RE: RE: RE: Torturing Terri Schiavo

Steve Brenneis responds to Behethland B. Clark:

Where to begin?

First, the comparison of the plight of Terri Schiavo to the decision to put down a sick pet is laughable at best, frighteningly inhuman at worst. This is a human being we're talking about. I think no one denies that putting down a beloved pet is sad and maybe even painful, but it does not even belong in the same discussion with human euthanasia. As much as the left would like us to believe otherwise, human beings are not simply animals.

Second, as Andy points out, this is not a matter of removing critical life support such that the patient dies immediately. It will take her six to ten days to die. She will die a horrible and painful death of starvation and dehydration. There is absolutely no way to paint this as humane under any circumstance.

Finally, Michael Schiavo deserves no sympathy and he couldn't care less about his loss. He has moved on with his life and now desires an end to his responsibility for Terri. His motivation has nothing to do with humanity and his assertions of her desires are doubtful at best. Furthermore, there is creditable evidence to suggest he bears direct responsibility for Terri's current condition. His motivations now are based on gaining his 15 minutes of fame and then being rid of his albatross.

However, you are absolutely right about the living will. As the level of humanity in our society decreases, the importance of such things increases.