# 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:** 48
**Author:** ![widdleytinks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a4c791/32.png) [@widdleytinks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/widdleytinks)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/941 "2005-03-28T04:32:36Z")
Thanks for the NEJM link. It’s perfect. regards, widdley ---
**Author:** ![pmwgreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/edb3f5/32.png) [@pmwgreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pmwgreen)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 4:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/942 "2005-03-28T04:38:39Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > I was discussing this case with my mother, who’s a nurse. I told her in no uncertain terms that I wouldn’t want to live in a PVS. > > Her response? “I had no intention of letting you.” Is your mother from Sutton Coldfield? My mother is. ---
**Author:** ![milroyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/a88e57/32.png) [@milroyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/milroyj)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/943 "2005-03-28T04:56:21Z")
Wow. I’ve been outnumbered before, many times in fact, but never quite like this. Since it was never my intention to get people riled up, I guess the right thing to do would be if I never posted on this subject again. I hope that works to everyone’s satisfaction. Happy Easter. ---
**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 28, 2005, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/944 "2005-03-28T05:24:41Z")
Wise choice, grasshopper. Wise choice. ---
**Author:** ![Avenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Avenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avenger)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 6:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/945 "2005-03-28T06:54:46Z")
> [@milroyj](#): > > Wow. I’ve been outnumbered before, many times in fact, but never quite like this. Since it was never my intention to get people riled up, I guess the right thing to do would be if I never posted on this subject again. I hope that works to everyone’s satisfaction. > > Happy Easter. Just three words short of totally satisfactory 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/946 "2005-03-28T07:12:17Z")
> [@Avenger](#): > > Just three words short of totally satisfactory 😉 Is it a coincidence that those three words share initials with [this group?](http://www.iww.org/) It really is all about the cussed commies. ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/947 "2005-03-28T07:16:16Z")
So Congress is back in session later this morning. PLEASE tell me they’re not going to try anything stupid. ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/948 "2005-03-28T07:25:32Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > Is it a coincidence that those three words share initials with [this group?](http://www.iww.org/) > > It really is all about the cussed commies. I think **Avenger** meant that **milroy** ’s post would have been perfect if he’d left out the words “on this subject”. ---
**Author:** ![Avenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Avenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avenger)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/949 "2005-03-28T07:35:39Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > I think **Avenger** meant that **milroy** ’s post would have been perfect if he’d left out the words “on this subject”. Yes, those are the ones! ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Mudd](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/f14d63/32.png) [@Larry\_Mudd](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Mudd)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/950 "2005-03-28T07:45:10Z")
I see. In that case, I wish to register a complaint about the confusingly contrary misuse of the word “short.” (He is, at least, three bricks short of a load.) 😛 [Elsewhere in the news](http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/ArticleNews/TPStory/LAC/20050328/SCHIAVO28/TPHealth/), the anticipated strife over funeral arrangements is already manifesting: > [@](#): > > Mr. Schiavo has made arrangements for her to be cremated and her ashes interred in his family’s plot in Pennsylvania. But the parents want Ms. Schiavo to have a Roman Catholic funeral service and be buried in Florida. > > Mr. Schiavo’s attorney said his client has already won a judge’s backing for his wishes to be carried out. But Paul O’Donnell, the Schindlers’ spiritual adviser, called the plan a further assault on Ms. Schiavo’s rights as a Catholic. If they were _my_ parents, I’d want to be cremated. Just to be sure. ---
**Author:** ![Avenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Avenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avenger)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/951 "2005-03-28T07:47:31Z")
> [@](#): > > I see. In that case, I wish to register a complaint about the confusingly contrary misuse of the word “short.” Consider it withdrawn. It was just three words, err, long, of completely satisfactory. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Avenger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/9de0a6/32.png) [@Avenger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Avenger)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/952 "2005-03-28T07:49:22Z")
> [@](#): > > Mr. Schiavo’s attorney said his client has already won a judge’s backing for his wishes to be carried out. But Paul O’Donnell, the Schindlers’ spiritual adviser, called the plan a further assault on Ms. Schiavo’s rights as a Catholic. Do Catholics have a ‘right’ to be buried? I mean, I went to a Catholic school and don’t remember that coming up. I believe that there was a time where cremation was considered wrong, but not anymore surely? ---
**Author:** ![Rilchiam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/2bfe46/32.png) [@Rilchiam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rilchiam)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 7:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/953 "2005-03-28T07:57:15Z")
> [@Larry Mudd](#): > > I see. In that case, I wish to register a complaint about the confusingly contrary misuse of the word “short.” (He is, at least, three bricks short of a load.) 😛 You mean you think **milroy** should have **added** three words? Which words? ---
**Author:** ![Testy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c37758/32.png) [@Testy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Testy)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/954 "2005-03-28T08:26:08Z")
> [@Nicodemus2004](#): > > I nominate Mr. Michael Schiavo as MAN OF THE YEAR. > He has stood firm against bribes, threats, ridicule and harassment in order to stand by the woman he loved (past-tense deliberate) in order to full fill a promise to her. This in spite of the damage it has done to his life… a life she would have wanted him to live and enjoy, I suspect. If the religious folks are right, her soul must be somewhere crying and shaking her head for the trials he has endured. I’d second the nomination. MS has fought Terry’s parents and their lawyers, congress, and some unknown but large number of fundys to a standstill over a decade and a half. That guy has done everything humanly possible to carry out his wife’s last wishes, even turning down large amounts of money. The man has displayed determination and integrity that is well out of the ordinay. Regards Testy ---
**Author:** ![Harborwolf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Harborwolf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harborwolf)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 9:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/955 "2005-03-28T09:21:24Z")
> [@Rilchiam](#): > > You mean you think **milroy** should have **added** three words? Which words? purple monkey dishwasher ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/956 "2005-03-28T12:32:33Z")
> [@milroyj](#): > > Wow. I’ve been outnumbered before, many times in fact, but never quite like this. Since it was never my intention to get people riled up, I guess the right thing to do would be if I never posted on this subject again. I hope that works to everyone’s satisfaction. > > Happy Easter. Admitting you were wrong is the first step. Now, take the second step and educate yourself on this issue. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/957 "2005-03-28T13:12:14Z")
My grandmother, who was very Catholic and consulted extensively with her priest, was cremated. She actually wanted to be cremated back when you couldn’t and was very pleased when the Catholic church decided it was ok. (We also had the opportunity for a feeding tube for her, and didn’t take it- she was 92 (I think) years old when she died). ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 1:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/958 "2005-03-28T13:19:03Z")
> [@cricetus](#): > > On the bright side, something called the Revolutionary Communist Youth Brigade has also entered the fray. > > [http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/27/schiavo/index.html](http://www.cnn.com/2005/LAW/03/27/schiavo/index.html) > > It’s increasingly difficult to tell the difference between parody and reality. Somebody better tell **manhattan** about that. It means the Let Terri Live faction is either duped by or actively supporting revolutionary communism. Terri is at least as coherent as **milroyj**. He could save a lot of keystrokes and say AHHH WAHHH instead, and it would make as much sense. ---
**Author:** ![tnetennba](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/7993a0/32.png) [@tnetennba](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tnetennba)\ **Post date:** [March 28, 2005, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/959 "2005-03-28T13:22:16Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > From [abcnews.com](http://abcnews.com): > > _"Outside the hospice where Schiavo is being cared for, five protesters were arrested, and about a half-dozen people in wheelchairs got out of them and lay in the driveway, shouting “We’re not dead yet!”_ :dubious: I’ve known people from this group. They’re organized around the idea that allowing people to die will inexorably lead to killing disabled people against their will. It’s a slippery slope fallacy, and (I think) they have the wrong slope. Ruling against civil liberties seems to pave the slope for fewer civil liberties, not the other way round. ---
**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 28, 2005, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029/960 "2005-03-28T13:42:19Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > He could save a lot of keystrokes and say AHHH WAHHH instead, and it would make as much sense. I think that’s rapidly becoming a new catchphrase around here. When come back, bring AHHH WAHHH? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029.md?page=47) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/let-the-poor-woman-die-already/295029.md?page=49)