There are so many issues and so many uses of
Weapons of Mass Distraction here that I have been almost encouraged by one single element of this spectacle that has substituted for rational deliberation and that is the quality of discourse here at imminst and the fact that maybe, just maybe a few people are learning.
I first brought this case to everyones' attention over a year ago and warned that we needed to be very cautious of its potential misuse. Those risks obviously still exist.
The judges have now decided to exert their prerogative and demonstrate the division of powers in this country and the executive no doubt intended to utilize this act as justification to limit those powers so the show is far from over.
Congress should be ridiculed for being manipulated in the manner it has but the people may only be excused in that they are only beginning to awake to what is going on. But in their case willful ignorance is really no excuse.
I must say having gone through a lot of this experience myself that I was outraged that government has openly attempted to grandstand, exploit, manipulate, and pander in the crass and blatant fashion that it has but I am sadly not surprised. Surprise would imply that somehow I didn't or shouldn't expect it. I have tragically found out in life that no one has ever been surprised by expecting those in power to behave in the most reprehensible manner possible.
Is it another cause for cynicism about politics?
Perhaps, but I am going to instead be hopeful that the obviously apparent duplicity of an administration that cuts Medicare and then demands treatment will become apparent.
An administration that argues against the development of practical life extending medical technology for the healthy but insists on inane applications of prophylaxis for prolonging the suffering of the *hopelessly* infirmed will become obvious. That the criminal intentions of an administration who would pander to ignorance and fear so as to inhibit the development of Stem Cell technology, which offers an avenue that albeit remotely, could provide a rational possibility of treatment in this case denies such efforts all while insisting on prolonging the suffering of the individual ASSUMING you credit them as actually believing that Terri Shiavo actually DOES still exist inside the prison of her body.
This situation is comic and tragic on a scale that easily brings tears and gasps. I fully expect the media to exploit this next in every way possible from the sensationalism of a miniseries to SNL jokes. Why don't they just nail the poor girl to freaking cross and get it over with?
I seriously hope this debate explodes in theirs faces like a flaming bag of shit. I hope the debate forces the public to face squarely: What is the definition of life?
And what are we talking about the soul, the mind, or the body?
And are they all somehow to be conflated into equivalence?
I seriously hope the public comes out of this carnival sideshow screaming in rage for life extension technology that is scientifically based.
If the mind is gone what is the body?
Is it still some mystical vessel for the soul?
What can government legislate and what exists?
Can the government legislate questions of souls or is its responsibility to be found elsewhere?
I have some issues associated with this case that I have avoided because they belong in the debate on cryonics, BCI, or discussions on the mind/brain but the real issue is what are we talking about when we discuss the
*person*? Does Terri Shiavo even still exist or is this just a biological shell with a remnant of her face still present?
But really this demonstrates that the real question is about when the hell will politicians, priests, and lawyers get the f*ck out of hospital and our pockets, quit micromanaging these problems from the disadvantage point of ignorance and let our families and physicians deal with the real dilemmas and derive their difficult solutions on a case by case basis.
PLEASE!!!!
Oh yeah I forgot these folks have been litigating and legislating this spectacle for years now and the level of disinformation I observe demonstrates just how fast this is descending into the memetics of popular sport rather than science or medical ethics.
There is a level of duplicity on all sides so disgusting that I am truly surprised any of these folks can keep their lunches down. This is rapidly becoming one of the most reprehensible and irresponsible demonstrations of governance that I have seen come from a body that has been searching for new lows for some time now; they really should know better. They actually have credentials with which to claim this level of amateurish discourse?
Oh I almost forgot they truly are representative of the people.
I have heard more objective debate with more mature and informed analysis at the local grammar schools.
I can't tell whether to spit, weep, or laugh hysterically at this scene but the spectacle of it is now becoming epic and many are certain to profit. I just pragmatically hope that we can also benefit in a rational and healthy manner from what is tantamount to a modern display of human sacrifice.
Edited by Lazarus Long, 22 March 2005 - 03:35 PM.