Frank Forman, a.k.a. Premise Checker, from the WTA-Talk mail list sent this very interesting e-mail. I found it to be very important, and thought to share it with you guys.
The politics of this important issue have shaded the overwhelming importance of doing what each and everyone of us feel is right for ourselves. That is a very personal, family decision. In that spirit a friend sent to me a model Living Will that he has drafted for himself.
You may find it to contain some worthwhile language.
LIVING WILL
I, _________________________ (fill in the blank), being of sound mind and
body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means or inartificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of dickhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it, particularly those claiming to be doctors.
If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up and ask for a good Pinot or I fail to find a giggle, it should be presumed that I won't do so ever again. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse and children (those I have loved forever) and attending humans to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and send me to visit with Popes and other celebrities.
Under no circumstances shall any elected official (of anything) enact a special law to keep me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these boneheads mind their own business, and pay attention instead to the health, education and future of the millions of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma and who nonetheless may be in need of nourishment... particularly those struggling to find a job ... to find security ... to find the good fortune that so many of us enjoy. Why don't they understand ... WE ARE ALL HERE BECAUSE OF GENES, GEOGRAPHY, GOOD LUCK & AND FEW GRADUATIONS. Why don't we admit it? Why don't we focus on helping others. Let's stop stepping on the rights of ordinary humans.
Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into my case. I don't care how many votes they're trying to scrounge for their run for whatever; it is my wish that they play politics with someone else's life and leave me alone to rest with peace... with love... with smiles... with my wishes.
The politics of this important issue have shaded the overwhelming importance of doing what each and everyone of us feel is right for ourselves. That is a very personal, family decision. In that spirit a friend sent to me a model Living Will that he has drafted for himself.
You may find it to contain some worthwhile language.
LIVING WILL
I, _________________________ (fill in the blank), being of sound mind and
body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means or inartificial means. Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of dickhead politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it, particularly those claiming to be doctors.
If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up and ask for a good Pinot or I fail to find a giggle, it should be presumed that I won't do so ever again. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse and children (those I have loved forever) and attending humans to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and send me to visit with Popes and other celebrities.
Under no circumstances shall any elected official (of anything) enact a special law to keep me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these boneheads mind their own business, and pay attention instead to the health, education and future of the millions of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma and who nonetheless may be in need of nourishment... particularly those struggling to find a job ... to find security ... to find the good fortune that so many of us enjoy. Why don't they understand ... WE ARE ALL HERE BECAUSE OF GENES, GEOGRAPHY, GOOD LUCK & AND FEW GRADUATIONS. Why don't we admit it? Why don't we focus on helping others. Let's stop stepping on the rights of ordinary humans.
Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into my case. I don't care how many votes they're trying to scrounge for their run for whatever; it is my wish that they play politics with someone else's life and leave me alone to rest with peace... with love... with smiles... with my wishes.