Posted on 10/19/2003 8:02:16 AM PDT by 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
EVERYONE, please visit http://12dollars.net/terri/ and compose an email to all the Florida legislators about the upcoming "Terri's Bill" presentation today. One click of a button, and your email goes to all the lawmakers. I know it does, because within minutes I got auto-return "thanks for your email" responses from each one of their email addresses.
I find it interesting that because some may "choose" to adopt the State's family planning methods, all can be forced to toe that line.
Most but not all are.
I think so.
As far as me, I'll MAKE myself do it!
Dear MR. Greer,
In regards to Terri Schiavo's death that you have pronounced, I ask this: Has America become the "new and improved U.S.S.R.?"
If you recall, this nation was founnded on LIFE, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
On the whim of ONE MAN, you have sentenced a woman to die for no other reason than GREED!
You AND her husband will die someday. May you both burn in HELL for your misdeed!
xxxxxxx, Pine Bluff, Arkansas
Michael Schiavo's girlfriend, - ANY woman in her right mind would have second thoughts. But since michael obviously lies so well, he probably has her convinced that he is the injured party.
Has he shielded her so well from the news? Or do you suppose that is why the (UGH) media has been told to cover this story up?
PING!!
Can you email him some photos? He might enjoy seeing these.
Christopher Reeve - (former) Actor
Requires life supporting Ventilator to breathe.
Allowed to live.
Stephen Hawking - Physicist
Requires aide to interpret his grunts. Totally paralyzed except for three fingers.
Allowed to live.
Terri Schiavo - Wife
Terri is not on a respirator or any artificial life support.
Condemned to Death by Starvation!
Florida law does not allow condemned prisoners on death row to die in this brutal manner. Animal rights laws in Florida, would fine and incarcerate a human for treating an animal like this.
"Governor Bush,
"Sir, as a Democrat I am BEGGING you to intervene in the Terri Schiavo case.
"You asked for an opinion from the Thomas Moore Law Center on your right to intervene. They, allong with SEVEN OTHER distinguished law firms have pointed out, not just your RIGHT to do so, but your DUTY to intervene!
"I fear by NOT putting a stop to this insanity the United States of America will have finally reached the point of becoming the "New & Improved U.S.S.R.!"
"Sir, if a CONDEMMED MURDERER were sentenced to death, would you allow his death be by starvation? I think not.
"People who starve animals are considered cruel and often brought to justice!
"Terri is NOT "brain dead," she is handicapped and CAN be rehabilated! Doctors who originally checked her said this, but Judge Greer refused to allow this evidence be presented!
"Is this "new and improved" justice?
"I find it interesting that in one of your campaign speeches you claimed to be a "champion for the disabled."
"Prove it!"
Shortly before Rush Limbaugh checked himself in for treatment, he visited DU.
Rush had always said, it isn't the average liberal he demeaned, just their leadership.
After visiting the site he said how appaled he was and that it isn't just liberal leaders, it is YOU, the followers!
You really should visit the site to see what true Americans must face, especially at election time!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.