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More on the Terri Schiavo case

Scott Tibbs, October 16, 2003

In my latest column over at Hoosier Review, I discuss state-mandated murder in Florida. (I sent the text of the column to Florida Governor Jeb Bush, as well as others.)

The case of Terri Schiavo is truly a sad moment in our culture. The fact that the courts recognize her "husband" as her legal guardian is nothing short of stunning. This is a man who is living with another woman, with whom he has already fathered a child. They are expecting another. Terri's family believes she could recover with therapy, but her "husband" has cut off that therapy.

In his comment on my column, T Bailey argues comparisons to the Holocaust are off-base. I don't think so. Hitler ordered "mercy killing" of the sick and disabled. How is this different from what the Florida courts are doing to Terri?

Withholding of food and water is not like "pulling the plug" on a life-support system such as a ventilator. It is a slow, painful, cruel way to die. If this were done to a murderer, it would be unconstitutional. If this were done to an animal, it would be inhumane. Why is this OK for an innocent, disabled woman?

No, we don't know how much pain Terri is aware of, because she can't tell us. But the fact that she showed clear discomfort when examined with a cotton swab is an indication that she is aware of her own suffering. That evidence alone is enough to end the starvation.

The Florida Legislature is considering legislation to "allow" Governor Bush to intervene, but Richard Thompson, president of the Thomas More Law Center, says Bush already has the right to save Terri's life. Will President Bush or Governor Bush, who are both Christians, follow the Scripture's command in Proverbs 24:11-12?