I Can’t Help Myself

The news right now is pissing me off. And not just because the subjects of the headlines are so upsetting but because they are frequently so sensational and absurd. Michael Jackson, anyone? The Pope Stood in a Window Today? Some Kid in Vermont Has the Smelliest Sneakers in the Country? These are all ripped from the headlines stories that I’m sure will soon be made-for-tv movies.

But I have really tried to stay out of the public debate over Terri Schiavo. I am plenty familiar with the story and plenty disappointed in the way her life has been used as a cog in the political machine.

But mostly I’m just appalled for Ms. Schiavo and wish the situation would resolve itself immediately so that the poor woman can have some peace.

That having been said, this story from the Associated Press makes me want to claw my own eyes out.

Quote:

“One thing that God has brought to us is Terri Schiavo to elevate the visibility of what is going on in America, that Americans would be so barbaric as to pull a feeding tube out of a person that is lucid and starve them to death,” [House Majority Leader Tom DeLay] said in remarks Friday to a conservative group and made public Wednesday.

“This is exactly the issue that is going on in America, of attacks against the conservative movement, against me and against many others,” added DeLay.

Schiavo Case Taking on Political Tone

I think I hate Tom Delay just a little.

The life of a suffering, comatose woman is in no way analogous to people criticizing your overseas travel expenses, Mr. Delay, or to concerned citizens confronting you about the mockery your party is making of the constitution. Shame on you.

And while I’m on the subject of crummy news and crummy headlines…’Taking ON Political Tone?’ Good grief, this woman’s life has had a political tone for years now, thanks in part to Florida Gov. Jeb Bush. I realize that Congress has only recently ‘intervened’ but let’s not kid ourselves here.

I’m just so disgusted.