Please Try and Help Terri...... 4111

On Tue, 29 Mar 2005 17:24:00 UTC, Michael Heiming

I don't know what being comatose has to do with it. "Coma" is a state of profound unconsciousness. It implies that the material exists to be conscious, which requires a brain. This is not the condition of the unfortunate Terri Schiavo. If the reports are correct, her brain is profoundly damaged, to the point where consciousness would no longer be possible; consciousness is in the cerebrum that she doesn't have. The miracle that could restore that possibility would have to produce a cerebrum where there is none now; a "normal miracle" wouldn't hack it. It isn't possible to speak of her as "impaired", because there is nothing there to be impaired.

If you are asking me if I have ever been in a coma, perhaps so that I could report my experiences while in the dream world, the answer is no. I don't know anyone who has ever been in a coma, short or long. I also don't know what that has to do with the matter. Coma is as irrelevant to it as Augustine of Hippo, because Terri Schiavi is not in a coma..

This case has been tried before how many judges, state and federal? Are they all sadistic and bloodthirsty liquidateers? One judge can be corrupt inept. Two even. All of them? Maybe the Save Terri crowd is wrong; do you think that's just possible? That they may not understand the difference between "no cerebrum" and "comatose"?

I have to tell you that I have learned a lot during this discussion, for which I have to thank you and Peter, as well as the patient users of this NG. Because the points that have been raised by those with whom I differ have forced me to think hard about this kind of thing, in a way that I would not have done, and helped me to clarify my own thinking. The bottom line is that we are all exceedingly fortunate that we don't have to make or implement such decisions about other people; and we will be more fortunate still, if and when decisions need to be made about us, if the decision maker will keep our interests in mind, and not cop out with an prepackaged absolutist response.

My grabreastude to you both for the opportunity you have given me to learn by contending with you. Perhaps you too have emerged better for it.

-- Stan Goodman Qiryat Tiv'on Israel All those who believe that the best physicians in France, given two weeks, can't diagnose what ails a patient - please stand up.