Alt Media counters Old Media myths
If the only information you've received on Terri Schiavo's situation so far is from the Old Media (centralized print and TV sources), you may be surprised to learn that that information may contain serious inaccuracies or sometimes even outright distortions. The following exerpt from an e-mail I received the other day compares Old Media myths with more accurate information from Alt(ernative) Media sources (terrisfight.org and other sources seriously covering this story).


MYTH: Terri has been in a persistent vegetative state, a coma, or is
terminally ill, for 13 years.
FACT: NO. Terri is disabled and has brain damage, but is not in PVS, coma,
or terminally ill.

MYTH: This is just a "religious" issue.
FACT: NO. While Terri's religious rights have definitely been criminally
denied, it is fundamentally a disability issue in which her civil rights as
a disabled citizen have also been denied.

MYTH: Food and hydration are "extraordinary means", and thus a patient has
the right to refuse.
FACT: NO. Even, and especially, in secular terms, while the use of
ventilators, drastic surgery, experimental "therapies", etc., are
extraordinary means and may be refused, food and hydration have always been
defined in medicine as ordinary means, or "palliative care" (as is the use
of antibiotics, needed X-rays, minor surgery, etc.). For Catholics, it is
morally permissible to refuse extraordinary means, but not morally
permissible to refuse ordinary means, or palliative care (including food and
hydration).

MYTH: Removal of food and hydration is "death with dignity" and painless.
FACT: NO. Removal of food and hydration is "death with gross indignity"
and monstrously painful and ugly even with morphine or other drugs.

MYTH: The issue is the "right to die".
FACT: NO. The issue is the "right to live".

MYTH: A husband always makes surrogate medical decisions for his disabled
incompetent wife that are based solely on her best interests.
FACT: NO. It is well known and documented that many family members of
disabled patients are tired of their difficult situation and want to get rid
of the problem (i.e., the disabled patient).

MURKY:
-- Terri left no written directives, and a 10-years tardy "witness" who
claims she said something to the effect.
-- There are legal submissions to the court, including by nurses who cared
for Terri, concerning her husband's abuse of Terri.
-- There are conflicting medical and legal testimonies by "experts".
-- There are conflicts of interests with the husband's lawyer and the judge
because of direct as well as indirect ties to the Florida euthanasia
lobbyists and hospices.
-- There is a great moral distinction between direct and intentional
killing, and allowing someone to die, letting the disease or condition take
its course. While that is taking place, all basic and fundamental
palliative medical care should be given to the patient to make his/her death
as dignified as possible -- including food and hydration.