Open Letter to Gov Jeb Bush + Pix from Terri Schiavo's Vigil

Envoy Magazine Blog ^ | October 19, 2003 | Pete Vere

[NYer]

Dear Governor Bush:

As members of the Catholic media, we beg you, in the name of our Lord Jesus, to intervene in the case of Terry Schiavo, and, by extension, in the lives of the millions of persons with special needs in Florida and throughout our country whose lives will be greatly endangered if Ms. Schiavo is left to die, or, more accurately, murdered through the present withdrawal of food and water.

The judge in this case is acting on a remarkable doctrine: That food and water are medicines which may be granted or withheld based on a judicial order. What legal or moral authority gives anyone the right to withhold food and water from an innocent person? Starvation is a most painful and difficult death. If one were to propose it as a method of execution for death row prisoners, it would be instantly opposed by society under the Constitution's prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment. If starvation is cruel and unusual punishment, it should not have the imprimatur of the State of Florida for any innocent citizen.

We admire your seeking the assistance of the St. Thomas More Society concerning what is legally just. And we are strengthened in our hearts by their response that, at the very least, you have the authority and the duty to protect her life and to conduct a proper and thorough investigation. We appreciate the difficulty of this matter and that the right course of action before God may not be the popular one in today's culture.

The moral and just path, however, is clear to us who believe that human life is God's to give and His alone to take. History has shown the truth of the statement,  The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.  We would go a step further in saying that those who have the power to do good, and yet do nothing, participate in the triumph of evil, whether or not their withholding of the good seeks or intends such evil.

It may be that our Lord has put you into office, like Queen Esther of old,  for such a time as this . The God who saved Esther, and through her, the people of God, will not abandon you, dear Governor. He is faithful. May our Lord Jesus Christ be your comfort and guide in this urgent hour, and may you be His instrument to save the life of one of His  little ones , and through her, the dignity of every soul made in His image.

With gratitude and prayer,

Rosalind Moss,
Catholic Author and Speaker
 
Father Richard John Neuhaus
Editor in Chief, FIRST THINGS
The Institute on Religion and Public Life

Pete Vere, Editor
The Alhambran Magazine

Mark Shea
Catholic Author and Speaker

Philip F. Lawler
Editor, Catholic World Report and Catholic World News

Carl Olson
Editor, Envoy Magazine

John Pacheco
Catholic Author and Speaker

Domenico Bettinelli, Jr
Managing Editor, Catholic World Report magazine

Amy Welborn
Columnist, Our Sunday Visitor

Martin K. Barrack
Catholic Author and Speaker

David Pearson
Features Editor, National Catholic Register

Mike Mohr
Chairman, St. Bernadette Soubirous Chapter of Catholics United for Faith

Dave Armstrong
Catholic Author and Speaker

Gerald Korson
Editor, Our Sunday Visitor

Steve Ray
Catholic Author and Television Host

Rod Bennett 
Editor, WONDER Magazine

Matt C. Abbott
Columnist, the Wanderer

Tim Drake
Staff Writer, National Catholic Register

Dr. Paul Thigpen
Executive Director, The Stella Maris Center for Faith and Culture

Mary Kochan,
Contributing Editor, Catholic Exchange

Sandra Miesel
Catholic Journalist

David Moss
President, Association of Hebrew Catholics

Maureen and Robert Wittmann
Catholic authors and speakers

Steve Kellmeyer
Bridegroom Press

Mike Aquilina
Vice President, St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology

Mark Brumley
Catholic Author

Greg Popcak
Catholic Author and Radio Host

Patty Bonds
Catholic Author and Speaker

Jeff Cavins
Catholic Radio and Television Host

Fr. Joseph F. Wilson
Roman Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn

[verity]

105 and 187 were much worse.

[MagnoliaMS]

Sorry, I didn't see it on-line. Maybe someone else who subscribes will read it and let us know.

[TaxRelief]

I think he wants to make sure she never has the chance to talk. Wonder what she would say that scares him so?

[Deo volente]

"Her husband Michael Schiavo COLLECTED MORE THAN $1 MILLION in medical malpractice claims against doctors who failed to diagnose the chemical imbalance. The Schindlers allege their son-in-law SAID NOTHING about his wife's wishes not to be kept alive artificially UNTIL HE STOOD TO INHERIT HER MEDICAL TRUST FUND. "



Screams "MOTIVE" to me, loud and clear!

Is there a District Attorney with guts who would like to look into this matter?

GOVERNOR BUSH, PLEASE ACT NOW TO HALT THIS KILLING WHILE AN INVESTIGATION IS LAUNCHED TO GET TO THE BOTTOM OF THE COUNTLESS AND TROUBLING IRREGULARITIES IN THIS AWFUL CASE!!!


Hint: JUDGES ARE NOT ABOVE THE LAW. GREER IS NOT THE ALMIGHTY!!!

[Coral Snake]

THANK YOU!!! Finally I don't feel like a one man crusade for saying that this is a CRIMINAL CASE from its very beginnings.

[sweetliberty]

"it's not hypothetical to suggest that if, under the care of a new guardian, she were given therapy and showed any significant improvement, her guardian would be able to file a really big lawsuit on her behalf against Felos and Schiavo for having willfully withheld the therapy that was supposed to be paid for by the trust fund."

I hadn't considered that before. Excellent point supercat.

[sweetliberty]

"Maybe it's time to give the Constitution Party another look"

Well, the Constitution Party certainly has the right stand on the issues.

[LaraCroft]

Sorry Verity, out of the 160 odd posts, you were the only one that really deserved an ignore button.

Why are you there if you hate it so much? Surely you have something better to do.

Yeah, right.

[tiki]

Praying

[EggsAckley]

I wait with you for the blocking of posters. There are a couple of really vitriolic ones on these Terri threads. I just don't know why this makes them so angry and mean.

[MHGinTN]

The outcome of that suit would also expose judge Greer for his abject failure as state's guardian to hold Michael schiavo to the standards of guardianship, since Greer appointed him and has protected him while not holding him to the minimum requirements and allow him to serve as her guardian while defrauding her and abusing her. 'But the governor can't do anything'. [/bitterness at a feckless pubbie]

[sweetliberty]

Someone posted last night the possibility of a deal in the works for movie rights (showing Michael as the knight in shining armor, no doubt) for Terri's story following her death, and another big chunk of money for Michael.

[EggsAckley]

Lara, he/she/it is just trying to goad someone into an argument. There are about a half dozen of them on these Terri threads. Don't understand their motivation.

Just try to ignore them. They're not worth the aggravation.

[MHGinTN]

Askel, add ESCR and 'therapeutic cloning' to that 'choice' mantra ... I get it thrown at me nearly every day, "You don't have to use the technology to save your loved ones, but it is our right to choose it for our family members, so but out."

[shezza]

LP, did you post that on the prayer thread? Someone will be printing off the messages of hope on that thread and providing them to Terri's family. I'm sure they would be so blessed to read those words right now.

[tiki]

Praying that people will realize what they are doing to Terri, essentially murdering her and come to their senses! "They know not what they do?"

[shezza]

This is an update from an precious warrior at Ground Zero outside the hospice. (4:30 pm)

"Hi All, I signed on today and I have no less then 500 new members to add! I have never ever seen such an amazing out pouring of LOVE for another human being. I am trying to add them as fas as I can and I have NO idea where everyone is coming from, but God knows we need everyone's support for Our Terri!!! I just spoke to Michael, Suzie's hubby to be.

Sadly today I don't have good news ... Terri's really needs our prayers, she is still fighting so hard, but is slowly losing her battle. She is responsive, not in a coma, but not doing good either. How could she be having gone 104 hours with no food, no water, no intake what so ever. How does a family watch this from her bedside? I cannot tell you how my heart hearts right now for her... I am sure all of you feel the same heartache. It's pitiful. And I don't know how anyone who has the power in his hands, INCLUDING MICHAEL SCHIAVO, can allow this to continue!!! It makes me literally sick to my stomach!! PLEASE PRAY for Terri.

Lets all stop what we are doing at 6 PM tonight and again at 9 PM all over the world and Pray for her. Light a candle, turn on your outside lite and flood the gates of heaven with prayers to God for his mercy and love to protect Terri and her family. This CANNOT be happening for nothing!!! God has a reason for everything!

Please listen to me ... I am NOT going to let you guys and gals go one minute not knowing what is going on. I will tell you things as I know them and I am now talking to them every 2 hours. IF anything changes in ANYWAY and I know, you will know... PLEASE send me important mail only just until later tonight so that I can ADD all the new people on the list, but you all, the ones who have fought with all your might will be the first group to be updated, until I can add everyone together. God bless You, you are such good people, you amaze me and fill my heart soooo much...

Terri's brother Bobby is in Tallahassee as I write you this letter, he is fighting for his sister's life and for the right for the family if Terris should die to have her relaesed to them. I NEED all of you to help me!!!!!!!! ... I LOVE YOU ALL. God be with us!!!!!!!!!
Love and Blessings, Lisa"

[LadyPilgrim]

No, I didn't. I don't know how to do that. Could you freepmail me and tell me how. Or either do that for me.

The Lord is with Terri. I know this to be true!

[shezza]

Allow me. ;o)

[LadyPilgrim]

Oh, Honey. Thank-you!
God Bless you Dear!