Comments on WE NEED TO START VALUING LIVING LIFE ABOVE JUST BEING ALIVE

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Hey kooka, you okay in here?

My, my it's heated.  We are not goingt to change each other's minds.  All this vile name calling and finger pointing is NOT what your god, as you say you believe in him, would want you to do....(I say this to the room)...or what is good for any of us.  I don't believe in god.  I am a Buddhist, so my approach to this is very different.  I won't be attacked for my beliefs, so just hold your fire.  My point is that all of this won't change what happens to Terri, what the law is, what your religious beliefs are.  We should be trying to work to understand each other in a peaceful way and agree to disagree.  True spirituality, which should be the base of any religion, calls for tolerance and compassion.  I, personally, think Terri should be allowed to die.  I think she's suffered long enough.  I don't know all the facts, none of us do.  Fortunately, I have no influence over what happens, and those that do, know all the facts.  What we should gain from this is to put our houses in order so that our wishes are known, and that a debate on politics and religion is fine...as long as you know that no one will change their mind, we shouldn't be hateful when we do it, and no one is better than the other.  This ugliness is beneath true spiritual compassion.

posted by Temple on March 28, 2005 at 7:53 PM | link to this | reply

amdg

I am not having it both ways. I should be surprised that I have it keep explaining myself on this one, but I figure it is just attempts as discrediting me.

Since I am a caring person who has deep feeling, I have no choice but to believe that Terri is not in her body. I must believe that she has moved on and has not been going through fifteen years of inhuman torture beyond anything anyone should ever be forced to suffer. Because if she is still in there, then her parents and anyone who has forced and wish to keep forcing her to live under such horrific torture has to be about the greatest form of evil man has ever seen. I believe her parents are confused and selfish and living in strong denial, but I will try to be kind and not see them as evil, so I must see it that Terri has moved on.

Now I will admit there is the possibility that terry has not moved on and that I why I have to point out just how evil and cruel of a torture it is to keep her alive if this possibility is true. But since I am not some heartless, inhuman monster, I cannot accept that possibility. If she has been alive this whole time, trapped in her own body and seeing what is going on around her without being able to tell people she wishes to die, while they force her to live in such a cruel condition, then I would have to break down and cry and the evil that humanity is and I just will not accept such a thing. I believe humanity is good and would never willing allow such inhuman events to happen to anyone. I value life too much to be willing to accept such evil ideas as forcing someone to live in such a state and trying to claim it is good.

I generally try to stay away from the concepts of good and evil. In this case however it is very clear to me that trapping someone in their own body for fifteen years and then trying to claim they need to stay trapped in said body even longer, not for their benefit but for your own personal selfish need to not admit your child has died, is an act of pure evil. No truly loving and caring parents would ever do such a thing to their child if they really were concerned with what is best for their child.

Terri's story sounds too much like the makings of a horror story.

And this case has nothing at all to do with the courts deciding what is meaningful life. They are looking at all the evidence given and see that Terri would not wish to live that way. They are not making any judgment call on who should be allowed to live and who should to die. They are just looking at the given information and so they have to figure she would wish to die. Do you hate the idea of fair trials? Do you have issue with eye-witness accounts and presenting evidence? I seriously hope I never end up being on trial with you or someone who thinks like you on my jury. I get the feeling you would ignore every piece of evidence that went against what your preformed judgment would be.

posted by kooka_lives on March 26, 2005 at 3:36 PM | link to this | reply

you can't have it both ways

She's been tortured for fifteen years but she's not alive? Someone's logic has holes and it's not mine.

The point about breathing is that the medical establishment has considered the inability of the brain to control breathing as the definition of "brain death". She breathes on her own. Though her brain functions at a very low level, it still functions. Many patients with various illnesses are sometimes are forced to be on feeding tubes, sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently. Should the standard of what life is be determined by a gag reflex? Anyone can deny this treatment for themselves, but in the absence of a written directive the precedent has been to NOT regard food and water via a feeding tube as extraordinary means. Err on the side of life. This case is getting attention because it is a departure from that. Judges are making the determination that her life has no value.

You freak out because you think the government is interfering in private matters. It has done something worse. We now have judges deciding what is "meaningful life" and what isn't. You happen to agree...now. You may not always. By then it will be too late.

posted by AnCatubh on March 26, 2005 at 8:51 AM | link to this | reply

sorry kid -- you know that it's steeler after all

he said a few things there -- said you don't know how Terri feels -- well,  neither does he?

again we're having cons attack liberals (per their own labeling) for playing God -- well, looks like steeler there and others in their comments and posts are doing the same -- like they speak for god.

everyone that has ever told me that thjey speak for god has either taken money from me or others or has done a Joshua thing and done great damage to those they consider Canaanites and Philistines, meaning just about anyone who gets in their way.

posted by Xeno-x on March 25, 2005 at 7:35 AM | link to this | reply

you know that RSM is really Steelerman 61 don't you?

posted by Xeno-x on March 25, 2005 at 7:24 AM | link to this | reply

RSM

God's name does not bother me. If you believe tat then it just helps to show just how incredibly ignorant and self righteous you really are. You are about the most clueless blogger I have seen here. You have proven this time and time again. It has nothing to do with your beliefs there is a God, even though they are as insulting to towards what is the true strength of mankind as can be.
It was that you took away all that was relevant by given your idea of God credit for actions that it could not do since it is not real. That is insulting to your family and beyond that, the rest of humanity. But believers often do such great insults and think that somehow it is a good thing.
Your arrogance and pride are much more obvious than mine. I can not attack your savior since it is a fictional character. I can only point out facts to you and hope that they sink in.
I can promise you that my life is filled the strength everyday and none of it comes from any kind of higher being. Most likely from the sounds of things I am by far stronger than you. I do not fear death, as you very obviously do. I do not trivialize important aspects of my life and the growth I experience by claiming it to be the work of 'God' so some other idiotic concept of a creator or higher being.
My soul is in much better condition than yours from the looks of things. I do not need to pointing fingers for all the evils of the world. I do not need to belittle my actions as being 'sins' when they fall short or being 'God's influence' when they do right. I take full credit for my mistakes and allow myself to be given full credit for when things go right.
You are a very sad little man here, living in a fantasy world and without realizing it making life worse not only for your family but for others who you try to force your BS on.
Humanity will not grow and prosper under the poorly conceived ideas that have not been thought out at all, that you spit out regularly. You and so many others are still living in the stone age, worshipping beings that are not there because you can handle reality and need answers for your questions. You are unable to accept the simple truths of the universe, but instead look to a book of pure fiction for your answers, many of which have been proven to be wrong. You pride and arrogance will not allow you to accept this though. You can not admit you might have made a mistake with your beliefs because you so entwined your life to those beliefs that to accept them as being false, as they are, it would destroy you to the core.
You and your kind have been holding back humanity for far too long. If we are ever to progress to our highest potential, it will only be after we are able to get people who think as you do out of our society.

posted by kooka_lives on March 25, 2005 at 7:18 AM | link to this | reply

It is Amazing...

how you can simply mention GOD's name and they lash out, attack and denounce. How long has that been happening, forever. Of course, some of you out there know the reason behind this but I won't go into that. GOD is my creator, and I can not hold myself on the same throne as GOD. I know what He has done for my daughter and the strength he gives us each day to care for her. At the same time, we, as everyone else, are in the constant battle of spiritual warfare. The comforting thing is that the devil doesn't waste time on people he already has in his back pocket. The devil knows he has a battle with us. The devil will always have a battle on his hands with us and he will not win.

I understand kooka's attacks on my Lord and Savior. I guess I would do the same against his but his beliefs are that of no creator so I have no one to attack. As far as kooka is concerned, lose the pride and arrogance. It is destroying your soul. 

posted by RedStatesMan on March 24, 2005 at 8:41 PM | link to this | reply

amdg

Breathing is a reflex action.
Are you in control of your breathing? When you are not thinking about breathing do you stop breathing?
No, sorry but that is about as piss poor a logic as it gets.

If you do not wish for her to suffer, then why do you wish to keep on torturing her? She has already suffered beyond what any person should ever suffer for the last fifteen years. Starvation is not suffering for her, sense she has no sensation whatsoever. She is not going to feel it. Instead she will be allowed the release and escape that she most likely desires if she has any sense of what she is going through.

nature has already said she is dead. it is man fighting against nature that is trying to claim she is alive. if we allow nature to take its course then we do nothing and see if she suddenly is able to feed herself. Feeding her is not letting nature take its course.

it is one thing to suffer starvation when you are fully aware and have a chance to live life. it is something else when you are not going to feel it and it is better than the torture of being trapped in your own body.

posted by kooka_lives on March 24, 2005 at 6:54 AM | link to this | reply

if her soul left the body how can she breathe?

I am not sick and twisted. How has it come to be that those who don't believe in euthanasia are twisted? Feed her and let nature take it's course. Then you will see her die. I don't want her to suffer, I don't want children to starve or oceans to swell up and drown thousands. I can't stop those things from happening and I am not causing them to happen.

Now I know why you don't believe in God. You think you're God.

posted by AnCatubh on March 24, 2005 at 12:31 AM | link to this | reply

RSM

I have put up with the crap you spit out of your mouth way too much and finally I ma as tired of it as I can get. You have never once tried to show me the slightest bit of respect. You sir are about the greatest insult I have seen on this site. You have no concept of reality. I have a great idea of what you and your family went through, since it does sound very much like what I went through with my mother and I can tell you with out a shadow of a doubt that God had nothing at all to do with her healing. You insult everything I hold dear by trying to claim this idiotic idea of God does a damn thing for anyone. I am tired of you and what you have to say since it is full of BS and bigotry, so i am not about to be polite to you any more. I have tried to play that game with you and all you can do is show just how much of an ass you are. If you wish to leave comments here, I will not block you (I don't do that), but I can promise you I will be about as direct as it gets because I am not about to let some bigoted idiot come around and insult the truly positive aspects of human nature with his poorly thought out BS that is so full of loop holes and gaps in logic that you can drive a whole army through it. You are the first one here that I am saying I am going to be straight out rude to if you keep on leaving comments as you have been doing. I am not even about to give you the slightest sign of good will since you have made it clear you have no intention whatsoever of trying to show me even the slightest respect back.
You are such a self righteous a-hole that it is not funny at all. Go and get a life. Get some sense of reality. Stop looking to point the finger at everything and start to see what is really going on right under your nose.
You are an idiot and people like you are the true problem in this country because you do not for one moment consider the actual outcome and consequences of your actions. You are too busy focusing on the moment and what is going to benefit you the best and are more than willing it screw over the guy next to you because he does not share the same narrow minded, outdate dan purely idiotic beliefs as you do.
I would like to make a note here that I am not at all trying to trivialize what happened to your daughter or justify it. It is a very sad event and I truly feel sorry for you having to go through it. As a father myself I am very disgusted by people who commit such actions. But you are travailing the strength of your daughter and the strength of your family by trying to give God the credit for what you and your family did to make her better. You insult yourself and I am trying to point out that you are much stronger than you seem to believe.
Of course your daughter's situation is really nothing at all like what we have with Terri Schiavo. You see Terri has been a in a vegetative state for fifteen years and her brian has been dying more and more ever year. She is not getting better and there is no hope at all that she ever will recover from this. Your daughter was showing progress well before fifteen years and her condition has not been getting worse and worse ever year. You can help your daughter to get better and be abel to live life. NO ONE CAN HELP TERRI SCHIAVO. It is sad, but true. What is best for Terri Schiavo is to just let her die and end the suffering and torture she would have to be going through is she had any awareness at all.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 8:58 PM | link to this | reply

kooka--Thanks for the info. I wondered about it, but didn't catch any

thing else on the matter.

posted by Renigade on March 23, 2005 at 8:38 PM | link to this | reply

renigade

And if you do your research you will find the is some credibility issue about that doctor. The Florida courts recognized that and it was considered when he gave his testimony. Basically what he claims makes no sense. Most of her brain is dead brain cells and brain cells do not get healed. The human body is not able to mend that kind of damage. There is nothing left to work with there. I would very much question this doctor, his motives and his procedures.
So you are very much in the right to not believe it. He has to have some kind of game he is playing.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 8:36 PM | link to this | reply

kooka--If I could just add a little piece of info I heard on the news

today...Apparently there actually IS a doctor who feels that Terri could possibly improve in the next year or so.  I personally don't believe it, but there is at least one medical prof. who for whatever reason (monetary gain, fame?) does...Good post. 

posted by Renigade on March 23, 2005 at 8:15 PM | link to this | reply

SCOOP...

Thank you for your kind and understanding comments. I appreciate  your kindness. thank you!

Kooka, you have no idea what my daughter and my family has been through. I do not at all appreciate your comments. You are the perfect example of a liberal. You think you know it all. How do you know how Terri feels? How? How do you know how you would feel in that condition? How? How can you say that? have you been in this condtion before? Of course not. as for my daughter, she has fought her entire 7 years to overcome what that bitch did to her. You do not tell me about my family. Do you understand? You do not degrade our belief in GOD and the things He has done for her! You are truly one arrogant son-of-a-bitch! You are the problem! Just like so many people in this nation. You have crossed the line with me.     

posted by RedStatesMan on March 23, 2005 at 8:03 PM | link to this | reply

jimmy

Vent all you want here, even if you are not agreeing with me.
This is an open forum to express your ideas and I am all for that.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 4:33 PM | link to this | reply

amdg

If you really believe that her soul is still connected to her body, then you are a very sick and twisted person to wish to keep her alive. How cruel and inhumane can you be to wish such a torture as being trapped in one's one body to anyone? If she has any awareness at all and is sitting there in a body that can do nothing, absolutely nothing, then she is suffering in ways that no one should ever have to. And after fifteen years of such horrid and indescribable torture being forced on her by those who are claiming to love her, how could she not wish for anything but death?
No, is what you claim is true any who wish to keep people alive in such condition are as sick and inhuman as can be.
And she requires more care than an infant as well as the simple fact that she will never get better, only worse. Infants at least can grow and learn and improve.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 4:31 PM | link to this | reply

RSM

Since God is purely fiction for those like you who can not grasp reality, I can very honestly say God had nothing at all to do with my mother recovery. Her loving family and her own strength had everything to do with. I have written several posts in the past explaining just what is was that helped her to come back to us.
If my mother would have been in the same state as Terri, we would have shown her respect and humanity and allowed her to die well before fifteen years of that torture. It is just about as inhumane as can be to force something to stay alive fifteen years after it has very clearly died.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 4:25 PM | link to this | reply

RedStatesMan

You are about as stupid as can be if your believe God helped your daughter. You and your wife and your daughter's own strength were what made her better. You are insulting the strength of family and the true value of the human soul by trying to claim God had anything to do with it. You really must not think very highly of your daughter or your love for her at all then. Of course she was not in a vegetative state for fifteen years, was she? She showed improvement as things went on right? She did not get worse every year as more and more of her brain died away because her body was aware it was dead, it is just that her family is too arrogant and selfish to acknowledge the simple fact that she has died.
You really seem to have no clue about what the differences are.
You also have no clue about my views. I do believe in the death penalty. Most likely I believe in much harsher ideas about dealing with criminals than you do.
I do not think Terri should be allowed to die because she is useless. I know that Terri's body should be allowed to die because if I were in that condition I would very much be wishing someone would show me the simple humanity and respect to allow me to die.
Once more we see that you have no respect for life at all and are too arrogant to understand just what is important in living. Time and time again you have been one to really show just how ignorant and closed minded right wing fanatic are. You sir are truly an example of a cancer to this country.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 4:21 PM | link to this | reply

amdg

I have never said a body has to be in perfect condition. Now the mind needs to be there. In Terri's case the mind IS NOT THERE AT ALL. This has been medically proven, the quack you are claiming said there was possible rehabilitation is a very questionable doctor and never was really up for the noble peace prize. I would question any doctor who is suddenly saying that somehow a person who's brain is more or less all dead cells can somehow regain any of the needed abilities to live is just BSing you like crazy, most likely figuring they can make a fortune off of trying to rehabilitate her. Most of her brain is DEAD TISSUE. I will admit I am not a doctor, but I do know the simple fact that the brain is one part of the body that rarely heals and if it is mostly dead, it is NOT GOING TO HEAL. Everything that is who she was is DEAD. Add on to that that her brain has been dying more every year, NOT GETTING BETTER. All that is left is mindless reflex actions that HAS BEEN proven to be nothing more than random movements.

Yes my children need help at times, but they can swallow their food, they can get out of bed and live life and move around on their own and communicate their needs to me. They are able to truly express themselves and are aware of themselves and their surroundings. My two year old is not potty trained, but he has the chance to be. My five year is potty trained and is aware of what he is doing. They are not in vegetative states. Terri can do nothing at all for herself. She can not communicate at all. She is in a vegetative state that she WILL NEVER RECOVER FROM.

"Death with dignity. Dignity comes from the soul, not the body."

Right and if you really are studying this case you will see that her soul has already left the body. It happened fifteen years ago. That is as obvious as it comes.

posted by kooka_lives on March 23, 2005 at 4:08 PM | link to this | reply

Amen on this!  I too believe this is another "political issue" instead of the real issue.  The right to die.  There is no way she would ever be able to do anything.  I too have made a living will plus let everyone know my feelings on this issue.  I'm saddened that people would go against her wishes and keep her in this state.  Just because she smiles doesn't mean she can function.

posted by starr4all on March 22, 2005 at 11:19 PM | link to this | reply

P.S. this tirade is directed at amgd...

not Kooka, I kind of like kooka...and Temple of course is a sweetheart...I don't know who this other creature is, but they pissed me off...sorry for venting in your comments kooka...

posted by jimmy68 on March 22, 2005 at 11:07 PM | link to this | reply

The woman is a vegetable...

what part of no higher functions do you not understand? The brain stem does no thinking, it simply regulates automatic functions. It's like her mind is gone, hard drive wiped clean. She is simply breathing meat at this point. I have arrangements already in place to make sure I die if such a thing were to happen to me, she should have been a little better prepared and she wouldn't be in this position, but who expects to wind up like that?

As far as Aristotle goes, yes, he was pretty bright...He was also wrong about a lot of shit...but what really troubles me is that in this instance he may be right. She may be trapped in there, in pain, unable to move, or feed herself, or go to the bathroom, or talk, or roll over, or scratch where it itches. That, my obnoxious little fanatic, is Hell. Why won't they let her go, to heaven, hell or nirvana, or reincarnation...who cares, anything would be better than being stuck inyour head for years and years with no way out. Neither her parents, nor you and your ilk have her interests at heart, you are just looking for something to crusade about.

I have respect for Christians who respect the book and walk the talk, but that includes the "Judge not, lest thou be judged." Those of you who feel qualified to throw stones should just sit the fuck down and shut up, or at least stay in your own Holier than thou blogs, where do you get off coming into other people's houses and fucking with them?

posted by jimmy68 on March 22, 2005 at 11:05 PM | link to this | reply

I'm so ignorant..

that I actually believe a body must be in union with a soul for it to be alive. I got that idea from an idiot named Aristotle.

You evidently have no idea what point I'm trying to make.

Consider that government intrudes on our lives everyday: The Rule of Law is an imposition of morality, like it or not. And in this country it's supposed to protect the lives of the citizenry. Which is, of course, why kooka et al. have to redefine life.

Of course Terri is not a child but she requires the same kind of care an infant does. Get it????

I'm not spewing hate, I was being satirical to make a point. And it's not my beliefs that make me a better person. It's my actions.

The problem with this case is that food and water are NOT extraordinary measures to keep someone alive and the ability to swallow or speak does not define personhood, Period.

posted by AnCatubh on March 22, 2005 at 10:10 PM | link to this | reply

amgd

how ignorant can you be?  CPS?  my goodness....Terry is not a child, she is 41 and her soul has already moved on....it's one thing to have beliefs, it's another to spew hate and accusations at people, tell them how to live....your beliefs certainly don't make you a better person than any of us...

....the problem with this case is that it's moved into the political forum, period.

posted by Temple on March 22, 2005 at 8:53 PM | link to this | reply

RedStatesMan I am really sorry to hear that story about your daughter

I admire you from all you have went through and I hope the rat bastard paid dearly for what they have done. We may differ on opinions but I do have a heart and would kill someone if that was my child or grandchild. I guess we all look at the Schiavo case from different sides. I would not like to live like that and either would my wife. I would do the same as her husband, I do not want myself or my wife to be used a a political football. My best to you and your family.

posted by scoop on March 22, 2005 at 8:31 PM | link to this | reply

Lucky Kooka Mother

Your Mother was extremely lucky. A few more bad times as you mentioned and you would have killed her. Is she lucky or did GOD restore her health only to have you continue to practice your athiesm? You will find out the answer to that question one day, trust me.

posted by RedStatesMan on March 22, 2005 at 8:22 PM | link to this | reply

amgd...

I don't know if you know kooka's beliefs. You see, he does not believe in GOD. I was 100% certain, before I even his blog on this topic, that I knew his stance on this. The lines here have clearly been drawn between conservative and worthless liberal thoughts. I will expand on this in a big way later on. Back in 1998, our 5 month old daughter was shaken by a babysitter and/or bitch. Our daughter can not do anything for herself, HOWEVER, during the first most terrible days of our lives after this happened, a stupid and obviously worldly influenced doctor mentioned placing her in a home. I quickly answered "no" and then let the doctor hear what I had to say about that stupid, liberal and typically worldly statement. Since then she has gone further than the doctors ever imagined. The reason being GOD; just like I told the doctor that GOD would heal her and he is. She continues to improve and surprise everyone. She has recieved therapy since she was 10 months old, as well, as our work with her at home. You see, it is the liberal mind that thinks that if it ain't perfect then get rid of it. A better example would be, if it is defenseless then get rid of it but if it is a terrorist, rapist or murderer then their life must be spared.I have talked about this for a solid year on BLOGIT. The Democrat Party and/or liberals: America's Cancer! they keep proving this time and time again.

posted by RedStatesMan on March 22, 2005 at 8:16 PM | link to this | reply

no, I'm a righteously pissed off spewer of vitriole

but if I were you be the first bleeting goat to go.

now go back under your rock.

posted by AnCatubh on March 22, 2005 at 7:56 PM | link to this | reply

amdg, you're a bitter little bridge troll aren't you?

posted by scoop on March 22, 2005 at 7:23 PM | link to this | reply

you haven't read shit about her case

posted by AnCatubh on March 22, 2005 at 7:16 PM | link to this | reply

so who you are is your body being in perfect condition?

Are you a perfect specimen? No. Are you less of who are because of that? Of course not. What ridiculous logic!

Your children can do everything on their own? Either than are superhuman or you are making/letting them do things the shouldn't do and I should call CPS on you.

The point about children is that they are dependent on us for their life support. Quit giving it and see how long they live. The only difference between them and Terri Schiavo is that, in the natural course of things, they will learn to do things for themselves. Terri is a question mark. A question mark her husband would like to erase.

This doctor was present for some of her hearings and is world renowned. Bullshit as to no other doctor agreeing with him. I've followed tis case for five years, at least. Many of her doctors and caregivers agree.

Death with dignity. Dignity comes from the soul, not the body.

posted by AnCatubh on March 22, 2005 at 7:14 PM | link to this | reply

Temple

Thank You. I had been looking up more on her case and I did find the information you were talking about. She is truly well beyond any hope of recovery.
It is good to know that there are others out there who understand what it is to truly respect life for the value of living it, not just being alive.

posted by kooka_lives on March 22, 2005 at 7:01 PM | link to this | reply

kooka, I agree with you...

She actually can only blink, breathe, sleep, and wake on her own because there was no damage to the brain stem.  I have a brain injury and I know the window for recovery is small.  Not to the level of hers, obviously, but I have learned a lot about the brain in these years.  People want her to "live" but she isn't.  By the way, the rest of her brain is, in fact, dead.  She does not feel pain and she cannot think.  She does not have any awareness of her surroundings.  She also told more than just her husband, her brother and sister in law, on two seperate occassions that she didn't want to be kept alive in situations like this (they were at funerals after people had been on life support).  I say, give me a quality of life where I can live and not be have to be taken care of like an infant, or let me go where I am free to be a sprit and not be confined to that broken body. :)  I happen to be a Buddhist, so my beliefs give me a chance to come back and try again.  I'm so glad you wrote this and that I found it.

posted by Temple on March 22, 2005 at 5:09 PM | link to this | reply

amdg

My children are still who they are. They Have not suffered brain damage. They are not in vegetative states. They are fully able to do everything on their own. Terri is not. Her body may be alive, but she died fifteen years ago. She can not control her body. She can do nothing more than lie there and look as though she does not have a thought in her head. I've watched the videos of her and it is sad that her family is so cruel and heartless that they are forcing that body to live.
So where was this doctor during the trials? Where has he been for the last fifteen years? Why did he wait to suddenly appear before everyone with this revelation that no other doctor agrees with? My guess is he is going for some unproven procedure. Generally once the adult brain has been severally damaged it is never going to heal. The brain does not heal well in general and after fifteen years there is fair evidence that her brain is never going to heal.
Although once more I will agree that if they really cared about her they would find a much quicker way to help her body finally die. But since our society is so inhumane as to not understand the dignity of death, starving her ends up being the way they have to do it. Where is the suicide doctor when you need him?
I would never wish to be kept in a vegetative state for any real amount of time, I would wish to die. According to Terri's husband (Who should know her best) that is what she would desire as well. In that case death by starvation is a much better choice than being kept alive in such a state. Her parents are saying they have no respect for her and truly are only acting out of selfishness instead of doing what is right and what is best for their daughter.
If she were healthy and roaming around and able to talk and do anything more than to smile blankly, then you might have a case. But she can od nothing. If she has any awareness (Which I can only hope she does not ) she is trapped in her body watching and suffering being kept alive. If her mind is still alive, then her family is torturing her in the' cruelest, most inhuman of ways. I can find nothing humane about keeping her alive.
Living life is what should be important, not just being alive.

posted by kooka_lives on March 22, 2005 at 4:39 PM | link to this | reply

Kooka, you are just determined not to see what the facts are

Last night I saw a doctor interviewed on TV. He is either a nobel prize winner or nominee. He was nominated for his advances in therapies for brain damaged patients. He has examined and observed Terri for a total of ten hours. He said she is an excellent candidate for therapy and expects she could probably communicate again within a matter of months. SHE IS NOT ON A RESPIRATOR. SHE IS ON A FEEDING TUBE. SHE'S STILL ALIVE BECAUSE SHE HAS HAD FOOD AND WATER. WHAT DO YOU LIVE ON?????

Here's a thought: why don't you and your wife deprive your children of food and water for a few days. Oh no, you wouldn't do that. You value THEIR lives. I'm sure the Schindlers value Terri's too. he is being murdered on hearsay. You or I could be next.

posted by AnCatubh on March 22, 2005 at 4:11 PM | link to this | reply