Posted on 03/27/2005 5:20:26 PM PST by CHARLITE
At some point, perhaps in the not too distant future, the Terri Schiavo case may prove to be the seminal event that sparked the final days of the once-respected and essential soul of America. That which makes the Terri Schiavo case and controversy unique is neither that she has been on feeding and hydration tubes, nor that they were removed so that she would finally and inexorably die. Rather, it is that we, as a nation, have been intimately involved in the death watch and a media event…that of the murder of an innocent woman.
I have heard estimates that between 25,000-35,000 American citizens are being kept alive, via feeding tubes, in US hospitals and hospices. However, unlike others in Terri Schiavo’s condition, Terri was not given an opportunity to, again, even attempt to swallow. She was not even allowed ice chips. She was condemned to death with no chance of a pardon. But, even these Hitlerian techniques are not the worst of what has happened.
This is an execution to which our entire country, nee the world, has been privy; if not part and parcel. The mainstream media have even been taking votes on it! For example, “If you were in a persistent vegetative state, would you want to continue living?” Another priceless poll question was: “If you were brain dead, would you want to continue in that state or would you choose to die?” A major problem with these questions is that there are still medical experts who say that Terri was neither in a ‘vegetative state’ or ‘brain dead’. But, the mainstream media didn’t and doesn’t care.
This is another prime, if perverted, example of ‘anything for ratings’ and to push their agenda. Those queried, we were told, gave answers overwhelmingly in favor of death. The problem, of course, was that the people voting are still alive and functional. However, quite reminiscent of ancient mobs in the Roman Circus Maximus gladiatorial games, those questioned gave a “thumbs’ down”. But, they were voting for Terri’s death…not theirs. The blood lust is running high.
Apart from the horrific death Terri Schiavo has been left to experience and the pain and suffering of her family, the Schindlers, is what has happened to us. Those who have called for her death and have become increasingly irritated that she hasn’t yet died, are furious that anyone would have the gall to try to help her live. The justification some of them have used is “she wouldn’t want to live that way.’ How do they know? Further, how do they know Terri’s true capabilities? She was denied all therapy. None of us know. One posting, in response to an open letter from Terri’s father read: “Urgent message from God: I want Terri up here with me in paradise! Stop hanging on down there! How many ways do I have to tell you? 19 judges, 2 appeals courts, supreme courts, etc., etc., etc.” Yes. The blood lust continues.
Perhaps, the worst thing that has happened is that we as a people have been given a current glimpse, in real time, of our collective soul. It is not a pretty picture. In their Declaration of Independence from England, the founders of our country clearly and unambiguously expressed that it was our right, as citizens, to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Terri is our new and shining example that we no longer believe in it; at least not for those we deem disabled.
I wonder how long it will be before we start labeling people as to whether or not their lives should be allowed to continue. With the Terri Schiavo case we have begun our entry into the brave new world of deciding which groups will live and which will die. Hitler began with his extermination of the infirmed, continued through the mentally ill and ended with his attempt at genocide of the Jews. He almost accomplished it. Stalin starved to death between 20MM-30MM of his own people. Will technology allow us to complete group-euthanasia faster and more efficiently?
It has been said that the first murder is the hardest and that each additional is easier than the last. As the prurient blood lust continues, I fear that the death of the American soul will not be far behind.
THAT reality is the greatest DANGER in this entire Scenario.
The BUSHES have missed a GREAT opportunity to stand up to the TYRANEY Of the JUDICIAL BRANCH and put the COURTS back in their place.
I agree..........however the word is TYRANNY.
"This man sticks to a decision which forbids the people of a Territory from excluding slavery, and he does not because he says it is right in itself — he does not give any opinion on that — but because it has been decided by the court," said Abraham Lincoln of Stephen Douglas' support for the Dred Scott decision. Lincoln believed moral law and the will of the people should prevail over the diktats of the judiciary.
"We are no longer a nation of laws," said a reader of Hewitt's blog. "We are a nation of lawyers. It doesn't matter how carefully we frame a law. It doesn't matter what sort of initiative the voters pass. The elite judges do whatever they want."
No public interest is advanced by Terri Schiavo's death. No harm would have been done by permitting her parents to care for her. If the law demands Terri's death by this cruel means because her existence became inconvenient for her husband, then, as the Charles Dickens character Bumble said, "the law is a ass."
As Terri Schiavo was starving to death, Austria's justice minister announced that a doctor who worked at a clinic where the Nazis killed thousands of disabled children will not be put on trial because he suffers from severe dementia. I'm sure the irony is lost on Judges Greer and Whittemore."
PERFECT response. Thank you!
When are we going to accept that science is still being developed? 30 years ago Terri would have died from her condition. We also have the ability now to know if the person is “Brain Dead” or not. After her death, I think the “FACTS” speak of them selves. The doctors were “ALL” correct in their assessment. But her family was trying to preserve a fair tail. Her husband followed the suggestions of the doctors as long as he felt there was a chance for her. He did not just up and leave her. Why the selective picking of what technology you want to use to propagate your own personal vendettas? Jesus would have never accepted such selfish acts. Life is meant to be lived, not place in purgatory. So if you are selective with your use of technology as you seem with your self righteousness, then may peace be with you some day.
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