What our other readers are saying:
No Supreme Court
Life is for the living. Terri Schiavo is not living. She is only "clinically" alive. How cruel to keep her in this state. To bring "God's will" into this situation is both unrealistic and naive. To bring partisan politics into this issue is a symptom of fear mongering by a minority. It is good that the Supreme Court has refused to rule on this issue.
Hugh Gordon, Ruby Bay, New Zealand
Family, not husband
Why are the wishes of her husband even being considered here? Husbands come and go, and he has surely proven that his concern for this woman is colored by his own agenda. Surely, those related to her by birth, whose loving relationship with her can never be altered, should have the final say.
J. Munns, Vancouver Island, BC, Canada
Keep her alive
Terri Schiavo is not on a respirator. As long as she is breathing on her own she should be given her feeding tube. No living being should be allowed to die the way she is. Its murder. I believe in the death penalty and the right to die but this is insane. She has family willing to care for her. Let her husband ...relinquish his rights.
J. Marlowe, North Brunswick, NJ, USA
Seek new theology
It is not that God has changed but that we have changed and we need new guidance to deal with these changes. In the past things were either good or they were bad (black vs white), now we have many more choices and we need to develop theology and guidance on these [new changes] not the old ones. Terri needs to move on to a better place, and there is no real evidence that she is not suffering. Just because she doesn't show pain does not mean she is not in pain. Decisions like these are made on a daily basis involving a loved one. Congress has not intervened in those decisions. And personally I don't not want my living will over ridden by an outsider (political or religious).
C. McDonnell USA
Worse things than death
I used to say that I wanted to live whatever life was to the last dregs, but I was younger then and had not yet experienced the horrors of what those last dregs might be. After watching both parents die slowly, painfully, longing daily for release, not even knowing what I should pray for any more, I know that there are worse things than death, that in fact, some "life sentences" are more horrible than most of our imaginations will allow us to comprehend. My heart goes out to this family--to all of them, parents, spouse, and Terri herself--for they are in this position of determining which is more hellish, this life or this method of dying....
Hard as it is, we have to let Terri go, for who among us would want this life she has been living for the past 15 years? If this is euthanasia, mercy killing, then we must be merciful, for this is the higher morality now.
Jane Shlensky, Durham, NC, USA
As long as she is breathing on her own she should be given her feeding tube. J. Marlowe |
Living will
Twenty-three judges have now reviewed this case and have all found in favor of Michael Schiavo. This was Terri's wish and her parents just do not want to let go. The only good thing out of this is that my wife and I have filled out livng wills now.
Michael G. Nikolakis, Spanish Fort, Alabama, USA
Family, not husband
It's tragic that Ms. Schiavo didn't take advantage of the opportunity to make here wishes clearly known in a living will. It's equally tragic that there's a rift between her parents and her husband, especially since her husband's relationship with another woman has produced two children and called his motives into question. But plainly, this family tragedy has become a chance to make a political point. That is unfortunate. As a conservative, I believe in personal responsibility, and alas, Ms. Schiavo didn't speak for herself in a timely manner. I also believe in limited government and feel that State and Federal politicians haven't exercised appropriate restraint in this sad case. Legislative bodies for the most part have abandoned "private bills" to grant relief to a single person and have, for better or worse, entrusted those decisions to the courts. Yet here, self-proclaimed conservatives have abandoned restraint and ignored the result of protracted litigation over Ms. Schiavo's fate. I hope we don't see such a sorry spectacle again, not because I feel Ms. Schiavo should die (or for that matter, that she should live); but rather because this family's painful crisis is not my business nor that of any legislative body. How pumping food and water down Ms. Schiavo's throat isn't construed as "treatment" is a mystery to me; but that's why living wills often allow people to distinguish between other forms of treatment and nutrition/hydration.
:Duncan Aukland, Columbus, Ohio, USA
Who is being moral?
What the parents of this poor person want is for the state to pay to keep her alive regardless of the situation. If they were paying for this themselves and not asking us to pay for it this whole affair would not even be in the news. The courts are not saying that Terry should die, they are saying it is not the responsibility of the taxpayers to pay for it.
We have 84 million people without health care. We have the worst infant mortality rate among the industrialized nations. How many people die every day because they don't have the money to keep them alive? Don't have the money for the most basic health care? If the so-called moral people that are protesting pulling her feeding tube were in the streets every day protesting the lack of national health care I would believe that their motives were coming from a moral perspective.
David Remus, Clovis, CA, USA
Battle over who is to decide for 'us'
Life, that cherished gift must be protected, nourished, respected, saved, and left to pass naturaly when the time comes. Terri's case has become too clouded with emotions, so much so that the "facts" are in dispute. There will always be "experts" for both causes,. Her case will be never be decided in a way that is fair. We all are guilty of getting too emotionally locked into our thoughts. We have to get away from this Tv induced expectation of easy miracles or resolutions. Remeber too, medical miracles are 1 percent, that leaves 99 percent failure rate.
What I feel we (the non family members) should do, is work to strengthen and provide a honest framework that gives direction for when this happens to you or me when we are in her situation in the future. Wether this is through " right to die, " living wills, what ever; but we must look at our own lives and see what do we want to happen to ourselves. Then we must make sure that desire is protected by the law.
This, Terri's battle is over who is that "decides" for us. The lines are drawn on "framework" that we society had worked hard to build up.
Chris Pils, Tampa, Florida, USA
Don't let humanity get lost
Normally, I'd support the spouse's right to make a decision; however, Mr. Schiavo obviously has a conflict of interest here. He didn't even bring up Terri's "wishes" until after he had begun the relationship with the new "wife," the mother of his two children. Correct, no member of Congress has actually examined Terri Schiavo, but neither has Judge George Greer. I pray that the federal courts will give all sides their due, not just Michael Schiavo's side. Jesus said that whatever you do for the least of them, you do for Him. Seems like a cup of water is too much to ask sometimes. Don't let humanity get lost in an effort to be politically correct, please.
J. McNeish, Middleburg, FL, USA
And servicemen and women?
It should have been resolved within the family, and if not resolved, the early court decisions should have been respected. Neither the state or the federal legislatures should have gotten envolved.
Are they going to likewise maintain the brain damaged servicemen and women in a vegetative state on feeding tubes at government cost? I doubt it very much.
Wendy Beadle, San Jose, Calif., USA
We must look at our own lives and see what do we want to happen to ourselves. Chris Pils |
And death row inmates?
It is amazing how the government, judges, lawyers, and certain citizens set their values on human life. The worst of the worst as far as those who murder, those who are serial killers, sit for years on death row at the tax payers expense but yet the parents of this girl have to fight the system to keep their daughter alive.
Larry Reynolds, Wallingford, Kentucky, USA
Repubican ideology
Terri Schiavo essentially died 15 years ago when she was diagnosed as being in a persistent vegetative state. Nonwithstanding the heartfelt feelings of her parents it is time to let Terri go with dignity. Interference from the Republican political leadership in this highly personal family matter, that is faced by thousands every day, is unseemly. This is purely political propaganda, with no basis in medical science, to cement the Republican leadership's boni fides with the religious right. This continues the Republican leadership's attack on science in many fields: medical, environmental, military, when the science doesn't back up Republican-right ideology.
Joe Amsden, Chesapeake Beach, MD, USA
Hijacked family dispute
The decision over Terri's fate was a family dispute that was ultimately considered by a variety courts. The courts' decisions repeatedly affirmed the husband's responsibility for speaking on Terri's behalf. It was irrelevant which side of the issue he was on - whether he wanted to remove the feeding tube or keep it in. If the positions were reversed, and it was the parents who wanted to remove the tube, the courts would still have ruled in favor of the husband.
We are a nation governed by law and the system did what it was supposed to do. What is happening now is nothing short of revictimizing a woman for blatently political reasons and injecting big government (the Congress of the United states) into the private struggles of a family, which have already been settled by our courts. Our congress is now partner to an insensitive and disgusting diversion from the most pressing issues we need to be concerned about.
Norman Isaacson, New Brighton, Minn., USA
Let courts decide
There are many aspects to this issue, but the central one for most people is not about the "right to life" or "right to death," but rather Ms. Schiavo's actual physical state. Some believe (emphasis on "believe") that she can recover. Others believe she cannot. Regardless, none of us are either qualified or have the evidence to judge. This is why we have a comprehensive and well tested judicial system - to carefully consider these issues on our behalf and render judgements. Let the courts do their job.
Geoff Shorten, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Similar decision
According to the timeline pesented by Terri's parents on their website, the first year Terri received therapy. But prevailing medical opinion states that persistent vegestative state lasting longer than 3-6 monts is irreversibile. The husband made a reasonable decision based on his OWN morals. Morality cannot be legistatled, yet some just don't get this simple idea. It was WRONG for only 3 senators to pass legislation to prevent discussion or dissent. At least the House allowed for some dissent. Having been through this twice in the past 3.5 years with my parents, its heart wrenching enough for the immediate family let alone bringing in pompous outsiders that don't like your decision. Its a private family affair. God help us all.
Peter, Denver, CO, USA
Die with dignity
When a human being can only be kept alive artificially then I feel they should be allowed to die naturally and with dignity.
Paul Scrivens, Basal, CO, USA
As long as her heart beats
As long as her heart beats without help and as long as she breathes on her own, she should be fed. If she dies because the feeding tube is removed, I consider it murder, and the responsibility should be on the state and the husband. We would consider it murder if a baby dies because it was not fed.
Joe Brum, Akron, Ohio, USA
We are a nation governed by law and the system did what it was supposed to do. Norman Isaacson |
Politicization is appalling
The politicization of this poor woman's fate is appalling. No member of Congress has actually examined Ms. Schiavo; rather, they are basing their judgments on a video prepared by her parents that purports to prove that Ms. Schiavo is sentient and responsive and can recover from her current condition. Legions of medical experts have examined and tested Ms. Schiavo and have concluded that she is in a permanent vegetative state. Ms. Schiavo's parents have no medical evidence to support their claim -- it is simply their belief, undoubtedly deeply held and felt. That certain members of Congress have latched onto this case to further their own agenda, solidify their bona fides with the evangelical right, and divert attention from ethical lapses and unpopular "reform" proposals cannot be doubted, either, and is the height of cynicism.
Christine Doyle, New York, NY, USA
Butt out
I believe the issue is between Michael and Terri Schiavo and God and everyone else should butt out. The President and Congress have no business interfering. It is not their job and they're having a hard enough time doing what is their job. The courts have decided and the Supreme Court refused to hear the case.
Linda Hardy, Matawan, NJ, USA
Parents can care for her
Terri has a right to have food and water as a US citizen. She does not have a terminal disease and has not had any therapy to see if she is rehabilative. Let her parents care for her.
Bea Zeis, Florence, KY, USA
Not PVS
There is plenty of evidence that Terri is not in a PVS. www.terrisfight.org has affidavits from physicians, including neurologists, who have examined her and refute the PVS allegation. Do your research. Sen. Frist did and he has the background as an MD to recognize the truth. Inconvenience is not a reason for a murder.
John C. Huntley, Concord, NH USA
Husband has a right
No parent ever wants to outlive their child and they are doing nothing but begging sympathy after many professionals have decreed that there is no hope for Terri. If they wish to sign on legally and accept full responsibility for her care and expenses, then let them have their way. Michael Schiavo has a right to continue his life without the useless bickering on a subject legally put to rest years ago. I just learned that Medicaid pays for Terri's medications, whatever they might be, so it is of genuine conern to all US taxpayers at a time when cuts are being made to drastically inhibit those who live and desperately need help from getting same from Medicaid.
Jane Castle, Kalamzoo, MI, USA
What epitaph?
Thank God, the Congress is on the side of this woman and her rights as well as those that originally gave her life. How would we feel when she is finally able to speak, which many Doctors say is possible - that she tells them, "I don't want to die!" Unfortunately if the husband & his legal team get their way - it would be too late to save her then. 20-20 hindsight would be a very painful epitaph don't you think?
Peggy Koehler, San Marcos, CA, USA
View the whole videotape
Sorry, but I'm a physician too, and I would never make a diagnosis based on part of a videotape, especially outside of my field. I've read the original court documents, and while the clipped videotape can convey the appearance of someone who is congnizant, the court expert, the judge, and the Guardian ad Litem appointed by Govenor Jeb Bush all agreed that the full videotape leads to a different conclusion. In addition, the Guardian ad Litem points out that up until very recently, the Schindlers did not dispute that Terri was in a persistant vegetative state. Here's the link: floridahealthinfo.hsc.usf.edu/ TheresaSchiavoFinalReport1December2003.pdf
E. Lamel,(MD), CA, USA