March 31, 2005, Grand Old Party Poopers
The tag-line might relate to Congressman Jim Leach and Senator Charles Grassley, both Republicans of Iowa, who are expressing deep reservations as to the support for the President's plans to decimate social security. This is further evidence in support of my proposition that we no longer need a Democratic Party-- the Republicans are perfectly capable of assessing the political lines of no-return, and checking their own executive. God knows, the Dems can't get it done.
Which takes us back to the main topic: you know who, who as of 0930 local time on 31 March, still refuses to kick off. Mickey Kaus offers the appropriate paradox to liberals. Assuming Terri could be cured by stem cell research, it would be the religious right arguing that it was God's will that she be put down like a wounded horse. Instead of making the "science is good" and "we need national health care arguments", liberals almost to a man or woman (I guess I'm now out of that group, by definition, as I am off the reservation on this one and only issue that matters, since as we know bankruptcy reform, ANWR, universal health care and a living wage really are NOT Democratic issues... anymore) simply want her dead. Kaus notes that no less than National Palestine Radio's Nina Totenberg has asserted that the "moral issue" is universally available health care. AND IT IS. Why is it liberals are so damned pessimistic here that she can "never be cured"... aren't we (they!) the big proponents of the march of science, and the optimism of technology?
Of course, we do like to make value judgments, and let's face it: Terri's life is not worth living. (As the Unseen Editor relates to me, "If you can't enjoy the feel of good cashmere, the taste of caviar, or regular trips to the Hamptons, really, what IS the point of going on?")
Well, let me say this, on record. Mrs. TD will understand, as will hopefully, anyone else. If I find myself in a situation near to Terri's, or really, any situation where I am unable to speak for myself, I want not only ordinary care measures, but I want the same extreme, heroic, irrational measures to keep me alive that the Pope is getting now (or whatever the medical technology equivalent is then) until further notice from me. Although I want the same rule for everyone, but I guess I'll settle for me.
Comments
TD, that is your right (and I suppose even Medicaid might pony up the costs if your instructions are clear), but let me suggest that you please leave clear written instructions. I have no doubt that Mrs. TD would do her best to honor your wishes, but Mrs. TD might not be with us then, either. If you do not leave clear instructions (and keep them up to date, should your views change), then some poor judge would have to figure out what to do based on all the available evidence and the law.
I don't for a minute question the decision you would like to make about your own care. What I find puzzling is the apparent insistence that state law, the privileges and responsibilities of marriage, and the combined decisions of all available levels of judicial consideration in both state and federal courts should be tossed out because you (based on no personal knowledge, as far as I'm aware) mistrust Michael Shiavo's account of his wife's preferences. Let's just say that if the Florida trial court erred in believing him, it wouldn't be the first time that a finder of fact goofed in a situation having life or death consequences.
I don't think you'll be tossed out of the Democratic Party for this. I also don't think it's fair to suggest that it's the Democrats who have made this issue #1--this ghoulish scene was orchestrated by the Repubs in support of their new friends in the radical fringes of the Catholic Church. More likely, the Republican Party will see further signs of stress over this, given that an overwhelming majority of Republicans were just as opposed to this spectacle as most Democrats.
Posted by mamayo at March 31, 2005 12:50 PM
Well, now.
She is finally gone.
I hope you learned something.
Scott Peterson-Throw her off a boat?-Jerk.
Robert Blake--Uhh, I went back to get my gun, and she was dead.--Imbecile
Joey Buttafucco--Ayy, I didn't tell the little twit to shoot her--Moron.
O.J. Simpson--I'm on a low speed chase to find the killer---Stop, you're killing me.
You're all a bunch of amateurs. Who needs to get their hands dirty, or hire high priced mouthpieces? Just get the state of Florida to do it for you. I should be teaching classes in this. No, O.J., you don't move here after you kill the chick. The state that gave us George W, Elian Gonzalez, Ted Bundy, and Major Healy, now gives us Get Out of Jail Free cards. Now that I'm getting married again, I just need to know--is it just one whack per customer?
Posted by Mickey Blue Eyes Schiavo at March 31, 2005 6:26 PM
Slanderous crap. Not funny at all. U should be ashamed asswad.
Posted by glennk at March 31, 2005 6:32 PM
Yeah, I'd noticed that about the value judgments, dear.
Posted by julia at March 31, 2005 8:20 PM
I want the same extreme, heroic, irrational measures to keep me alive that the Pope is getting now (or whatever the medical technology equivalent is then) until further notice from me
Huh. That seems like an option. So why would anyone have a Living Will? Oh, that's right--because they might not be able to communicate. Which is my harder by not having any language at all, not having any knowledge of things, not having any ability to learn, not having any memory for anything past, none at all, not having any voluntary movement. Like, say, Terri Schiavo was for years. So go ahead TD, make out your Living Will to say you'll speak for yourself, even when you can't speak for yourself.
Posted by Social Scientist at March 31, 2005 10:09 PM
...made harder.
Posted by Anonymous at March 31, 2005 10:10 PM