Of Life and Death: An Open Letter to Congress

Copyright (C) 2005 Robert S. Rosson. All Rights Reserved.

“If I only had a brain. . . .“  from “The Wizard of OZ”

U.S. Senate
U.S. House of Representatives
Capitol Hill
Washington, DC

Dear Senators and Representatives:

I would like to thank you for passing that special “Terri’s” law which attempts to have my feeding tube restored.  That is, I would thank you if I had a functioning cerebral cortex and could understand, reason, feel and communicate. Since I cannot do these things, this is what I wish I were able to say to you:

What you have done is a most egregious and unwarranted invasion of my privacy.  It is the worst kind of political pandering to the social conservatives.  The same people who want to meddle in my private health decisions want to overturn Roe v. Wade, oppose stem cell research, and even want to save the life of Michael Ross, a convicted, serial rapist-murderer.  Many state courts and medical experts have certified that I am in a persistent vegetative state, and that my husband has the right to withdraw nutritional support in accordance with my wishes.

I am particularly upset with Senator Bill Frist, the Senate Majority Leader and a physician, who supported this proposal even though he knows, or ought to know, better.  The Republicans in both houses in voting for this law seem to have forgotten their long-standing support of states’ rights and their dedication to less government interference with the lives of private citizens. I have praise for the House Democrats who opposed the law, and have lost all respect for the Democrat Senators who remained silent on the issue.

If the Congress wants to spend its time more effectively, I would suggest it work on the war in Iraq, genocide in Africa, gun control, and prevention of  child abduction. These issues truly involve the “culture of life”.

I hope the federal courts throw out this unconstitutional law and allow me to pass on in peace.  Sadly I have come to the conclusion that, even in my condition, I have more brains than most of you.

Respectfully yours, 

____X____

 Terri Schiavo  

Published originally in YJHM April 15, 2005