Terri Schiavo's Parents, Pro-Life Groups Respond to Judge's Decision

Clearwater, FL (LifeNews.com) -- The parents of Terri Schiavo, and pro-life organizations that have been closely monitoring the years-long legal battle they have waged to save Terri's life, are deeply disappointed by a local judge's ruling striking down a law that allowed Terri's feeding tube to remain in place.

On Thursday, Circuit Court Judge Douglas Baird struck down Terri's Law, the measure approved by the Florida state legislature that authorized Governor Jeb Bush to ask doctors to reinsert the feeding tube that provided Terri with food and water.

"These Pinellas County judges have displayed an utterly cavalier attitude and a complete disregard for the rule of law," Terri's father Robert Schindler said in reaction to Baird's decision.

"They are aiding and abetting Michael Schiavo in his continuing crimes against Terri and this current order is nothing more than an unjust killing of a young woman who has demonstrated time and again that she very much wants to live."

The American Center for Law and Justice, a pro-life law firm which has been helping Terri's parents in the legal battle, also expressed its disappointment and disagreed with Judge Baird that the law violated the separation of powers doctrine.

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel of the ACLJ, said, "The legislature and Governor acted appropriately and constitutionally in passing and implementing 'Terri's Law.'"

Sekulow said his group supports Governor Bush's decision to appeal Judge Baird's ruling.

"We applaud the Governor for taking quick action to keep 'Terri's Law' in place through the appeals process. We strongly support the Governor's position in this case and are now examining all legal avenues to ensure that the interests and concerns of Terri's parents are represented in this appeals process."

Baird twice rejected efforts by the ACLJ to allow Terri's parents to intervene and assist Governor Bush in defending Terri's Law.

The first time, the Second District Court of Appeal said Baird failed to follow proper judicial rules in denying the motion to intervene. The appeals court has yet to rule on the appeal of the second denial.

Another pro-life legal group, the Life Legal Defense Foundation, has provided funding for legal assistance for Terri's parents.

Dana Cody, an attorney and the group's director, says she believes Terri would want to receive the medical care that her estranged husband Michael has denied her for over a decade.

"The right to make medical decisions includes the right to receive treatment, especially in light of Terri's religious beliefs," Cody said.

In finding the law unconstitutional, Judge Baird claimed the law violates Terri's right to privacy and the separation of powers by giving the governor legislative authority.

Those are the same arguments that were made by George Felos, the assisted suicide advocate who is the lead attorney for Terri's estranged husband Michael.

By appealing Baird's decision, Bush ensures that the feeding tube remains in place while the appeal is being considered.

Here is some interesting reading!

NURSING HOME RESIDENTS' RIGHTS

(STATUTES)

http://www.floridamalpractice.com/stat400.022.htm

Guardianship

New Court Mandated Guardianship Forms

http://www.pinellasclerk.org/aspInclude2/ASPInclude.asp?pageName=guardian.htm

The Sixth Judicial Circuit

http://www.jud6.org/Addresses/JudgesPhoneNumbers/judgeaddressandphonelist.htm

Opinions of the Judicial Ethics Advisory Committee - 2004

http://www.jud6.org/LegalPractice/opinions/judicialethicsadvisoryopinions/2004/index.html

Thanks for posting that. I sent him an e-mail.

ME TOO!!

Dear Mr. Dyckman,

I am thoroughly ashamed and disgusted with your biased reporting in this case. If you are going to publish a story, shouldn't you check ALL of the facts? You are completely leading people astray because they, for the most part, believe in what you write. Michael is just plain evil - and the Florida judicial system is corrupt based on their actions. Judges Greer and Baird should be impeached immediately - they have no right hearing this case as they have connections with the Pro-Death group - Hemlock Society there in Florida.

You just explain to me that it's perfectly alright to:

deny Terri (a devout Catholic) her Priest and the Sacraments, especially Holy Communion.

not allow Terri to see her loved ones - Mother, Father, Sister, Brother, relatives and friends. Convicts in prison receive far better treatment than she does.

not allow expert witnesses to testify in a deposition because Mr. Felos said this material has been covered. They have NEVER testified!

She is never allowed therapy which would make her better and where there is plenty of money available to pay for it. Even when I broke my ankle I was allowed therapy so I could be up and around again. She was denied dental care for years so that five rotten teeth had to be extracted. Did you bother to chat with the Dentist?

She never is allowed to be taken outside in a wheelchair to enjoy the sun and hear the birds. I believe that you would go "nuts" if you were confined to one room all the time with nothing or no one to stimulate you.

Further, she is NOT in a coma or permanent vegetative state. Even I can see that. No wonder Michael has forbidden cameras in her room.

WHY HAVEN'T YOU VISITED HER TO SEE FOR YOURSELF?

You still have the opportunity to change course and behave as a true news reporter. One last question, is George Felos paying you anything for reporting this way?

Sincerely,

I think China still has their one-child policy. If that's the case, then they probably commit forced abortion, genetic selection and other acts against nature. I believe they have doomed themselves with this policy. Healthy families are the cornerstone of a productive, attractive society. While single child families can be wonderful (as is mine!), a whole nation full is bound to have pitfalls, not to mention upsetting the male/female ratio.

As for the news, I don't know what the major networks have reported for Terri because I don't watch them. But, I have read lots of print articles that refer to her as in a persistent vegetative state, which is patently false. Also, they position her (ba$tard) husband as one who loves her and wants to enforce her desire not to be kept alive. That, too, is a gross distortion of the truth. So, as usual, the MSM is a bunch of liars and spinmeisters and can't be responsible for producing an objective story built on the truth. As all Freepers know, their version of the truth is selective, shaded, exaggerated and misrepresented.

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