Well, perhaps it's time I told you my opinion of this whole big deal. You know what I think? I think that you don't really care. So, that's the extent of my public opinion.
But I have linked to this great editorial piece on MSNBC.com from a doctor. He doesn't really talk about the controversial subject, but all the things we can and should learn from having witnessed this, first and foremost, the importance of a living will. Do not leave it to your loved ones to try to figure out what you would have wanted. Instead, you must clearly specify which types of measures you want performed and which types of measures you do not want performed.
With that, I'll publicly go on record right now saying that the only organ I care about is my brain. If there is real, legitimate brain activity, use ventilators, feeding tubes, pacemakers, and lots of fricking morphine to keep me alive. But if I do not have real, legitimate brain activity going on (well, by my usual standards, that is), and no reasonable chance that it will return in a reasonable amount of time (2 years?), then there's no reason to spend money and grief trying to keep the rest of the system going. If I suffer some horrible disease and forget everything, but have the capacity to learn again, fine. But if the mental activity that makes me "me" is gone, if I can't regain me, or develop a new me (that is, I cannot comprehend or participate in my world beyond that of involuntary reaction), strap the body into a wheelchair, get it to a bluff with palm trees overlooking the ocean and just sit with it until it's completed shutting down.
Side thoughts... Did the pope go on a feeding tube to make a point? Or more likely he goes on the tube regularly but this is the first time they've publicized it to make a point?
3 comments:
Regarding the Pope, bothe Geroge Carlin and Bill Maher (and probably many other comedians) have done bits and the fact that many highly religious people seem to fear death and go out of their way to prolong life beyond what most would consider rational. It seems it should be other way around, as death is supposed to be a doorway to everlasting life... a life filled with bliss.
I spent three years in a Catholic school growing up and I could never explain how Lutherans managed to survive through life without a living head of our church. It's not like the Pope is sitting at a desk paying bills or balancing the church's checkbook. He's a figurehead for an organization that, in my opinion, already had a decent figurehead to begin with.
The previous Pope (John the 23rd, I believe) brought a lot of reform to the church. He allowed for masses to be read in languages other than Latin, etc. But reform shouldn't be didctated by any one man. Reform happens through the collective will of the people.
Martin Luther had his ideas, but it wasn't until the people decided to give them a try that change took place. He wasn't a leader, he was merely an inspiration.
Tell me the last time the Pope inspired anybody.
I have no problem with the guy as I think we both believe essentially the same thing. I don't wish him harm, but his job is irrelevant. So is the Catholic Church.
It seems like his body has been trying to send a message.
As for my living will, I'm ready to tell people that if I have so much as a hang nail pull the plug. No ideology behind that, it's just that I hate visiting people in hospitals. It is more socially awkward than asking a girl to dance. I don't want to put anyone I love through that. So, really, if I sprain an ankle or bruise a shoulder, just let me die and go on with the rest of your lives.
My comment is in response to Kevin's. Dude, if you're in the hospital for real at some point in your life, don't deny the people who love you access. You're worth it to them, probably more than you know. And James, good post. I think if anything, the Terry Schiavo case gave everyone something to think about how to be prepared for one of the two certainties of life. Allison
Regarding the Pope, bothe Geroge Carlin and Bill Maher (and probably many other comedians) have done bits and the fact that many highly religious people seem to fear death and go out of their way to prolong life beyond what most would consider rational. It seems it should be other way around, as death is supposed to be a doorway to everlasting life... a life filled with bliss.
I spent three years in a Catholic school growing up and I could never explain how Lutherans managed to survive through life without a living head of our church. It's not like the Pope is sitting at a desk paying bills or balancing the church's checkbook. He's a figurehead for an organization that, in my opinion, already had a decent figurehead to begin with.
The previous Pope (John the 23rd, I believe) brought a lot of reform to the church. He allowed for masses to be read in languages other than Latin, etc. But reform shouldn't be didctated by any one man. Reform happens through the collective will of the people.
Martin Luther had his ideas, but it wasn't until the people decided to give them a try that change took place. He wasn't a leader, he was merely an inspiration.
Tell me the last time the Pope inspired anybody.
I have no problem with the guy as I think we both believe essentially the same thing. I don't wish him harm, but his job is irrelevant. So is the Catholic Church.
It seems like his body has been trying to send a message.
As for my living will, I'm ready to tell people that if I have so much as a hang nail pull the plug. No ideology behind that, it's just that I hate visiting people in hospitals. It is more socially awkward than asking a girl to dance. I don't want to put anyone I love through that. So, really, if I sprain an ankle or bruise a shoulder, just let me die and go on with the rest of your lives.
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