No Surrender

NY Post Editorial

"The time has come to let Terri Schiavo die with dignity - and in peace.

The battle over her fate was mostly a noble one, and always a heart-rending one, but it has turned into a circus.

Nothing anyone can do will alter the outcome now. The arrests will make no difference; yesterday's high-profile arrival of the Rev. Jesse Jackson's stretch limousine will change nothing; Randall Terry's publicity-mongering is pointless.
The best of America - two sides fighting hard for their beliefs, using the law, not violence - is about to be overtaken by the worst of America; showboating, paranoia, lawlessness.

Enough. It's over. Let her die in peace. Terri Schiavo's parents have fought the good fight, and they have lost.

Terri Schaivo's legion of supporters - personal and political, honorable and otherwise - have made their point, again and again. They, too, have lost..."
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I disagree. Deeply held moral beliefs aren't discarded so easily.

In all likelihood, Terri Schiavo will die very soon. That said, I see no reason for the family or her supporters to quietly go away.

The idea that it's time to move on seems to stem from disgust for the showboating by high profile figures, the media circus, and boredom in general from a public that has a short attention span.

My question is: How can one move on when such fundamental issues, striking at the very core of our national soul, are at stake?

Nothing about the moral dilemma has changed since March 18, when Terri's feeding tube was removed. The issues that aroused such passion in so many on both sides have not been resolved.

Furthermore, the exploitation of Terri's situation by some is irrelevant to the fight being waged by those believing her starvation is an ethical disgrace.

It is immoral to give up. It is immoral to surrender.

Yes, the courts have ruled. We're a nation of laws. Greer, Whittemore, and others have ruled against the Schindlers.

So what?

America's history is filled with court decisions that were questionable. For years, the courts institutionalized discrimination. Should people have given up after Plessy v. Ferguson?

Like the NY POST, I wish Terri peace in her final hours. I pray that her family members find comfort in their faith and solace in knowing they fought for her life.

One must never give up when fighting an injustice. Never.