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03/21/2005: "Give them an inch"

Decisions should always be weighed carefully and when making them a wise person not only looks at the direct and immediate benefits and risks but looks also to the long term consequences.

The right to life case of Terri Schiavo highlights the foolishness of our society to have allowed judicial fecklessness to continue to the point of killing us. Literally.

Roe vs. Wade made murdering our unborn and unwanted children legal by judicial fiat. What started out allowable prior to the sixth month of pregnancy was sure to grow to partial birth abortion done at full term over time. Why wouldn't it. What would stop it? And why stop there? Why can't a woman just kill her children up until their eighteenth birthdays?

With the advancements of medical technology, it became apparent that by using extraordinary means we could prolong death to the point of ridiculous at great emotional and financial expense. Advance Directives became fashionable to allow one to die with dignity should they become terminally ill and unable to participate in health care decisions. The criterion was "extraordinary means" such as artificial ventilation using a respirator. Somewhere along the line this was extended to mean mere food and water. Why wouldn't it? What would stop it? And why stop there?

The criterion was terminally ill and somewhere along the line it metastasized into a quality of life issue. Why wouldn't it? What would stop it? And why stop there?

I was thrilled to see Congress step in on this case and afford Terri Schiavo a review of this case through the federal courts although I usually abhor federal government intrusions into family or state matters. This time it was warranted. The federal government's job is to protect its citizens and sometimes the enemy is within.

The truth is that no one knows what Terri's chances for any type of rehabilitation are at this point. Scans done a decade ago of her brain are worthless to know what is going on today. Medical advances have been denied to her and I hope that she will be given the chance to be thoroughly evaluated before another court tries to kill her.

If this case doesn't bring to light the importance of who we allow to sit on the benches of this country, I don't know what will.