^^^very well put and a decision I pray I never have to make.

 

Alright then. How about we designate a location (well, several locations) so that we can house all the people who might get better. That is the people in a vegitative state (or not?) and the convicts on deth row (they can get better?) all the people that have terminal illness. We, the tax paying citizens should spend as much as necessary (do I sound like Kerry now?) to insure that every single person in this country lives thier life to it's "natural" end. Natural meaning prolonging life by any means (at any amount) necessary. Better yet, why don't we invest in the elderly. They may have been around for a long time but that doesn't mean that they don't deserve to live for another 80-90 why not 100 years. And don't forget that dog chained to the tree. Just because he has three legs, is deaf, dumb and blind and craps all over the place doesn't mean that he doesn't have many good (dog) years left.

We have so much room on this planet. We have endless resources. And most important, people are so responsible, making sure that populations are under control.

The federal government isn't making the decision, but what is going on when they have to make the decisions they are making? What is going on when something like this gets so much coverage? What is going on when we are discussing this on a F150 enthusiasts site!?

There was a time not so long ago (but before my time) that people didn't take up space on this planet any longer than they had to. Pretty morbid sounding? Well, I believe that this quest to make it possible for us to live forever (sarcasm?) will be the death of us all. Maybe sooner than later.

This womans life and death is none of our buisness.

 

You are mistaken. Her brain died 15 years ago. She is capable of reflexive actions only. She can breathe and blink. Her brain is mush. A am sickened by all these do-gooders who are jumping up and down all of a sudden wanting to 'save' a carcass being kept alive by artificial means. Terri died 15 years ago, let the body be buried in peace. Shame on you for not allowing her to be put to rest.

Lump me in with all the arseholes that want to 'kill' her. If that makes me an insane monster, so be it.

 

That poor woman needs to be allowed to die with whatever dignity hasn't been taken from her already. I pray I'm never asked to make a call like this, but keeping her alive seems like it's more for someone else than for her own good. JMHO It's ridiculous that they have to let her starve, OD on morphine would be so much easier. This is about the best evidence for a living will that I've ever seen.

 

Very well put.

 

Three observations.

1) She's brain dead. All of her higher brain functions are gone. Her IQ is precisely 0. This is not an anecdotal comment, it's a medical diagnosis. Somewhere around a DOZEN courts have been presented with the evidence and made the decision.

2) When's the last time you heard someone say "If I'm ever brain dead or go into an irreversable coma, don't let them take me off of whatever life support it takes to keep my body around." I mean, come on.

3) She told her husband that she didn't want to 'live' this way.

It's the abortion clinic protester mentality. They tout the virtues of our legal system until they lose--then the kicking and screaming starts because everyone else is just wrong. They people involved should be ashamed of themselves for letting this torture go on for 15 years. Thank goodness she has no idea what's going on.

Predictions--law signed by Bush will be declared unconstitutional. Supreme court will decline to without comment to hear. Bush will try an executive order, but I'm not sure pertaining to what.

-Fatz

 

Seeing all this reminds me that I need to update my wills, power of attorney, and family trust.
I know that I would not want to exist on life support (and, yes, a feeding tube is life support in my opinion). It's a tragic situation... parents have a hard time letting go.
I don't think congress or the president should have gotten involved. It'll be interesting to see how the courts handle it.
In my opinion, it should be the immediate (husbands) decision.

 

Here I go putting Mine in writing for all the world to see.

If i'm ever in a situation similar to this where doctors cannot help me regain my faculties or its unlikely. Give me Morphine and send me out on a wild ride

 

Holy smoke Burt, we actually more or less agree on something!

What pisses me off is the GOP and the True Believers using this sad case to make political hay. It's shameful.


Here's some legislation that GWB supported and signed when he was Texas governor. Please read (b) carefully. Why did he all of a sudden change his belief?

§ 166.039. PROCEDURE WHEN PERSON HAS NOT EXECUTED OR
ISSUED A DIRECTIVE AND IS INCOMPETENT OR INCAPABLE OF
COMMUNICATION. (a) If an adult qualified patient has not
executed or issued a directive and is incompetent or otherwise
mentally or physically incapable of communication, the attending
physician and the patient's legal guardian or an agent under a
medical power of attorney may make a treatment decision that may
include a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining
treatment from the patient.
(b) If the patient does not have a legal guardian or an agent
under a medical power of attorney, the attending physician and one
person, if available, from one of the following categories, in the
following priority, may make a treatment decision that may include
a decision to withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment:
(1) the patient's spouse;
(2) the patient's reasonably available adult children;
(3) the patient's parents; or
(4) the patient's nearest living relative.
(c) A treatment decision made under Subsection (a) or (b)
must be based on knowledge of what the patient would desire, if
known.
(d) A treatment decision made under Subsection (b) must be
documented in the patient's medical record and signed by the
attending physician.
(e) If the patient does not have a legal guardian and a
person listed in Subsection (b) is not available, a treatment
decision made under Subsection (b) must be concurred in by another
physician who is not involved in the treatment of the patient or who
is a representative of an ethics or medical committee of the health
care facility in which the person is a patient.
(f) The fact that an adult qualified patient has not
executed or issued a directive does not create a presumption that
the patient does not want a treatment decision to be made to
withhold or withdraw life-sustaining treatment.
(g) A person listed in Subsection (b) who wishes to
challenge a treatment decision made under this section must apply
for temporary guardianship under Section 875, Texas Probate Code.
The court may waive applicable fees in that proceeding.

Also:




Political hypocrisy at it's best...

 

I've been a conservative most of my life and I've always supported George Bush (both of them), but more and more lately it seems like GW's most redeeming quality is that he isn't John Kerry.

 

And given that

A) Terry Schiavo's body is in Florida and;

B) The statute you're offering is from Texas;

Your post means precisely Richard.

-Fatz

 

 

I'm amazed at the sickening type of responses coming from you guys. You know, Terri and her family are not enough of a group to stop this committed abuse from her 'husband.' They can't do it on their own, so some people out there feel this is just plain wrong, as I do. Who is to decide that one person is not good enough to live anymore? NOBODY has that authority, nobody. We are universally all the same, all equal, no body is better than the other person. Just because Terri is in a vulnerable state and the highlight of tv news stations, shouldn't make it easier for the public to freely say, 'let her die.' It shouldn't be washed out just because her story is all over the media. Her husband has started a new family, but he is sick in wanting to end Terri's life; that's all he is concerned about. How SICK could one person be, to be so fixated on somebody's death? Especially their own wife? IMO, nothing can justify that. It's just beyond me how one can say she is 'good for nothing, been dead for 15 years now, and has a brain full of mush.' I'm sure you would take back what you said if you could only hear what that woman thinks! I really hope those of you thinking she should just die and that it's OK for her to starve to death; I hope you don't contribute any of your money to charity or 'good causes.' How can you be in favor of harm on another person, that you don't even know? Can't go wrong with wanting to help anybody, but if you ask me, being in favor of harm on another person just puts you at risk.

 

I am amazed at the sickening type of thinking coming from you.




This case is exactly the reason why people should have a living will.


Exactly, she doesn't and cant think logically.


If a family member was in the same condition, and they were wanting a gun and 2 seconds alone, I would gladly give them what they wanted. Everyone would be better off. They wouldn't be a living veggy anymore and would be in a better place.

 

Big difference between 'vulnerable' and 'vegatative'. You act as if she's actually capable of feeling or thinking. She isn't. Terri died 15 years ago, you are hung up on a nonresponsive carcass.

How about you go spend a few weeks with Terri's carcass. Wipe up the drool and change the diaper and watch the blank stare in her eyes and convince yourself that the puddle of mush called her brain might someday turn back on. At what point do you say 'enough'? Her brain has been mush for 15 years. You are sick and cruel to wish prolonging this torture. Terri is dead, let her go in as much peace as possible after 15 years of humiliation and disgrace.