Living Wills
Many have already weighed-in on the L'Affaire du Schiavo. Today, I've been a bit despondent, lamenting the immense cruelty required to allow this circus to continue, despite the fact that the overwhelming majority of Americans think the Federal government has no business getting involved. I used to think that the leadership of the Republican Party was mostly made of good people who simply had a different worldview. Well, no more. Culture of Life, indeed.
I'm not sure I can add much to the debate, except to reinforce the notion that unless you want parasites and sycophants to play kick-the-can with your withering, brain-dead body, you should have a Living Will. If you don't have one, stop right now and check out the U.S. Living Will Registry. According to their website, "each state has its own law, and sometimes, its own form." It took me less than 10 minutes to read the instructions for DC/Maryland/Virginia and fill out mine.
Thank you, Roxanne.
Posted by: Chris Clarke | 21 March 2005 at 18:48
Good advice. I highly recommend that everyone also fill a very specific "advance directive" and make sure your doctor and everybody in your family and circle of friends know what's in it. I just persuaded my octogenarian parents, both of whom are ailing, to fill out their own advance directives. But, even if you're 22 and in excellent health, you should make this move NOW. You never know when that driver is going to swerve into your lane.
Posted by: Meteor Blades | 22 March 2005 at 01:59
It's a good idea to have a person designated to be your health care proxy too, to make decisions for you if you cannot (generally a separate form-- often called a durable power of attorney) because a living will can only foresee so many eventualities.
Oh, and the Strange Fruit post was brilliant.
Posted by: Doh | 22 March 2005 at 10:38