Why should I be made to feel like a turncoat freeper just because I don't

[tinfoilinfor2005]

agree with the DU majority about Terry Schiavo? I happen to think that a court shouldn't consider a hearsay living will. If a person has such strong feelings about this, then they most certainly will go to the trouble of putting it in writing. I have watched both the parents and the hubby on tv, and my gut feeling was distrust when I listened to hubby. That is my opinion and I am entitled to it, but that does not make me a creepy freeper!

edited for grammer, duh...

[Cooley Hurd]

1. You're not a "freeper" for siding with the parents...

...however, be prepared to be challenged on your views (especially when espousing opinions based on "gut feelings")...

[Jon8503]

2. You are or may be correct. However, what business does the

government have in getting into the personal decisions of families? That is the question and why I think that over 80% of this country are against the involvement of congress into this mess.

You are certainly entitled to your decisions, ideas and thoughts and should not be criticized for them. They are debatable however.

Also, this is a husband, you nor I have any reason to doubt him anymore than the parents. It is my understanding that when the father gives away the bride in marriage, they butt out. She made her wishes to her husband and he is trying to carry them out in peace. This is another reason there is a run on people getting living wills to hopefully avoid this sort of thing.

Let her die in peace.

[Redstone]

3. Not so sound argumentative or anything, but

may I respectfully request that we all consider trying to maintain the "Schiavo-free" status of the Lounge?

It's just that this subject is utterly inescapable everywhere else, and the Lounge is a welcome respite.

Just a suggestion.

Redstone

[tinfoilinfor2005]

5. yeah and it was not my intention to rehash this

as this is being done in all the other rooms as you correctly point out. I just wondered why any contrasting opinions were considered anti-liberal, since I really don't find this to be a political issue.

[Rabrrrrrr]

7. Everything is a political issue

And all things have political ramifications; thus, all things can be looked at on the liberal/conservative/libertarian/freeper scale.

Especially now that congress has thrown its feces into the ring, this has become a political issue.

However, I assume you mean this isn't a political issue in the sense that it should NOT have become a PUBLIC political issue; if that's so, I agree with you 100%. There was no reason for any poitician to get involved in this at all.

This is why we have courts - to interpret the laws that the House puts forth.

But now that the rabbit has been drawn from the hat, or the plug pulled from the bathtub, or the genie let out of the bottle, or whatever metaphor I'm looking for, the results of what happens with Terry will have momentous political aftershock.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

12. Or now that the shit has hit the fan

it is dripping all over on all of us.
No, I don't think it should ever have become a public political issue, but that said, I don't understand why DUers can't have conflicting opinions about it without being made to feel like we're in bed with the bush boys (oh, rip that image from my brain, pleeeze!)

[Rabrrrrrr]

19. I don't think you should be called a freeper, either

I don't think this falls clearly on liberal/freeper lines.

I think you're wrong, and you've certainly joined the freeper/fundy Christian/Catholic/republican side on this one (just in terms of numbers), but that doesn't make you any of those any more than it makes me one for liking Dirty Harry movies or finding meaning in latin liturgy. :-)

[On the Road]

4. I Think There is Something to be Said

for treating the case as if TS left no record of her wishes. I don't know what decision that would result in.

[tjdee]

6. It would result in her husband's wishes being followed.

Since he is her next of kin.

I think 'pro-feeding tubers' are entitled to their opinion, it's just wrong. :silly:

This is the lounge, LOL.

[On the Road]

8. So the "Living Will" Issue is a Red Herring

in other words.

[tjdee]

10. I believe so, yes.

She doesn't have a written down living will--so it's like she has none, even if she told her husband what she wished.

That's why this case has been decided over 20 times (or something like that) in his favor, IMO.

And, btw, that doesn't make a judgment on the rightness or wrongness of reinserting the tube--just means that legally her husband is her decision maker.

[Misunderestimator]

9. I think there should be a rule against saying others make you feel like

a freeper. Good for us that your gut feeling doesn't mean squat.

[jonnyblitz]

11. gut feelings? how credible.

i don't know if your opinion makes you a freeper but I would hope to think most liberals come to their point of view based on their review of the facts in the situation and not on emotion or gut feeling. that is scary.

[tinfoilinfor2005]

16. Since it pretty much boils down to a he said, she said thing

or rather, he said, they said, I think a gut feeling is wholly appropriate. Hubby claims wife wanted plug pulled, family claims hubby is making it up. There is no real proof, so it is a matter of who you believe. The law gives the husband the upper hand because he is first of kin, but that just makes it legal, but not necessarily based on truth. But then again OJ was acquitted because a jury reviewed the facts in the situation.

[jonnyblitz]

17. so you think all the court decisions that came to a different

conclusion than you, came to that decision based on gut feelings? all these court rulings in favor of the husband don't weigh in on your gut feeling or opinion?

[Demit]

13. If anyone is calling you a freeper, you can alert the mods on them

If somebody is merely making you feel like one, that's on you. Then your recourse is to respond with a rigorously argued defense of your position. As the saying goes, "you are entitled to your own opinion, but not your own facts".

[leftofthedial]

14. In the absence of a clear legal document,

the legal guardian(s) and the courts decide

This has been decided

If you disagree with me, you are a turncoat freeper. Just kidding.

I wish they'd pull the plug on this whole issue. I've never heard more disinformation, outright lying and hysterical overreaction.

Personally, I don't think anyone in her state should be kept alive.

[Orangepeel]

15. if people disagree with you, they are going to disagree with you

sometimes strongly, sometime harshly

:shrug:

nobody should call you a freeper. That's against DU rules. If they do, hit the alert link.

You are absolutely entitled to your opinion, but everybody else is also entitled to tell you they think that opinion is creepy.

[hlthe2b]

18. I respect your opinion. I wonder if you read the extensive GAL report

from the independently assigned Guardian ad litum. It was a very respectful and thorough report of all aspects of this very long case from all perspectives. A particular benefit to me is that it objectively looked at the long litany of court cases, giving a glimpse of why the judge took the "hearsay" evidence from husband (and at least two other family members) so seriously. Take a look at it. It may not convince you, but it may well reassure you a bit.

And, on edit, I am sorry that some have relegated your thoughtful opinion to "freeper" comparisons.