my thoughts on the plight of Terri Schiavo

I am so gosh-darn sick and tired of hearing about Terri Schiavo.

Thank goodness the poor woman finally died today, the way she wished. I hope. I am disappointed that her husband, Michael Schiavo, did not allow Terri's parents to witness her passing. But then again, I know what it's like to be at war against one's in-laws. Hopefully, we do not know all of the circumstances. In such a difficult struggle that has been systematically exploited by the media, our scarily Evangelical-becoming government, and the overzealous pro-lifers looking for a "cause", it is my sincere hope that some family privacy has been maintained through unquestionably very delicate moments.

This whole ordeal sickens me. In the last week or so, I have had colorful discussions related to the Terri Schiavo situation with friends and family members. My personal opinion is that of Michael Schiavo's, and maybe for more personal reasons than I like to admit. Yes, the man has a girlfriend and children by the girlfriend, but legally he was still responsible for his wife. I do not know why he chose not to divorce Terri, or get an annulment, or separation, or whatever, aside from the obvious inability of Terri to sign any paperwork. Perhaps he is a raging egomaniac obsessed with power struggle. Or perhaps he really was a caring, loyal husband devoted to seeking the fulfillment of his former wife's wishes. I don't really care to pick apart Michael Schiavo's motives or intentions.

What really steams me is the pro-lifer argument: it is amoral, sinful, against God, etc. to remove the feeding tube and let Terri die. Couldn't it be argued that all of this...the heart attack leading to Terri Schiavo's brain damage and persistent vegetative state, the long legal fights, the money, the pain, the removal of the feeding tube and its reinsertion a few years ago, the final removal of the tube days ago, and finally her death this morning...couldn't it be argued that all of that was "God's Will"? If the heart attack and subsequent brain damage were indeed God's Will in the first place, then who are we to interfere with that? Who are we to keep poor Terri Schiavo from going home to God?

Her parents, I think, were not "good Christians" with respect to this argument. They were scared and selfish. They clung to a pretty lifeless daughter for 14 years because they were too weak to accept the Will of God. Instead, the created a 14 year legal distraction for themselves so they wouldn't have to deal with reality.

Addendum:
Read a column from the Editor of Newsweek here - confusing law with theology.

is Easter over yet?

Haven't been around much, I know. I'll be gone till at least Monday...I'm swamped with services and rehearsals. See you next week.

NCAA tonight

Let's go, Orange!

the arguement for and against babies

Most of my friends are married, in long-term relationships with no desire for marriage, or engaged to be married. Most of my friends also don't want children. Susan, a few weeks ago, asked me if I wanted to have kids. Out of nowhere. I almost gagged on my beer. This past Friday, in my somewhat drunken haze, I vaguely recall asking Ben if he and Susan would still be friends with me if I had kids eventually.

Currently, I am undecided on the issue, but it's also a dialogue I've been having with myself a lot lately...

In the eyes of our society and culture: Isn't it the most natural thing in the world for women to have babies? Isn't that what is expected of them? Are women somehow less feminine if they elect not to give birth? Is there something wrong with a woman if she doesn't want to have children?

These are just a few of the questions volleying around in my brain.

i still have the breath i thought i would lose

you know the shape my breath will take before i let it out

i am awake, my body
awake
i awake, my body
awake my body

comes from you

make me forget
make me remember

Another proposal...

...and she said "yes".
Congratulations and best wishes to my oldest friend and his fiancee, who were engaged over the weekend!

English Genius You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 93% Advanced, and 88% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender: You scored higher than 61% on Beginner You scored higher than 70% on Intermediate You scored higher than 47% on Advanced You scored higher than 96% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on Ok Cupid