I believe in a persons right to choose how they live and die, but in this case we have no clear proof that Terri made this choice. I researched this topic very thoroughly for the past 6 years. There is enough doubt in all I have read on both sides of this issue to say we must err on the side of life. The other thing that scares me is that there are approximately 33,000 people in the same exact situation as Terri (according to CNN). Will they also decide to end these people's lives as well? Where exactly do we draw the line on who lives and who dies? What exactly is the definition of quality of life?

Also I am living proof of the fact that sometimes we do come back from the brink of death. I as an infant came down with a rare disease known as whooping cough. Three regular physicians, two specialists and two hospitals all gave up on me. At 2 and 1/2 months old I had lost over 1/3 of my body weight. I also had stopped feeding for two weeks living on intraveneous fluids. I was so weak I could no longer cry. I would open my mouth to cry and nothing came out. The doctors told my parents there was no hope and they should start arrangements for a funeral. They could not diagnose me at the time as cases of whooping cough were so rare by then. My parents refused to let me die or give up faith and hope. They invited Elders of the Mormom church they belonged to to pray over me and annoint my head with oils. Amazingly the next morning a resident in training came up with the diagnosis. I am so thankful that my parents would not let me die. I was born a fighter apparently and shall always remain a fighter.

The polling on this has been extensive, conducted by reputable outlets (Gallup, ABC, Time Magazine), and rather unidirectional in its result.

Presidents and governors get more blame than faceless legislators. That's the nature of the beast.

That these were "her wishes" has been adjudicated as a matter of fact by the courts and withstood several years and 20-odd appelate reviews. I'll therefore stick with it unless compelling evidence emerges to the contrary.

The anger at Bush is displaced, certainly, but it's a bit of a stretch to say that "a small minority" think Schiavo should be kept alive.

Given the questionable polling that's been done on the issue, I'd be hard-pressed to say that anyone's gotten a read on what most Americans think about it.

Still, it serves the Bushes right for intervening in an affair outside the scope of their executive offices.

Last I checked, There were at least 300 other people who "intervened" outside their legislative offices before Bush signed the bill. And Jeb Bush has refused to go beyond asking the state welfare agency to seek custody. All within the scope of their executive offices, I'd think.

And finally, stop with this "her wishes" line. There is no evidence save hearsay as to what her wishes were.