I agree with this editorial. It doesn’t happen very often that I agree with the New York Times editors, but this is one of them. I find it highly ironic, though, that the champions of the left are pining for state’s rights in this case, while they seek to trample it with their libertine social agenda in almost every other.
My post yesterday was not intended to endorse the actions of Congress. While I had hoped for a different outcome in Terri’s case — unlike my dear boy Nagi, I do not believe that Michael Schiavo has comported himself honorably — I do not believe that Congress should have intervened.
I think that is pretty much where I stand on the whole thing, too. I think it is extremely fishy how much Michael Schiavo is doing to make sure that Terri dies, especially given the other circumstances of his life. He seems to have something to hide, or to prove. All that said, I don’t think special late-night laws are the answer, either. I certainly wouldn’t want such laws being enacted if the sides were switched.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002213728_memo20.html
Just, you know, for a slightly different angle on the congress involvement.
Also, I’m sticking by my “Michael is a decent human being” guns. I realize that there’s some things that look bad if you come at them from a “he’s got hidden motives” angle, but those same things don’t disturb me if I come at them from a “he’s a decent guy who’s following her wishes” angle.
If you have very specific things you want to use to change my mind, please, feel free. Deep down inside, I usually err on the side of life, but in this case… I just can’t so far.
I can understand him wanting to follow her wishes, and against her parents’ wishes, even. It makes sense that you’d talk about that more with your spouse than your parents, and that her parents might be more stubborn about wanting to keep her alive.
The part that makes it seem suspicious is that he has repeatedly denied her parents access to medical records and refused rehabilitation treatment. Oh, and the immediate cremation, no autopsy stuff.
As far as dragging the whole thing out so long, I don’t know what to think. She and her parents are Catholic, so I assume they believe she’ll go to heaven when she dies. That sure would be better than being in constant suffering. On the other hand, if starting rehab could allow her to regain consiousness, etc, I’d have a hard time not trying for that.
The part that really makes me squirm, and question his integrity, is his live-in girlfriend. After they broke up, she alleged that he admitted to her he was lying about Terri’s wishes. However, she was (also allegedly) intimidated by Michael so she never testified to that effect in court.
Bottom line is, the guy is a sleazeball. If he really loved his wife, he would wait until she was dead to hook up with another woman. Guys who cheat on their wives, no matter the situation, get no sympathy from me.
I don’t buy your bottom line at all, and here’s why:
1) I don’t like that Michael’s motives are suspect, but the ex-girlfriends aren’t. Here’s a guy whose been offered millions of dollars to do exactly what you want him to do, what would be “right” in your eyes, and he’s not doing it. The reason? I think it’s because he’s following through on Terri’s wishes. What the ex-girlfriend says, well, I don’t know the conditions of their split well enough to make a judgement, and I don’t know that they’d make a ton of difference.
2) Yep, he’s cheating on his wife, no doubt about that. His wife who has been practically brain-dead for 12 years, who wished to be allowed to pass on if left in this state. I realize that this isn’t going to fly with you, but to me, if I’m brain dead, and my spouse has tried to execute my wishes and let me die, and has been blocked in such attempts by my family, said spouse can consider me dead and move on.
Frankly, I think Michael is showing a lot of fortitude in this case. I like to think I wouldn’t be taking the easy way out either.
That’s the part I don’t understand. He won’t allow a divorce from her, but he has obviously moved on. I don’t know whether to think he is showing fortitude by trying to follow her wishes (if that’s what they are) by not allowing her family to keep her alive, or if there is something else going on. Like dave said on nagi’s blog, I’m too far removed to know.
If he divorces her, he loses all rights, and legally speaking, her parents are the next in line.
So, he’s “moved on” in the sense that to him as a husband, he’s dead.
But he’s following through in the sense that he knows if he does divorce her, he loses his ability to see that her wishes are respected.
Assuming that he’s telling he truth (and I realize for some people that’s a big big assumption, but stick with me), I think he’s being MORE faithful to her than if he divorced her today.
I agree that if he is sticking with her to make sure her wishes are followed, he IS super-faithful. If that’s true then I think he deserves a lot more respect than a lot of people are giving.
What seems weird to me is for him to be that loyal on the one hand, but to have a new “wife” and family on the other hand. I can kind of see it, but mostly it seems fishy.
I know ultimately it’s completely up to God to judge his motives. If he did abuse her or if there’s something else criminal that happened, I think he should be prosecuted. I haven’t really seen anything there besides veiled accusations; nothing legally charged or anything.
He has a new wife and family because it’s been 12 years. 12 years ago I was in, what, 6th grade? So about the time I thought MC Hammer was cool, that’s how long ago we’re talking about.
On the other hand… well, shameless plug for my blog, I’m posting right now!
I just don’t buy that he loves her so much and wants to honor her wishes, while at the same time he carries on an adulterous affair. It’s not like he waited 12 years before he cheated on his wife; this slimeball barely waited a year, if that (depending again, on whom you want to believe).
You want to believe that Michael really wants to do the right thing for Terri; I’m convinced that Michael has always been focused on what is best for Michael. That seems to be the crux of our disagreement.
Oh, and as for why he wouldn’t want to leave Terri — she’s worth quite a bit, or was. Why take millions and look like the bad guy when you can stick it to your PVS wife and her parents and still be a millionaire, and make some people believe that you’re a good guy?
I’ve already stated that I don’t consider his “affair” adulterous. I’ve stated why.
If Michael was focused on what’s best for Michael, wouldn’t he have taken the 10 million dollars?
By the most liberal estimates, Terri has gotten 2.25 million from the legal system. Based on what I know about the medical system, I’m willing to believe that in 12+ years, that’s depleted.
Furthermore, even if I buy your entire argument, I’m faced with two stern facts:
1) He could have made a lot more money divorcing her and letting the parents decide, than sticking it out to the end.
2) Even if he’s a bad guy, 19 judges have determined that removing the feeding tube is legal. I’m having a tough time believing that 19 judges were duped by Michael Schiavo, Master of Deceit.
Furthermore, I’d like some kind of opinion from those of you on the “screw the law” side on the involvement of the Congress? Or are steps toward dictatorship ok, as long as they favor your side… for now?
See, I can use inflammatory language too.
While I’m not ready to defend Congress’ specific moves, I would offer that it begins to simply raise the issue of Federalism vs rights of States. Do we really allow a state like FL to have a hearsay law (i.e. it’s the husband’s word) without a formal living will? Or does the US need a formal living will requirement?
Well, that’s an interesting issue, that may be appropriate for the congress to address. I err on the side of the state. More on that in a minute, first, let’s recognize that, given this opportunity of all opportunities, they chose not to address it.
Anyway, personally, I like a hearsay law, perhaps not as it is in FL, but in some form. I don’t have a living will, but many, many people know MY wishes for after my brain is dead.