March 31, 2005
It Has Just Begun
I should probably wait to write this, but we are never as real as we are in the moments after we hear news that touches us deeply. Terri Schiavo’s life was ended today. She died of the effects of dehydration, a death that is slow and incredibly painful (don’t start in with your “she couldn’t feel anything” arguments---you’re bringing a knife to a gun fight). And we watched it happen; indeed, if the polls are to be believed, most Americans agreed with the decision to starve this woman to death.
With this case, our judiciary and most of our population has arrived at the conclusion that some life is not worthy of life. I know the argument: no one wants to live Terri’s life. That’s correct. But every life has worth and purpose. If you don’t believe that, then what keeps you alive and getting out of bed every morning? You live your life because you are a parent, or someone in your life depends on you. You live your life because you are passionate about your job or your hobby or your faith. You live your life because you believe you are meant to defend other peoples’ lives.
I believe that some lives teach us to show compassion, mercy and hope. You don’t want your life to only serve as a lesson to others; I’m sure Terri didn’t want that, either. But Terri’s final days were probably of more service to our society than anything she did before. We were all tested by this, and we failed.
Regardless of your thoughts on this, there is one inescapable fact: Terri Schiavo was not “let go” or “allowed to die”. There was no plug to pull, to quote the idiocy of Larry King. Terri was killed with the full agreement of our law givers and enforcers.
God help us.
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Well, I think the key here lies in your beliefs about what occurs after death. If you think that death is the end of life, then I suppose it can be argued that "any life is better than none."
If you believe that death is the start of another life, then Terri is in a better place and isn't living in the hell she was two hours ago.
Either way, it's a hard choice to make. I disagree with you that there's one choice for everyone. This is a personal decision, and Bush and his followers were wrong to try to impose their wills upon people.
-Steve
Games are for Children
Ok. Good thing that's over let's get on with some real issues.
Posted by: joe at March 31, 2005 05:58 PMDo fool yourself into thinking that conservatives support a culture of life. Conservative Governors are usually the first in line to pull the switch of the death row inmates. How many times did George W Bush have the chance to stop the execution of a murderer?
Conservatives do think that some lives are more important than others too...
Posted by: Dr. Forbush at March 31, 2005 07:06 PM"She died of the effects of dehydration, a death that is slow and incredibly painful (don’t start in with your “she couldn’t feel anything” arguments---you’re bringing a knife to a gun fight)."
Really? Then how come many doctors who have been with cancer patients who voluntarily remove the feeding tube have said it's painless. Oh I see, because you don't want that to be true, so you say it's not. Even though you give no evidence. Oh ok.
When I first heard of her situation I have to admit that I was for pulling the tube based on my "I don't want to live like that" thinking.
After some serious thinking about this I asked myself "How do you know you wouldn't want to live like that?" I'm sure that people who are in wheelchairs don't want to live like that. People who are mentally retarded if they could choose wouldn't want to live like that. Old people who can't take care of themselves anymore and have to live in nursing homes or with their children don't want to live like that either.
Should we kill them too?
We have moved one step closer to being able to kill people who make life hard for us because they depend on us for their care.
One day all of us (if we live long enough) will depend on someone else for our care and well being. Let's hope that we are not blazing a trail that leads to where I think this is going.
Posted by: David![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.opaquelucidity.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at April 1, 2005 06:30 AM
This is not killing people who make life hard on us. If it is true that SHE didn't want to live like that, as two people have told us,(her husband and Her friend) there was nothing wrong with it. This is just a story getting a little too much attention. Next topic please.
Posted by: Joe at April 1, 2005 07:49 AMIf you divorce religion and politics from this issue you only see a woman who was allowed to starve to death. Terri was a human being that we allowed to be murdered because she wasn't able to live the "life" we think of as normal and worthwhile.
More than anything, I am afraid if what this woman's death means for our country. If we can allow someone to starve to death because they cannot feed themselves then what comes next? Our society already allows us to dispose of unwanted or deformed babies while they are still in the womb and now we allow the disabled to be murdered because we do not see their lives as "worthwhile". Thank God I do not have children...because I could not stand the idea of them living in a world that refuses to see life, ALL life, as valid.
Posted by: Kelli at April 1, 2005 09:08 AM
Are you guys for real??? Nobody is killing babies. Nobody is being murdered. She wanted to die many years ago, but some idiots wouldnt let her die. Let it go already. New topic.
Posted by: joe at April 1, 2005 05:02 PMEven the arguement based soley on her wish to not live this way, suicide and assisted suicide is still murder. I never thought someone would be able to say "I was arrested for giving someone water" - A ten year old boy.
Posted by: Erik at April 2, 2005 12:41 PMHey, Doc Forbush---the Governor of Texas can not commute a death sentence. Go do some research into the law.
Posted by: Matt_D at April 2, 2005 12:51 PM
Joe, there are plenty of other topics on this blog. If you don't like this one then go to a different topic. It's that easy.
Is it ok if the rest of us still want to talk about this?
Posted by: David at April 2, 2005 09:45 PM
No, Davey it's not ok. didn't you see matt's post about the number of hits dropping off?? i think there is a direct link there.
Posted by: Joe at April 4, 2005 09:34 AMSomebody better look up the definitions of murder and suicide. It's starting to get tossed around as if someone knew the meaning. Better yet here it is. Murder:The unlawful killing of one human by another, especially with premeditated malice... Obviously can't be self inflicted!!!!! Next...
Posted by: Jomerica at April 4, 2005 03:52 PM