Terri Schiavo

You know, I was really thinking I would avoid this subject altogether. Until I noticed that CNN (the only news channel I really see anymore, blaring away in the lobby at work) keeps throwing the case in my face. And people around my place of business are starting to talk about it, with varying opinions (most of which I disagree with). And now it's getting on my nerves. And that's a "don't want."

So here's what I have to say about the Schiavo case:

I believe that Terri did in fact express her wishes to her husband. I've seen it happen a lot. We see a news story, turn to our friend, family member, or partner and say "If that ever happens to me, I don't want to be kept alive (artificially)." And so it is. A wish expressed, an opinion disseminated. If the wish was strong enough, stated well enough, before the mass consciousness of Power of Health Care Attorney and Living Will forms came along (a lot of it as a result of this case); many didn't know that there were ways to memorialize their wishes. I believe this to be the case with the Schiavos. Therefore, the feeding tube should've been removed. I would've went one step further (note to self for my living will), and stated "If I should become in a vegitative state, and only a feeding tube could sustain me, the feeding tube is to be removed, and to aleviate pain, I am to be placed on a morphine drip, realizing that may hasten the moment of my death."

My heart does go out to the family. This has got to be hard for them. But the arguing, bickering, and ESPECIALLY getting the Federal Government involved in a State's Rights case (which REALLY bakes my noodle) is not serving the family, and certainly not serving Terri Schiavo. Terri will ultimately choose whether she lives or dies. I beleive this because I beleive we create our entire reality. We have the choice. If she chooses to live, a court will say "reinsert." If she chooses what may be the crack of least resistance, the tube will not be reinserted, and she will pass peacefully.

The ramifications on the political side of this matter will not be known for some time. But the U.S. Congress and the Executive Branch overstepped (once again, should be getting used to it now) their Constitutional Bounds, and reached into, and violated, the rights of the State of Florida and the rights of The Schiavo/Schindler family. It IS as simple as that. What will be next?

To prevent the "what next," I hope every American, regardless of age or state of health, gets moving and gets a Living Will/Healthcare Power of Attorney paperwork done NOW. Or you or I may be the next one the U.S. Congress tries to "save," to look good to their far right constituents. Enough is enough. Tom DeLay: I don't want or need your "help."

And that's my opinion.