Terri Schiavo

I suspect that in retrospect the life and death of Terri Schiavo will be seen as a focal point of several issues key to our republican democracy. With hope, I believe that the most important issue to spring forth from this macabre spectacle will be a debate about the state of the 10^th Amendment to our Constitution. The separation of powers between the US Congress and the several States is an issue that is long overdue for serious discussion between the two parties and Washington and the polity.

Regrettably, that is not what this post is about. I suspect that the most visible and immediate battle that will result from this regrettable situation will be a high profile legal battle between the Schindler family and Michael Schiavo. I fear that the most captivating, made for television, issue that will result from the death of Terri Schiavo will be a very public wrongful death lawsuit filed against Mr. Schiavo. The cable networks would eagerly jump on such a case, covering it with the low brow zeal that viewers have unfortunately come to expect and reward with ratings. The agony of a family “wronged” fighting an unsympathetic character is more than any cable news executive could ever hope for these days.