03-31-2005, 04:14 PM
The real scandal of Terri Schiavo's situation is that her personal and private tragedy has become a religious and political "chessmatch".
Her own wishes for a natural rather then artificial prolonged death (expressed to her husband and others close to her) have been denied for 15 years, and her dignity is being violated by the media.
Most debate these days seems to miss the point, it is the religious and political "right" who are trying to decide Terri's fate against her express wishes. The problem is that her wishes were expressed verbally rather than in writing through the medium of a living will.
The dilemma of modern medicine is that "life" can be prolonged almost indefinitely by artificial means (Within reason), regardless of it's quality. It is crucial that those of us concerned about the way we will die use the medium of a living will and living power of attorney, legally designating someone who we trust to make sure our wishes are carried out.
Copies are then given to one's next of kin, physician, religious representative (if any) and lawyer to ensure follow-up. It needs to be renewed every three years.
My own living will expresses in detail my wishes for adequate pain relief, and death which is not prolonged by artificial means.
The irony of the situation is that while the "Right to Life" movement almost hysterically opposes Terri Schiavo's express wish to be allowed to die, it is reliably reported that thousands of Americans die every year because they cannot afford medical care and billions of dollars are spent on developing "shock and awe" weapons which kill innocent civilians in other countries.
...Where is their outrage about that?
Disgusted by the cesspool that is our society
-Priest
Her own wishes for a natural rather then artificial prolonged death (expressed to her husband and others close to her) have been denied for 15 years, and her dignity is being violated by the media.
Most debate these days seems to miss the point, it is the religious and political "right" who are trying to decide Terri's fate against her express wishes. The problem is that her wishes were expressed verbally rather than in writing through the medium of a living will.
The dilemma of modern medicine is that "life" can be prolonged almost indefinitely by artificial means (Within reason), regardless of it's quality. It is crucial that those of us concerned about the way we will die use the medium of a living will and living power of attorney, legally designating someone who we trust to make sure our wishes are carried out.
Copies are then given to one's next of kin, physician, religious representative (if any) and lawyer to ensure follow-up. It needs to be renewed every three years.
My own living will expresses in detail my wishes for adequate pain relief, and death which is not prolonged by artificial means.
The irony of the situation is that while the "Right to Life" movement almost hysterically opposes Terri Schiavo's express wish to be allowed to die, it is reliably reported that thousands of Americans die every year because they cannot afford medical care and billions of dollars are spent on developing "shock and awe" weapons which kill innocent civilians in other countries.
...Where is their outrage about that?
Disgusted by the cesspool that is our society
-Priest