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That was a bad link.-- here it is--

Commentary: Terri Schiavo shouldn't be allowed to starve to death
By Brad Leake
First-year political science student
Published: Tuesday, March 1, 2005
Article Tools: Page 1 of 2

There is a disabled woman in Florida who is going to be starved to death beginning March 18, by her husband, under authorization from a judge.

Michael Schiavo is going to pull Terri Schiavo's feeding tube and begin a 10- to 25-day long starvation process that will involve excruciating pain for her. Why? Because he says Terri would want it that way. Right.

She is not brain dead or on a respirator. She laughs, cries and tries to talk. She has brain damage and can't lift a spoon to her mouth.

In 1990, Terri's heart stopped beating for several minutes one night because of an unexplained trauma when she was alone with Michael in their apartment, causing an oxygen deficiency to her brain. Michael blames bulimia. There is evidence and testimony of doctors suggesting abuse.

After her collapse, Michael had the latest and greatest treatments administered. She improved. He blamed her doctor for not diagnosing the bulimia and sued him in 1993. He claimed he loved Terri and wanted to spend his life caring for her. A jury awarded him $350,000 and $750,000 in a medical trust fund to pay for the rehabilitative care Michael promised to give Terri. If she should die, he would receive the remainder of the fund.

Since that day in 1993, he has refused her any and all therapy. He was infuriated when nurses treated Terri for an infection and ordered no medication further in the future. He placed "do not resuscitate" on her hospital clipboard. He is withholding new treatments. Her parents can visit only with a policeman. Her priest is not allowed to administer communion. The few existing videos show an alert and alive Terri. He's banned any further footage or pictures. He had a girlfriend at the time of the trial, a woman he is now engaged to and has two children with.

Terri's parents tried to get Michael removed as Terri's guardian, but the court refused. During that trial, he was asked what he did with Terri's jewelry: "Um, I think I took her engagement ring and her, what do they call it, diamond wedding band and made a ring for myself." He will not divorce or release custody of her because he would lose the money.

From LA Times:

Arthur Caplan, chairman of medical ethics at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Medicine, said that in more than seven years of hearings and appeals, the courts had always sided with Michael Schiavo as the best spokesman for his wife's interests and wishes.

"Either you believe in the courts and the right of the spouse to make these decisions, or this case basically calls into question every decision about forgoing life support," Caplan said.