I included in the latest issue of
MORASS my (non-legal) opinion about the Terri Schiavo case. I sided with her parents because I can't understand why Michael, who is with another woman now, should still be Terri's legal guardian. I also said that I feel for the Schindlers who must be heartbroken watching Terri being starved to death. However, when I read some part of a decision (must be interlocutory), it appears that the current conflict might be due to money. Apparently, Michael got a $1M settlement for some medical malpractice suit he filed years ago and refused to share the loot with the Schindlers. Also, it mentioned that Michael didn't want to divorce Terri (and the Schindlers want that) because he wants to be Terri's heir. The decision roughly concluded (mistakenly, I believe) that both parties are laboring under a conflict of interest and, as such, are in pari delicto. Maybe so, and maybe I am naive enough to believe that all parents are like mine who would never be in an argument about money unless they were or were being conned of theirs. (If I ever get married, my mom and siblings would be my guardian. But this issue really puts a major dent on that marriage aspect. Fuck, you practically give all liberty to your husband - who is essentially a stranger.)
I still think Terri should be kept alive absent a clear evidence as to her wishes. They should err on the side of life. They can always remove the feeding tube if clear evidence that this is Terri's wish comes out later. If - when - she dies, there is no turning back.
Michael Schiavo, I'm afraid, doesn't look good in my eyes. But this is a hasty impression and isn't based on any objective qualification. Still, they should do some forensic testing on him, just like they do in the cases on Discovery Channel's
Crime Night.