Schiavo case strikes a nerve
From Mary Snow
CNN
NEW YORK (CNN) -- From protesters, to politicians, Terri Schiavo's fate has sparked a debate across the United States.
In Tallahassee, at a vigil outside the Florida governor's mansion -- organized by Randall Terry, founder of the anti-abortion group Operation Rescue -- demonstrators called on the government to get the feeding tube reinserted.
"It's absolutely inhumane. We wouldn't do this to an animal, or a death row criminal," said Mary LaFrancis, who attended the vigil.
In Chicago, talk radio station WGN says its phones have been ringing off the hook with callers who have something to say about Schiavo's case.
"I want to tell you, I think this whole thing is political and I think it's disgusting to use this poor woman in this political fight," said one caller.
In Florence, Alabama, Sherry Fowler knows the debate all too well. Her daughter Darlene has been using a feeding tube for 19 years.
"I think each case is individually based. In this situation, I can't see removing a feeding tube where there is life, and I really think this case should be based on her right to live and not her right to die," Fowler says.
In Los Angeles, we ran into 34-year-old father Carlos Jones, who got interested in the Schiavo case when Congress did.
"As soon as I heard the government was involved, I've been watching it since. Friday, Saturday morning, Saturday night, Sunday morning, Sunday night -- I feel what is going on is unheard of ... I do feel for both sides. If I was there, I think I would want to go. But I understand how her parents feel and so I'm just ambiguous about it," Jones said.
In New York, as in Los Angeles, opinion is divided.
"I think in terms of personal autonomy, it's kind of frightening that Congress would get involved in this," one person told CNN.
But another said, "I'm glad they got involved because I don't think it should be in the hands of her husband."
One thing many people do seem to agree on is the need for a living will -- like this woman whose mother is 91 years old.
"My mother and even myself have prepared ourselves by having legal papers and making this like a living will thing ... I think a lot of Americans, for some reason, just haven't dealt with that and you have to do it. It's just like buying insurance."
