The Home of Steven Barnes
Author, Teacher, Screenwriter


Wednesday, June 15, 2005

Terry Schiavo

So the autopsy is finally released: no signs of abuse, a pitifully inadequate brain weight, and no evidence to clarify the original cause of the collapse.  According to the doctors, no therapy would have helped.  Hopefully, reasonable people on both sides can breathe a sigh of relief.  But not all of them are resasonable. 
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I had a conversation with a friend on the other side of the political aisle.  He basically took the position that if the doctors came back with a verdict he didn't like (such as the one just released), this is just evidence of conspiracy.  Sigh. It is dangerous as hell when you back into positions that cannot be disproven.  The world becomes a very dark and unfriendly place.  Such people are the victims of political hacks on the Right and the Left, preying on their sense that the world has gone wrong, and that "They" are responsible.  it is so sad, and no logical arguments work with people once they are in such positions.  All you can do is try to help them heal, and feel stronger, so that they won't feel so threatened and small. From that position, it is easier to admit that they and their side--whichever it is--doesn't have all the answers.
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Rest in peace, Terry.  Your fight is over. The rest of us still have to make our way in the world.

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