Right to Die

No, I'm not being callous. And yes, I do value life. But, I value life when there is a quality there, not a vegetative state. In the case of Terry Schiavo, a severly brain-damaged woman, who has been in a vegetative state for over 15 years, republicans are trampling on states rights (in this case, Florida), and going on a "moral" crusade to save this woman's life.

My opinion: let her go. What quality of life does she have? Her husband has decided that it's time for her to be at peace, to let the suffering end. There is zero quality of life there...From the testimony given by her husband and her friends, she did not wish to live in a persistent state such as this. Why don't we respect her wishes, respect her husband, make her comfortable, and let her go in peace.
This is a really tough decision. But it's a decision for the family, not Congress. They have made it clear that the bill signed today was for Terry Schiavo only, not broad policy. [CAP]

Here are the GOP talking points, rumored to come directly from Rick "man on dog" Santorum. [GOP]
Do you right-to-lifers know what your precious Bush did while Governor of Texas?? Yes, he chose to end life. Then LIED about it:
"In a statement released early this morning, President Bush said he will "continue to stand on the side of those defending life for all Americans." But the facts make it hard to believe that Bush is standing on principle. In 1999, then Gov. Bush signed a law that "allows hospitals [to] discontinue life sustaining care, even if patient family members disagree." Just days ago the law permitted Texas Children's Hospital to remove the breathing tube from a 6-month-old boy named Sun Hudson. The law may soon be used to remove life support from Spiro Nikolouzos, a 68-year-old man. Bush has not commented on either case." [Think Progress]

Everyone: get a living-will. [Tribune] [Wills]