October 24, 2003
A Private Affair
I've avoided commenting on the so-called right-to-die case in Florida because I really don't see the main issue being the right to die. I see this as bad reality television. You have a family with some pretty messed-up dynamics who are airing out all their grievances in front of millions of people watching CNN. It's unfortunate that the woman at the center of all this didn't leave behind clearer instructions regarding her wishes. I've gone on record as being opposed to assisted suicide for people with disabilities, but I also support an individual's right to refuse treatment, either independently or through a proxy. Every judge in Florida who handled this case ruled that the husband was acting properly in his role as a proxy. So who the hell is the Florida legislature to step in and assume they know what's best for this woman? If I had a proxy to handle my health care decisions, I certainly would not want the state intervening. By the same token, I'm a little annoyed with the disability activists who are screaming that the woman is being targeted for death because of her disability. While I agree that people with disabilities shouldn't be regarded as having an inferior quality of life, I don't think that we should be politicizing a private family affair and simultaneously undermining the entire concept of an independent judiciary. This just rankles the attorney in me. And the funny thing is that it will still be the judiciary who ultimately decides this matter.
Writing Update: I'm now dividing my attention between the ever-present book and a new short story. And this time, short means SHORT. Hopefully, no more than 20-30 pages.
Posted by wintermute2_0 at October 24, 2003 07:37 PM
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