What I know as the mother of a "non-cognitive, vegetative state" 16-year-old

Jewish World Review ^ | Oct. 30, 2003/ | Marianne M. Jennings

[SJackson]

The quest for utopian socialism has its twists and turns. A woman has the right to choose when it comes to the life of her unborn child. But, in the exception-ridden liberal conscience, choice regarding her own life belongs to her husband. Husbands have no say in wives' abortions, but, according to those wacky Florida courts, they have the final say on their wives' lives. In the case of 39-year-old Terri Schiavo, her husband, complete with mistress and their children, wants her starved to death. A Florida court, finally halted in its unrighteous dominion by another Bush, ordered it so. Liberals oppose the death penalty for criminals, but not for innocents.

[GrandMoM]

3without love....well I saw an outpour of love in the world and on these threads by our fellow freepers, and it made me ever so proud, so I really don't think we have to about the last days just yet!!!

[GrandMoM]

OOP'S, make that--so I really don't think we have to "WORRY "about the last days just yet!!!

[4Godsoloved..Hegave]

Those paragraphs are the same that I had just copied and was about to paste. Worth repeating, because as a mom of a precious little fella that is "non-cognitive, non-mobile" I try to let others know exactly what this mom wrote here whenever I can.
These children, folks are a blessing. My son touches apart of my heart no one else ever has and I never knew was there.

---

That Mrs. Schiavo is still alive is the answer to this so-called ethical dilemma. Our souls are too shallow and our minds too finite to comprehend why Mrs. Schiavo is still here with us. She and our other "vegetables" are a treasure trove of insight. Humility abounds in their minds, so unaffected by the shallow demands of a world that measures worth by trivial materialistic pursuits. They offer the lessons of unconditional love and the blessings of service.


As the parent of a "non-cognitive, vegetative state" 16-year-old, who was, by all medical experts, not destined to live more than six months, I offer advice. Seize the opportunity to honor life, in all its forms. A body not constrained by the pettiness of appearance or consumed by the drive of ambition is a glimpse of the purity of heaven. Spend fleeting moments in the company of these angels. They will leave us all too soon, even with their feeding tubes intact. The veil between the eternities and this world turns transparent when you look into what medical science calls "non-responsive eyes." When you catch a glimpse of that beyond you will wonder, "Who wouldn't want to live in their utopia?"


And I do mean live.

[Hildy]

There are a lot of arguments, pro and con to this one, but this has to be the stupidest. If it were reversed, the wife could make the decision for her husband. People will stop at nothing to feed their own agendas.

[thepizzalady]

Eloquent Insight!

[r9etb]

I do agree with you on this point but don't we have to trust the process of the courts on this one? The 10 years spent on this case? I do not see the courts making a hasty decision on this woman's life. But I did see that in the legislature.

Within those 10 years, Terri Schaivo's feeding tube was removed one other time that I'm aware of, and was reinserted by court order. Clearly the questions have been bouncing around for a long time.

With the current case, there were a number of what appear to be significant irregularities, both with Michael Schaivo and the judge. There are real and significant questions about the propriety of the decisions being made.

You're decrying a "hasty decision" by the legislature; however, the fact was that Terri Schiavo had only days to live. Presented with reasonable doubt, would you have had them move at a stately pace, only to see their deliberations rendered moot by the death they might have voted to prevent?

[cyn]

Thanks for posting; why not post entire article?

[cyn]

AJ, you say "...only until the out of state activists bussed down to protest did it become apparent to the legislature to do something."

I'm not aware of 'out of state activists bussed down'.

At least, there were no busses or bussed-in people when I was there on 10/19 & 20, the weekend before the legislature acted.

I did meet people who responded to Terri's situation by spending their vacation time & $$$ to come on their own (by plane, car, bus).

I can check with others who've been there all along to see if I'm just missing something.

[cyn]

correction: 10/18 -19, sat/sun

[pickyourpoison]

It's also great that the Jewish World Review has let the world know how they feel.
The Jewish people know exactly what all this can lead to.
How many Jewish people were killed simply because they weren't blond haired and blue eyed and they remember it started by starving their elderly and disabled.
Hitler had a lot of people convinced he was doing the world a favor.

[T'wit]

Deeply moving.

[AbsoluteJustice]

Good argument

[rmh47]

Went to jury, Grand jury, and Supreme court failed to hear the case. It went thru its process. If the legislature was so concerned why is it that they spent 10 years doing nothing with the law that was on the books?

The questions before the court in this case did not involve criminal activity, therefore, there was no reason for a grand jury to be involved. There was no one to be indicted. Nor was there any question of fact to be put before a petit jury.

All of the decisions in this case were decided by a judge, in fact, one particular judge. The higher courts have all decided questions of law, basically, whether the judge had the authority to make the decisions he made. They have ruled that he does. There is the question of whether or not this judge has an agenda in this case. Judges are supposed to be impartial. If they are not, the system breaks down.

The other two branches of government act as a balance to the third. They have chosen to act in this case. The Florida legislature has passed a new law, and the governor has signed it. There is nothing new about this process. Legislatures pass new laws all the time when they perceive that old laws are inadequate.

[AbsoluteJustice]

I respect that you went down there and stood up for something in which you believe. That speaks volumes when one can take a personal crusade and fight for what they believe in. Although we may not agree on this issue I bet we agree on may more and that I respect.

[AbsoluteJustice]

"There is nothing new about this process. Legislatures pass new laws all the time when they perceive that old laws are inadequate."

I agree but not right after a judicial process has taken its course and to enact law to overturn a court decision in such a hastily manner. Laws take time to progress they are typically not an overnight thing. Pressure is what brought this on. I agree there are checks and balances that must take place but not to the extent of passing law to overturn court decisions. Remember courts decide if a law is unconstitutional or a decision that the legislature has made, not the other way around.

[Explorer89]

I followed your link, and that was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen posted on FR. Thank you.

[Saundra Duffy]

Thank you for posting this piece from a Mother who walks the walk every day. What an inspiration!

[Explorer89]

Go to the link in Reply 37.

[Warren_Piece]

That something was unconstitutional

This is something I'm having a hard time getting my mind around, because I'm not a lawyer. When you say unconstitutional, do you mean the Florida or the US constitution ? If it's the US constitution, which article/clause or amendment has been violated? I ask sincerely. I'll ping Chancellor, because I know he's a lawyer, and this has really been bugging me.

If I'm following your thinking correctly, if congress had passed a law freeing any slaves who escaped instead of a constitutional amendment outlawing slavery, would it have been unconstitutional because Dred Scott had already been decided?

[Saundra Duffy]

I wish this woman could join the Schindler's on Larry King Live. What a great spokesperson!!!!