I’ve been paying attention to the legal fight over Terri Schiavo’s body for the last few years. I am really disgusted by how the authoritarians of the religious right and Republican Party have violated the nature of family. Michael Schiavo as Terri’s husband is her next-of-kin and thus has authority over her medical treatment. Neither her parents nor the politicians who support them have any business to usurp his judgment or interfere in his family business. Don’t people realize that if politicians can pass laws to block feeding tube removal, then they can pass laws requiring it? Do they really want politicians deciding who lives and who dies?
People are upset over Michael Schiavo’s judgment, but they rarely know what his judgment actually was. Michael Schiavo’s judgment is that his wife is gone and is not coming back. He knew that his wife would not want her body unnaturally sustained in its current condition. In 1998 he petitioned the court to determine whether the feeding tube for Terri’s body should be removed. After hearing evidence from both sides, the judge agreed with the judgment of Terri Schiavo’s husband.
It is disturbing to follow the discussions about Terri Schiavo that occur on Baptist Board because they are so completely void of informed opinions.
They think that her husband is doing this for money. Not only is there little money left, but he has turned away people, who have tried to buy Terri from him for millions of dollars.
They think that Michael Schiavo beat his wife into her condition and is trying to take her off life support to cover up his crime. Her condition was caused by an electrolyte imbalance resulting from bulimia.
They hate the judge for not being activist. Yet his conclusion is not only completely consistent with Florida Law but the traditions of our nation.
These people actually believe that Terri is awake and responds to her parents. The judge reviewed all the video tapes of Terri’s behavior, not just the ones available on her parents’ website, and found her responses as inconsistent.
They believe that starvation is a cruel way to die. Studies reveal that it is the most humane and peaceful form of euthanasia. After a few days hunger subsides, and endorphins are released by the body, which block pain.
These people actually believe that Terri is aware and still exists as a person. Her upper brain (cerebral cortex) died years ago and no longer exists. The upper brain is what processes our senses, forms our conscience, and makes us who we are. I wonder how many people on Baptist Board would form a different opinion of this issue if they saw these two figures:
A normal brain:
A brain without the cerebral cortex (like Terri Schiavo’s):
That’s a pretty powerful pair of figures in my opinion.
Well, except the figures aren’t accurate. She still has a forebrain, it’s the cortex that’s degenerated.
Well, I knew my anatomy was rusty. I tried to find appropriate images from the web to make sure I was making the correct figures. I knew my figure was ommitting the stuff in the center of the brain, because I didn’t know how to draw it once the cortex was gone. What else am I missing?
What should a brain sans cortex look like?
I was wondering if Tiffany would post on this stuff but she doesnt want to be so political, so I had to cross over to the darkside & visit Reed! Tee hee! On a more serious note, Terri’s parents disgust me. They are using her body for entertainment! Showing her on TV half-naked and blowing at baloons for their own benefit, it’s just so disgusting. With such selfish, domineering parents it’s no wonder she developed bulimia! I also find it ironic that the same groups (Republicans, Religious Right, etc.) crying out about the “sanctity of marriage” have absolutely zero respect for this relationship between a husband and a wife! They automatically assume that his motives are bad and that he doesn’t love her. Seems a bit strange, dont you think? Well, I’m sure you do, and I could positively rant FOREVER! But I will stop because you posted this like last week and are probably over it by now, but there aren’t many of your posts I am smart enough to understand! LOL I’m much more on the letterboxing level of things!
~ Mandi :-)
Update