Mike Moser "I Say" Published March 25, 2005

Thoughts on Schiavo, Summitt and John Mark

Three people have been in my thoughts this week, one on a very serious topic and two a celebration of their lives. Here are some thoughts on all three.

Terri Schiavo
The Terri Schiavo debate leaves few folks on the fence. The issue stirs passions deep within. Perhaps it points to an important personal issue that each of us must face individually.

By the time you read this column the situation may have changed but at this sitting, Schiavo is said to be fading quickly and may die any moment. At the most, she has just another week to live, most experts agree.

Terri Schiavo is the Florida woman who suffered a stroke because of a chemical imbalance when she was in her 20s that resulted in severe brain damage. She is fed through a feeding tube.

Last week Schiavo's husband was successful in obtaining court permission to disconnect the feeding tube. Michael Schiavo insists that his wife had in conversations with him expressed a desire that in the event of a medical catastrophe, she not be kept alive artificially.

I never gave the issue much thought until the feeding tube was disconnected. It is extremely troubling to me to think that a human being is being denied water and basic nourishment. It is wrong. We don't treat animals or convicts on death row as badly.

We don't know what Terri Schiavo wanted because their is no evidence or documentation to back up Michael Schiavo's claim. Had Terry Schiavo signed a living will, the issue would be clear cut. But she did not, and the issue is not.

To make the case more confusing, experts cannot agree the depth of her brain injury.

I agree that the debate is not one for the federal court system. It is a state issue and I do not understand why the state of Florida has not stepped in to stop the abuse of this helpless human being who is not able to fight for herself.

All this leads to each one of us. If you don't have a living will to express your desires either way, you need one. Don't put the burden on someone else to make this decision for you. Each of us should have a living will with specific instructions as to what to do in this event.

Pat Head Summit
The naming of the basketball court at Thompson-Boling Arena, The Summit, is a fitting tribute to the Lady Vols' coach, Pat Head Summit.

Not only has she been a successful women's basketball coach at Tennessee, she has also been an inspiration as an educator and citizen.

She is known for being demanding on the basketball floor, but not as well known for the academic demands that she places on her student athletes. She is a model for coaches all across the country. All we need now to make 2004-05 a season of a lifetime is a national championship. And if there is a way for this to be accomplished, Pat Head Summit will find the way.

John Mark Windle
One of the Tennessee General Assembly's more interesting and colorful lawmakers is a boyish-looking state representative from Livingston named John Mark Windle. The Democrat represents Fentress, Morgan and Overton counties.

This week came news that Windle was hospitalized at an Air Force base in Iraq after suffering head injuries while on duty with the Tennessee National Guard where he holds the rank of major in the 278th Regimental Combat Team.

John Mark serves with the Judge Advocate General Corps in the Guard.

I met John Mark just before he became the youngest member of the General Assembly years ago. First encounter with him left me tired. The man can carrying on three conversations of varying topics at the same time.

I knew I liked John Mark when he showed up for his first day on Capitol Hill wearing a sports coat, blue jeans and sneakers.

Years ago members of the state legislature where attending their annual Monte Carlo night. It is an evening set up to allow lawmakers a time of relaxation and to have some fun while raising funds for non-profit organizations. Play money representing real dollars are used in various games and winners donate to their favorite cause.

It is also a good excuse to gather lawmakers and lobbyists in the same room.

One of the games involved the shooting of a potato gun at targets.

John Mark commandeered one of the guns and spent the rest of the night stalking another lawmaker. About the time the lawmaker would engage in an indepth conversation with a lobbyist or fellow solon, a piece of potato would go whizzing by his head.

It was quite entertaining for those who witnessed the antics. I don't think the "victim" ever discovered who was shooting at him with a spud gun.

John Mark requested that his wounds get no publicity and that is another trait of the humble servant that we like. John Mark's mother told the Herald-Citizen that he suffered a concussion and some cuts on his head. None of the injuries are life-threatening, a doctor told John Mark's mother.

We will have to wait to learn the details. In the meantime we wish John Mark and all those in the military in the Middle East Godspeed. We'll see you when you get home.

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Mike Moser is the editor of the Crossville Chronicle. His column is published periodically on Fridays.