From the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke site:
A persistent vegetative state (commonly, but incorrectly, referred to as "brain-death") sometimes follows a coma. Individuals in such a state have lost their thinking abilities and awareness of their surroundings, but retain non-cognitive function and normal sleep patterns. Even though those in a persistent vegetative state lose their higher brain functions, other key functions such as breathing and circulation remain relatively intact. Spontaneous movements may occur, and the eyes may open in response to external stimuli. They may even occasionally grimace, cry, or laugh. Although individuals in a persistent vegetative state may appear somewhat normal, they do not speak and they are unable to respond to commands.
In this post I will, of course, be referring to Terri Schiavo. Consider yourself forewarned that you may not like what I'm going to say. I would love to hear all of
your thoughts on this matter be they assenting or dissenting. No name-calling though OK? Thanks.
First I have to address the thuggery of the Republicans in the United States House of Representatives and the Senate in this matter. On February 25th, Terri Schiavo's feeding tube was
authorized to be removed Friday, March 18th at 1:00 PM. On March 17th, The U.S. Supreme Court
denied an emergency motion filed by Terri's parents to consider arguments in the case. Well Friday morning before the feeding tube was to be removed, the House Government Reform Committee
issued subpoenas for Terri Schiavo, her husband Michael, and others to appear at a congressional hearing on March 25th. "Then, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee formally invited Michael and Terri Schiavo to testify on Monday.
Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist's statement pointedly noted that it is a federal crime for anyone to interfere with a person's testimony before Congress." Terri's feeding tube was removed Friday afternoon.
Friday night, Congress began work on emergency legislation that would give the Middle District of Florida's U.S. District Court jurisdiction to
issue relief necessary to protect Terri's constitutional rights. As of Saturday members of Congress say they may have reached a compromise on the bill.
Voting on the bill will be taken up today or possibly early tomorrow morning. President Bush is leaving Crawford this morning to be in Washington to sign the bill as soon as it's passed.
Michael Schiavo, Terri's husband, has this to say about Congress' meddling:
“I’m outraged, and I think that every American in this country should also be outraged that this government is trampling all over a personal family matter that has been adjudicated in the courts for seven years,” he told CNN. “I think that the Congress has more important things to discuss.”
I would have to agree with him on this. CNN's legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin
says,
...I think one thing, you know, really needs to be said here. Is what this issue is really about. I mean, what the larger context for all of this is, is abortion politics. That is really what's the very clear undercurrent here. The right to life movement feels very strongly in what President Bush calls a culture of life.
And they begin -- that matters at the beginning of life, in abortion, and the end of life, in a situation like this. The people supporting the removal of the feeding tube feel very strongly about the autonomy of the person. But that's the subtext here and that is, I think, what's really driving a lot of the partisans on both sides.
Folks, this is why you need a living will. At the very least, discuss with your family and other loved ones what you would like them to do should something ever happen to you that would cause you to be kept alive by artificial means. And discuss with them what they would like you to do or not do for them should something happen to them.
I do not want any extraordinary means to be taken to keep me alive. I do not want to be kept alive through artificial means. If I am ever in a vegetative state like Terri Schiavo I do not want to be kept alive. My family knows it. My friends know it. My husband knew it when we were married. I do not want to lay in a bed wasting away for years and years in the hope that I might somehow make a recovery. I want them to let me go.
Terri Schiavo has been in a vegetative state for 15 years. She has made no improvement. I know Terri's parents love her but I feel they're being selfish in keeping her alive. It's unfortunate and it just plain sucks that she will have to die by starvation. In a way, it would be easier if she was connected to a machine that kept her breathing. It could just be unplugged and she might pass relatively quick. However
doctors say,
Patients who are terminally ill and conscious and refuse food and drink at the end of life say that they do not generally experience pangs of hunger, since their bodies do not need much food. But they can suffer from dry mouth and other symptoms of dehydration that can be treated effectively.
Once food and water stop, death usually comes in about two weeks, and is caused by effects of dehydration, not the loss of nutrition, said Dr. Sean Morrison, a professor of geriatrics and palliative care at Mount Sinai School of Medicine in New York. "They generally slip into a peaceful coma," he said. "It's very quiet, it's very dignified - it's very gentle."
I'd like to say to the politicians, stop.
I'd like to say to Terri's parents, let her go.
Update Sunday March 20th at 8:16 PM Central time - The Senate unanimously passed legislation ordering the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida to review Terri Schiavo's case. The House of Representatives is currently debating the Schiavo bill. The debate is being carried live on CNN, Fox News, and C-SPAN. The House is expected to vote at 12:01 AM Eastern time passing the bill. President Bush is expected to sign the bill into law shortly thereafter.
I can not say enough how wrong I think this is of Congress and President Bush.
Update Monday March 21st at 5:46 AM Central time - The House passed the Schiavo bill by a vote of 203 to 58 around 12:45 AM Eastern time this morning. President Busch signed the bill into law at 1:11 Eastern time. An attorney for Terri's parents arrived at the federal district court for the Middle District of FL and filed an emergency injunction to have Terri's feeding tube reinserted. The federal judge has not ruled yet regarding the matter.
Update Monday March 21st at 1:00 PM Central time - U.S. District Court Judge James Whittemore is set to hear the case today at 3:00 Eastern time.
Update Monday March 21st at 5:30 PM Central time - Judge Whittemore said today that he will rule in the case but did not say when.
Update Tuesday March 22nd at 5:45 AM Central time - Judge Whittemore refused to order Terri's feeding tube re-inserted. Terri Schiavo's parents will be filing an appeal in the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals in Atlanta, GA.
Update Wednesday March 23rd at 6:05 AM Central time - A three-judge panel of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 2-1
not to reinsert Terri's feeding tube. The parents are appealing that ruling.
Also from the above article, "If the federal courts decline to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case, Congress and Bush could pass and sign another law to try to keep the brain-damaged woman alive, said CNN legal analyst Kendall Coffey."
That's scary and a total abuse of power.
Update Thursday March 24th at 7:05 PM Central time - Yesterday Terri's parents appealed to and lost again in front of the entire panel (11 judges) this time of the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The parents then appealed to the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court refused to intervene in the case. The parents are now asking District Judge Whittemore to reconsider his decision from Tuesday.
It seems as if this will never end. For Terri's sake I think it should end.
Update Thursday March 31 at 9:00 AM Central time - Terri Schiavo has
passed away.
