Absence of Cognitive Function

Unlike those who have informed, well-reasoned opinions on the Schiavo matter (and unlike those who have opinions which are quite the other thing), all I have to say is the following. 

TO MY FAMILY, MY PHYSICIAN, MY CLERGYMAN, MY LAWYER, MY ATTORNEY­-IN‑FACT UNDER A DURABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY, IF ANY, AND MY COURT-­APPOINTED GUARDIAN OR SURROGATE, IF ANY:

1. I direct my attending physician to withhold or withdraw treatment that serves only to prolong the process of my dying if I should be in a terminal condition or in a state of permanent unconsciousness.
2. I direct that treatment be limited to measures to keep me comfortable and to relieve pain, including any pain that might occur by withholding or withdrawing life-sustaining treatment.
3. I have designated another person as my surrogate to make medical treatment decisions for me if I should be incompetent and in a terminal condition or in a state of permanent unconsciousness.
4. It is my intention that my wishes shall be honored by my family and physicians and others responsible for my care. I further direct that anyone acting in good faith reliance on this instruction (my physicians, surrogate, family or next of kin) shall not be subject to either civil or criminal liability or be found to have committed an act of unprofessional conduct.

The above is from my living will health care directive.  Copies are on file with the person I trust with my life and in my safe deposit box.  That directive should be sufficient, but if it is not, then this post shall also be evidence of my wishes with regard to my end-of-life care.

Also, fuck the Republican Party.

Comments

[Marrty]

Also, fuck the Republican Party.

Amen brother!!

[Linnet]

Heh. My reaction was pretty much the same.

The thing that scares me the most is this: what other medical decisions is Congress going to interfere in to preserve the "sanctity of life"?

I'm getting a horrible mental image of some poor pregnant girl who wants an abortion having her fetus subpoenaed and being dragged onto Capitol Hill so Tom Delay can put his ear to her stomach and say "I can hear the baby! It wants to live!"

[Mithras]

I'm getting a horrible mental image of some poor pregnant girl who wants an abortion having her fetus subpoenaed

Well, for now we have Roe. Otherwise, it's off to the races.

[Gib]

If nothing else, hopefully one thing everyone takes away from the whole Schiavo thing - if you know what you want done, tell someone. Hell, tell everyone.

[alsauf]

I'm getting a horrible mental image of some poor pregnant girl who wants an abortion having her fetus subpoenaed and being dragged onto Capitol Hill so Tom Delay can put his ear to her stomach and say "I can hear the baby! It wants to live!"

I can think of something more frightening than that: Wolf Blitzer's "coverage" of said event.

Brrrrr.....