# Let the poor woman die already! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 17, 2005, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029 "2005-03-17T19:11:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 37
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/721 "2005-03-25T22:51:24Z")
Not that it’s terribly important, but could CNN please pick a better photo to go with this story than that creepy video still of Terri? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 11:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/722 "2005-03-25T23:01:12Z")
It’s marginally better than the one they used to have. ---
**Author:** ![WolfpackJeep](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpackjeep/32/2921_2.png) [@WolfpackJeep](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WolfpackJeep)\ **Post date:** [March 25, 2005, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/723 "2005-03-25T23:07:48Z")
Has there been any word from other families with loved ones residing in that hospice center? I can’t imagine they enjoy wading through the protestors every time they want to visit. ---
**Author:** ![Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/bc8723/32.png) [@Unauthorized\_Cinnamon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Unauthorized_Cinnamon)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/724 "2005-03-26T01:11:45Z")
It’s not worth its own pit thread, but damn I was pissed at the cable news snippets I saw today. (Normally I get my news from NPR, but I was flipping channels at the gym.) MSNBC’s reporter went out of his way to mention that the Schindlers, unlike Michael, are “blood relatives,” and are not getting as much visiting time as he is. Then a reporter at the governor’s mansion said the protestors were there “in support of Terri Schiavo and her parents.” One would never think from that comment that umpteen courts had found that Terri would have wanted the tube removed. Then I flipped to CNN, where they replayed a clip from a mawkish and of course one-sided interview with Terri’s siblings. So I flipped to CBN’s morning talk show, where they were discussing how experts are 95% certain the Shroud of Turin is authentic, \*and \* giving tips on finding a great wedding dress at bargain prices. I was greatly relieved. At least I expect ridiculous bullshit from this source. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 1:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/725 "2005-03-26T01:40:28Z")
> [@archmichael](#): > > Actually, Operation Rescue has been using children for a while. Having them lay down in the street in front of clinics to block cars. I believe the children arrested in this case were coordinated by Operation Rescue as well. What exactly does Operation Rescue do? Are they the ones who drive around with the trucks with pictures of stillborns and bloody miscarriages and abortions? > [@\*\*Marley23\*\*](#): > > Not that it’s terribly important, but could CNN please pick a better photo to go with this story than that creepy video still of Terri? [Here you go.](http://atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2003-11-13/fishwrapper-1.jpg) What a shame that it’s not the image most of us will remember of her. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/726 "2005-03-26T01:52:58Z")
Is anyone besides me cynical enough to already be casting the Major Motion Picture Event? ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/727 "2005-03-26T02:01:30Z")
I was waiting for the books to come out, myself. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/728 "2005-03-26T02:10:03Z")
What about action figures? ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/729 "2005-03-26T02:23:17Z")
While I’m thinking about it, did anyone see _Crossfire_ this evening? It had (I can’t find the transcript online) a spokeswoman for, essentially, the Religious Right versus the Big, Bad Democrat. What amazed me about it was that every time she (or the hosts…I confess that I don’t usually watch _Crossfire_, so I didn’t catch any names) tried to put a Pro-life spin on the Shiavo case, the BBD had the perfect thing to say. Even to the point where the audience was applauding just about any time he spoke. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/730 "2005-03-26T02:24:41Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > Is anyone besides me cynical enough to already be casting the Major Motion Picture Event? Yup. I was thinking it might be hard to find an actress willing to spend that much of her screen time laying in bed moaning and looking blank. Hmmm. Make that an actress with credibility. ---
**Author:** ![Superdude](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superdude/32/13450_2.png) [@Superdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Superdude)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/731 "2005-03-26T02:27:32Z")
Joyce DeWitt. After all, her career’s in a PVS. ---
**Author:** ![easy\_e](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/eb8c5e/32.png) [@easy\_e](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/easy_e)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/732 "2005-03-26T03:08:31Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > **Dangerosa:** _Given the evidence I’ve seen, she isn’t there to communicate, but even if she were, there is no way to tell if “ARGGGGGGGGGGGH” means “let me live” or “please release me from this tortured existance” or “I want to see Patty Duke movies” or “retrain me to swallow, I really want some Rocky Road Ice Cream.”_ > > That’s the scary part. I tried to imagine if it were me lying there, to all appearances persistently vegetative, unable to move or communicate or even swallow my own saliva, but nonetheless somehow conscious… > > …for _fifteen years_… > …_ **WITH NOTHING TO READ** _. > I swear, I get the shakes just thinking about it. Being kept artificially alive as an unconscious vegetable is an appalling enough prospect, but at least I wouldn’t know anything about it. Being kept alive as an isolated, immobilized prisoner in a completely non-responsive body, for **decades** … I can’t imagine anything worse. What makes this even worse is that if her cortex is gone, she would have little or no sensory input. It’s not a matter of not having anything in front of your face to read–even if there was something there, you wouldn’t be able to read it. I’ve read conflicting evidence as to whether consciousness is possible with no cortex. If it is, that would truly be hell. To be able to think but not to sense anything, much less try to communicate. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/733 "2005-03-26T03:17:52Z")
Some guy on Fox, I think his name is John, kindof blonde; said something that made me think. He said once Michael decided to be with another woman, he’s not really married, its legal document only now such as those who marry just to keep an aline in country. I agree. Its not just a piece of paper, once you commit adultery, your rights as a spouse should end. Makes sense. ---
**Author:** ![cj\_finn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@cj\_finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cj_finn)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/734 "2005-03-26T03:29:55Z")
> [@Good Egg](#): > > Some guy on Fox, I think his name is John, kindof blonde; said something that made me think. He said once Michael decided to be with another woman, he’s not really married, its legal document only now such as those who marry just to keep an aline in country. I agree. Its not just a piece of paper, once you commit adultery, your rights as a spouse should end. Makes sense. So what you are saying is that in every single case where there has been infidelity, the marriage should be dissolved? If you don’t think this should be the case in every instance, then give me one good reason why it shouldn’t be. If a spouse should lose all legal rights conferred by dint of marriage because of infidelity, can you imagine the shitstorm? And if we are good little Christians and follow the bible, doesn’t the mere fact that one has thought unfaithful thoughts make you unfaithful? Fine, lets get rid of marriage. But wait! We can’t! God has ordained that once joined, the married couple cannot be separated. Ahhhh! Perhaps JP II can be unhooked from his medical support long enough to come over and settle this little dilemma for us. Nitwit. ---
**Author:** ![Good\_Egg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/96bed5/32.png) [@Good\_Egg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Good_Egg)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/735 "2005-03-26T03:46:08Z")
Now you’ve gone and put your strawman in a state of pvs! Meanie. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![GIGObuster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gigobuster/32/421_2.png) [@GIGObuster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GIGObuster)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/736 "2005-03-26T03:48:44Z")
> [@Good Egg](#): > > Some guy on Fox, I think his name is John, kindof blonde; said something that made me think. He said once Michael decided to be with another woman, he’s not really married, its legal document only now such as those who marry just to keep an aline in country. I agree. Its not just a piece of paper, once you commit adultery, your rights as a spouse should end. Makes sense. Of course it made me think… it reminded of what Randi Rhodes then remarked about that asinine angle of attack: you would then have many members in congress, a good number of them very hypocritical republicans, in a very bad situation. Of course, not that they have not show in the past the great ability of stepping over their wives and then continue very long careers with almost no political repercussions. But more on point: there was no challenge to Michael’s marriage in court, That is what in the end matters, if you don’t like it, then change the law. I know that the possible plaintiff is not able to do much about it, but even the Shindler’s did realize at the beginning that Michael had to get on with his life, the sick attracts to his new family started later and have gotten worse, unnecessarily too. He remains legally married to Terry because he promised something to her, sick fucks like the Fox reporters are leading many, that still swallow their news, to now ignore the rule of law. ---
**Author:** ![widdleytinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a4c791/32.png) [@widdleytinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdleytinks)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/737 "2005-03-26T04:19:34Z")
Extracting this from the CNN site: "Schiavo’s father was more forceful. “[Bush] has put Terri through a week of hell and our family through a week of hell by not acting,” Bob Schindler said. “He has to come up to the plate.” In a separate, emergency motion, on which a Florida state judge is expected to rule by noon Saturday, the Schindlers contend that their daughter has expressed the wish to live. “She managed to articulate the first two vowel sounds, first articulating AHHHHHHH and then virtually screaming WAAAAAAAA,” the motion said. The incident happened in the presence of Schiavo’s sister, Suzanne Vitadamo, and an aunt, according to the motion. " Alright, that rips it. So now it’s Jeb Bush whose to blame? So Terri spoke did she? What? Did this slip their minds over the last week? What are the chances of charging the family with frivilous use of court time and resources? regards, widdley ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/738 "2005-03-26T04:45:02Z")
> [@Good Egg](#): > > Now you’ve gone and put your strawman in a state of pvs! Meanie. 😛 You deserved worse for that dumb argument. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Blalron](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/35a633/32.png) [@Blalron](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blalron)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/739 "2005-03-26T05:06:28Z")
> [@easy e](#): > > What makes this even worse is that if her cortex is gone, she would have little or no sensory input. It’s not a matter of not having anything in front of your face to read–even if there was something there, you wouldn’t be able to read it. > > I’ve read conflicting evidence as to whether consciousness is possible with no cortex. If it is, that would truly be hell. To be able to think but not to sense anything, much less try to communicate. I’m seriously hoping, for Terri’s sake, that this is not the case. Anyone got any evidence to prove or disprove this hypothesis? ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [March 26, 2005, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/740 "2005-03-26T05:25:09Z")
> [@](#): > > In a separate, emergency motion, on which a Florida state judge is expected to rule by noon Saturday, the Schindlers contend that their daughter has expressed the wish to live. > > “She managed to articulate the first two vowel sounds, first articulating AHHHHHHH and then virtually screaming WAAAAAAAA,” the motion said. The first time I read this, I honestly thought it was a joke. If you’ve listened to the horrific audio clip cited earlier in this thread–which is still giving me nightmares–you’ll see how ridiculous this is. But, if you want to buy it, how do we know she wasn’t trying to say “AHHHHHHH WAAAAAAAAnt you assholes to honor my wishes and butt the fuck out so I might be able to die with whatever specks of dignity you’ve left me with!” [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029.md?page=36) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029.md?page=38)