Terri Schiavo

[catsidhe]

As I understand her condition, there are two possible states for her to be in.

The best case is that her higher cortex was detroyed, and there is no-one home. Effectively, she is dead, her body just doesn't know it yet.

The worst case is that her higher cortex was not destroyed, and she has been in some way aware of being locked into a meat puppet for fifteen years. That is a Kult scenario being played out, only not as fluffy and pleasant. I have had nightmares like that.

Either way, letting her body die would only be a mercy.

But then, that is my understanding of the situation, and I'm not in the position to make bespoke laws forcing yet another delay of the inevitable.

Her parents and 'supporters' talk about the Mercy of God. If God was that merciful, would she be in that condition? Would she have been allowed to 'live' like that for fifteen years if God cared one whit?

Comments

[kitling.livejournal.com]

Either way, letting her body die would only be a mercy.

Fully agreed here!

[usuakari.livejournal.com]

The best case is that her higher cortex was detroyed, and there is no-one home. Effectively, she is dead, her body just doesn't know it yet.

The worst case is that her higher cortex was not destroyed, and she has been in some way aware of being locked into a meat puppet for fifteen years. That is a Kult scenario being played out, only not as fluffy and pleasant. I have had nightmares like that.

I sometimes wonder what the second scenario would be like, say after a stroke. Would I adapt? Would I go mad? Would I know the difference and would it matter?

I suspect that the first scenario is much more likely to be the case. The lights are only just on, and nobody lives there any more.

Either way, I'm inclined to agree with you. From my perspective it would be a 'mercy killing', (assuming you think that she actually measures up to the term 'alive' in the first place). But if the second scenario is true, maybe her existence still remains precious and sweet to her... It's impossible to say from then outside (from my limited understanding of her situation), and so we go on what knowledge we have. But it's not enough to make any kind of good decision, merely a pragmatic one.

Her parents and 'supporters' talk about the Mercy of God. If God was that merciful, would she be in that condition? Would she have been allowed to 'live' like that for fifteen years if God cared one whit?

The only answer to that one is 'God knows'. I certainly don't understand it, but if you're willing to go with the idea that no-one knows their destiny or purpose, and only God knows "the day or the hour", then maybe there is a reason that influences any mercy... maybe the current legal and ethical argumentsare the reason... *shrug*

For myself, I agree with her husband. I'm a bit surprised at the tack her parents are taking, but they evidently look at it differently to us. I'm not going to condemn them for it, just disagree.

[catsidhe.livejournal.com]

I'm not going to condemn them for it, just disagree.

I can't condemn her parents and family either. After all, they are clinging to the hope that their little girl will one day wake up. People have clung to less reasonable thoughts.

I can, however, condemn the cynical manipulative sons-of-bitches (including chimp-boy W.) who forced her case to the Federal courts largely to embarrass the local Democrats.

The Federal judge, BTW, has agreed with every other judge who has tried the case, and refused to order that the tube be put back. Now that it is a federal case, however, they are appealing again. It is their right to, of course, and I can understand why they are doing it, but as I understand it, they have no hope, and the opening of the federal court system to their efforts has just increased and extended the pain for all involved.

The single most mind-bogglingly cynical maneuver was when Ken De Lay, who is trying to distract attention from his own likely upcoming impeachment trial, summoned Terri before a Senate commitee, and threatened Dire Consequenses to anyone who dared prevent her appearance by, say, letting her die. That was another ploy foiled by a judge.

feh.

[usuakari.livejournal.com]

I can, however, condemn the cynical manipulative sons-of-bitches (including chimp-boy W.) who forced her case to the Federal courts largely to embarrass the local Democrats.

Chimp-boy? *snortle* Not sure I agree about political point-scoring as the major motivating factor, especially in the Garden Gnome's case. I suspect he's acting on the basis of his beliefs again.

You live in hope of an enlightened Christian state, and instead you get Popes, Lil' Johnny, and the Garden Gnome... :( It's a good thing there is a separation between Church and State really... although, on reflection, I doubt the heads of the major churches in Australia would do nay better or worse than the pollies if they were in charge. People are definitely imperfect creations.

The single most mind-bogglingly cynical maneuver was when Ken De Lay, who is trying to distract attention from his own likely upcoming impeachment trial, summoned Terri before a Senate commitee, and threatened Dire Consequenses to anyone who dared prevent her appearance by, say, letting her die.

What was he planning on doing to her if she failed to show? Finding her in contempt of the committee and referring it to the Attorney-General? Idiot! Any judge would be likely to throw that out as a pointless and unreasonable request, even if there was a legal precedent.

[catsidhe.livejournal.com]

... acting on the basis of his beliefs again.
One hundred and fifty-two executions and his legislative record call you mistaken there.

Any judge would be likely to throw that out as a pointless and unreasonable request,
Which is, of course, precisely what happened. (Oh, and it is Tom DeLay, not Ken.)

[usuakari.livejournal.com]

The Counterpunch article is interesting. Good points, and/but highly emotive language. The story of Sun Hudson saddens me, but doesn't surprise. The paragraphs on various exciting pieces of legislation make me want to break things (most notably the American health car system), but seem consistent with their approach to user-pays health care.

The argument that pro-life people can not be in favour of the death penalty is a regular. I agree it's inconsistent, but I suspect that people who think that way have their own individual rationalisations. One is that foetuses are innocent and have had no choice or actions on which to be measured by, whereas people on death row (assuming that they have actually found the right person guilty of the right actions, which is frequently doubtful) have made their choice and must now live or die with the consequences...

At one stage, erudito linked to an article that attempted to explain conservative points of view to liberals, and vice versa. It also highlighted some of the inconsistencies on all sides of the fences. It was a good read, and I'll see if I can find it again.

Pointing out the Garden Gnomes inconsistencies in general doesn't meet his religious views aren't coming into play here. The comments on legislation and that memo are pathetic though. I think we're both right. You're looking at from the political POV, and I'm thinking about the religious/moral one. Two bits of one sad whole...