March 27, 2005

TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK-TICK-TOCK

As this is written, helpless Mrs. Terri Schiavo awaits the Angel of Death creeping toward her slowly– oh, so slowly – as ordered by her husband and learned judges.

She suffered a severe infection 17 years ago that destroyed most of her brain. Competent doctors say she is in a “persistent vegetative state” unable to hear, see, speak or (supposedly) respond to her family’s kisses.

After seven years of this sad condition, her husband stated that his wife once told him that she did not wish Herculean efforts to keep her alive should she ever become unknowing.

He wanted doctors to remove the feeding tube dripping nourishment and water into her biological system.

Terri’s mother, father and two brothers have fought for the last decade to continue the life-support systems. They hope a miracle will occur someday. Who can deny it with certainty?

State and national laws stipulate that a spouse has priority over parents in such matters. “Til death do you part.”

This is – one supposes – a legal matter long settled. Nonetheless, as Mr. Bumble says in Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers, “If the law supposes that, the law is an ass, an idiot.”

Divorces are a cheap, legal device employed to nullify marriage vows. Yet, nothing trumps the love of mothers and fathers for their children – young, old or in between.

Mr. Schiavo sundered his marriage vows with Terri when he assumed a new wife “by common law” and fathered two children by her. Isn’t this unlawful adultery?

His motives for starving and dehydrating his first wife to death at this late date are hard to understand. Yet, the law, courts and a few persnickety politicians hold for him.

The public appears to be divided on the issue. Perhaps because it smacks of abortion and human cell research.

Or, the sentiments of Colorado Governor Richard Lamm when he blurted in 1984: “You don’t deserve a heart transplant if you are over 75 unless you can pay for it yourself.”

And his kicker: “Old people have a duty to die and get out of the way!”

Spoken by a true believer in government, law, courts and economics 101.

Today: victims of persistent vegetative state.

Tomorrow: old people, mentally handicapped children, incurable cancer, manic depression, unapproved ancestry and baldness.

We “put down” animal pets with severe health problems because it’s humane. It’s an easy step to assisted suicide for people with hopeless medical conditions -- and to euthanasia -- a la Netherlands – for unrequested legal murder of the unfit.

You want legalities? Let us start with the Declaration of Independence. “All men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.”

Furthermore, the U.S. Constitution was drafted “to secure these rights”

Florida Gov. Jeb Bush and the legislature, in October 2003, sought to protect Terri’s right to life with a law to prevent withdrawal of her life-support devices. Before the ink was dry on the measure, the Florida Supreme Court declared “Terri’s Law” unconstitutional.

Congress -- in an unprecedented Sunday night session last week and a 1a.m. signing by President Bush -- passed a law granting him custody of Terri. He ordered reinsertion of her life support systems. The courts promptly declared this attempt unconstitutional

Governor Bush tried again last week to gain custody. Again, the Federal Appeals Court denied, and the Supreme Court refused to intervene. States’ rights, etc.

OK. Let’s hear it for states’ rights. How about the Florida Constitution that states: “All political power is inherent in the people”

This is a resonant echo of James Madison as he drafted the Federal Constitution: “A dependence on the people is, no doubt, the primary control on government.” Terri’s right to life supersedes after-the-fact laws.

A case can be made by doctors that Terri is unknowing and unfeeling. If this is so, then common decency demands that she be murdered quickly. Denying her water while she shrivels away, is cruel and inhuman punishment.

We shoot horses, don’t we?

Terri’s family can only die a thousand deaths while they count the ticks of her life clock winding down.

Tick-tock-tick-tock-tick-tock ……………

Lindsey Williams is a Sun columnist who can be contacted at linwms@lindseywilliams.org