Shiavo Case

1. How would you describe the central controversy here?
The central controversy in the Terri Schiavo case is whether the husband has the right to pull the plug on his wife. In this case the plug meaning the feeding tube. Terri’s parents are fighting to keep the feeding tube in for the slim possibility that she might recover. The case has brought about catholic supporters to the parents in Terri’s right to live.

2. Webster’s describes politics as being about “competing interests.” In the Schiavo case what are the competing interests for the individuals involved?
The first interest is in the right to live as seen by Catholic supporters. The other side of the coin shows the interests of a persons right to die, while in a vegetative state.

3. What are the competing interests for the political factions involved?
In an important case such as this political parties are quick to jump on the band wagon to put forth their two cents, whether anybody cares for it or not. The republicans seem to support the parents and the possibility that science and medicine will help Terri while Democrat applaud her husband’s decision to respect his wife’s wishes in the termination of life.

4. Political issues are often complex. Did the article you read bring out complexities of the case?
I felt that there is always certain terms and complexities that were not enough explained, but that is why they are complex. The whole story may never be uncovered or told unbiased. Although I felt that there was a lot to cover. The updates to this story as well had some of the same problems.

5. Was the level of complexity too much, too little or about right for this issue?
I think that the level of complexity could have been toned down just a little bit.

6. Explain your answer to question No. 5
As previously stated, there was a lot of material to cover is a few articles. Political and legal matter kind of confused me as a reader. Maybe it was how it was presented, maybe it was the material.

7. What was the best part of the story, i.e. something you should try to do in your own reporting?
I liked the use of quotes in the article. The writing was mostly clear, with the exceptions of some legal and political terms.

8. What was a weakness of the story, i.e. something you should try to avoid in your own reporting.
While I liked the use of quotes, I thought they might have been too frequent, and parts of the article relied to heavily on them.