the case of Terry Schiavo has gone completely off the deep end, now with Congress getting involved, issuing subpoenas for Terry Schiavo, her husband and family to appear before Congress next week.
The stunning lack fo respect for this woman and her husband boggles the mind. The case materials must occupy a good size room, with multiple injuctions and other material issued on a regular basis, but with Congress getting involved, this case is sure to generate even more press.
The Senate and House committees with jurisdiction over health matters issued the subpoenas in order to do one thing--generate press for some presidential wanna-bes. It is one thing for members of Congress to issue press releases and statements about the case--it is, unfortunately a public case. But it is another to issue subponeas for a woman in a persistant vegetative state and her caregivers to appear before the commitees.
This is not an area for Congress to legislate--doing so will only open the doors to future cases.
I have no doubt that people on both sides of the issue believe passionately about the case and further believe they have the power of right and God on their side. But this is a decision between the next of kin and the patient's doctor. When Michael Schiavo and Terry Schiavo got married, the legal next of kin became Michael--not her parents. Her parents hold out the valiant hope of her improvement--something that has not occured in 15 years!!!
I believe in hope and the power of the human will and spirit, but I also believe in the facts. This woman has been examined by a multitude of doctors who have come to the conclusion that she will not regain higher brain functions. In the meantime, the care provided to Terry Schiavo continues to rack up bills, which I hope are not being foisted upon Michael Schiavo.
Speaking of Micheal Schiavo, here is a man in literal, legal, press and personal limbo. He deserves to be able to put this painful episode behind him. Let's look at his options right now.
First, he can't withdraw the feeding tube--the courts and now Congress won't let him. Not to mention his wife's family. Thus if he withdraws the tube, he is a bastard.
He can't divorce his wife--because divorcing a brain dead woman makes you a bastard.
Assuming Terry Schiavo dies, which eventually she must, Michael Sciavo will have to change his name, his address and his way of life--again--in order to have any sembelence of a normal life.
To say that his life has been destroyed is an understatement of monumental proportions, but enough is enough. The Florida courts have ruled dozens of times on this case. The U.S. Supreme Court has, wisely, declined to get involved. But if Congress gets its way, the Supreme Court will once again have to visit a no-win issue--one that should not be in the courts to begin with and certainly not the federal courts.
Judge Blocks Removal of Schiavo's Feeding Tube (washingtonpost.com)
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