Terri's Family Doesn't Like Guardian, Michael Will Talk to the Media

LifeNews.com ^ | October 26, 2003 | Steven Ertelt

[nickcarraway]

Pinellas Park, FL (LifeNews.com) -- Terri Schiavo's family has filed a motion asking that a new guardian appointed for Terri be dismissed. Meanwhile, Michael Schiavo, who has very rarely spoken with the media, plans make his views known on CNN's "Larry King Live" on Monday night.

The Schindlers have filed a motion against the appointment of Dr. Jay Wolfson, a professor of health and law at Florida-based Stetson University. They say he should not be appointed because he has already made his opinion in the case known.

When the Florida legislature passed "Terri's Law" allowing Governor Jeb Bush to ask doctors to reinsert the feeding tube, part of it allowed the appointment of an independent guardian for Terri.

However, the Schindlers and Michael have been unable to agree on one and Pinellas-Pasco Chief Judge David Demers said he would appoint one if both sides couldn't reach an agreement within five days.

Wolfson would become Terri's advocate in legal proceedings, but it is still unclear what the scope of his powers would be.

Meanwhile, Michael Schiavo will break his longstanding media silence with an appearance on the CNN program on Monday night at 9PM EST.

"I know he has a lot on his mind and a lot in his heart that he wants to share," his attorney, George Felos, told the Associated Press.

Felos said that with the next step of the legal battle likely taking a couple of weeks, Michael wanted to make his views known. According to Felos, Michael had wanted to wait until the end of the legal battle -- or after Terri's death -- to express his views publicly.

Michael has been reticent to talk to the media during the long legal battle -- preferring to let his outspoken attorney, known for his pro-assisted suicide views, speak for him.

Michael and Larry King will likely discuss Michael's lawsuit to overturn Bush's decision to allow doctors to reinsert Terri's feeding tube.

Terri's family is hopeful for a ruling in their favor

"Why should the sanctity of law be more important than the sanctity of life?" said Bob Schindler Jr., Terri Schiavo's brother, on NBC's "Today." "We're hoping that based on that the legal team will hopefully rule in our favor, and help us get Terri to bring her home to her family."

Both sides will appear in court next Monday as Felos challenges Bush's order. Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist is expected to file a response by next Friday.

Monsignor Thaddeus Malinowski, who has been the Schindlers' spiritual advisor for the last five years, said the family will visit Terri late Sunday to pray with her. Michael Schiavo denied Malinowski the opportunity to provide Terri with what could have been her final communion had Bush not allowed the feeding tube to be reinserted.

[Theodore R.]

What do you think is the motive of the mother-in-law to-be? She was there supervising the Schindlers around in the days that Terri lay dehydrating. She must think that she is a real gift from the Almighty. Wonder how the eventual movie will treat the mother-in-law to-be.

[BlessedBeGod]

Let's pray for him to keep contradicting himself (like he continually plays both sides of the "she's suffering/she's unaware" coin).

Exactly. Pray he says something incredibly stupid and revealing.

[cyn]

"This alleged attempt is unfounded at this point."

Actually, NO, it isn't unfounded -- that information has been printed in area newspapers. In one case, mentioned in this way: "Bushnell admitted one reason it was hard to find a doctor for Terri is that area physicians were threatened with a lawsuit . . ." That news story is in FR archives from Tues PM/Weds; that line is about halfway through. Interesting.

[cyn]

RE: that "caring husband" scene -- video footage is shown from earlier days, possibly from before the lawsuit?, of Michael with Terri in a wheelchair. "Oh, see how much he cares for her! How hard this is on him!"

Inquiring minds should want to know why is Terri not in a wheelchair now? Something happened to the old wheelchair, the Schindlers offered to replace it -- Michael refused. H'mm, why?

May Terri continue to be surrounded by angels seen and unseen. May those who have power to do good for her -- do it.

[MVV]

I'll be honest with you, I just heard about this yesterday. I have no idea what her motive is, how could she be so cruel and heartless? I think Michael is a bastard to deal with if you don't do exactly what he says to, just like the nurses said in the affidavit. Can't wait for LKL tonight.

[cyn]

my favorite is the Freudian slip by Felos in news conference the other day:

"Michael simply wants to make sure that his wishes . . . er, I mean her wishes are carried out."

Can't you just see them practicing: "HER wishes. HER wishes. HER wishes..." lol, if this wasn't life and death.

[cyn]

I've become convinced as events have unfolded that everyone down there has to be in major CYA mode. Consider all the individuals and agencies who should have noted & corrected wrongdoing & conflicts of interest; those charged with looking out for Terri's interests but did NOT for whatever reason (threats, laziness, ineptitude, overworked, blah blah blah) -- Terri's parents have tried a number of routes for justice for Terri through the years, to no avail.

[BlessedBeGod]

They'll trip up and get caught in their lies. Just you wait and see. :-)

[shhrubbery!]

Just looking at Wolfson's CV, you have to suspect he's a leftist.

And sadly, opinion on this life-amd-death issue seems to divide largely along predictable partisan lines: The right is pro-life (for the innocent, anyway); and the left is pro-death (for the innocent, especially).

I also have to doubt that he's temperamentally qualified for this task, after seeing this report of an assault on a female colleague.