#37 It isn’t Friendster, it’s Usenet

On a Usenet Forum, I questioned the motives of the husband of Terri Schiavo for wanting his wife’s feeding and hydration stopped. In two personal attacks, PJ said I was judgmental and Ing said, “I'm betting you have a VERY small circle of friends and/or acquaintances.”

Personal attacks are very common on Usenet. But this particular forum is certainly not the worst I've seen. So here is my response.

The question why didn’t he just get a divorce and let someone else take over her care, is reasonable to ask. He has a lover and a child by her. He needs to move on. Suggesting we follow the money, is reasonable, based on the husband‘s behavior since winning his $750,000 law suit. Making playground bully taunts isn’t.

Ing, you and PJ may interpret the husband’s actions as benign and loving, using all your powers of discernment, investigation and problem solving, but I don’t. You can look at the video and see a comatose woman, but I don’t see that. I’ve had some experience over a period of years with a friend in that situation, and you’ve had to euthanize a dying dog. Only in PETA does that equate.

I see a brain injured woman who will never be restored to her 1990 self, but who isn’t without value. I don’t measure people’s value by income producing ability, or what they might add to my next dinner party, or how strong they are.

Let’s look at some of the articles, knowing we can never know the whole story.

‘Smith said, however, that "as soon as the money was in the bank, Michael [who had promised the jury in the malpractice suit that he would take care of her the rest of her natural life] put a 'do not resuscitate' order on the chart, realizing back in the early 1990s he would inherit $750,000 if Terri died, and began to refuse medical treatment such as antibiotics for infections and so forth. In 1998, when Terri didn't die he filed a request with Judge Greer to be allowed to remove her feeding tube, and that’s how this whole business started." ‘Phil Brennan, NewsMax.com

“But I do know that if I were her parent, or even someone who knew her before she plunged into darkness, I would sit there every day to fight tooth and nail against what must be astronomical odds.” Steve Otto, Tampa Tribune

“The Church has taught consistently that every human life has a value and dignity that cannot be measured by standards of productivity, competence and even physical health.” Bishop of Arlington (VA)

“Terry Wallis, 39, of Big Flat went into a coma after a car accident in 1984 and uttered his first words June 11, when his mother visited him at the Stone County Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Mountain View. His family said that before that day, Wallis showed only occasional signs of recognition by blinking his eyes or grunting.” Baxter Bulletin (AK)