The Execution of Terry Schiavo

The court-ordered execution of Terry Schiavo by forced starvation began at 2PM today, on the feast of her patron saint, St. Teresa d'Avila. In a desperate attempt to prove that she is not in "a persistent vegetative state," her parents released a video (defying court orders) showing Terri laughing with her mother some 24 months ago. In reaction, her husband's attorney's have revoked the parents' visiting privileges unless her husband is present.

I've seen a number of the videos on the parent's website -- Terri is extremely incapacitated, but judging by her reactions to stimuli I personally cannot see how one could describe her as being in a "persistent vegetative state." Especially considering that from the moment her husband Michael Schiavo assumed control of a Medical Trust Fund (consisting of money she received from a malpractive suit) he denied her any kind of rehabilitation treatment and confined her in a nursing home where she is "maintained," contravening the purpose of the funds (which he will inherit when she dies).

It will take between a week to ten days for Terry Schiavo to die by starvation -- something to contemplate as you go about your week.