From a retired man at my church re: Schiavo

"Why are they so concerned with this one woman when there are so many dying in Iraq?"

Just that simply, during a discussion of the case at a bag lunch meal after our Maundy Thursday service.

One person started talking about "supposedly Michael this or that" but I countered by pointing out the word "supposedly" in her statement, saying that was mostly gossip coming from one side. Others seemed to agree.

Another had an experience similar, but her first husband only lived about 7 months after he hit that state. Nevertheless, she'd been told to divorce him by several people. And his family was pushing for the tube to be pulled out and tried an end around on her that she found upsetting. So it was interesting to hear from someone who's experience was almost in reverse.

Mostly, the concensus at our little bag lunch was that the government should stay out of this business.

I worship at a Dem church (well, mostly) right in the middle of a red county. Me happy.

... culture of life means culture of death.

Sue

situation ?

did she see it as a spousal/marriage rights issue where Michael as husband decides what to do or did she think the tube should be kept in or out no matter what Michael thinks ?

against the wishes of the family. And so it was left in and he died 7 months later. The doctor, and this was about 20 years ago so current thinking may be different, said that he felt it was against his oath to pull the man's feeding tube. She felt similarly, and so it stayed. I suppose the family could have made a stink here too, but didn't.

Without saying it, I assume she'd be against pulling the tube. But I don't know if she'd go against 16 years worth of litigation to fight the husband's wishes. She might be upset with the husband, but I don't think she'd be doing what Terri's parents are doing.

Alot of this isn't black and white. But no matter what decision you make, the spouse has the right to make it.

It's up to her next of kin and in this situation it's the husband. People should respect that law.

She and the doctor agreed, though the doctor asked her what she wanted to do before he interjected his opinion, and the family disagreed. But they went with her decision.

I too would have more sympathy for these parents if people like Randall Terry weren't involved. Too extreme. Isn't that the guy who doesn't even believe in any kind of contraception whatsoever. Or is that a different guy. Is Randall Terry the one who started "Missionaries to the pre-born"? And now the news that she supposedly said "Please, I want to live." Alrighty then, we're just making things up now, eh? I don't think after all this time she's suddenly going to come up with an entire sentence if she never did before.

But then I do wonder about the reports coming from her best friends. I don't know what to think about them, except they were on the Sean Hannity radio show, which just about kills it right there. Ugh, I hate that man.

It means The Evil Tongue in Hebrew. Not doing damage to others through loose talk is a very important principle in Judaism because, unlike financial or physical damage, it cannot be compensated for. Once it's done, it's done.

I'm aware you worship at a church, not a synagogue, but it's still a useful concept from a fellow Abrahamic faith, and this Schiavo fiasco brings it to mind every day.

Oh. my. god. I listened to a Catholic station a couple of days ago though that was doing the same thing only in overdrive. "We don't know what he might have done to her" "We don't know how much money he could get."

That's right...YOU DON'T KNOW. Can we deal in facts here people. Damn!

Lashon Hara is open for business! That station needs to consult a rabbi!

Christian community, might I ask for your imput on my newest thread?

:)

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=132x1686570

Thanks!

ON EDIT: sorry, hit reply on the wrong message, was directed to LittleClarkie1, but you are more than welcome to read and respond as well. :)

but I'm not in a red state, only a red county.

I feel that I had something to do with keeping us blue, btw, though we're really sorta purple. At least we widened the margin from Gore to Kerry, nearly doubling it. Still too close for comfort though. Hopefully we can do better in 2009.

But it is nasty sometimes living in this county. I got called a Communist. Every Dem president from FDR to JFK was called a Socialist. (?!?!)

I got yelled at just because I was wearing a Kerry button in the pub. "What do you want, a hand out?!" "Bush isn't a fiscal conservative!" "Yeah, yeah, yeah" (great comeback dude). "No politics" said the owner/bartender. "He started it!" (okay, kind of childish from me, but I was pissed)

I ended up covering the Kerry button with a Goose Island Honker Ale cap from one of the kegs, writing "Vote the Goose 2004 on it" Kerry was still underneath, as I refused to take off the button, but it was my compromise for the owner, who's a good guy, and pretty much apolitical.

Still, hell living in a Freeper County. Very, very Red.

And good soundbite for me.

that this furor over Terri is madness. Mom asks "What about the sanctity of death?" and my Dad, a doctor, asks, "What about her liquid brain?" The whole thing has prompted calls between all family members re: DNR! and NO TUBE! It's interesting that this is the one issue we can all agree on.

They think she can just regrow her brain. They aren't telling all the facts of the story: such as her brain is liquid unless you know the science and are checking out other resources instead of just the faux people.

:)