Letters

Life matters
Re: “Saving Terri Schiavo, Killing America” by John Sugg (Nov. 19-25)

As I read yet another ideologue's opinion as to why Terri Schiavo should remain on life-support, I cannot help but wonder how so many people can delude themselves that they want to do the compassionate thing for her. The Nat Hentoffs of the world complain with a perfectly straight face that to honor Terry's wish and the right of her husband to grant it would be cruel and tantamount to murder. Have any of these people ever seriously for one moment tried to place themselves in Terry's shoes?

It doesn't really matter whether Terry is aware or not, although I am inclined to believe the physicians who assert that she is in a vegetative state. What matters is, first of all, her right to decide her own fate and secondly the consequences of keeping her alive if she is indeed aware.

I implore you to try to imagine what such a "life" must be like. Remove yourself to a quiet room and set an alarm for one hour. Assume an uncomfortable position, look at the ceiling and freeze. Try to maintain that attitude for the full hour, and while you are doing so try to imagine what it must be like to have nothing but that, 24/7, for the rest of your life. As your muscles begin to cramp and your mind to resist, remember that you can get up any time you like. Reflect on how mind-numbing and maddening it would be never to be able to change position, eat, drink, run, laugh, play, work, raise a family, read a book, have a conversation or any other thing that the rest of us do every waking moment. Imagine just that ceiling and the occasional faces coming in and out of view that you cannot express your wishes to. Nothing but the ceiling for hour upon hour, day after day, with sleep being your only escape.

Now can you truly believe that anyone would prefer that hell on earth to release and oblivion, or paradise, as the case may be? If you can imagine all of that and still feel that Terri Schiavo should be kept alive, then I wonder how you manage to rationalize your position through the filter of ideology, religion, selfishness or whatever and still sleep at night. For any truly compassionate human being, the only honorable course would be to permit Terri the peace she hasn't had for 13 years.

—David Carroll
St. Petersburg

As an ardent pro-lifer in all respects, I cannot say why I decided to read your seemingly provocative story. "You'll just be annoyed," I warned myself after reading the title.

Imagine my surprise when the article revealed itself to be a thoughtfully written piece addressing many "life" issues. Thank you for a thought-provoking, rather than ire-provoking, story. I will pass it on to my friends on both sides of the fence, in hopes of fostering some communication and deeper consideration in all.

—Meghan Sheehan
Atlanta

I'm starting a group to be called People for the Ethical Treatment of John P. Sugg (PETJPS). Even though Mr. Sugg remains in a "persistent agitative state," foaming at the mouth, ranting, raving, lashing out at perceived enemies, using extreme hyperbolic language, disseminating half-truths and wild accusations, and engaging in character assassination, I cling to the belief that beneath layer upon accrued layer of pure partisan nastiness, ignorance and cynicism, an unsullied soul still shines in that aging, corpulent, flatulent, caffeine-saturated carcass. We should not write him off and remove his feeding tube. He requires only therapy and patience. OK, a shitload of patience. A shared humanity makes this incumbent upon us. I have solicited contributions for a "Save Our Sugg" fund from Steven Emerson, Steve Wilson and Jane Akre, among others. Responses thus far have been meager, but hope springs eternal in the human breast, kumbaya, kumbaya.

—Ray Zacek
Tampa

One happy reader
Re: “Starving Picasso’s Giraffe” by Susan F. Edwards (Nov. 12-18)

I really enjoyed reading this article and was appalled to hear so much money was cut from cultural funds. I have a degree in fine art and teach art to children. I hate to think of the children being deprived of arts in the community. I will visit the website you mentioned, and hopefully will be able to help in some way. I hope other readers are as stirred by this article as I am and want to take action.

—Emily Neale
Oldsmar

One decidedly not
Re: “American Vanity: How many body bags will it take?” by Robert Scheer (Nov. 12-18)

I can't help but write you about the article bashing our President! Only in the USA can you do that as cruelly and blatantly biased as you did. Do your homework before you start ranting to the public. Glad I don't read your paper generally and for sure will not any more and will spread the word. You truly make me sick!

—Carol Bushart
St. Petersburg

War and its price
Re: “Baghdad Is a Brutal Mess: But would it hurt or help if the U.S. left now?” by Tish Durkin (Nov. 12-18)

While one would not know it from the "mainstream" media, the Bush administration is taking appropriate action in Iraq. Senator John McCain, in a recent editorial, calls for more troops. This is not the answer. We need more intelligence personnel and experts in community development.

We as a nation forget the reconstruction efforts after World War II. They required time and commitment.

As for loss of life in Iraq today, it is sad, and our hearts are with those who have lost loved ones. We must put this loss of life in perspective. We have lost nearly 400 military personnel since our invasion last spring. Consider this loss of life in the name of freedom versus loss of life here in the U.S. daily from murders.

We need to "stay the course!" Our support of a free Iraq will, in the long run, stabilize the Mideast.

—Barbara Johnson
Clearwater

This article appears in Dec 4-10, 2003.