Last comment on Teri

I put this comment on Americablog, thought I should put it on my own.

The Teri Shaivo situation has sparked some conversation at home. Mom has dealt with this situation before, as have other relatives. 10 years or so ago my grandfather was 93 years old and living in a nursing home. He could get out for Sunday dinner and we all visited him frequently. He fell and broke his hip.
He refused to eat in the hospital. He refused to talk too. I visited him and he smiled at me but wouldn't talk. My mother wanted to respect his obvious wishes to go in peace and dignity. It seemed to us that he had really already left. The doctor didn't see it that way. He said he had to insert a feeding tube or he'd feel bad because he didn't do anything.
He inserted a feeding tube, not through the abdomen but through Grandpa's nose. It went into his lungs and killed him painfully.
Before that he was without food and water for several days. It was not painful for him or distressing. All I ask is that people don't do things for themselves. This doctor inserted that feeding tube for himself, not my grandfather.

Has Congress changed their job description?

I just want to know, if Congress is spending their valuable time making medical decisions, can they also be liable for malpractice?

Hello

This is a test post. I created a blog since, well, I've been reading a lot of them and I'm starting to feel like a blog parasite. I find myself going to Atrios and wondering why he hasn't updated lately.

I'm a middle aged single mom living north of Chicago. I can join John Aravosis in orchid blogging since right now I have 6 or 7 in bloom. Politically I'm pretty much to the left and I check the usual leftist blogs. I listen to Air America and teach Unitarian Sunday school. I'm also a compulsive knitter. Posts are welcome, right wingers are welcome, please be reasonably polite. I like to hear different views, I hate yelling pundits.

Hey, you know those orchids in your office? If your office uses a plant rental place they usually don't want them back - most of my collection came free from work. They rebloom every year just when everything's darkest and you think spring will never come.