Reply #9: i might agree with one thing the author said [View All]

[onenote]

I tend to agree that most people don't really "understand" or "care" about Terri Schiavo. What they do understand and care about is their own situation -- and millions of people have been directly or indirectly involved in situations where a decision had to be made whether to continue or initiate medical treatment (including feeding tubes) to prolong a loved one's life. For most of these people, even in the most extreme fact situations, it is an intensely difficult and personal decision. At some level you wrestle with the issue of whether you are playing "God" if you prolong the person's life with extraordinary measures or whether you are playing "God" if you don't. Many people consult with doctors, friends, clergy, family members, but in the end it is, as stated, a personal decision. For millions who have dealt with this difficult moment, or who anticipate the day when they may have to, the notion that third parties and even the government might second guess your decision is intolerable. The suggestion that people who support keeping Terri Schiavo alive subscribe to the "Culture of LIfe" carries with it the suggestion that those who have made the decision not to prolong someone's life adhere to some other culture -- a culture of death. The labelling of those who oppose the intervention of the government, or even of Terri's parents -- as murderers, barbarians, etc. is a direct attack on millions of decent caring people who have made a difficult choice and should face the judgment of those who are not in their shoes.

So I agree, its not that people necessarily care about Terri -- they care about themselves and what the attacks on Michael Schiavo could portend for any one of us in the future.

onenote