Daniel Ruth is a columnist and talk radio host in the Tampa Bay area of Florida. He did his show yesterday on Terri Schiavo's situation. He stated that the allegations of abuse and neglect against her have already been investigated thoroughly by state agencies and were considered unfounded.
Since that's not true, I rang his show. I told him that the bone scan discovered in 2002 was not investigated by law enforcement or the courts. The judge said it was "interesting but not relevant". His response was "Well, it isn't relevant because it happened so long ago."
I said that the current allegations of abuse could constitute criminal charges against the guardian under Florida's laws. That Terri is confined to a single room, has had five teeth extracted due to decay and neglect and that Florida Statute 744.3215 REQUIRES the guardian to provide necessary services such as dental care. I hope you're sitting down.
He told me that the parents of Terri Schiavo should be charged with abuse. After all, they are the ones who have caused this to go on so long. People 'naturally' fall apart when they are in Terri's situation, he claimed. I suppose, by that, Mr. Ruth means that if Terri's parents would have just allowed her to be killed in 1990, she wouldn't have any problems with her teeth and the guardian has nothing to do with this.
Think about that before you read his latest hit piece. He can be reached on druth@tampatrib.com. His editor is on http://feedback.tbo.com/ or by contacting Publisher and President, Gil Thelen GThelen@tampatrib.com.
I hate to be the one to break it to Mr. Ruth, but Florida's guardianship and abuse laws are just that. Laws. Not suggestions.
Nothing Daniel Ruth says would surprise me. I will NOT read his words (Tribune cancelled) and the radio is switched to OFF when he is on. The obscenities of the 'shock jocks' are preferable to Ruth.
Thanks, phenn, for challenging his, as usual, uninformed spewing. He needs his 'feeding tube' TO US removed.
Whenever anyone doubts the doctrine of Hell, they should be introduced the writings and opinions of those like Herr Ruth. It will reinforce the justice of hell and the need for it.
Keep Terri and all who fight for her in your prayers.
Thanks Phenn. That guy is an a-hole par excellance. He would have made the Nazi SS proud.
I keep hearing about 2002 bone scan. What about the current abuse. Terri is kept under conditions of sensory deprivation - Michael has to give explicit consent for her to listen to the radio. Michael will not allow her to be taken outside based on his perception of her right to privacy. Michael has left specific instruction that she not be allowed cards, gifts, letters, or any outside communication.
These are the same conditions our POW'S were kept in at the Hanoi Hilton. Michael is not better, he is worse and Judge Greer is permitting these abuses. No medical treatment is an abuse, just ask Senator McCain and a myriad of POW's whose bodies have recovered from the abuse meted out at the Hanoi Hilton but whose scars are still visible.
Judge Greer, Michael, and Felos are all abusers, not just of our constitutional rights, but of Terri's rights, and of the rights of people globally.
Wow, you phoned this guy's show, and you read him the law on care of invalids. Good for you. His response, as you recount it, was incredibly weak and illogical. This is good news for Terri's cause, because this Ruth guy, thanks to you and his inability to respond effectively, had to have lost a lot of credibility with honest listeners.