Well Bill, where to begin. I agree whole heartedly with you that Terri Schiavo should be allowed to die and should have been allowed to do so with privacy. There are so many sides to this story but the ones that get played out in the media for the most part are the crazy ones.

True religion and the practice of that religion have been so blurred that some who say they are acting on behalf of their religion are nothing more that hypocrits. This is why so many Muslums today are grouped in with all the "fanatics" who are killing in the name of their religion.

I hold dear to me my religous beliefs but much of what I hear from the "religious right" has no parallel with the religion they say they represent. They work hard to make the religion benifit and mold to their liking instead of following the words of their religion. I'm sure the debate will go on and on, long after we all exit this life on Earth.

If we can take anything from this sad story is that we should all make our wishes clear when our minds are still working. Fill out an Advance Health Care Directive Form.

This one is for California but I'm sure their are ones for your state also.

• Save the vegetable Kill the living by Bill Peck Monday 28th of March 2005 10:59:20 AM EST

  For Massachusetts

  www.massachusetts-wills.com/living_will.html

  Reply

I am really relieved at the stance that the court has taken. If the Supreme Court or any of the Federal Courts had sided with her parents, than every person's living will from here forth would be challenged.

I know at the end of the day a parent doesn't want their child to suffer. That more than anything else in the world. And it's true that starving to death is suffering. No doubt that they just want to take her home and care for her forever. But isn't living in a persistent vegatative state suffering as well? Now the argument comes that she is communicating with them and that she's improving. It's been 15 years. No marked improvement of any kind. What are the chances really of her ever having a productive life of any kind ever again? Now the communication arguement is a little hokey as well. The parents want so much for Terri to talk to them that they're interpreting what sounds happen to come out to be phrases or thoughts being expressed. This has to be a case of them hearing what they want or needed to hear.

It's really too bad that there isn't a more humane and dignified way for Terri to pass on. Starving and dehydrating her to death has to be painful. Isn't this where Dr. Kavorkian had been trying to make his case?

• Save the vegetable Kill the living by Bill Peck Monday 28th of March 2005 03:17:49 PM EST

  Actually according to the experts its not a bad way to go.

  www.post-gazette.com/pg/05083/476836.stm

  Besides, your assuming there is enough of her brain left for her to feel pain. Or , in other words, something there to process the pain messages.

  I also don't think this would challenge Living Wills. Its the ones who don't have a living will.

  Reply
  • Save the vegetable Kill the living by Matt Deres Tuesday 29th of March 2005 12:06:32 PM EST

    Interestingly there are still some states that don't recognize living wills or health care proxy's. The recommendation is that you still fill one out so that you can document your wishes, but it can still present problems.

    Reply