attention to track a balloon. It is not my opinion that these behaviors are merely reflexive. The entire range of behaviors listed above, and each and every one of them, are inconsistent with a diagnosis of persistent vegetative state.

This was taken from an affadavit given by Sara Green Mele, MS, CCC-SLP. The first three paragraphs give an overview of her experience and qualifications.

[TigersEye]

On the issue of removing a feeding tube as a means of ending a person’s life, if we were putting a dog down,...

At least Ed is clear on what Physician Assisted Suicide is.

[rneilwhitt]

She is not in a vegetative state. When you go to the grocery store to buy vegetables do they look at you? Do they try to talk? They might try with you but I've only seen it happen on Sesame street and I suspect it was a trick being played on me!!!!!!!!!

[sfRummygirl]

It is interresting to see the evolution in his opinion. I'm glad that he lastly does not want her to be starved, and questions the husband's loyalty.
I really can't stand how the 'right to die' movement is moving towards systimatically killing the disabled, though. This frightens me terribly.