Humane Society?
In Orwellian fashion, proponents of the “right-to-die” movement emphasize their compassion and humanity in relieving the suffering of those who want to die with dignity rather than suffer pain or humiliation in a so-called vegetative state.
This article notes that death by starvation, often decided by doctors and family members and not based on a patient’s wishes, is increasing in the United States. Some have no compunctions against using the chilling oxymoron “mercy killing.” Though Oregon (my former home state) legalized physician-assisted suicide, other states don’t yet have a formal legal policy to allow such acts. Still, “forced exits” are becoming more common. A bill was just introduced into my state’s legislature, AB 654, allowing physician-assisted murder just as in Oregon. I’m sure other states will soon follow, especially if Terri is allowed to die.
Let’s not believe the lie that death by starvation is a peaceful and humane process. I don’t want to give the impression that lethal injections, such as those legitimately given to condemned prisoners, are any better—any murder of an innocent person is horrific. But let’s be aware of what is in store for Terri and any other person deemed inconvenient to society, when they are not allowed food and water. According to Dr. William Burke, a St. Louis neurologist, this is the process:
A conscious person would feel it (dehydration) just as you and I would. They will go into seizures. Their skin cracks, their tongue cracks, their lips crack. They may have nosebleeds because of the drying of the mucous membranes, and heaving and vomiting might ensue because of the drying out of the stomach lining. They feel the pangs of hunger and thirst. Imagine going one day without a glass of water. Death by dehydration takes ten to fourteen days. It is an extremely agonizing death.
The French revolutionaries using Madame Guillotine had more compassion. At least that death was quick and relatively painless. As Pastor Bret has said, our nation seems to have been drinking deeply from the Jacobin well. It’s no surprise that death has become an accepted answer to solving sticky problems. Well, as Condoleezza Rice recently told the French, trying to get them back on the team, “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité!” It’s our new national motto.
Wouldn’t it be great if our prolife president would use his influence to speak out against this travesty? Perhaps we should be emailing him, too.
February 22nd, 2005 at 10:30 pm
Don’t forget the evidence of physical trauma to Terri. “As Terri’s lone guardian, Michael Schiavo has been able to conceal the bone scan and examinations from her parents, brother, and sister for over ten years. To date, Michael Schiavo has not allowed the family to see the results of the May 6 examination, the emergency room records from the day of the incident, nor any of the accompanying x-rays.”
February 23rd, 2005 at 8:44 am
Carmon,
OK, here’s my attempt at linking; ugh. In keeping with what you’re saying, here’s a link showing how Terri feels about getting her mouth swabbed…
February 23rd, 2005 at 8:46 am
(So, I DO know how to link–whuddoyaknow; I think something’s just wrong with my comment box.)
February 23rd, 2005 at 5:21 pm
Terri’s been given a reprieve until Friday. Please keep praying for her and her parents. I can’t imagine the distress they have experienced as they have fought for the life of their own daughter against the evil man who long ago ceased being any kind of husband to her. In a biblical society, there would be protections for Terri with a proper understanding of how covenant works, considering how he broke his marriage covenant and deserves no say in her life.
Also, Covenant News has a special page with updates about Terri’s fight. It is an excellent source of information about cultural issues in the news.