Options almost gone

The Florida legislature also passed one special bill ("Terri's Law"), which was declared unconstitutional, and they failed to pass another special bill (21-18). The U.S. Congress passed special legislation and President Bush signed it, but the District Court ruled 2-1 against Terri's Parents, and the 11th Court of Appeals decided 10-2 against them. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case.

A poll said An overwhelming 82 percent of the public believes the Congress and President should stay out of the matter. There is widespread cynicism about Congress' motives for getting involved: 74 percent say Congress intervened to advance a political agenda, not because they cared what happened to Terri Schiavo. Public approval of Congress has suffered as a result; at 34 percent, it is the lowest it has been since 1997, dropping from 41 percent last month. Now at 43 percent, President Bush’s approval rating is also lower than it was a month ago. Most Americans side with Terri Schaivo's husband in saying that the feeding tube should not be re-inserted now. Both Catholics and Protestants think the tube should not be re-inserted now. Liberals and moderates both believe the tube should not be re-inserted; conservatives are more closely divided. Most Democrats and Republicans agree the tube should remain out at this point. A strong majority of Americans in every age group says the tube should not be re-inserted now.

Gov. Jeb Bush, based on an affidavit by Dr William P. Cheshire Jr. (a Christian bioethicist) claiming the PVS diagnosis might not be right, even sought court permission to take custody of Schiavo, but the circuit judge ruled against him.

Peggy Noonan said I do not understand the emotionalism of the pull-the-tube people. What is driving their engagement? Is it because they are compassionate, and their hearts bleed at the thought that Mrs. Schiavo suffers? But throughout this case no one has testified that she is in persistent pain, as those with terminal cancer are.

• It is very unlikelly, but she might be completely aware of what is going on around her. But if so she has been in that condition for 15 years, and has been unable to communicate with people. If you were in such a condition, you might not be experiencing physical pain, but surely you would experience mental anguish at being in that circumstances
• As I understand it, her cerebellum is gone, and has been replaced by spinal fluid. I don't know what other parts of the brain have also been affected, but brain tissue does not regenerate, so I don't see how she could ever be expected to get better.

The thing about this situation that I find the hardest to understand is that the people (besides the family) that is fighting the hardest to keep Terri alive are religious people, who should know that there is a better place waiting for us when we leave this life. Why are they fighting so hard to keep her from going Home to be with Jesus?