I've just been through this kind of affair with someone I loved as much as anyone on the planet, my father. I had the advantage of knowing his wishes. He was of advanced age, his body was failing on several fronts, but mentally he had much more awareness of himself and his surroundings than poor Ms. Schiavo. The choice was between trying to maintain some form of life function at a nursing home or bringing him home and letting him spend his last sentient moments in surroundings he recognized with people he knew and loved. I am still pretty much of a mess over it, but not over how we handled it.

I think that Terry Schiavo had a loyal husband, a hero who stayed with her for years. But he was and is entitled to get on with his life. I have seen her parents on televisions. They are to be empathized with, but their expectations for their daughter are wholly misplaced.

It was not the place of the state governor to get involved in this very private matter. Jeb Bush had no business and no right to overlay his narrow views on another family. He made a difficult situation impossible.
Leaving a person in this condition is BARBARIC. Jeb Bush should be ashamed of himself.

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE A LIVING WILL. Leave a record of how you want to be treated if and when you become incapacitated. There are forms that make it easy for you and you can add to them if you have any special worries or requirement. YOU SHOULD NAME A PERSON TO ACT as your Health Care Proxy. This person interprets your wishes should your actual condition fall 'between the cracks' of the written word. Doctors appreciate having a responsible figure to deal with and call the shots. If the Schiavos had such documents this case would long be over.

Rabbi Sol, I suspect there is more going on with you than the bare facts of this case. I think you should re-read your last post and talk it over with someone you respect. Mr. Schiavo may have had other motives, we are no mind readers. But a dozen or more years of no brain activity speaks for itself.