The concern over phantoms

Really great post by Badger on the fluffdiddle over Terry Schaivo and how it's similar to the alligator tears cried over Lacy Peterson:

Think for a bit about the meaning of this hoo-ha and how it's centering around women who can't speak up for themselves and who fundamentally AREN'T THERE, who aren't human. Massive over-concern for their plight shows up how no one cares about women who are actually alive, and what injustices or problems they face.

I see it all as a naked display of power. The Bush bros. and their ilk don't give a shit about all the disabled people in the country, as they cut their Medicaid and public transit and education dollars. They're just making it a huge deal because they can, the same way Mel Gibson made that psychotic crucifixion film just because he could -- in order to get people all excited. Meanwhile public education in this country, to pick one thing at random, goes to hell. But a special session of Congress to pass a meaningless bill for the benefit of a single person who's a vegetable? No problem!

Cris mentioned that the woman's parents, who have sued to keep her taking nourishment, have basically said that if the courts don't uphold their position, it means Terri goes to hell, because suicide's a sin. What the fuck? If that's what they're really saying, then they're proving the other side's point: that she does not want to be kept alive artificially. Hello?