Terri Schiavo

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Terri Schiavo

Post by Sueven »

Any thoughts on this? I'm not really interested in another euthanasia discussion because there are so many other interesting issues in this situation, but if you guys are going to talk about euthanasia then hey go for it.

Personally, I think our political system was doing a great job handling this problem until Congress stepped in. Now it's a clusterfuck. I don't agree with congressional intervention and feel that they drastically overstepped their bounds.
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Post by miir »

When I was a kid and heard people discuss euthanasia... I used to wonder what the hell the youth in asia had to do with it.
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Post by Homercles »

I think issuing a subpeona to a brain dead person is patently absurd. That subpeona basically overrode the courts decision to allow the tubes to be pulled. Do they expect her to show up in court to give her opinion on the matter? Its way out of line in my opinion. Circumventing the courts decision with a technicality. That technicality being, someone cant be "put to death" or "allowed to die" while they are under subpeona. ....or something like that.


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Post by Voronwë »

Feeding tube was just removed per Ms. Schiavo's sister.

i feel sorry for the doctors and nurses invovled in all of this. They are just trying to do a job, and you know they are going to have to worry about being harrassed by fanatics as well as potential exposure to legal action.
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Post by Brotha »

I would have no problem with the tube getting removed IF she had left in writing or some kind of will that she wanted it to happen if she was incapacitated. You would think her parents, who she seems to have been close to, would have known if she'd want it removed. Seriously, her parents have been visiting her like everyday, they seem to have somekind of hope left (rational or not), what kind of person would want to pull the plug given that? It just seems wrong to pull the plug on her given all the circumstances.
Terri Schiavo’s parents are trying to keep her alive, but Michael Schiavo contends he had once promised his wife he would not keep her alive by artificial means before she suffered a heart attack 15 years ago.
She's 41 now, so he's saying when she was 26 or under they happened to have this conversation. What 26 year old do you know of that has this type of conversation?

I sort of agree with Sueven that Congress shouldn't have stepped in, although I'm still witholding some judgement, not too sure yet what to think. Sure, in this specific case I don't think it's so bad a thing, but it's the principle of it that bothers me.
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Post by Deward »

26 is plenty old to have this conversation with loved ones. My wife and I both agree that it would be horrible to be kept alive in this case. I think the parents are being extremely selfish. I can understand that they do not want to lose a daughter but why keep her alive as a vegetable. It is just cruel. The government never should have gotten involved.
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Post by Boogahz »

I had that type of conversation at around the age of 20. That could be early for most, but I was working around some terminally ill patients at the time at an MHMR center. While I knew that my situation probably wouldn't be the same as the people I worked with, I knew that the constant fight was something I never wanted to have to go through. Life is enough of a challenge without being in that situation. That is my personal opinion though, and I would never expect anyone else to feel that way just because I do.
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Post by Sueven »

That strikes me as a topic that a married couple would be very likely to discuss at some point in their lives together, even if they were only 26.

I'm amazed that people so close to the same individual can have such contradictory opinions regarding the beliefs of that individual. The parents have basically claimed that Terri never would have allowed herself to die. In absence of guardianship or any sort of evidence whatsoever, the only support for their argument is their total and complete heartfelt conviction that they are correct. Michael Schiavo is in a similar predicament, because, even though he does have some evidence for the argument that she would have wanted to die, this evidence is also very unclear and imprecise.

Clearly, one of these two groups is totally, horrifically incorrect. This is, sadly, one of those real-world situations where compromise and mediation simply cannot produce a solution. In the absence of any evidence whatsoever, I have leaned toward siding with the person who has the law on his side. I take this position because, in the absence of evidence, I prefer to take the action that will promote stability and conforms to laws that many educated people have created with the goal of bettering society. The law seems to have appointed Michael Schiavo guardian and given him the authority to make this decision, and so I'd like to see him get the chance to make it. Our legal system should be strong enough to enforce it's dictates even when those dictates might seem offensive to some. If it cannot accomplish this, then it has abjectly failed in its mission.
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Post by Badabidi »

if it wasn't for Bush overriding checks and balances this crap would've ended a long time ago. She's been braindead and on life support for 15 years now I believe, and she hasn't really improved at all. They've already drained their money on keeping her alive, her husband won't really gain shit from her death, and as far as I'm concerned her parent's zeal for keeping her alive is inhumane torture.

I have to watch this crap on the news everyday, quite frankly I'm sick of it. Having her subpeonad was pretty funny though.
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Post by Brotha »

Badabidi wrote:if it wasn't for Bush overriding checks and balances this crap would've ended a long time ago.
Just to be clear, you're talking about Jeb Bush not George Bush right?
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Post by Badabidi »

Yes, Jeb Bush
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Post by Lohrno »

Brotha wrote:
Terri Schiavo’s parents are trying to keep her alive, but Michael Schiavo contends he had once promised his wife he would not keep her alive by artificial means before she suffered a heart attack 15 years ago.
She's 41 now, so he's saying when she was 26 or under they happened to have this conversation. What 26 year old do you know of that has this type of conversation?
I did. When I was 23 I made my wishes known. If there was any hope of revival for me I don't want to die. Call me cowardly if you like but those are my wishes...

I really think everyone is jumping the gun here too. I'm not sure why this is a congressional issue. A couple hospital staff say she is in a persistent vegetative state. Where are the other professional opinions?

It has been like 20 years, and I can understand where the husband is coming from if that wasn't her wish, but surely there should be more study done of this...I also understand the parents' point of view.

Still if the government / some people want to keep her alive they should assume responsibility for that. I don't see any reason the husband has to keep it if he really doesn't want to. But he shouldn't be entitled to any kickbacks in that case either.

She should have talked to more people about her wishes. I think this should serve as a good reminder to keep your wills updated even if you are young.

BTW if she does wake up from the coma somehow, she's gonna be in for a hell of a shock I'd say.
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Post by nobody »

my mom sends me homemade cinnamon suckers every year for my birthday. and every year i call her and tell her i HATE cinnamon. and every year she responds with "oh, i thought you said last year it was your favorite?" i am 26 and this has gone on for over five years.

my point is, just b/c they are her parents, they don't neccessarily know what she would have wanted. her husband should legally make that choice on her behalf. not her parents, not the doctors, not a judge, and especially not those motherfucking bitches in congress.
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Post by Wulfran »

Brotha wrote:She's 41 now, so he's saying when she was 26 or under they happened to have this conversation. What 26 year old do you know of that has this type of conversation?
I don't know about you, but I have had this type of conversation with friends and relatives a lot over the years, from my teens on up. Not necessarily about a heart attack or stroke but any time we hear about someone who is in a situation where they are called "brain dead", like a car accident or something. Even in relation to Alzheimer's. My family and friends know I wouldn't want to live like that, where I have no appreciation for what is going on and there is no chance to recover.
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Post by Arborealus »

Wulfran wrote:
Brotha wrote:She's 41 now, so he's saying when she was 26 or under they happened to have this conversation. What 26 year old do you know of that has this type of conversation?
I don't know about you, but I have had this type of conversation with friends and relatives a lot over the years, from my teens on up. Not necessarily about a heart attack or stroke but any time we hear about someone who is in a situation where they are called "brain dead", like a car accident or something. Even in relation to Alzheimer's. My family and friends know I wouldn't want to live like that, where I have no appreciation for what is going on and there is no chance to recover.
I'd come kill ya Wulfy...and yanno I'd bring a date...:twisted:

And yeah in point of fact I have had this conversation with family and close friends since I was ermmmm 12 when my grandfather suffered a severe stroke...
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Post by Kelshara »

She's 41 now, so he's saying when she was 26 or under they happened to have this conversation. What 26 year old do you know of that has this type of conversation?
I had it when I was 16 and have discussed it more than once since. I don't want to be stuck in bed on tubes if something happens to me. Not a life I want for me or for my family and friends.
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Post by Keverian FireCry »

I saw the dad interviewed and he kept saying "there's nothing wrong with her". That's dillusional. She's a veggie, she needs to be let go. It's disgusting how religious people are saying it's murder to take her off support. Isn't there something religious people are supposed to have against humans playing god? It's like frankenstein, all that's living in her is electrodes and test tubes keeping her jump started. I can't believe so many christians preach murder while so few preach against playing god. That's quite a twisted "respect for life".

edit: had been editing before any responce was made to this post. adex happened to quote the one thing I was editing :?
Last edited by Keverian FireCry on March 19, 2005, 4:39 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Post by Adex_Xeda »

Keverian FireCry wrote:yet another example of how fucking twisted so many christians are.
Compared to fine outstanding and sane secular folk?

I'm sure Carl Sagan himself would have similar leanings about his daughter if he thought there was even a chance that she would recover from a similar situation.

A hippo farts in a lake in africa, It must be those damn christians at fault.
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Post by Keverian FireCry »

Excuse me, but I'm speaking directly about the Christians holding signs saying we are murderers for taking her off life support. They are sick fucks, and an example of something wrong in parts of the Christian society. I'm not pointing the finger at all christians, so sorry if it sounded like that. How can they be so devoutly religious and not see that there's two sides to this controversy and BOTH sides can be backed by their religion.
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Post by VariaVespasa »

There is a reason that the law gives the rights to decide in cases like this to the spouse first, and then to adult children, and only then to the parents. The spouse got to know the free adult, and intimately, more intimately than almost all parents, who mostly knew the subservient child. Most children get to know their parents opinions and views, since their parents set the rules and general atmosphere of the household. It is rare that the child is consulted on what the rules will be, so the communication tends to be one-way. So the child learns about the parents, but the parents usually learn less about the child, and what they do learn tends to be colored by their own views. The child, when becoming adult, WILL have private conversations with their friends and eventual lovers/spouses about ALL the things their parents do/say that they disagree with, stuff their parents will never know about for years, if ever. That means its the childs' peers who will usually have the best idea of their true opinions, and foremost among those peers is their spouse.

And as mentioned above, the children who grew up in their parents households, where the parent was free to be their true selves, are far likelier to have a better idea of their parents views than the parents of their parents, who just knew the restricted and subservient child. So parents arent even second on the list of who gets to make the decisions, theyre third.

The laws on the subject have been thought through. Pity the protestors and interfering legislators wont acknowledge it.

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Post by Badabidi »

Looks like they might be passing a bill to have her tube reinserted, here we go again I suppose
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Post by Winnow »

Nice post Varia.
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Post by Brotha »

Ok, maybe I'm in the minority in having not told anyone what I'd want to be done in the event of something like this happening to me. It struck me as odd, but I guess it shouldn't have.
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Post by Raistin »

The parents say theres nothing wrong with her and she can swallow. Well why does she need the tube to feed her then?Shouldnt they be happy they are going to remove the tube so they can feed her?

I think the most fucked up part about this is if she developes diabetes, and theres a 90% chance she will. The parents said they would amputate her legs first, then both arms to keep her alive in hopes shell recover.

Uh, I think if she knew theres a pretty damn good chance she would be LIMBLESS from her parents having them hacked off to keep her alive. That she just might want to fade away as a 41 year old woman with the understanding of a 2 month year old, and not feel any pain in this condition.
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Post by Sueven »

Lohrno wrote:It has been like 20 years, and I can understand where the husband is coming from if that wasn't her wish, but surely there should be more study done of this...I also understand the parents' point of view.
What exactly makes you think that "surely" there should be more study done? This case has wound it's way through the entirety of it's possible appeals process. This is the same appeals process that is constantly blasted as being too long, providing too many options for overturning verdicts, and allowing those who lose court cases to delay the consequences indefinitely. The families lawyers actually filed for divorce for Terri on the grounds that Michael committed adultery by beginning a new relationship while she's been vegetative. They also claimed that her husband was "abusing" her, although I can't recall whether the adultery was the abuse or whether he was being abusive by trying to kill her or what. Congress subpoena'd her on the theory that you can't kill a subpoena'd person, without ever thinking of questions like, oh, say, what they might ask her if she were to appear. Don't you think that, if there were any legitimate reason to keep her alive (like perhaps she's been misdiagnosed) the families lawyers would have identified that reason and presented it in their legal filings as opposed to this adultery and abuse bullshit?

What particular avenue would you like to see explored further?
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Post by Lohrno »

I'm not talking about legal study. I'm talking about maybe making a last ditch effort to communicate with her in some way before she dies. We now have several interesting technologies (some involve putting electrodes in the brain and letting patients who are paralyzed control pointers with their thoughts...) that we could be trying on her...

The only opinion about her status I've heard from the news is the nurses'/doctor's opinions, and the parents and husbands...what about other professionals?

Maybe it is time for her to go...but it would be nice if some more study was done...I get the impression that not everything has been tried...

And yes, I think pulling her before congress is retarded...

EDIT: Perhaps it's the media coverage that makes it seem that way..
Last edited by Lohrno on March 19, 2005, 11:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Post by Kelshara »

If it was me, I would not want to live like that even if my brain was functional.

Hell, in particular if my brain was functional....
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Post by Lohrno »

Kelshara wrote:If it was me, I would not want to live like that even if my brain was functional.

Hell, in particular if my brain was functional....
I understand that... Personally I would, I'd be optomistic that someday there would be a cure...

Personally I blame Terri Shiavo the most for this for not getting around to writing a will....
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Post by Kelshara »

Thing is, even if I got "cured" one day waiting let's say 20 years on it in that state.. man.. I think I would prefere death for myself and for those caring for me. Those 20 years would be pure hell for all of us. I am an extremely active person and this.. I can't even begin to imagine it.
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Post by Badabidi »

Raistin wrote: I think the most fucked up part about this is if she developes diabetes, and theres a 90% chance she will. The parents said they would amputate her legs first, then both arms to keep her alive in hopes shell recover.
Did they really say that? If so, sickening...
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Post by Arborealus »

Lohrno wrote:
The only opinion about her status I've heard from the news is the nurses'/doctor's opinions, and the parents and husbands...what about other professionals?
What other professionals do you think would be qualified to weigh in on this?

And re congress...does anyone in washington actually read or understand the constitution anymore?...
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Post by Raistin »

yes they did. i wish i had a quote word for word, but it was on a radio program here in florida.
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Post by Lohrno »

Arborealus wrote:
Lohrno wrote: What other professionals do you think would be qualified to weigh in on this?

And re congress...does anyone in washington actually read or understand the constitution anymore?...
Maybe some neurologists, other professionals. I'm not in the medical field so obviously my opinion is uninformed, but it does seem to me some more study of her condition could be done...

But maybe they have studied it extensively and exhaustively, it's just that the media doesn't say one way or the other, so I assume it hasn't. The fact that her family thinks she's alive and some others think she is in a persistent vegetative state indicates to me there may be incomplete data...
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Post by Kelshara »

You forget the fact that the parents refuse to admit the truth here. To me they seem to be the kind who woudl deny it even after their kid is burried.
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Post by Lohrno »

Kelshara wrote:You forget the fact that the parents refuse to admit the truth here. To me they seem to be the kind who woudl deny it even after their kid is burried.
Definitely a possiblity. I still would like to know what happened in the past 20 years...Has every possibility been explored? How are her MRIs? The family seems to act like she is showing some signs of awareness. Is it 100% certain there is no hope for her?
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Post by Arborealus »

Lohrno wrote:
Arborealus wrote:
Lohrno wrote: What other professionals do you think would be qualified to weigh in on this?

And re congress...does anyone in washington actually read or understand the constitution anymore?...
Maybe some neurologists, other professionals. I'm not in the medical field so obviously my opinion is uninformed, but it does seem to me some more study of her condition could be done...

But maybe they have studied it extensively and exhaustively, it's just that the media doesn't say one way or the other, so I assume it hasn't. The fact that her family thinks she's alive and some others think she is in a persistent vegetative state indicates to me there may be incomplete data...
Ermmmm Neurologists are doctors...It takes a neurological consult to determine persistent vegatative state...only neurologists can read eegs, brain cat scans and MRI etc...this has all been done exhaustively and repeatedly by this point...and this testimony will have been required to convince a resonable person that this is a persistent vegetative state...

Likely there have been many neurologists involved given all the court time appeals etc...The media won't report every test etc that has been performed...Trust me it takes a mountain of neurowork before a doctor will call it persistent...
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Post by Zamtuk »

roofles to that protester from idaho who was arrested for trying to give her bread and water.
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Post by Lohrno »

Arborealus wrote: Ermmmm Neurologists are doctors...


I didn't think they were metaphysicists. =P
It takes a neurological consult to determine persistent vegatative state...only neurologists can read eegs, brain cat scans and MRI etc...this has all been done exhaustively and repeatedly by this point...and this testimony will have been required to convince a resonable person that this is a persistent vegetative state...
Okay, sorry for my ignorace, they don't tell the layperson these things. :) (or at least no one told me) So in all likelihood she will never regain any higher level of consciousness?
Likely there have been many neurologists involved given all the court time appeals etc...The media won't report every test etc that has been performed...Trust me it takes a mountain of neurowork before a doctor will call it persistent...
Yeah I would sure hope so...

Still, are there any experimental techniques that could be tried at this point?
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Post by Arborealus »

Lohrno wrote:
Arborealus wrote: Ermmmm Neurologists are doctors...


I didn't think they were metaphysicists. =P
Well you did say:
The only opinion about her status I've heard from the news is the nurses'/doctor's opinions, and the parents and husbands...what about other professionals?
Implying some professional other that doctors and nurses should weigh in on the issue...
So in all likelihood she will never regain any higher level of consciousness?
She has been in this condition for 15 years there is no reason at all to believe she will suddenly come out of it...
Still, are there any experimental techniques that could be tried at this point?
This isn't a movie...Experimenting on humans even humans in persistent veg states is ethically and legally thin ice...There are no magic bullets...That said, I am sure that the doctors have considered every reasonable option even quite radical ones
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Post by Lohrno »

Arborealus wrote: Implying some professional other that doctors and nurses should weigh in on the issue...
Definitely not my intent. :)
This isn't a movie...Experimenting on humans even humans in persistent veg states is ethically and legally thin ice...There are no magic bullets...That said, I am sure that the doctors have considered every reasonable option even quite radical ones
I wouldn't say it's more on thin ice than killing her... But that's just me I guess...
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Post by Fash »

this poor vegetable should be allowed to expire...

all i can think of with coma patients, is the video for Metallica - One.
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Post by Kelshara »

The only thing I have a bit of a problem with in this case is that she will starve to death. That takes time. Give her something to make her go to sleep peacefully imho.

But that is a whole other debate isn't it..
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Post by Chmee »

Radley Balko had some good comments on the case.

http://www.theagitator.com/archives/019790.php#019790
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Post by Arborealus »

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=s ... gress_dc_2

The U.S. Congress put off action on a bill aimed at prolonging the life of brain-damaged Terri Schiavo, in the face of anticipated objections from at least one Democrat that could temporarily stall the measure.
Ok well apparently at least one Congressman read and understood the Constitution...
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Winnow
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Post by Winnow »

DIE ALREADY!!11!!

This is worse than the English Patient.
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Post by Voronwë »

one thing i dont understand is why they don't just do fMRI on her, and that is pretty much it case closed.

nothing in the cortex is going to light up, and that means nobody is home.

the noises she makes and blinking and facial expressions can all be controlled by the brainstem, which is effectively subconcious.

its a sad situation, i hope whatever doctor that removed the tube isn't going to have his kids harrassed by 'Right to Lifers' and his life endangered by some maniacal zealot.
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Post by Kargyle »

Fash wrote:this poor vegetable should be allowed to expire...

all i can think of with coma patients, is the video for Metallica - One.

That is from the movie 'Johnnie Got His Gun" if I remember correctly.


On her becoming diabetic: A co-worker of mine said he saw an interview with the husband in which he stated the biggest reason he would not give guardianship to her parents was that her father testified in court that he would have all of her limbs amputated if she became diabetic and was needed to keep her alive.

I honestly believe at this point her parents would say and do anything to stop the husband from carrying out his wife's wishes. From what I have read her parents are extremely religous. I find it possible that her parents may be knowingly going against Terri's wishes simply because they think they are right and she is wrong. Basically saving her from herself. That is one of the only reasons I can come up with for the disparity between the parents and husband regarding Terri's wishes.

Either way, this is clearly not an issue that the Federal government should be involved in. Not to pull politics into this thread, but I find it ironic that the political party that is generally so fast to label something a state's rights issue is now the party trampling on said rights. Both the Florida Supreme Court and the US Supreme court have declined to hear this case multiple times, and as far as I know every court that has heard it has ruled in favor of the husband. I read a quote of Terri's mother saying all they want is a fair trail, well they've had seven trials so far, apparently the only fair trail is the one the finds in their favor.

This poor woman should be allowed to pass away with whatever small amount of dignity she has left after this whole debacle.

One last thing for Brotha, although several people have already answered him. I can remember as early as 15 telling my parents I would never want to live if I was in accident or similar incident that left me unable to care for myself. There's deffinately one lesson everyone should take away from all of this. It is extremely important that you have a living will detailing your wishes if you are incapacitated. That is the only way you can be sure that you will avoid the situation Terri is going through.
The world is my country, all mankind are my brethren, and to do good is my religion. - Thomas Paine
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Post by Sionistic »

http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtm ... ID=7955021
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Bush early on Monday signed emergency legislation aimed at prolonging the life of a brain-damaged Florida woman, Terri Schiavo.
"Today, I signed into law a bill that will allow federal courts to hear a claim by or on behalf of Terri Schiavo for violation of her rights relating to the withholding or withdrawal of food, fluids, or medical treatment necessary to sustain her life," Bush said in a written statement.

"In cases like this one, where there are serious questions and substantial doubts, our society, our laws, and our courts should have a presumption in favor of life. This presumption is especially critical for those like Terri Schiavo who live at the mercy of others," he said.
I just find funny that Bush, the former governer of fucking DP Texas, is saying courts should rule in favor of life :)
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Post by Laliana »

Kelshara wrote:The only thing I have a bit of a problem with in this case is that she will starve to death. That takes time. Give her something to make her go to sleep peacefully imho.

But that is a whole other debate isn't it..
This is the only problem I have with this case, and I have been following it for years off and on...

For some reason, I never realized the amount of time it would take for her to die, guess I was naive or something :cry:

For me...I wouldn't want to *live* like that and my mother and I have talked about things like this since I was in my early 20's. She has a *living will* in a gray box in her closet, she thinks I should have one too. Thinking she may be right!
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Post by Winnow »

Take note:

-kill me if I become a veggie (stuff Natalie Portman's panties in my mouth and suffocate me)
-cremate me (god damned necro's might have their way with me otherwise)
-scatter my ashes over Al Bundy's grill on the 4th of July

Worldly Possessions go to:

Pyrella - all of my hard drives
Laliana - all of my Archie Comics
Pilsburry - my seekrit guide to scoring with women
Thess - My mint condition 1980 Reagan/Bush campaign button collection : )

Work in progress...searching for any more valuables I might have
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