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If you have read the bible correctly, you will recall that there were many such as yourself who belittled and berated Jesus too, same as you belittle and berate many of those who support the life of Terri Schiavo. Jesus never let them shut him up, and these people certainly shouldn't let you shut them up. In fact, some people say that Jesus was betrayed by one of his own followers, when you belittle other's that support Terri, you betray Terri.

You are saying that people at the vigil were showing kids pictures of abortions and aborted fetuses? That's the first I have heard that. Please show me a good source that shows people at the vigils were displaying pictures of aborted fetuses. I would imagine if that were true, it would be plastered all over the news nation wide, I have yet to see anything of the sort. If these children were so terrorized, why did they write the kindest most honest birthday cards to Terri? Why did someone then go and take every single card down after Terri's mother had displayed them all in Terri's room? Perhaps someone just started this nonsense about the children to use the innocent child against promoting the life of Terri Schiavo? Vigils, demonstrations, protests, picketing is all a part of life...it's up to us adults to teach our children responsibly and honestly about these things. As far as I am concerned, Terri's life has nothing to do with abortion and while I don't support all the tactics used by SOME pro-life activists, I appreciate their help to save Terri's life so I do not judge them on what they do in their regular campaigning....this battle is neither the time or place to get into the abortion debate. But it is also no time to turn away every single person that jumps on the band wagon to save Terri's life. Sometimes, we must just put our differences aside and come together for the common good.

It seems you have also used Terri's life to support your own cause. That is evident when you have mentioned over and over there is a better way (your way with your help and with your expertise as a public relations person). Instead of talking about it, DO IT! If you have a better way, get out there and walk the walk instead of sitting around here talking the talk. I personally don't have a better way, I think everyone's way could be a possible good way. Never ever put down one person's idea...because where one idea may not work, someone else's might. When people put their heads together, several ideas can be put into one very strong idea. A great idea can be born from the ideas of several.

You are the one that keeps saying over and over that the Schindler's creditability has been put in question. I certainly don't see other supporters seeing that happen. Of course we can see that those who support Michael are trying to force us to question them but most of us have brushed that off and are not concerned with worry about their creditability...you seem to be overly concerned. When everything is said and done, people will believe what they want to believe even if everyone's creditability is destroyed. Michael could be a convicted killer and some will still support his "right as husband" to make decisions for Terri. That's just the way it is.

Rather then attacking those of us that are solidly behind the Schindler's and believe they are creditable, try attacking those that are not. Instead of trying to convince us to support the Schindler's since we already do, try convincing those that are sitting on the fence and haven't decided yet. Though I doubt you will get far with the kind of tactics you are using. You attract more bees with honey.

The current public support system has not failed Terri one bit. In fact, it was that very public support that spread the word across the country and let us see who Terri is and what is happening to her. I live right in the middle of the US and didn't know anything about Terri until October 15 (when the feeding tube was last removed) when the demonstrations went full bore and attracted media attention around the US. Had there been no demonstrations, people wouldn't have taken a second look, people would have just believed the media was reporting the correct story...but instead, they see all the demonstrations and they wonder what all the hubbub is about and they continue to investigate into it. If there were no vigils, no protests, there would be very little press coverage. If there had been no vigils, no protests, many people still would not no who Terri Schiavo is unless they had cable news. These days the press is all about ratings and they do not cover stories for long that don't bring about public interest.....unfortunately the public is very interested in ongoing disputes that result in vigils, demonstrations, etc. The public doesn't seem to pay a whole lot of attention to feel good stories these days, they are readily tossed away...but stories that involve conflict of this size are remembered and attract readers/viewers. Because Terri's story has attracted the "hot topics" like abortion, politics, pro choice, pro life, religion, people with disabilities, etc., it is a story that has held news coverage. If these activists were not involved, Terri's story would have died out long ago.

The vigils have done another thing that may not be readily apparent to those who do not have a caring heart, they showed the Schindler's that we believe in them, we are there for them and they are not alone. I'm sure they have gained strength from having these people by their side.

As far as this recent story about the alleged puncture wounds in Terri's arms, what it has done is removed nearly all attention and speculation into the poor care Terri is getting in the current nursing home. We haven't seen much of anything about her missing teeth and her bed sore since this story came out. It just seems to me that this was a tactic used by Felos to divert attention.

A few comments. I do not belittle Terri's supporters. I praise their DEDICATION... while at the same time I point out that their TACTICS have resulted in a loss of public support for her.

The purpose of a demonstration, like the purpose of any political or PR campaign is three fold.

Most importantly, it is to move the vast field of undecideds into your supporters. Undecideds also includes those for whom Terri's problems were not a major part of the life or thought process.

Next in importantance, you work to have your opponents stop caring about the issue, to have them move onto other things.

Lastly, and least importantly, you work to encourage those who already agree with you. Certainly you want to "preach to the already converted" but of the three areas, motivating those who already agree with you is the least important. It's great for the ego, but produces little real results.

This was the classic mistake Elian's supporters made. They had the support of 97% of the Cubans in Miami, and worked to make it 100%, while ignoring and sometimes offending the "little old lady in Peoria."

You say I work to support my own cause. You are right. My cause is an EFFECTIVE campaign for Terri, one that will build support rather than drive it away.

You also claim that I say "over and over that the Schindler's creditability has been put in question. I (you) certainly don't see other supporters seeing that happen."

First of all, I do not believe the Schlindler's creditability or motives or honesty are in question in any way, not have I claimed anyhting of the sort.

I do know from watching the poll results and talking to outside observers that many people in the area feel that way, because the demonstration efforts have ignored the vast majority of undecideds we spoke of above, and have energized Terri's opponents, rather than "put them to sleep"

Remember,it's not enough that Terri's supporters continue to agree with her cause. Success comes when you move others to her cause.... and I'm sorry to say that effort has failed miserably here.

People who want to justify their prior actions, and those who want to continue to use Terri's plight to promote their own cause will continue to fight me on this, and fine, they can do so. My efforts have one simple goal; increase the EFFECTIVENESS of the PR campaign.

If this PR campaign does not become EFFECTIVE, then Michael will continue to win on the legal issues, and the campaign will be lost. It matters not if the campaign is loud or long or motivates those who already agree with Terri's family. Hitler's invasion of Russia was "loud" and long... Our eforts in Vietnam were loud and long and doomed to failure because they were not EFFECTIVE.

To be successful, this campaign must reach the undecideds and those who don't have string feelings about the issue, or it will not save Terri's life. To do that, it must be EFFECTIVE.

And yes, I have been in touch with the family's PR person. Since working through her now gives me the opportunity to be EFFECTIVE, and this forum only speaks to those who already support Terri, I now move my interest there.