There might never be a more obvious demonstration of the herd mentality than that which is being exhibited over the Terri Schiavo case. The issue and the woman herself are being abused and exploited by anyone and everyone who has an agenda to drive. Politicians, media of all kinds, and various religious and pressure groups are all chiming in as if the fate of humankind weighs in the balance. Iraq, Iran, social security, Asian tsunami and Bin Laden all have taken a back seat while this issue plays out in Florida.
The issue strikes a note for all of us because as Dick Morris rightly points any of us could be in this situation. Abortion, capital punishment, prayer in schools or any other of the divisive social issues for most of us do not have the visceral reality of each of us facing our own demise.
I get the most rational personal response to the issue by imagining myself in the same situation as this woman. Were I unconscious to the events around me and unable to participate in even a shred of even a miserable existence I would want to be allowed to die with dignity.
I get the most emotional response when I imagine that I am in this situation and I have some measure of awareness of the events going on around me. Every day I awake to a life of entrapment and silence. Unable to command a single thing in my life. Silently I would be screaming, get away from me! Leave me alone! Don't show my picture, don't parade me before a national audience, don't exploit me for your own personal agenda. Don't sell advertising next to my story and don't pander to the electorate for votes on either side. Let me go to whatever awaits me and who ever greets me on the other side may be the judge of my decision.
