I listened to Michael Schiavo’s lawyer on the radio complaining at the outrageous rhetoric from opponents of having her feeding tube removed. Starvation and dehydration, he explained, are part of the natural process of death. Thousands of patients dying from cancer and the like stop eating when the end comes he explained. It is natural to refuse sustenance when dying, he assured reporters more than a bit indignantly.

The only problem is that she hasn’t refused food and water, she’s been denied food and water. She isn’t dying of something that causes her to taking food and fluids, she’s dying because she’s being denied such things.

If she must be put to death can we at least speak clearly that this is what’s being done?