Posted on 03/20/2005 8:35:39 PM PST by William D. Hodges
A Better Perspective by Marilyn Adams The American Eagle News and Economic Report March 20, 2005
(Tallahassee, FL) The following is from a traumatic brain injury survivor. Her name and vital stats are included below. I believe this to be important, as she has recovered monumentally and as a writer, has great journalistic talent. She still struggles and has her share of health problems. However, she is best qualified to articulate an otherwise easily overlooked point of view in regard to the situation in Florida. The following correspondence to me is in her own words:
"Sunday, March 20, 2005
RE: The Terri Schiavo case
There is only one human being who can really express her wishes regarding whether or not she wishes to continue being maintained with a feeding tube. That one human is TERRI SCHIAVO
herself, and she has that constitutional right to express her wishes. It is my understanding from people who have been in her room and actually experienced her level of alertness and capacity to respond that it would not be that difficult for her to learn to communicate even if it’s by a long eye blink or even a grunt.
What would it hurt to provide her that opportunity? Her estranged “husband” has had terribly conflicted interests all along from day one. He has said openly on TV that Terri really died 15 years ago. I think that is clear and convincing evidence of how little he has her interests in mind.
To him, Terri is already dead. So why pull the feeding tube. Is it to get rid of certain “evidence” of abuse? I don’t know, but Terri DESERVES to have that become a known factor. Why is Michael Schiavo so determine for Terri to NOT have an autopsy and to be cremated immediately upon her death. What is he so panicked about?
The bottom line is that the real FACTS of this case need to become known and Terri is entitled to DUE PROCESS. She NEVER had her own atty or guardian ad litem. Who represented TERRI? It is not a Judge’s role to act both a Judge and simultaneously as the guardian ad litem.
What is Judge Greer’s own personal agenda? What might be HIS selective perceptions and biases? He’s a human being and human beings FILTER all information and stimuli that they are exposed to. Why is he so determined that Terri should die. Take a look at his background. Was he ever affiliated with the Hemlock Society? Are his leanings toward euthanasia as Felos is?
How much evidence did the courts of appeals get to see. Since Greer refused to admit so much evidence on behalf of Terri into the record, how can the courts of Appeal possibly render a fair and just verdict or order? They haven’t seen ALL POSSIBLE EVIDENCE!
I do not view Felos as really looking out for Michael’s best interests and he is representing him in name only. There was probably a contract retaining him. What Felos is REALLY representing is the “Right to Die” movement, the Euthanasia movement……a very slippery slope wouldn’t you say? A little too much like Hitler if you ask me.
It’s not a crime to become vulnerable, helpless, a victim of abuse, or a victim of illness.
Terri is certainly entitled to the same rights as serial killers but she’s not even getting what they get in terms of due process.
Please forgive me if I am rambling, but I am a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor who was once in Terri’s position. But fortunately I had a loving Dad who made sure I got all the therapy I needed to recover. I am now leading a life filled with love, friendships, and I put a smile on dozens of people’s faces every time I leave my home."
Karen Kranz
karentbisconet@aol.com
(address and phone withheld)
(c) Copyright 2005 by The American Eagle News and Economic Report. All rights reserved. Used by exclusive permission.
PING:
from a traumatic brain injury survivor...
BELOW is what I sent to the White House...
On the Shiavo Thing...
It strikes ME as a "Bill of Attainder", ergo Unconstitutional. Perhaps Not by its' Wording, BUT by its' INTENT!!!
I grew up on Fess Parker as Disney's "Davey Crockett". That backwoods "hick" knew an Attainder Bill, when He saw one. He "spoke against" , then declined to stay for the vote.
I hope you will pull a Davey Crockett on this One.
Defend the Constitution, demand a Constitutional Bill.
Find a way NOT to sign this one.
We're overcomplicating this. It's a simple he said/she said. If Terri wanted to die by not having to live with a feeding tube, she should have told someone besides her husband, who is the one person who wants her dead.
The government standards for caring for dogs is greater than the care that Michael Schiavo and Judge Greer would afford to Terri. I am not allowed to even starve a dog to death! What is wrong with these cruel and evil people.
Why is my government being so inhumane with human beings?
Thank you, but I need no convincing of her rights. What I am trying to show is the questionable "due process" apart from trampling on Terri's rights.
Yup, you're right. This ain't quite the same as pulling the plug on life support. Babies and quadraplegics can't feed themselves either.
Perhaps "hicks" should think twice before opining.
A bill of attainder punishes children for their parents' crimes; that has absolutely nothing to do with Terri Schiavo.
Perhaps you meant a law ex post facto, which criminalizes a past legal act. Again, this has absolutely nothing to do with Terri Schiavo. This bill allows the right to appeal a civil judgment to federal court.
The question isn't whether Terri should be "allowed to die," as interesting a discussion as that might be, but rather, who gets to make life and death decisions? Here, a disabled woman is being put to death, without appeal, in a way that would be too "cruel and unusual" to be used on a mass murderer. The judge has set himself up as a god-king, whose whims are unquestionable.
You seem to agree, simply because it's a "state matter." Wake up! Tyrants can appear in the states just as easily as in the federal government. "Involuntary euthanasia" is on your doorstep now!
bump for later
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