The American Spectator

p> NO EXCEPTIONS? br> Re: Ben Stein’s Simply Terrifying : /p> p>Ben Stein’s writing is the literary equivalent of Samuel Johnson’s observation that “The prospect of getting hung in the morning will concentrate the mind wonderfully.” Very few writers can say so much, so well and so concisely as Mr. Stein. His comparison of the Bastards in Black Robes with the Falangist followers of Francisco Franco is a flash of insight into the black soul of liberalism. Liberals have come full circle into fascism. br> — Bob Keiser br> Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania /p>

I live about 15 minutes away from the hospice where Terri Schiavo is living her last days. Last night my wife and I were driving by the area and decided to stop. Not to gawk, not to protest, simply to go there. Because both of us sensed that something extraordinarily wrong was taking place. A few days ago I was one of those saying that Terri should be “allowed to die,” that “it was none of anyone’s business,” etc. My mind is changed after hearing that her husband is that in name only, that there is testimony that she is disabled rather than being in a vegetative state. Maybe that is entirely wrong; but maybe not.

I’m not a particularly religious person but I prayed today for the first time in a long while. And when I was at the hospice last night I turned toward it and mouthed the words “I’m sorry.” I don’t know if anyone heard my prayers or words.

p>I have asked myself “why” many times in the last few days. Why is the husband so insistent? Why not cede custody to the parents, walk away, and get on with his new life? Why are there so many pundits anxious to see this woman die? What makes them so sure of themselves? I guess the last straw for me was the poll conducted that showed a majority wanted this woman to die. A poll? Is that how we determine life and death? 51% says death so you die? The people conducting the poll, the people responding to the poll, and certainly the pundits using the poll as support for their position should be ashamed. The Carvilles and Begalas of the world should pray they never are in the position Terri Schiavo is in. br> —