Terri's Fight - (Daily Thread/Updates)

Various | December 4, 2003 | sweetliberty

[sweetliberty]

(Thread 11) Link back to thread 10 (Nov. 24-30)

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Contained in Thread 10:

Who can be a guardian, 1993 letter from Bob Schindler to Michael Schiavo, Palm beach Post editorial and FReeper response, T'wit's song about Schiavo and Felos, transcript of Lee Webb's (CBN) interview with Kate Adamson, partial timeline of Terri's case, the story of Martin and Anne Shapiro and the report on Terri's birthday party,

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Click on pic for Terri's website

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This thread serves as a place for posting all new general information and references, along with links following Terri's case, plus information on cable news and talk radio shows dealing with the issue, court cases and press releases. This is also the place to post contact information, prayers and general discussion.

If you have something that qualifies as BREAKING NEWS or FRONT PAGE NEWS, please post it on a separate thread in that category in order to give it maximum exposure and then post a link to the article/thread here so that it will be included in the next update of links. Also, if you post links to articles from original sources and there is also a thread on FR, please link to the FR thread. Many original links become corrupt over time and we want to be able to access the information at will.

You will notice that this thread is not specifically dated. That is because we are just going to keep this one going until we have need of another one.

A reminder: please do not post personal information on the public forum. We have lots of folks on scene down in Florida and we don't want them having any problems with the death squad.

INDEX OF TERRI THREADS ON FR

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Latest threads on Terri's Case:

As Terri Schiavo turns 40 next week, her loved ones fight for her life

Suspicious Circumstances, the Strange Case of Terri Schiavo

Schiavo asks Pinellas judge to rule without trial

Michael Schiavo tries to block Gov. Bush

Michael Schiavo Again Seeks to Block New Information About Terri

Why Was Terri Denied Holy Communion?

Terri Schiavo's 40th birthday Wednesday

Florida's Bush gets report on Schiavo

Participate in Terri Schiavo's Birthday, December 3, With prayer, Mass Intentions, Cards and Notes

FR Birthday Card: Greetings, Prayers for Terri Schindler-Schiavo

New Guardian Urged for Terri Schiavo, More Evaluation of Her Condition Needed

The Guardian Speaks: Terri Schiavo's guardian files his report; there's bad news and good news.

Terri Schiavo's Family Celebrates Her 40th Birthday, Hundreds Send Cards

Changes Proposed In Right-To-Die Laws - Your help is needed NOW in Florida!

The Case of Terri Schiavo: The Human Rorschach Test

[Dante3]

I am glad Gov. Bush is taking action. It is long overdue. If Terri had wanted to be starved to death, she would have left a "living will." Without it, one cannot rely on Michael's word rememberd many years later -- just look at his actions regarding Terri and her parents. What a sadistic man!

[windchime]

How frustrating the past couple of weeks must have been! I doubt if anyone who knows you would think you had abandoned the fight.

[Dante3]

You are so right. I recall a few riots breaking out when police have treated some criminal less than gently. That is nothing compared to what has been done to Terri. Can you even imagine us starving to death monsters such as the Carr brothers or Westerfield?

[Wampus SC]

Good to see you back, and thanks for keeping me on the ping list.

I'm sure it's taken a toll on you, and many people here (me included). There's a palpable evil about this whole thing that is very draining.

[Wampus SC]

"You are so right. I recall a few riots breaking out when police have treated some criminal less than gently. That is nothing compared to what has been done to Terri. Can you even imagine us starving to death monsters such as the Carr brothers or Westerfield?"

Or even someone as demonstrably evil as Saddam. Look at the outcry the whiners raised just because we gave him a free shave, haircut and medical exam! But about Terri, they don't care. Or they whine that she's losing her rights by just being alive.

I guess it's to be expected, since there's supposed to come a time when evil will be called good and good will be called evil.

[KDubRN]

Action Item

Senate Bill 692, introduced by Republican state Sen. Stephen Wise of Jacksonville, would prohibit courts from ordering feeding tubes removed from any mentally incompetent patient in Florida who doesn't have a living will or other advance directive stating otherwise.

Senate President Jim King, a fellow Jacksonville Republican who helped craft the state's current right-to-die statutes and controls which bills reach the chamber floor, said that Wise's bill will go nowhere in the 2004 session.

Wise said it's the Schiavo case that persuaded him to introduce the ``Starvation and Dehydration of Persons with Disabilities Prevention Act.'' The measure would require courts and medical professionals to presume that mentally incapacitated patients would want life-sustaining nutrition and hydration unless they have a written document stating otherwise.

SENATE SUMMARY

Provides definitions relating to the withholding or
withdrawal of nutrition or hydration. Declares that an
incompetent person is presumed to have directed his or
her health care providers to supply the necessary
nutrition and hydration to sustain life. Prohibits a
court, proxy, or surrogate from withholding or
withdrawing nutrition or hydration except under specified
circumstances. Provides that the presumption to supply
nutrition and hydration is inapplicable under certain
circumstances. Provides for the act to apply to pending
litigation and to supersede existing court orders
otherwise applicable on or after the effective date of
the act.

WE NEED TO DEMAND THEY GRANDFATHER TERRI INTO THIS BILL
When asked Tuesday whether Wise's bill would get a hearing in the coming session, King abruptly answered, ``No.'' In the 1980s, King was the architect of Florida's right-to- die law, considered a national death-with-dignity model and touted by the Senate leader as one of his key accomplishments.

``I don't want anything on the floor in that Senate that is going to give platforms to people who want to roll back the hands of time for whatever reason,'' King said. ``As soon as you put something on the floor, as well-intended as it may be, anybody can amend it. Then all of a sudden I'm sitting there facing a bill or bills that can dismantle what I consider to be my legacy.''

Larry Spalding, legislative counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, said there is a constitutional issue with requiring end-of-life wishes in writing.

Spalding offered the example of a physician tending to a patient in a vegetative state who has no written instructions. Even if all family members agreed withdrawal of treatment was what the patient wanted, the doctor is setting himself up for civil or criminal penalties if he abides, Spalding said.

Political posturing and personal "legacies" should not be what keeps vulnerable citizens from retaining the protection and rights they deserve under our Constitution. In a situation where no advanced directive is present and no death is imminent, lawmakers have a duty to protect those who cannot defend themselves.

Please contact Senate Leader Jim King at king.james.web@flsenate.gov and urge him to allow Senate Bill 692 to be heard. You can also contact Stephen Wise on wise.stephen.web@ flsenate.gov to thank him for his efforts. Please cc TO jeb. Jeb.Bush@MyFlorida.com

Do we accept the practice of ending life because of disability?

Other Florida Legislator emails. Please send to only several at a time in order to avoid TOS violations on AOL. And wait between sending, like 10-15 minutes, to avoid spam and TOS violations. Then keep sending emails to all legislators, so when they come back from break, they will be bombarded. King's sloppy legislation MUST be changed.

lee.tom.web@flsenate.gov, klein.ron.web@flsenate.gov, smith.rod.web@flsenate.gov, cowin.anna.web@flsenate.gov, king.james.web@flsenate.gov, posey.bill.web@flsenate.gov, pruitt.ken.web@flsenate.gov, fasano.mike.web@flsenate.gov, garcia.rudy.web@flsenate.gov, lynn.evelyn.web@flsenate.gov, sebesta.jim.web@flsenate.gov, siplin.gary.web@flsenate.gov, alexander.jd.web@flsenate.gov, bennett.mike.web@flsenate.gov, carlton.lisa.web@flsenate.gov, crist.victor.web@flsenate.gov, dawson.mandy.web@flsenate.gov, hill.anthony.web@flsenate.gov, jones.dennis.web@flsenate.gov, wise.stephen.web@flsenate.gov, aronberg.dave.web@flsenate.gov, clary.charlie.web@flsenate.gov, portilla.alex.web@flsenate.gov, dockery.paula.web@flsenate.gov, geller.steven.web@flsenate.gov, lawson.alfred.web@flsenate.gov, margolis.gwen.web@flsenate.gov, miller.lesley.web@flsenate.gov, peaden.durell.web@flsenate.gov, saunders.burt.web@flsenate.gov, schultz.debbie.web@flsenate.gov, atwater.jeffrey.web@flsenate.gov, campbell.walter.web@flsenate.gov, constantine.lee.web@flsenate.gov, villalobos.alex.web@flsenate.gov, argenziano.nancy.web@flsenate.gov, bullard.larcenia.web@flsenate.gov, haridopolos.mike.web@flsenate.gov, wilson.frederica.web@flsenate.gov

[Wampus SC]

" ``I don't want anything on the floor in that Senate that is going to give platforms to people who want to roll back the hands of time for whatever reason,'' King said. ``As soon as you put something on the floor, as well-intended as it may be, anybody can amend it. Then all of a sudden I'm sitting there facing a bill or bills that can dismantle what I consider to be my legacy.''"

On something like this, he's worried about his *$%)! legacy? Translation of the above statement: let them die out of a politician's selfishness.

[nicmarlo]

Glad to see you up and running, sweetliberty; sorry about the attacks made against your computer....it does not, however, surprise me. You have been the "one" who's taken responsbility for doing so much work in favor of Terri's fight in FR and elsewhere.....you'd be a focus of an attack. (I was the focus in a different way, ABOUT THE SAME TIME as your computer had problems....now, ain't THAT a coinkidink? NOT). Let me know if there's anything I can help do for you, getting links, etc.

[Budge]

I still have a good portion of your ping list, SL.

While news about Terri and the fight to save her life (and perhaps many more) continue, I'm still here. :)

[Theodore R.]

I saw the PBS program "The McLaughlin Group" this week. Conservative host John McLaughlin, a former priest who ran for the U.S. Senate from RI in 1970, declared Governor Jeb Bush as the politician of 2003 who experienced "the fairest rap" from his critics. His first wife was the Reagan Labor Secretary Ann D. McLaughlin.

McLaughlin was referring to Terri's fight and Jeb Bush's attempt to prevent her imminent death from starvation and dehydration. McLaughlin said that Bush critics accuse him of pandering to the "religious right" by seeking passage of Terri's law despite "over a dozen" FL judges who ruled that Terri was brain-damaged, could not be rehabiliated, and should be "allowed to die."

McLaughlin proved his own ignorance of this case. He sees it as simply letting a brain-dead person die. He probably has no knowledge of the particulars of the case but sided firmly with Greer, Baird, Demers, Felos, Schiavo, etc, without using any of their names. When it comes to "compassion" this former priest proved himself sorely lacking on his own TV program.

[Budge]

When it comes to "compassion" this former priest proved himself sorely lacking on his own TV program.

Why does this not surprise me.

[msmagoo]

New article from Wesley J. Smith on Europe & Euthanasia on National Review Online:

Continent Death
Euthanasia in Europe

(excerpt)

Too many people think with their hearts instead of their brains. Wanting the world to suit their desires, when faced with hard truths to the contrary, they refuse to face facts they don’t want to believe. This common human failing has a name: self-delusion.

Self-delusion is rampant in the euthanasia movement. Most proponents recognize that it is inherently dangerous to legalize killing. But they desperately want to believe that they can control the grim reaper. Thus, they continue to peddle the nonsense that "guidelines will protect against abuse" despite overwhelming empirical evidence to the contrary.

Euthanasia has been around long enough and practiced sufficiently enough for us to detect a pattern. Killing is sold to the public as a last resort justified only in cases where nothing else can be done to alleviate suffering. But once the reaper is allowed through the door, the categories of killable people expand steadily toward the acceptance of death on demand.

[msmagoo]

Schiavo right-to-die case captured nation's attention

By MITCH STACY
The Associated Press
12/29/2003, 11:36 a.m. ET

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. (AP) — The calm of Terri Schiavo's small room at a Pinellas County hospice belies the turmoil that has swirled around the severely brain-damaged woman this fall.

Left in what doctors call a "persistent vegetative state" when her heart stopped suddenly 13 years ago, the 40-year-old Schiavo has become the focal point of the nation's most high-profile and bitterly fought right-to-die case, garnering the attention of everyone from Florida lawmakers and Gov. Jeb Bush to Larry King and Oprah Winfrey.

The plight of her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, to keep her alive mobilized thousands of right-to-life activists and prompted an unprecedented — and possibly unconstitutional — move by the Florida Legislature and Bush to intervene. The resulting legal challenge by her husband, Michael Schiavo, kicked off yet another round in the 5 1/2-year court battle, with no end in sight.

The fight has grown increasingly fierce and personal between the Schindlers and their son-in-law. Jay Wolfson, a lawyer and University of South Florida professor appointed by the court to investigate the case, recognized this in a report earlier this month, attributing it to the pressure under which both sides have come throughout the ordeal.

"The Schindlers and the Schiavos are normal, decent people who have found themselves within the construct of an exceptional circumstance which none of them, indeed, few reasonable and normal people could have imagined," he wrote.

Michael Schiavo has been battling the Schindlers in court for the right to remove the tube delivering water and nutrition to Terri's stomach. He convinced a circuit court judge in 2000 that she had once made statements expressing her desire to never be kept alive artificially.

Terri Schiavo, who grew up in the Philadelphia suburb of Huntingdon Valley, Pa., had no advance directives, and her parents dispute that she ever had any such end-of-life wishes. They also believe her condition could improve with therapy.

Doctors hired by Michael Schiavo and one appointed by the court have testified that Terri has no brain activity, even though her eyes are open when she's awake and she vocalizes with grunts and groans. Her parents believe she's still in there, and have produced their own doctors who say she could possibly be rehabilitated.

"We love her just the way she is," her brother, Bobby Schindler, said recently. "Isn't it good enough that a family just wants to take care of their loved one?"

Both sides have accused each other of being motivated by money, specifically the $1 million awarded to the Schiavos in a medical malpractice action that has been mostly exhausted paying for Terri's care and a lawyer to fight his case.

Florida courts have repeatedly affirmed Michael Schiavo's right to remove the feeding tube so Terri could die. As ordered by a judge, doctors disconnected it at the hospice Oct. 15, expecting that she would live another 10 days or so.

On the sixth day, as activists led by Operation Rescue founder Randall Terry demonstrated before TV cameras outside the hospice, Florida lawmakers stepped in. A narrowly constructed bill gave Bush the authority to order Terri's feeding tube reinserted, and the governor — who had been besieged by thousands of e-mails from conservatives urging him to do something — signed it by mid-afternoon.

An ambulance crew whisked her off and by evening she was being rehydrated intravenously at a hospital.

Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, immediately attacked the state's action as politically motivated and unconstitutional. He charges the law violated Terri's right to privacy and separation-of-powers provisions of the Florida Constitution.

Circuit Judge W. Douglas Baird has said in open court that he considers the law unconstitutional. After a hearing Dec. 23, Baird said he is ready to rule on the constitutional question but will withhold a ruling until after an appeals court settles some procedural matters in the case, likely after the new year.

If Baird rules in Felos' favor, that will likely kick off another round of appeals in a case that attorneys predict will end up before the Florida Supreme Court.

Wolfson completed his report earlier this month, finding there is virtually no medical evidence that Terri will ever recover. However, he recommended tests to determine if she could be taught to swallow and eat on her own.

Terri Schiavo was 26 in 1990 when her heart stopped from doctors believe was a potassium imbalance, likely from her bulimia. Her heart was restarted, but her oxygen-deprived brain was left permanently damaged.

Michael Schiavo moved to have his wife's feeding tube pulled in 1998, saying she could not recover. In recent years he has gotten involved with another woman and fathered her child.

David Brand, CEO of the right-to-die group End of Life Choices, said the case has raised awareness of the importance of living wills.

"You look for silver linings in tragedies, and to the extent that dialogue has been raised and we've raised the bar in terms of conversation, that can only help," Brand said. "It brings into the forefront something that really has been in the shadows."

The Schindlers' attorney, Pat Anderson, said she's amazed at how people have responded to the family's plight. She's received thousands of e-mails from people around the world during the past few months.

"I've never seen such emotion and such a passionate response to a news story," she said.

___
On the Net:

The Terri Schindler Schiavo Foundation:
http://www.terrisfight.org

[cyn]

Hi, msmagoo. Thanks for posting that! I was wondering about posting it to its own thread for more exposure. I did not see anything in the St. Pete or Tampa papers when I looked.

[msmagoo]

Bookmark this link for Google news for Terri Schiavo.

[PrepareToLeave]

Thank you cyn for your ping. Like others I have to takes breaks from the details. They're just too much to handle. FV what is the status of people showing up at the new location? What are the numbers? Are there protests anywhere else, i.e. court house, Woodside, etc.?

[floriduh voter]

I doh't believe we are meeting at the new location but I have the address noted if the family requests that we drop by. If I find out anything from other locals, I am reporting it on current Terri threads leaving out private details which might only embolden the evil felos. We have some freepers going to court to the actual hearings. I am saving myself for the next battle. Terri's in all our thoughts as before but no protests have been called lately.

We have good weather if we need to mobilize.

[floriduh voter]

cyn, I think part of the plan is to leave the locals in the dark re: Terri so we can't call our reinforcements from intra-state or out of state. They want to bamboozle us, the death side and the local media. I've said that all along. With local media like them, I need a ping once in awhile from outside the "creepy vortex" so I know what's going on.

[floriduh voter]

Here's a project everyone can take part in, not the entire way but check it out.

The Long Walk for Terri's Freedom.

Beginning December 12, 2003 and spanning over 2,100 miles, the March in defense of Life is an amazing demonstration of support for Terri Schindler-Schiavo and the Florida lawmakers who stood for her right to live. The walk is expected to arrive in Florida's capitol, Tallahassee, on May 13, 2004.

Organizers call the movement an offering of "prayers, penance and sacrifice in solidarity with our sister, Terri Schiavo and in support of Governor Jeb Bush for his courageous defense of the sanctity of life".

From www.terrisfight.org

[cyn]

Hi, fv. Thanks for info. This is also new to Terri's website, interesting and sounds like a blessing to the Schindlers: