Terry Schiavo. What a Mess for that Poor Girl.

This Terry Schiavo story is such a sad mess. Up front I must admit that I am not especially well-versed in the important medical details of the case, but like millions of others that wont keep me from commenting and posting thoughts. However worthless and uninformed they may be.

The thing that often seems forgotten in the media and political circus, is that crippled human being is lying in her hospice bed, either already like-dead or it's functional equivalent, or alive but trapped in a broken body that won't allow her to let others know.

Obviously her family (parents) love her dearly and hold out hope for any possibility of recovery (however imperfect) or miracle. Her "estranged" husband is fighting desperately to have her starve to death.

It really is a tug-of-war about life or death.

I'm not implying that her husband is wicked. Or, that he has alterior motives. Or, that Terry's wishes weren't conveyed to him in the fashion that he's described. His story may be true.

I doubt it, but of course, I don't know. Only he and Terry know.

What should happen with her medical care? Again, I don't know. If she truly wanted to die if she wound up in this sort of situation, then perhaps it's alright. If she didn't want that, but if she is already "gone" and is never going to reappear in some sensient form, then perhaps it's alright. Even if her parents (understandably) can't let her go.

But, if she is already there, and if she wanted others to try everything they could to keep her alive until she might be blessed by a miracle, then it's horribly wrong.

There really is not "right" answer here, since we don't know all and can't see the future.

My gut would prefer that she live, if her loved one's could and would continue to care for her--if there is ANY possible chance. Because I think there might be, I'd hope for that outcome.

But, this story is more than this story.

Because once the political folks smell/sense opportunity, they plunge like pelican's over the bay.

This is the part of the story that's so unseemly to me.

If the Court in Florida did a poor job making it's decision, then a tragedy has occurred. But, when the finger-in-the-wind crowd gets involved for their own motives, it can't be good for the rest of us.

Prepare for the next case. If the result we fear has happened, prevent it from happening again. Write "Terry's Law" so that the next "Terry" can't be starved if she can and will be cared for and if some legitimate medical experts think there's a chance of some recovery. But for now, "Terry's Law" is just a dream.

So, to the pols, let the poor girl be. If the court system has rendered it's final verdict and all appeals have been taken and lost, then we must accept fate and have faith that Terry will be helped to a better place. Even if that's not the "right" end, the future will be far worse, complicated and probably more painful for many others if this is taken up by other branches of government.