If any thing comes from Ms. Schiavo's death

[Maestro]

and to give meaning to her life, I hope that it is that the conservative religious right, those that have usurped spiritualtiy, is exposed for the extreme, irrationaly group that they are. Second, I hope that the rethuglicans are exposed for being political opportunists willing to pander to anyone in order to appear compassionate and caring.

[still_one]

1. The real problem is the media

They put every crack pot and extremist on the air, without questioning their validity

Because of this I doubt the meaning you are looking for will be realized

However, I do believe people will now give serious thought to living wills

[KharmaTrain]

4. You're Spot On!

The over-the-top antics of the cable channels to sensationalize and rachet up this story was digusting and disturbing. Despite polls showing large majorities favoring the decision to allow Mr. Schaivo to pull the tube and Congress should get involved, the corporate media has gone full bore...focusing on those small number of "coveted" Faux Noise viewers...(25-45 year old white...predominately male) that are key targets for the big money car manufacturers, banks, large retail and other corporate advertisers...many who also contribute heavily to the Repugnicans. They're all taking this to the bank...playing with emotions for their own profit. Shameful!

I'm hopeful that people who either ignored the right wing slant of the corporate media or had fallen for the moderate tone of a CNNServative are now starting to see how over the edge things have become...and by association start tagging this on Repugnicans.

The time is about to arise where Democrats must stop hating Bunnypants and focus on hating Repugnicans...picking people like DeLay and Frist and exposing them for the frauds and demogagues they are. If the party can start sticking House and Senate Repugnicans with these outrageous antics, and Democrats work the streets and reach out, 2006 could be for us what 1994 was for them...and the beginning of the end of this age of tyranny.

[Selteri]

5. I think the funniest part is that the Radical Conservatives

have been rampantly claiming how the news media has been supporting pulling the plug. I guess they can't watch the news when they want to make outragious claims.

[Maestro]

7. Against better judgement

I flipped on CNN this morning and watched for about two minutes something called, "Dolans Unscripted." In that two minutes, both commentators said that it is disgusting what was happening and that no one had the right to protest like this since this a tragic, personal, familial matter. I paraphrase but that is what was said.

I have no idea who these people were; which one was Dolan, but I am hoping they were conservatives so that I know that even in the conservative camp, the actions of Congress and the freak religious right have caused people to realize who these extremists really are!

[KharmaTrain]

14. The Dolans Are The Rare Exception

I heard Daria (I think that's her name) give a real impassioned story of her own having to pull the feeding tube on one of her parents and thought this story was being misrepresented...and that was last Saturday before all this trash began. I was very surprised and impressed when I heard her say that...and I see their position is just as solid a week later. Sadly, their voices are the rare minority of reason in a sea of sensationalism.

I know these folks did or do a radio show in New York...I really haven't seen them enough to get a true read on their politics...maybe someone else can give a better insight.

Cheers!

[Maestro]

19. Cool.

So they are a married couple and possbily liberal on CNN? Go figure.

[still_one]

20. daria, or darin kagin, rush's new sex object?

[KharmaTrain]

21. Not Daryn "Drugs Limbo" Kagan

This is the wife of a couple who hosts a CNNServative show on Saturday mornings...actually these people sound somewhat reasonable.

Did I hear correct or did Kagan dump Rushbo or they aren't the "hot couple" any longer. That babe iritates me, but then so do all the bimbo newsreaders like Carol Linn and Kyra Phillips...who constantly let their right wing views drip into their "reporting".

[animuscitizen]

6. You are right-the media gives the extremists a stage

The Terry Randalls of the world have an obsessive desire to perform and self-aggrandize. The media feeds into this, while normalizing the abnormal. It is a grave public disservice.

[Maestro]

8. And I just can't understand

why extremist, non-religious clerics are given the stage. It is really causing me to lose my religion or at least move away as far as I can from organized religion. I just hope this case causes others to reevaluate their faith; hopefully for the better.

[animuscitizen]

15. There are many religious folks who are humble people

Randall Terry and his followers are an example of the stuff that corrupts religion. Unfortunately, as we see on the media's stage, human nature is drawn to narcissistic grandstanding. Many people confuse narcissism with power and a sense of truth. Weak people want to feel more powerful, so they follow the extremist doctrines and leaders.

Any organization can fall prey to this type of pathology. But there are decent organized branches of Christianity--the Unitarian church comes to mind. I can understand and relate to your personal struggle.

[Maestro]

16. Thanks

And don't take this as an offense but you sound like my mother, well, and also my pastor, when I bring up these concerns. My mom gives me the 'ole "Gotta have faith" answer while my pastor is more analytical and inviting me to study scripture and scholars more which I have been doing for years now.

I think you are right about weak individuals following the narcissistic who seem powerful. I just still can't understand why the media likes the circus. Is that journalism? I think not. Let's just present facts without the spectacle.

[animuscitizen]

17. Not offended at all...

I was trying to empathize with your concerns, while avoiding my personal bias about organized religion. At the same time, I hope I did not convey a "just stick with it no matter what" message.

I was raised Protestant/Christian and stopped practicing/believing when I started college. The dysfunctional personalities associated with some churches/organized religion is one of many reasons why I am now non religious. At this point, I consider myself an agnostic who battles against atheist tendencies.

In your quest you will find wisdom and a place where you will feel comfortable. Like you, I remain on that quest.

All the best,
animus

[Maestro]

18. That is exactly the journey I am on.

It's tough and frustrating. Sometimes I just want to give up. Thanks.

[glaeken777]

11. the living will angle is the one good thing...

The media should be disgusted. They've been completely unhinged and disinformation has been rampant. I don't attribute it to bias, just absolute laziness. Whatever happened to checking sources???!

[BrklynLiberal]

2. Thre will be some who will be awakened to the truth..but some will remain

transfixed by the lies...like those "faithful" who remained true to the likes of Jim Jones and David Koresh right to the bitter end. Very sad.
Admitting they were wrong to believe, means admitting something about themselves that they just do not want to deal with.

[Maestro]

3. I understand that the "faithful" are lost to the ages

and their ignorance, but I was referring to more moderate individuals who just turned a blind eye to their antics. I hope now that they see them for what they really are, freaks!

[JordanTO]

9. Actually, it can have another positive effect.

It can and hopefully will focus attention on the complex issue of how society deals with medical technology run amok.

[Maestro]

10. True

Even though medical technology can sometimes prolong life "forever" is this always the best decision?

[JordanTO]

12. That's what we need to start asking ourselves.

If such things as feeding tubes, respirators, cardiac conversion machines, etc., weren't available, we wouldn't be having this freocious debate. We ignore this unique opportunity to deal with the question at our own peril.

[Tilei]

22. The question is, Is it within the natural order of things?

Although I do agree the RW is way out of control on this one, we should look to a time when things have settled down to discuss these life and death matters without the histrionics(sp). We have placed so much 'faith' into medicine to extend life that many are blurring the line between life and death. Americans in general are afraid to discuss death, that there is an end to life on this planet. If I am considered part of the, "Culture of Death," because I look to the practicalities of things at the end of life then so be it.

[bush_is_wacko]

13. Sheeple don't read the papers or listen to other's opinions

They are still hearing a pack of lies from their church leaders about this whole situation. The "liberals" will be blamed for this one, just like all the rest!