Terry Schiavo and Gary Numan

What's the connection? Gary Numan wrote a great song called "The Life Machine" that was a part of an even greater album called Tubeway Army. It was released in 1978, and has been one of my all-time favorite records since I first heard it in the 1980s.

The song is somber, with the bass drum leading in sounding like a heartbeat. The lyrics sum up my own thoughts on the Schiavo case, along with my own thoughts for myself, should I ever be int he situation. In any case, I believe every adult should have a living will that specifies instructions for these kinds of situations.

The Life Machine

Me I've just died
But some machine keeps on humming
I'm just an extra piece of dead meat to keep running
Why won't you let me die in peace?
Why won't you let me die with some kind of honour?
Why won't you let me die at all?
I know
You've got your principles

My body lies immobile
I left it days ago
And me I watch from somewhere as the loved ones come and go
I see them glancing at the switch
I hear them whispering "maybe it's better that way"
I see the love turn into feelings
I know
Aren't quite the same

I see the men of learning
Pacing to and fro
But how can I expect the sane to ever know?
I'd rather die than have no mind
I know my brain is gone "damaged beyond repair"
I see an empty shell below me
I know
I've had my time