WHY TERRY SHIAVO MUST DIE

Yet another judge has interjected himself into the fight for Terry Shiavo's legally-approved termination.

Circuit Court Judge George Greer rejected arguments made by attorneys for her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, that she never had her own attorney during the decade long legal battle between them and Michael Schiavo. The Schindlers say Terri’s due process claims were violated as a result.

I don't understand the urgency to kill her. Hell, condemned mass murderers get more consideration from the judiciary. Due process is one of those concepts that courts generally tip-toe around gingerly, trying not to squash any of its aspects accidentally.

What the judges seem not to understand is that Terry is a litmus test for our humanity. Killing someone who has people who are interested in keeping her alive and are willing to assume responsibility for her, is not in intolerable pain, has reportedly shown more sentience than the vegetative state that was the basis for her court-approved agreement for termination, and may be the way she is today because she was the victim of the person who is trying to end her life, is way beyond the level of "mercy killing".

This case needs to go to the Supremes. I would pay to see George Felos appearing before Justice Scalia that Terry has to be terminated. I would love to hear the questions as he put Felos' feet to the fire.

I don't understand the apathy of the American woman. This case is not merely about her - it is about the rights of all Americans who may, inconveniently, become incapacitated. Women used to lead the fight to protect the helpless - now, we're blind to the carnage around us.

When did this start? I think a compelling case can be made for the fight to secure abortion as the starting point for our growing callousness. In that fight, American women supressed their natural tender feelings, and began referring to pre-birth people as:

• "products" of conception
  
• a "blob" of cells
  
• this "thing" inside me

I take this personally. My mother spent over 15 years in a wheelchair. My dad made the decision to sell their home, in order to make caring for her more feasible, when the need for living in a 1-floor setup became necessary.

When she finally suffered several major strokes, he, along with all the children, made the decision to turn off the machines that were keeping her going. She never regained consciousness. She was surrounded by family, and given medication for pain.

That's a very different thing from deliberately starving an awake and aware woman in the prime of life. Her husband (in name only) has consistently refused: to test her ability to swallow food (even refusing to allow her Communion), allow physical therapy, doctors to be brought in (at her parents expense) to assess her condition and recommend therapy. He has refused her parents' request to take over the custody of their daughter (including responsibility for the expenses).

I agree that there may be a time to say good-bye to a failing loved one. I don't agree that this is the time for Terry Shiavo.

We have to do our part to continue the fight for life. There are too many out there whose plans include whittling down human rights for the inconvenient.