Doctors defend life for Schiavo

St. Petersburg Times ^ | October 25, 2003 | WILLIAM R. LEVESQUE

[reformed_democrat]

Terri has become God's pawn in a moral war.

Well, I sorta prefer the word "messenger" to "pawn," but you're 100% correct.

[Budge]

Court-appointed doctors and physicians hired by Michael Schiavo's attorneys have testified that Mrs. Schiavo has no consciousness. They describe her groans, the opening and closing of her eyes and her smiles as involuntary reflexes.

This doesn't tell us anything, does it.

[Budge]

I have repeatdly asked on FR, in e-mails, in phone calls to many in high places: Is this the "New and Improved U.S.S.R?"

[Budge]

I have repeatdly asked on FR, in e-mails, in phone calls to many in high places: Is this the "New and Improved U.S.S.R?"

[JustPiper]

"My daughter is not in a persistent vegetative state," she said. "She is not a plastic plant like Mr. Felos says she is. She is extremely brain-damaged, and she's a human being."

[sweetliberty]

"I am so ashamed he hasn't taken up Terri's cause, he could really help."

Well, as terrible as I feel about what happened to Christopher Reeve, and I honestly believe that his is among the most tragic of conditions to have to live in, he is still a liberal and supports with no qualms the creation of human embryos for the purpose of extracting stem cells that might help HIS particular condition. Now, in all fairness, being in that condition might make one rethink certain things in the desire to relieve his own suffering, but regardless, the end doesn't justify the means.

[fqued]

I would like to have a living will that says "Anyone who unplugs me will be hunted like vermin, and will die in a manner that makes a persistent vegitative state a very attractive alternative

You may do so, have it signed by two witnesses and notarized. that will make them take notice.

[firerosemom]

[The Honorable Susan Sexton]
419 Pierce St., Room 273-A CH
Tampa, Florida 33602

(813) 272-5211

[sweetliberty]

So what you're saying is that the only reason he has a lack of credibility is because George (god) Felos said he did and then set out to smear him? Sounds like Hammersahr needs a good attorney.

[tessalu]

Yes, keep me on the "keep plugged in list, too", for I want no one trying to starve me to death or denying me water.

[windchime]

"I wouldn't care if she had a stalk growing out of her head and roots growing out of her bottom. You don't actively kill an innocent person, no matter what condition they're in."

Exactly!

[windchime]

Bump!

[sweetliberty]

"In Terri Schiavo's case, her personality is gone. All that is left is an empty automaton. It hardly seems a dignified way to live."

So if Michael decides to go in her room and smother her to death tonight, should he be charged with murder?

[sweetliberty]

"Neither can Steven Hawking. (severe muscular dystrophy). This man cannot care for himself at all, yet won a Nobel Prize"

I believe that our own Jim Robinson suffers from MD, if I'm not mistaken. I don't think any of us have any question about the value of his life. But if the courts are allowed to continue to define "quality of life," he could very well be a candidate for the euthanasia hit list, as could many FReepers, I'm sure, in the forseeable future.

[sweetliberty]

"in all dissolutions of marriage granted on the basis of incapacity, the court may require the petitioner to pay alimony pursuant to the provisions of s. 61.08."

Now wouldn't THAT boil his potatoes? It doesn't seem to say anything about someone petitioning for dissolution of marriage on behalf of the one who is incapacitated though.

[Jim Robinson]

Yup. And my own dear sweet wife lay helpless in a coma for two weeks after having two brain surgeries to repair a burst aneurysm. Her brain functions shut completely down due to swelling and trauma. Then she was in intensive care for several weeks after she finally came out of the coma. Thank God for the doctors and nurses and all the medical equipment they hooked her up to that kept her alive for us. And thank God no one gave up on her and wrote her off as a vegetable.

[sweetliberty]

Amen Jim!

[tutstar]

check your mail

[tutstar]

Another AMEN!!!

[Budge]

A lot of us would have to line up for the 'gas chambers,' wouldn't we.