Much in the same way that we know that Abraham Lincoln wouldn’t experience any pain if you dug up his corpse and kicked it in the head. Terri doesn’t exist any more. All of the parts of her brain that are responsible for awareness and cognitive thought have long since been replaced by spinal fluid. All of those thing that made Terri a human being (as opposed to something cognitively equivalent to a slime-mold) have ceased to be.
What really bugs me about this conversation is how everyone keeps referring to Terri Schiavo as “she”. Look, people; Terri is no longer there. She died 15 years ago. What lies in that bed, connected to tubes and kept “alive” by the miracles of modern science, is nothing more than a container that once played host to a woman named Terri Schiavo. But Terri has been gone for well over a decade, now.
I see no reason to continue to coerce this corpse to engage in metabolic processes. Its whole reason for being, the woman who once called that body “me”, has ceased to exist. She is gone past all hope of recovery. Shouldn’t we just allow the body she left behind to stop functioning now that it’s served its purpose?
The point of this exercise was certainly not to be sincerely trying to feed her, it was symbolic. It’s meant to confuse people who only follow the story tangentially. Ironically, in the Republican political playbook parlance, it’s known as “waking the brain dead” i.e. getting people who otherwise don’t really know what’s what behind you by acts which mislead them into thinking a situation is very different than it actually is. While these people might later find out that they were misled, in most cases cognitive dissonance will prevent them from recanting in the long term, and in the short term they can be very effective as political muscle.
I know that Mrs. Schindler made a plea to President Bush today - can Bush step in? Was it the US Supreme Court or the Florida Supreme Court who declared it uncontitutional? Does Bush have the authority to step in on this?
This is heartbreaking. If anything, it’s just made me insure that my husband AND my parents know that without a doubt I do NOT want to be kept alive like this. My MIL has made her feelings perfectly clear to me, too, in that she wouldn’t want it either, so it seems that we’re covered.
I can’t help but feel some pity for the Schindlers in that they are so delusioned to think that their daughter might return to them some day.
The Florida Supreme Court overruled “Terri’s Law.” I don’t know for sure, but a higher court may have declined the case. I say that because I’d be surprised if nobody appealed. The US Supreme Court declined to get involved in this thing on (I think) Thursday evening.
The “Terri’s law” appeal was refused by the U.S. Supreme Court, thereby allowing the Florida Supreme Court decision to stand. The House Committe on Egregious Bullshit has appealed to both courts to overturn Judge Greer’s decision of yesterday; both denied the appeal.
Mr. Schiavo did a nice job of ripping Congress a new one this morning.
Gee… They become congressional leaders in ass decisions like this one! Partisanship? What partisanship? Notice how the fact that Republicans initiated this is left out here.
What solution oh wise one?
Yeah, I see what the concern of doctors, judges and all the final decisions of the state of Florida are toilet paper to you.
After reading the more reliable information on this case, this is one of the most idiotic things ever said in the floor of congress! It is official, Tom DeLay is a supporter of ignorance and I am getting tired of republicans of conscience and intelligence that with their inaction are condoning this incredible asshole.
My brain hurts, are you still saying she can appeal?
I will be not surprised that some Democrats will go for this but it is the party in power that is responsible for making this a priority: It is pathetic that the cuts and deficit that are coming to support the fearless leader’s tax cuts in time of war, are not going to be in the news next week, but I am beginning to thing this distraction is generated just so the sheep (I am going to say it, there is no other way to describe behavior like this) will be happy. The whole thing stinks like a shit stained political football.
What. the. fuck. is. this?
I suggest, Derleth that you effing read my many many posts on this topic in the several threads that exist on it.
YO-I am an RN who deals with this issue quite frequently–I know all about the differences between coma and PVS–more so than you. She is NOT dead–she is BRAIN DEAD.
IF you had bothered to actually read my posts, you would see that I not only agree with you, but I act in my role as nurse, as an ADVOCATE for these type of pts.
grrrrrrr. Like this thread isn’t already full of ignorance.
She is NOT brain dead. She may be mostly brain dead, if you can be such a thing.
Dems, don’t kid yourselves. The Democrats worked with the Republicans on this compromise the whole way and have shown little or no spine here. They’re afraid of the backlash they’d get and apparently don’t care a bit about the law or Terri Schiavo. I’m disgusted.
the law I’m concerned about is the right of the next of kin to determine health care. I am shocked, offended, horrified that this systematic abuse of that right is being assaulted.
Also: they’ll start stepping in because people do not have universal health insurance, after all, most of the bankruptcies happen in the USA because of health care costs, so, I think this will be also a priority for the greatest congress ever elected to defend the homeland!
abuse of legislative process - enacting legislation specifically designed to only address one specific individual situation, and in this case, specifically to thwart the right of the next of kin.
To those who insist that TS is not brain dead etc–keep your illusions. If you think that PVS is the same as coma–so be it. If you think you can deal w/o a cerebral cortex, by all means, please show me.
I am done with trying to open your dead brains and your closed minds.
And when the Gment steps in and stops you from terminating life support on your brain dead mother/child/cousin; when your loved one is not allowed a peaceful death from cancer d/t assholes who are terrified of death–thank your GOP and your ignorance.
TS is a tiny part of this whole fight. I am also deeply concerned about the Feds interfering in this most private of matters–but if you dont’ see it, enjoy your ignorance; it wiil bite you in the ass one day.
Have you read any of my posts, you moron? I’m all for letting her die. Story after story about this situation explains that she is not brain dead and has some lower brain function.