Although I voted for President Bush this past fall, I strongly disagree with Ashley Herzog's assertions in yesterday's column,GOP proves itself in Schiavo battle. In this case, Michael Schiavo was at odds with his in-laws, the Schindlers, as to whether the vegetative Terri Schiavo should stay on life support.
I have my own opinions on what is the most practical option, but it really doesn't matter. Neither do the opinions of protesters and pro-life activists matter. The issue at hand is solely a decision to be made within the family, and no politician should have a say. Granted, the Florida state court has become involved to help resolve the case legally, but the president should not be picking sides.
The media has brought to the public's attention a matter that only concerns a limited group of people. One could argue that we're all affected because this issue concerns life support versus euthanasia. But quite frankly, it doesn't. To keep a person on life support or to let a permanently brain-damaged individual pass away is an excruciatingly personal decision.
In stating her position, Herzog mentioned her religious beliefs. I am a Christian who usually sides conservatively on moral issues. However, this is not a moral issue. Taking a woman off life support is not killing her, but merely letting life's natural processes take over. This is not a crime against humanity
as she put it.
It is essential that we place ourselves in the positions of the husband and parents. I have a cousin who, like Terri, was in a vegetative state. While I can understand that the family wasn't quite ready to let go, I also acknowledge that there is no life beyond that hospital bed for my cousin. It feels wrong to let a loved one die. It's not immoral to artificially sustain her life, but eventually there comes a time when reality must be grasped.
This country and its leaders have turned one of life's toughest obstacles into a national concern. The only reason we've even heard of Terri Schiavo is because of the dispute between her loves ones. Had her parents concurred with Michael, angry words wouldn't be flying out people's mouths and commentaries such as my own wouldn't even be written.
The Schiavo battle is not a political issue of those for and those against Michael Schiavo's stance. What everything comes down to is one woman's life, and none of us should have a say in what is done with it. The government and the public should have let Schiavo and the Schindlers fight their own battle.
-Maria Gallucci, a freshman journalism major, writes for The Post's campus staff. Send her an e-mail at maria.gallucci@ohiou.edu. 17
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