Can I bash a dem candidate and get away with it?

[Bread and Circus]

Lieberman really set me off with this:

"(Washington-AP, Oct. 22, 2003 9:20 PM) _ Democrat Joe Lieberman sided today with Republican Governor Jeb Bush of Florida for ordering a feeding tube reinserted into a brain-damaged woman.

He says government must, "honor life"."

http://www.wtnh.com/Global/story.asp?S=1493504&nav=3YeXIgSi

__________________________ end excerpt.

-- yuck!

As a physician, I can say this is the most bull**** unethical approach
to medicine I have seen a Democratic Presidential candidate
take ever.

First, you have to honor the wishes of the patient. If the
patient cannot express those wishes, then you must honor
the legal advanced directives written and signed by the patient
at a time when they could speak for themselves. Third, you
must honor the wishes of the next of kin (which is the spouse
in these sorts of cases unless otherwise determined) --
in this case and under the best of circumstances the next
of kin will have done for the patient what the patient
whould have been presumed to want for themselves if they
were able to speak for themselves. Autonomy of the patient
is paramount. Dignity of the patient and quality of life
are also extraordinarily important considerations.

I believe it is the husband that wants the feeding tube
removed.

You don't just "honor life" -- That is a stupid statement.

That guy doesn't know what he is talking about.

Physicians and patients need to make the case by case
medical decisions within the bounds of accepted medical
ethics and the law, not politicians pandering to fundamentalist
religionism.

Irregardless of whether one agrees with the patient's
husband or not, Jeb Bush, the Florida Legislature, and
Joe Lieberman shouldn't be acting like physicians or medical
ethicists. They should all be slapped with a law suit for
practicing medicine without a license.

___________

Edited to clarify the role of "next of kin"

[KG]

1. lieberman pushed for killing of innocent women and children in iraq.

guess that 'honor life' statement only applys to those with in the US borders.

[Terwilliger]

2. Don't worry...I'll vote for Lieberman anyway!

thats what I'm supposed to do...right?

[KG]

4. yes, dammit!

feel free to hold your nose while doing so. :)

[Pastiche423]

6. Huh?

He's way beyond a nose holder!



K!

[RandomUser]

11. Only if he wins the nomination

Which I doubt he will.

[David Zephyr]

13. Stop It! Stop It Right Now Before I Slap Your Hand.

OK, I'll fall in line with Terwilliger.

[seventhson]

3. Glad you're not my doctor

In the absence of pain and express desire to die - I'd say let her live.

But if there was an express desire to be disconnected (with total informed and clear consent) then her wishes should rule.

I would not want a doctor with yoru qattitude making the decision any more than I would want Jeb Bush making the decision, though.

[Bread and Circus]

5. What were her wishes?

That's what I am asking!

If her wishes were to be fed artificially by a tube, then
keep the tube in, that is fine by me.

That's what you have to respect and honor!

Didn't you read my post?

Are you defending Lieberman?

I am saying that you have to respect the wishes of
the patient not some homily like "honor life"!
Are you forced to argue with me just because of
my Clark avatar?

Could I get some help here by someone who has not constantly
bashed Wesley Clark at every turn?

Thanks in advance.

[RapidCreek]

7. Would you prefer Jeb and Joe make such decisions

in place of your husband or wife? Cause that's what just happened.

RC

[Bread and Circus]

8. Thanks.

[sistersofmercy]

9. The issue is more complicated than that!

The husband gave permission for the feeding tube to be implemented before the dianosis of PVS. Furthermore, PVS as a result of nonhead trauma has the worst prognosis, no hope of recovery after 13 yrs, medical journal state 3 mos. Her so called responsiveness is merely reflexive and nothing more.
The husband and her parents had a falling out in Feb 1993 after the court awarded the malpractice money. The same year they filed a petition to have him removed as her guardian, unsuccessfully. In Oct 2001 the courts allowed 5 doctors to assess her condition, 2 from the husband, 2 from the parents and 1 from the court. In Oct 2002, 3 of the doctors including the 2 from the husband and the 1 court appointed testified the patient is in PVS with no hope for recovery. Nov 2002, the parents of Terri Schiavo alleged her injuries may have resulted from abuse from her husband.
She had a heart attack do to a potassium imbalance resulting in not enough O2 to her brain which caused the damage.

[Fla_Democrat]

10. Primum non nocere

:thumbsup:

[MrPrax]

12. What is the Vegetable costing?

or is that a convenient question cast aside in the heady DU debate on theology...
'Beatification'
'Partial Abortions'
'Feeding Tubes'

Where does LIFE begin?

I know it usually ends from untreated gangerene from a 6 yr. in Iraq that happens to stupidly steps on a cluster bomb? Among other causes that are completely preventable...

It is great being an armchair quarterback sitting down to examine 'one's immortality' from time to time...

Let's see if this profound brain work can be used to say rid the planet of LAND MINES!!