Is Jeb About to Intervene!?!

AP via Miami Herald ^ | Posted on Wed, Oct. 15, 2003 | MITCH STACY

[oneday]

Posted on Wed, Oct. 15, 2003

Removal of brain-damaged woman's feeding tube to proceed MITCH STACY Associated Press

DOVER, Fla. - Gov. Jeb Bush said Wednesday he has ordered his legal team to try to find a way to intervene in the case of severely disabled woman who is scheduled to have the feeding tube keeping her alive removed.

Bush's comments came after a 20-minute meeting with the family of Terri Schiavo, who faces a 2 p.m. Wednesday deadline in the removal of the tube. Her husband, Michael Schiavo, has been granted permission to remove the tube in a six-year legal battle against her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler.

Bush said his attorneys are looking for legal alternatives to somehow block the removal of the tube, but did not know yet what they might be.

"We are going to seek whatever legal alternatives are available and seek the best minds to find another avenue to submit to the courts to see if there can be a change in this ruling," Bush said at an appearance in Dover dedicating new housing for migrant workers.

"I am not a doctor, I am not a lawyer, But I know that if a person can be able to sustain life without life support, that should be tried," the governor said, adding the "ultimate decision of this is in the courts."

Bob Schindler Jr., Terri Schiavo's brother, said the family was heartened by the governor's last-minute effort. The Schindlers have pleaded with Bush - who in previous legal findings have supported their efforts to obtain therapy for their daughter - to intervene.

"The family has not given up hope on Terri," Bob Schindler Jr. said following the meeting with Bush. "We have spoken to the governor, and he hasn't given up hope either."

Terri Schiavo, 39, is expected to die within two weeks after the tube's removal. She's been in a vegetative state since suffering a heart attack in 1990. Her parents believe she is capable of learning how to eat and drink on her own.

A state appeals court in Lakeland rejected motions by an attorney for the Schindlers and their legal remedies have been exhausted, their lawyer said Tuesday.

Michael Schiavo says he is carrying out his wife's wishes that she not be kept alive artificially. The parents say their daughter has shown signs of trying to communicate and could be rehabilitated.

"In our eyes, it's murder," Bob Schindler said Wednesday on CBS' "Early Show."

George Felos, attorney for Michael Schiavo, said that the Schindlers were "still in denial" over Terri Schiavo's wishes not to be kept alive.

Doctors have testified that the noises and facial expressions Terri Schiavo makes are reflexes and do not indicate that she has enough mental capabilities to communicate with others.

[angelwings49]

I too received that e-mail from Gov. Bush's office just a few mintues ago... sadly, it looks as if there is nothing Gov. Bush can legally do at this point. I find it hard to believe that a good-for-nothing judge has more power over this than the Governor.

I further find it hard to be a "proud American" anymore, considering what is going on in our country. Between Terri's "execution" and all the flap about taking "under God" out of our Pledge of Allegiance, I am beginning to lose the pride I once felt about being an American.

I am so totally disgusted and sad right now. What the hell is happening to our country??!!!!

[ClancyJ]

There was no documentation - only the claim that her husband said she said it. This claim is supported by his brother. Therefore, only the husband and his family claim she ever said this.

Also, if she dies the money all goes to him. If she is turned over to her parents, it does not. IMHO this is about murder, money and the cover-up of what actually caused her situation.

Maybe it is to his advantage that she not be rehabilitated. Why would he never provide therapy for her with all that money given for her care?

[isrul]

"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

So far, it that availeth nothing. This could mean there is no truly righteous among any of us. Seeing the depths to which this culture has descended, I believe that is a distinct possibility.

[agrace]

Unfortunately, Judge Greer disagrees with you and has indicated so at every turn. Inexplicably I might add.

[Mrs.Liberty]

They would not need to go that far...take her to the nearest church and claim sanctuary.

[oneday]

AMEN!!!

[agrace]

Even if she did, her wishes would not have legally been able to be carried out when she said it - FL law at the time did not consider feeding tubes to be life support either and the law only changed sometime AFTER her accident. But somehow the judge has seen fit to retroactively apply the newer statute to Terri.

[UCANSEE2]

Most people have no idea how much money is riding on this case.

The legal right to terminate someone with a medical condition (yep, murder is the correct word), to enable harvesting of certain bodily organs while still 'fresh' is very important to those with the MONEY to purchase such organs, in order to maintain their search for immortality.

And Florida is a state dominated by OLDER,RETIRED,RICH,INFLUENTIAL people who would like to find a way to extend their lifespan, no matter what the cost, or whether it involves murder.

[mitchbert]

Good point. Unfortunately the biggest hurdle is getting her out of the hospice in the first place, and short of mob action I just don't see how that's going to happen in time to prevent the final act commencing. I"ve been following this story on FR for a while but have resisted posting on it, simply because I simply can't wrap my head around how this is being allowed to happen. I'd call it surreal but it's just too sick for any words I can call up.

[Pegita]

Joining you in prayer, CC ...

Heavenly Father, we do not know how many voices are raised on behalf of Terri ... but may ours join those to become a mighty chorus before the Throne of Grace ... we again and again come before You that Terri might live. Point those searching to the exact words needed that the Governor would act to stop this execution. And having done that, please prepare the way for the legal team, for they must again go before another judge.

Father, Your word teaches that the woman continually sought relief before the judge, but did not grant her relief. She kept going back ... again and again ... so much so that he granted her relief, lest he become weary. Give us that resolve, Father, to keep going before the judge until relief is granted. We pray for relief ... Terri's life ... in the name of Jesus, Amen ...

[hedgetrimmer]

Now you have brought up a very good point. Did Terri ever sign a document to be an organ donor?

[CajunConservative]

Why are we whining? Let's stand firm and take up the shield of faith and pray believing that God is able to deliver. Enough wringing of the hands come on now, lets stand together in one accord and lift our voice to heaven.

[manna]

Praying with you ...

[catdaddy]

Gov. Bush cannot overturn the court ruling that allows this. It certainly is ironic that a governor can stop an execution of a convicted killer but cannot stop the court system from killing someone!

[Sally'sConcerns]

If Florida law is like Texas law, it wouldn't matter since her husband could donate her organs on her behalf.

[ZinGirl]

"The prayer of a righteous man availeth much."

sometimes...for whatever reason...God says 'no'. I, too, am feeling useless in this situation....and discouraged....mixed in with outraged and disgusted. I wonder where God is sometimes and why He allows the things He does. I can say, though, that for the times where He has said NO in my prayer life....a blessing follows in ways I never imagined. hang in there with us.

[GOPJ]

There's no living will. Just her husbands word about her wishes.

The husbands' motives are in doubt. Some would feel better about him if he would authorize the insurance money to be sent directly to the medical providers. That would give him cleaner hands. (In Florida you can't do crapola about someone who doesn't pay a medical bill. This from my brother-in-law -- the doctor. So, money could be a motive. )

If the husband does succeed in getting her killed, and he keeps the money, he should be prosecuted under a murder for hire charge.

[oneday]

Agreed -- our culture is in serious trouble.

And the Bible tells us plainly: "There are none righteous, no not one." (!)

But when we surrender our lives to Christ -- ah, friend, it's a new day. "Though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."

We're made righteous by the blood of Jesus. "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling."

And then we work, ACT, live for Christ...For folks like Terri, who's situation has brought us here together...to pray/discuss.

You know what: It's probably going to be a whole lot worse. "But if GOD is for us, who can be against us?" (!)

[oneday]

Agreed -- our culture is in serious trouble.

And the Bible tells us plainly: "There are none righteous, no not one." (!)

But when we surrender our lives to Christ -- ah, friend, it's a new day. "Though my sins be as scarlet, they shall be white as snow."

We're made righteous by the blood of Jesus. "Nothing in my hands I bring, simply to the cross I cling."

And then we work, ACT, live for Christ...For folks like Terri, who's situation has brought us here together...to pray/discuss.

You know what: It's probably going to be a whole lot worse. "But if GOD is for us, who can be against us?" (!)

[angelwings49]

Please, God, Please send your heavenly angels to surround, shield, and protect Terri and keep her safe from all harm... In your name, we pray... Amen.