We just had a great discussion on this in sociology class. My professor, who's got a strange mix of liberal and conservative opinions, presented basically all the facts of the case one could know in a neutral manner, even including the part where Terri tried to vocalize with her attorney just before they removed the feeding tube. She didn't say her own opinion, just stimulated debate and argued the facts with everyone, and cleared up misconceptions like when people thought she was brain dead or on life support (the feeding tube is for her damaged throat, doesn't count as life support). Overall, by the end of class, the majority opinion was what most of us at FR think about it. I noticed most people, even my own conservative parents, who only hear what the tv says about it side with Terri's sh*t bag husband. I wish the American media and other college professors would be as honest about this case as my professor was today.
The feeding tube is there because Michael made it so. It costs more to feed by mouth and it would weaken Michael's desire to starve Terri if she could swallow food without the tube. Consider that Michael said no to Terri receiving communion, something she could do, because why??
What a great story. It only confirms what I believe and is true in general about Americans - they'll get it right when presented the facts. But if they're just relying on the biased headlines of the main stream media, they'll fall for their agenda.