Private choices made in a political circus (Seattle PI)

Earlier this week, a colleague asked if I had run into anyone who did not have a strong opinion on the fate of Terri Schiavo. I replied that I had not, but, thinking about it later, I realized I did know someone in the muddled middle: me.

Oh, sure, I've got definite views about the issue in the abstract. I agree with the president and the pope that, when there is doubt, one should err on the side of life. Yet I also believe that individuals facing terminal illness should have the right to choose the timing of their death and not be subject to the prolonged agonies of medical technology.

In the specific case of Terri Schiavo, I tend to think the doctors were right that she lost any real human consciousness long ago. Her parents, however, saw something else and, though it was likely wishful thinking on their part, who am I to say they were wrong to fight for the slimmest chance she could be made better? All I know is that I didn't know enough. And neither did George Bush or Jesse Jackson or Tom DeLay.

A very private, personal and painful choice became a political circus and I do know that was a shame.

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/saturdayspin/218470_bqanswer.html