Replies

I wonder why you project your desires on Ms. Schiavo. I understand people who want to have some power over their lives and see that as a position of strength, but why do you assume that was her position? You assume that others actually have power over their lives. Those who are wise understand that power is an illusion, and some of us even see the realization of powerlessness as an incredible blessing... However, I find it interesting that you assume that she would want exactly what you now think you want.

Good morning, DadsGirl and everyone.

I apologize for not being clearer in my previous posts. I did not intend to project anything onto Mrs. Schiavo; I don't believe I actually did. I do, however, operate from the presumption that everyone would like to have power over their own lives in at least some areas. Every person I have ever known has had that desire. And, yes, I believe that non-disabled people have power over certain areas of their lives that disabled people do not--different areas for different people, of course; I know, for example, that my wife can do some things that I cannot. I understand that not everyone has power in every area of their lives at all times, but I have never known a person who did not believe that having more power, more self-determination, if you will, is better than having less.

With specific reference to Mrs. Schiavo, I read the court documents that determined that she would not want to continue her existence under the circumstances she was then in. That is the basis for my belief that she would have wanted to discontinue life support, bolstered by my own experience and the expressed wishes of others I know. I hope that makes my position clearer

I have to go to an appointment in a few minutes, but will try to return and answer some more posts later. Thanks to you all for your thoughts..

I do have some experience where a man always said that he wouldn't want to live in certain ways and would not like to continue life under certain circumstances. Then, when SOME of those circumstances appeared to be imminent, he was asked if he would like to continue life and try to be rehabilitated or discontinue life support. He chose to live. That is just one reason that I believe it is impossible to say what you will want until you are actually faced with the moment of choosing your life or your death. It all sounds grand and noble, but the reality can be something else altogether.

I would just warn you, quentin, to be sure of what you put on paper, because it can be used against you by the most unlikely people.

With specific reference to Mrs. Schiavo, I read the court documents that determined that she would not want to continue her existence under the circumstances she was then in.

We all read the judge's ruling that mischaracterized and misstated the evidence. If what the judge said had been true, that would be entirely different from the facts in this case.

Go back and read the transcript of that hearing. There was no evidence that Terri would have wanted to die under any circumstances. There was no evidence that Terri ever made any reference to a situation she later found herself in. There was ample credible evidence that she was morally opposed to killing or being killed.

I'm sure you're aware of the fact that those who supported Terri's right to live based that support on the actual evidence, and have repeatedly pointed out that certain judges, lawyers, journalists, politicians, and medical professionals have lied. If a judge has been accused of handing down a bad decision and lying in his summation of the facts, you cannot base an accurate opinion solely on the judge's word. If you want to know the truth, you must examine the actual evidence. When you do, and you see that the summation of the judge conflicts with the evidence, you can no longer accept his lies as proof that he told the truth.

You claim to have read the available documents, and if you really did, then you know Terri was murdered. There is no other conclusion that can be drawn from the available facts.