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FRIENDS, THIS ARTICLE WAS WRITTEN BY TERRI'S ENEMY. I disavow this freak's remarks as TO THEIR CONSPIRATORIAL NATURE completely but we must see their warped thoughts. NOTICE HE FAILS TO MENTION THAT TERRI SCHINDLER IS A HUMAN BEING.

The Terri Schiavo case: Following the money

By Jon B. Eisenberg

Jon B. Eisenberg is an attorney who practices in Oakland, California and is an adjunct professor at University of California Hastings College of the Law. His specialty is civil appeals, on which he publishes a widely-used California treatise. His work mostly involves commercial and liability disputes, but his occasional forays into pro bono work lead him to cases like Terri Schiavo litigation, where he filed a amicus curiae brief in the Florida Supreme Court on behalf of 55 bioethicists and a disability rights organization opposing Governor Bush.

Have you ever wondered who is paying the lawyers and activists trying to keep Terri Schiavo's feeding tube attached? The trail of money leads to a $2 billion consortium of ultraconservative Foundations with close ties to Governor Jeb Bush.

The Florida Supreme Court will soon decide whether Governor Bush violated the Florida Constitution when he squelched a court order for removal of artificial nutrition and hydration from Terri Schiavo, whom the courts have determined is in a persistent vegetative state (PVS) with no hope of recovery, I am a California attorney who filed a "friend of the court" brief on behalf of 55 bioethicists and a disability rights organization opposing the Governor's action.

A few weeks ago, on the day before oral argument in the Florida Supreme Court, I participated in a public debate on the Schiavo case at Florida State University in Tallahassee. Among the other participants were four lawyers supporting Governor Bush's position: Pat Anderson, the attorney for Terri's parents, Mary and Robert Schindler; Diane Coleman, who heads a group of disability rights organizations that filed a "friend of the court" brief supporting the governor; and Wesley Smith and Rita Marker, two behind-the-scenes pro-life activists whose specialty is opposing surrogate removal of life-support from comatose and PVS patients.

On my flight home the next day, while contemplating the evident fact that these four attorneys have somehow made full-time jobs out of their causes, I found myself thinking: "Somebodymust be paying these people."

It turns out to be a very interesting group of somebodies. Internet research reveals that funding behind all four attorneys; the lawyers representing Governor Bush before the Florida Supreme Court; the groups that filed two "friend of the court" briefs in his support; and two new lawyers for the Schindlers, can be traced to members of the Philanthropy Roundtable. The Philanthropy Roundtable is a collection of foundations that have funded rightwing causes ranging from ultraconservative mainstays like abolition of Social Security and religious social engineering to fringe-group anti-tax crusades and United Nation conspiracy theories. Its members' founders include scions of America's wealthiest families, including Richard Mellon Scaife (heir to the Mellon industrial, oil and banking fortune), Harry Bradley (electronics), Joseph Coors (beers), and the Smith Richardson family (pharmaceutical products).

The chart accompanying this article shows a dizzying web of funding connections between six of the Philanthropy Roundtable's richest members and ten organizations behind the Schindlers, their lawyers and supporters, and the lawyers representing Governor Bush before the Florida Supreme Court.

Here are just a few examples: Pat Anderson works with the Alliance Defense Fund, which received $142,000 from Philanthropy Roundtable members that include the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation and the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation. Wesley Smith works with the Discovery Institute, which received $175,000 from the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation. Diane Coleman's "friend of the court" brief is signed by the World Institute on Disability and the National Organization on Disability, which are funded by the Scaife Family Foundations, the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation, and the JM Foundation.

The other "friend of the court" brief supporting Governor Bush was filed by the Family Research Council, which was formerly headed by Bush lawyer Kenneth Connor and which received $215,000 from the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation. Rita Marker's organization, the International Task Force on Euthanasia, received $110,390 from the Randolph Foundation, an affiliate of the Smith Richardson family. Bush lawyer Robert Destro has tries to the Council on Economic and Policy Education, which is funded by the Randolph and JM Foundations.

The two new Schindler lawyers, Deborah Berliner and Brett Wood, are affiliated with Judicial Watch, Inc., which received $7,069,500 from the Scaife and DeVos foundations. And in the thick of this is Governor Jeb Bush, a former director of the Heritage Foundation. The Heritage Foundation is a creation of Joseph Coors and one of the most prominent member of the Philanthropy Roundtable. The Heritage Foundation has been funded to the tune of $47 million by, among others - you guessed it - the Bradley, Scaife, DeVos and JM foundations.

That's a lot of money. No wonder they're been able to keep the Schiavo litigation going for 11 years.

During the Watergate scandal, investigative reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein werefamously advised to "follow the money." In the Schiavo case, the money - all of it - leads to members of the Philanthropy Roundtable and Governor Jeb Bush.

FV SAYS: This is one of those BLOODLUSTING DEATH ATTORNEYS who think they know all and know best. AND, THEY HATE JEB BUSH TOO, ya notice?

Folks, it takes a lot of money to fight those who want to KILL TERRI. THIS GUY IS A FRIEND OF GEORGE FELOS, BET ON THAT...

This LEFT WING FREAK from Oakland, CA says that some of Terri's support network have conspiracy theories about the United Nations.

WELCOME TO FREE REPUBLIC. There's a thread right now about a petition in New Hampshire to throw the UN out of the United States.

FINALLY, I CANNOT EVEN FATHOM THE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CHANGING HANDS TO FINANCE THE TORTURE AND ABUSE OF TERRI SCHINDLER-SCHIAVO. MILLIONS. And, it all starts here with Judge Greer.

ARTICLE AT TOP OF THIS THREAD.

Posted on 12/29/2004 10:16:22 AM EST by floriduh voter

The Terri Schindler Schiavo Daily Threads are created month to month as we watch local and national news regarding Terri and her family.

Since Terri's supporters are in every time zone, you may see something FIRST. Please share news with us that you don't see here already. Now, why would you want to do that? Terri's Daily Thread for September/October of 2004 was viewed over 15,000 times. Terri's November Daily Thread was viewed over 6,000 times. December's thread is over 3,000 views.

More and more good folks are finding out about Terri and that judicial tyranny would take her life, but for lots and lots of prayer and non-stop lobbying of relatives, friends, clergy, our leaders, the media, a passerby, a cashier - ANYONE who you feel comfortable chatting with.

Folks always want to know how can this be in America or on earth for that matter? Unfortunately, this is really happening to an innocent woman who just celebrated her 41st birthday. She's not the only one but she's the one with devoted parents and siblings who knows what's in Terri's heart. Terri has a strong will to live. That's apparent. It's been 14 years.

Besides, feeding tubes have been around practically since the Civil War. They are not high tech devices. Terri is "not hooked up to machines". Her feeding tube is the diameter of a piece of spaghetti.

Talkin' about Terri is the best way to lobby for her. It is a salespitch to save her life and subsequently, many lives. If you've never sold anything in your life, START NOW. START WITH TERRI. Visit: http://www.terrisfight.org

NOTE: Terri's December Dailies are noted as a source above. There are lots of important links at the very top of that thread. If you missed Terri's Celebration of Life, you can click on it from there.

TOPICS: Constitution/Conservatism; Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; Politics/Elections; US: Florida

KEYWORDS: ABUSE; ALBERTOGONZALES; BAIRD; CAGED; CRIMINALSTATUTES; CRUEL; DAILY; DEHYDRATION; EMPIREJOURNAL; EUTHANASIA; FBI; FLSUPREMES; FREEPERS; GOVHUCKABEE; GREER; GUARDIANSHIP; HEIST; HOMELANDSEC; ILLEGAL; JEBBUSH; JOIN; KENCONNOR; MEDICAID; MEDICAIDFRAUD; MURDER; NEWSMAX; NEWYORK; ONEROOM; POPESTATEMENT; PUNISHMENT; RESEARCH; SCHIAVO; SCHINDLER; SHARE; STARVATION; TERRI; TERRISCHIAVO; TERRISFIGHTORG; TORTURE; UNUSUAL; USAG; USSUPREMES; VIOLATIONS; WIFEKILLER; WORLDNET

A SAMPLING OF THE COVERUP REGARDING THE PRE-MEDITATED ACTS AGAINST TERRI.....

This Judge has written an order using his "blind eyes" to rule a person to be unconscious while the whole world watched video examinations of a person who was very conscious, performing the tests and being verbally rewarded by the doctors who tested her, and relating to people and things in her environment.

This Judge may have indirectly sent out the original "solicitation letter for campaign contributions" to a laundry list of attorneys some time back in March of 2004.

As a result the money from "only attorneys" it seems has poured in. Many are attorneys who have either had cases before Judge Greer, or currently have cases under review by him, and include several notable names that have been directly involved in the Terri Schindler Schiavo case, including Deborah Bushnell.

One contributor, Frank Nagatani is a name that can be tied to the DCF Legal Division which blocked the testimony of a DCF Investigator who produced a report about felony abuse, neglect and exploitation of a disabled adult generated from a 60 day investigation during November and December of 2001. The investigator who was supplied with nearly 800 pages of supportive documents, visited Mrs. Schiavo alone and once with her Mother, Mary Schindler, to "see" for himself that Terri Schindler Schiavo is not in a coma or even close and is very conscious and interacts with not only her mother but others.

The DCF Regional Attorney, Frank Nagatani blocked the subpoenaed testimony of the investigator in Judge Greer's court. Judge Greer acknowledged the existence of "the report". The report was swept under the rug and the abuse, neglect and exploitation (as defined very vividly and supported by many public records), including and as described in Florida Criminal Statutes 825, continues.

As Judge Greer is acknowledging the existence of this report in open court, which qualifies the fact that an investigation was conducted and proves that complaints had been taken by the DCF Adult Protective Services Hotline - Attorney General Crist was on the television telling everyone that no complaints had been received by DCF regarding Terri Schiavo alleging felony abuse, felony neglect and felony exploitation.

Then just 4 months after these denials and attempts to "cover things up", the person who made the hotline complaints (that were investigated, and which produced a report that was acknowledged to exist by Judge Greer in open court) was asked to appear in front of the then Chairwoman of the DCF Oversight Commission, Sandra Murman, with Terri Schiavo's father, Robert Schindler, to talk about the complaints, the investigation, "the report", the actions of Judge Greer and what was thought to be a solution to all of the abuses, negligence and exploitations.

This produced a return phone call that the Chairwoman would not be allowed to speak with the complainant or Mr. Schindler about these matters in the future due to a new confidentiality document she had to sign. More cover-up.

FV SAYS: The investigator whose FINDINGS WERE QUASHED AND THE DCF INVESTIGATION WAS SEALED, his name is not a secret. The investigator was on Terri's side. NO WONDER THE DCF INVESTIGATION WAS SEALED.

There is a coverup. The investigator TRIED TO HELP TERRI. For all I know, he was fired or transferred somewhere else.

They are BOUND BY SOME UNKNOWN QUANTITY TO END TERRI'S LIFE HERE IN FLORIDA. Anyone who tries to help Terri who works for the state will be silenced.

INTERNET RADIO TODAY AT 5:00 PLEASE PING THIS IF YOU HAVE A LIST.

Today, Friday - January 21 - The Path will air a broadcast of Terri Schiavo's case featuring an interview with Barbara Weller of the Gibbs Law Firm. Gibbs Law is currently representing the parents and siblings of Terri Schiavo in their latest bid to remove Terri's estranged husband as her guardian.

The Path (part of the CDR Radio Network) will air this interview at

5:00 pm today.

You can listen live on www.thepath.fm.

Additionally, an archive of the broadcast will be made available immediately following on

http://www.thepath.fm/news/frontpage.

Also, on Sunday - January 23 - ABC Action News in Tampa, Florida will air a segment regarding Terri's legal case in the 11.00am hour. This segment is to feature interviews with both Ms. Weller and George Felos, the attorney representing Terri's husband and guardian.

ABC Action News is on the web on http://www.abcactionnews.com and typically keeps an extensive video archive of Terri's story available online. Those outside of the Tampa Bay area may wish to check late on Sunday for video links.

Diane Coleman of Not Dead Yet

Biographical Information on Diane Coleman, J.D., M.B.A.

Diane Coleman obtained her law degree and a Masters in Business Administration, focused on public and not-for-profit management, from the University of California at Los Angeles in 1981. While working as an attorney for the State of California for seven years, she served on the California Attorney General's Commission on Disability and on the Board of Directors of the Westside Center for Independent Living, one of the largest nonresidential independent living centers in the country. In 1989, she relocated to Tennessee, where she worked as the Client Assistance Program Coordinator for Tennessee Protection and Advocacy, assisting people with disabilities to obtain employment-related training and services.

She then became Co-Director of the Technology Access Center, an assistive technology service center funded, in part, through the National Institute of Disability and Rehabilitation Research. For two years, she served as Policy and Funding Analyst for the Tennessee Technology Access Project, funded under the Technology Related Assistance for Individuals With Disabilities Act of 1988. While in Tennessee, she also served on the State Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission, the Advisory Committee to the Tennessee Human Rights Commission, The Statewide Independent Living Council, and on the Boards of Directors of the Tennessee Health Care Campaign and the Center for Independent Living in Nashville.

She is currently employed as the Executive Director of the Progress Center for Independent Living in Oak Park, Illinois. Since 1987, she has volunteered as both a state and national organizer of the American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today, the disability rights group also known as ADAPT. She has been disabled since birth and has used a wheelchair since the age of eleven. Her writings and presentations on the topic of assisted suicide include the following:

Coleman, Euthanasia and People With Disabilities: Considerations under the Equal Protection Clause and the Americans With Disabilities Act. Presentation at Valuing Life, Valuing Autonomy: Living,, and Dying with a Disability (April 13, 1994, and ethics conference co-sponsored by the Hastings Center, University of Chicago Center for Clinical-Medical Ethics, Northwestern University Ethics and Human Values Program, Access Living of Chicago, and the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL).

Participant, The Schoolhouse Summit on Disability and the "Right to Die" (Tennessee, July 17-18, 1993, sponsored by The Schoolhouse, Inc.).

Coleman, The Problem of Euthanasia: A Disability Perspective. Presentation to The Fund For Southern Communities, Atlanta, Georgia (June 19, 1993).

Coleman, Withdrawing Life-Sustaining Treatment from People With Severe Disabilities Who Request It: Equal Protection Considerations, Issues in Law & Medicine, Vol. 8, No. 1 (Summer, 1992).

Coleman, Growing Support of the Right To Die: A Worrisome Trend, Community Voices, Nashville Banner (May 10, 1990).

FV SAYS: Diane Coleman gave a press conference at the Vigil but the local media edited her out. Bay News 9 carried her in a debate against George Felos and she held her own and as usual, he looked like a fool.

Terri Schiavo's parents again ask judge to let her live - Greer gave Gibbs until February 7 to submit more written legal arguments. He said he would decide a few days later whether the court will proceed with the due-process issue. January 28 2005 By Mitch Stacy, The Associated Press http://www.sun-sentinel.com To submit a Letter to the Editor: letters@sun-sentinel.com, kguy@sun-sentinel.com or http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/opinion/sfl-letterseditor.customform (website form; 100-200 word limit) Clearwater, Florida - Terri Schiavo should have been represented by her own attorney through all of the legal proceedings over whether she should live or die, a lawyer for her family argued Friday in the latest legal effort to keep the severely brain-damaged woman's feeding tube intact. Meanwhile, outside the courtroom, Terri Schiavo's parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, stepped up the public pressure on her husband, Michael, to abandon his yearslong effort to remove the feeding tube to let her die. With the Schindlers' legal options dwindling, their attorney, David Gibbs, asked Circuit Judge George Greer to let him proceed with a motion arguing that Terri Schiavo's due-process rights were violated because she has never had her own attorney. On that basis, Gibbs wants the judge to void the 2000 order giving Michael Schiavo permission to remove the tube. "I urge the court not to rush,'' Gibbs said. "There is not reversibility once Terri Schiavo has been starved and dehydrated to death.'' Michael Schiavo's attorney, George Felos, called the motion "outrageous'' and "an abuse of the legal system.'' He told Greer that the Schindlers are trying to delay the case by repeatedly arguing the same issues, and he urged the judge not to let the motion continue. Greer gave Gibbs until February 7 to submit more written legal arguments. He said he would decide a few days later whether the court will proceed with the due-process issue. A stay imposed by Greer is still in effect pending the outcome of an issue with the 2nd District Court of Appeal, so it remained unclear Friday when Terri Schiavo's feeding tube might be removed if her family is unsuccessful in blocking it. Terri Schiavo was 26 when her heart stopped beating temporarily because of [an alleged] chemical imbalance. She can breathe on her own [PLUS she maintains her own blood pressure and she swallows -- she DOES NOT DROOL] but depends on a feeding tube for water and nourishment. [A few c]ourt-appointed doctors say she is in a persistent vegetative state, which her parents also dispute. The now 41-year-old woman left no written directive and her husband told Greer in the 2000 trial that she had expressed a desire not to be kept alive artificially. Her parents doubt she had any such end-of-life wishes and believe her condition could improve with therapy, which they say her husband has withheld. The Schindlers on Friday again pleaded publicly with Michael Schiavo to give up the battle and allow them to care for Terri. They offered to allow him to collect any proceeds from her estate and any book or movie deals that may come out of the case. "He can go his way, and we'll go our way,'' Bob Schindler said. "The case will be over.'' Felos said that won't happen. "He has been in this case from the beginning because he made a promise to his wife'' that he wouldn't keep her alive artificially, Felos said. The Schindlers had already been a dealt a loss this week when the U.S. Supreme Court refused to consider a legal challenge to "Terri's Law,'' the measure pushed by Governor Jeb Bush in October 2003 to keep Terri Schiavo alive after the courts had cleared the way for her death. Besides Friday's action, the family has another motion before Greer to remove Michael Schiavo as Terri's legal guardian. Copyright 2005, The South Florida Sun-Sentinel. http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/sfl-0128schiavo,0,6573390.story?coll=sfla-news-florida

FLORIDUH VOTERS SAYS: If someone wants to make this article a separate thread, feel free. Just make sure nobody else has already done it. I'm too pooped. Thanks, FV