re: circus
This has largely become political.
Some on the right have seized on this as a right-to-life issue. Others on the right are less supportive, concerned about the precedent of Federal control over state issue.
Some on the Left honestly believe that letting Terri die is a humane act. But others have seized on this crisis as a way for frustrated liberals to give the social conservatives a major hit in the groin. Kind of like the Elian issue.