As the Sciavo commentary descends into silliness….
In recent decades, the appearance of Jesse Jackson has been a useful leading indicator of a political issue degenerating into complete silliness. In this case, however, the conclusive signal about the sheer idiocy of most of the Schiavo commentary comes from today’s Chicago Tribune op-ed page. In it, David Martin publishes his living will, which ...
In recent decades, the appearance of Jesse Jackson has been a useful leading indicator of a political issue degenerating into complete silliness. In this case, however, the conclusive signal about the sheer idiocy of most of the Schiavo commentary comes from today's Chicago Tribune op-ed page. In it, David Martin publishes his living will, which includes the following:
In recent decades, the appearance of Jesse Jackson has been a useful leading indicator of a political issue degenerating into complete silliness. In this case, however, the conclusive signal about the sheer idiocy of most of the Schiavo commentary comes from today’s Chicago Tribune op-ed page. In it, David Martin publishes his living will, which includes the following:
I want it to be known that I fear degradation, indignity and political hypocrisy far more than death. I ask my medical attendants to bear this in mind when considering what my intentions would be in any uncertain situation. If the time comes when I can no longer communicate, this declaration shall be taken as a testament to my wishes regarding medical care. If it is the opinion of two independent doctors who are not U.S. senators that there is no reasonable prospect of my recovery from severe physical illness, or from impairment expected to cause me severe distress or render me incapable of rational existence, then I direct that I be allowed to die and not be kept alive by artificial means such as life-support systems, tube feeding, resuscitation or hastily passed, politically motivated federal legislation…. I wish the following persons to be avoided at all costs in the event of uncertainty about my wishes: Dr. Bill Frist, U.S. Senate, Washington Tom DeLay, House of Representatives, Washington George W. Bush, the White House, Washington
OK, this is pretty much the kind of thing I predicted would happen, but let’s skip that. What got me was Martin’s byline: “David Martin is a lawyer who lives in Ottawa, Canada.” Now, whilethe U.S., Canada, and Mexico have recently pledged greater security and economic integration, I’m still pretty sure that no one living in Ottawa, Canada really has to worry about a Schiavo-type scenario happening. [C’mon, wasn’t Martin just being a smart-ass — a type of behavior with which you’re familiar?–ed. Yes, but to be a good smart-ass one must have the comedy equivalent of legal standing — and Martin doesn’t.]
Daniel W. Drezner is a professor of international politics at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and co-host of the Space the Nation podcast. Twitter: @dandrezner
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