The Terry Schiavo Case

An appeals court has cleared the way - yet again - to allow the woman's husband to disconnect her feeding tube.

Will this be the end of the case? Probably not. I can picture Jeb Bush doing a photo op laying his body over her to protect her. I don't think he cares about her, but he's protecting his status with his base because he wants to be president too (and God, don't we need three Bushes in the White House - groan).

This case never should have dragged on so long. She's been in a persistent vegetative state for more than a decade. Life as she knew it has been over that long.

But the worst part of this is that no one should have to die by disconnecting a feeding tube. Euthanasia is a tough issue but one we cannot afford to ignore. I'd be very concerned about "the state" getting involved in deciding who should live and die but I think families should be allowed a much more compassionate way of helping their loved ones pass than watching them waste away from feeding tube removal.

The Bush government has gone nuts in states like Oregon that allow assisted suicide. But how much more humane it would be if someone could give this woman an injection that would let her slip peacefully away.

As a one time Hospice volunteer, I've watched many people die. Rarely is it pretty or kind as it is in the movies.