[Speed Gibson,
Monday March 21, 2005 at 6:41am]
Star Tribune to Terri Schiavo: Drop Dead!
As I noted last week, I'm rather late to this Terri Shiavo issue, having taken the headlines at face value. With bloggers like Bogus Gold setting me straight, I have spent the past several days trying to make up for this, drawing from a number of national news sources, plus commentary by Limbaugh, Prager, Hewitt, Ingraham, and others. I am astounded at the number of misrepresentations, contradictions and false statements being published or aired. If nothing else, can't Terri Shiavo's death be put off another few days while we sort this out?
No says her husband of record, Michael Shiavo. And no says the Minneapolis Star Tribune in tomorrow's editorial. As always, the high level of abusive rhetoric tips us off that the facts are few and far between. Consider these words and phrases from it: strange political kidnapping, mad story, right-wing radicals, totalitarian fibfest, brazen intrusion, absurd political drama, right-wing infotainment, silly obstructionist game, and vulgar, tyrannical escapade.
There is such a thing as righteous anger, but you had better have your facts right. But consider these characterizations offered as fact in the editorial:
The only possible justification for forcibly ending Terri's life would be if she had made a verifiable declaration to that effect when of sound mind. That we do not have, just the husband's account of a private conversation, one favorable to him. That and given the parents' willingness to assume all future support obligations, means there is simply no need to hasten her demise.
After all, if she is oblivious to reality and beyond all hope, what difference does it make to err on the side of life?
No says her husband of record, Michael Shiavo. And no says the Minneapolis Star Tribune in tomorrow's editorial. As always, the high level of abusive rhetoric tips us off that the facts are few and far between. Consider these words and phrases from it: strange political kidnapping, mad story, right-wing radicals, totalitarian fibfest, brazen intrusion, absurd political drama, right-wing infotainment, silly obstructionist game, and vulgar, tyrannical escapade.
There is such a thing as righteous anger, but you had better have your facts right. But consider these characterizations offered as fact in the editorial:
- "... permanently unconscious woman ..." Obviously false, as many doctors have confirmed.
- "... despite her expressed wishes ..." As Soucheray might say, "uhh, we don't know that." We have only Mr. Shiavo's word on this, and he has impeached himself.
- " ... has no meaningful brain function." Those "reflexive grimaces" are meaningful to us, thank you very much. But let's wait for the MRI and other tests that should have been performed, shall we?
- "... there is no medical dispute ..." Not when all of the doctors of opposing views are not allowed to testify in court.
- "... permanent vegetative state ..." Again, false as many doctors have confirmed.
The only possible justification for forcibly ending Terri's life would be if she had made a verifiable declaration to that effect when of sound mind. That we do not have, just the husband's account of a private conversation, one favorable to him. That and given the parents' willingness to assume all future support obligations, means there is simply no need to hasten her demise.
After all, if she is oblivious to reality and beyond all hope, what difference does it make to err on the side of life?