Schiavo End of Life Issues

Ross Reynolds
03/22/2005 at 1:00 p.m.

In signing a bill to try to put Terry Schiavo back on feeding tubes, President Bush said that, in these types of issues, we should err on the side of life. People who face these questions usually don’t get advice from the President, or Congress, or their state legislature, or 19 different courts. They don’t have an entire nation looking over their shoulders. Ultimately, family members and a small circle of advisers have to answer these wrenching questions. How do you ascertain the quality of life of someone you can barely communicate with? Can you err too much on the side of life? Today on The Conversation we talk about how these decisions are made. And how can you make sure that no one has to guess your intentions at the end of life? Also this hour: The Seattle Monorail Project is being sued by eight Seattle residents who say the Project's car-tab tax is illegal. What could this mean for the Project?

Guests:
Kathryn Tucker Legal Director of Compassion in Dying and End-of-Life Choices, which works to expand end-of–life choices for mentally competent adults. She also teaches end-of-life law issues at the University of Washington Law School and Seattle University law school.
Jonathan Buchter Finance Director for the Seattle Monorail Project