Who used the Schindlers as a Trojan Horse?

At last the trauma of the last two weeks has passed. We have heard from many persons speaking for the parent's case, and after a few days, the talking points got less interesting. As the conversations broadened, some truth started to leak out. The Schindlers were honest and sincere about their desire to keep their daughter alive, but most of those supporting them, speaking for them, assisting them, had additional agendas.

From energizing the anti abortion forces, talking about health care (and wanting 'face time'), or those who wanted to make it illegal to discontinue life support; those needing a light to sign on their cause climbed inside the horse and popped out in front of the camera, ready for their close up. While this is sad, it is not unexpected. In return for supporting their fight, the Schindlers gave Randall Terry and Tom DeLay and Larry Klayman and so many others a stage, a new distraction and as a parting gift, a list of new possible financial backers. Many got what they felt they needed, and social debate continues, but one issue has risen as the most intriguing.

The Rev. Frank Pavone was with the Schindlers during their final visit. He said, "This is not only a death with all the sadness that brings, this is a killing. And for that we not only grieve that Terri has passed, but we grieve that our nation has allowed such an atrocity as this, and we pray that it will never happen again."

Some of the advocates in the last week started to make their position clearer. It was not just 'saving Terri' but ending the practice of allowing a person to refuse medical treatment. They started to cry murder, and when pressed admitted that even if this is what Terri wanted, it was wrong. It appears this faction wanted to open up an issue most of us considered a generation behind us.

Their ultimate goal appears to be putting the state, not the individual or the family in charge of end of life decisions. A very frightening prospect, and one we can hope die of neglect now that the light they were using has passed on.