What body of laws forbids tormenting a prisoner with panties on his head, but allows an total withdrawal of liquids from an innocent person?
Two reasons for Forbidding a drop of liquid to cross her lips:
1) She might actually demonstrate that she is not vegetative, and
2) Any fluid intake will prolong the process of her demise.
To my way of looking at this, any judge who would go so far is similar to the tales we have heard about trials of witches. "If she is innocent, she will live" sort of judgement. Meanwhile ... she dries out
The law says, rightly or wrongly, that Michael Schiavo is empowered to make these decisions on Terri's behalf. That doesn't lead to the outcome most of us would want here, but if so, the law needs changing, because as it exists now, it allows for this sort of thing to happen. It may not be fair, it may not be just, but it is the law, and it will remain the law until the law is changed, which is something judges aren't supposed to do.