Unless you are a member of her immediate family or knew her personally in some way. There, I said it. I mean, a sodding minute of silence on the floor of the Florida state legislature? This whole thing really is worse than Princess Diana, who at least was a public figure of some kind (albeit a totally useless one, and herself utterly decadent and parasitic).

For those feeling personally aggrieved by the death of Terri Shiavo, including Trent Lott and numerous others who have spent their careers trying to keep the federal government out of our lives (you know, because of the danger that it might provide universal healthcare), I ask:

- How many Iraqi people died today?
- How many Americans died today because they didn’t have access to health insurance (either through direct denial of treatment or the long-term unavailability of care)?
- How many people died today of AIDS/HIV, either here in the US or in Africa?
- How many people died today because of the unavailability of water fit for human consumption?
- How many people died today of malaria, and numerous other diseases that could easily be prevented if drug companies weren’t so concerned with producing sexy drugs that allow Bob Dole to get an erection?

Okay, I feel mildly better now. But only mildly. And I’m sure it won’t last.