TERRI SCHIAVO MARCH 2005 DAILIES Fla's Til of the Hun Sets March Date to Starve Terri

Judge George Greer denied Terri's parents' Motion for a Stay to protect their daughter's life while there are still pending issues in this LIFE AND DEATH MATTER. In addition the Department of Children and Family Services made a surprise visit to the court hearing the other day and asked Judge Greer if they could approach the bench. Judge Greer denied DCF the opportunity to speak. DCF asked for 60 days to conduct a complete investigation of allegations that have surfaced in the form of a Complaint to their agency.

What was set in motion instead? On Friday, February 25th, Judge Greer REFUSED TO issue another Stay because he was "not comfortable" issuing a say to protect a Ward of the State but instead "set a date certain" (on his calendar at least, not on mine) to BEGIN THE BARBARIC, ANTI-AMERICAN, STARVATION-DEHYDRATION SLOW MURDER OF TERRI.

Attorney Gibbs for Terri's parents held a press conference after J. Greer's order that was so tastefully written to indicate that "he was giving the Schindlers until March 18th so they could "prepare for Last Rites." Attorneys Gibbs called this ruling and prior rulings "Hitler-resque". Indeed.

If Judge Greer wasn't LEGALIZING EUTHANASIA in his courtroom, why any need for Last Rites? Greer's urgency to fulfill this killing places urgency on every one of us to lobby Governor Bush, Florida's House and Florida's Senate.

A Judge in America is ordering the manner of someone's death, a disabled woman who is healthy but needs rehabilitation.

Time is short so we don't really have time to get into Greer's mind to see why he is Florida's Til of the Hun.

7. Join the Message Board that freepers started at the Crystal Cathedral/Hour of Power. TELL YOUR CHURCH ABOUT TERRI.

8. Tell your friends that Terri is alert and aware of her surroundings and to visit www.terrisfight.org to see her videos.

9. PETITIONS. We will gather current Petitions here for you. At this time, you can sign a SAVE TERRI PETITION AT www.renewamerica.us. THERE ARE ALSO IMPEACH GREER PETITIONS ABOUT.

Finally, the Pope has no Living Will. He will be SAFE as long as he stays away from George Greer's courtroom. The Pope is in our thoughts and prayers and he knows of Terri. He wants Terri to be freed from oppression and from a painless death by starvation-dehyration.

THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU DO EVERY DAY, THE PAY ISN'T VERY GOOD BUT THE FRINGE BENEFITS ARE THE GREATEST. You are Great Americans and liberty is Terri's and freedom from oppression. Freepers, that is the big payoff if we continue our daunting task.

Terri's family is grateful to you and all of your prayers are being heard by the Giver of Life.

This is Terri's Fight and the battle is enjoined. JOIN US TO SAVE TERRI FROM FORCES THAT HAVE BUT ONE GOAL THAT IS AGAINST EVERYTHING AMERICAN.

GUIDELINES: If you want to start frivolous discussions, please start your own thread in chat.

If you like something from www.theempirejournal.com, please do not post the entire article at Free Republic. Unless I hear otherwise, I believe that we are allowed to post the title and link. TEJ is a great team member of Terri's network. Thanks, TEJ for making a difference and for getting the truth out there.

Money evaporating in Terri Schiavo right-to-die battle

Wednesday, March 16, 2005

BY MITCH STACY
ASSOCIATED PRESS

PINELLAS PARK, Fla. - As the battle over Terri Schiavo's life rages in the courtrooms and halls of government, the 41-year-old brain-damaged woman lies in a hospice bed, dependent on Florida taxpayers and the institution's charity for her care.

The $1 million received by her and her husband, Michael, in a medical malpractice case in 1993 is nearly gone, attorneys say, spent on her care and the husband's legal quest over the past seven years to stop her artificial feedings so she can die.

Her parents, Bob and Mary Schindler, have fought their son-in-law every step of the way in a bitter saga that could be entering its final chapter as the court-ordered removal of the feeding tube approaches on Friday. On Wednesday, a Florida appeals court rejected another request from the Schindlers to block the removal.

In a case where both sides have accused the other of being motivated by money, hardly anybody is getting paid anymore.

Michael Schiavo's attorneys say they have not been paid in more than two years. David Gibbs III, whose Clearwater law firm represents the Schindler family, said he is working for free, although a national anti-abortion group, Life Legal Defense Foundation, has paid some of his expenses and previously paid a Schindler attorney.

"We committed to help the Schindlers as a law firm whether they could pay or not," said Gibbs, whose rapid-fire filing of court motions trying to save Terri Schiavo's life has kept judges busy for weeks.

Just $40,000 to $50,000 remains of the money won in the malpractice case after Terri Schiavo's heart stopped in 1990 and left her in what court-appointed doctors say is a persistent vegetative state. Deborah Bushnell, one of Michael Schiavo's attorneys, said the money is being saved for litigation expenses.

The money is held in a trust fund, and a judge approves all expenditures, from attorneys' fees to the woman's haircuts.

Terri Schiavo lives at the Woodside Hospice - part of a not-for-profit hospice network in Florida - among terminally ill patients. She is permitted to stay there for free because she is considered indigent, Bushnell said. Patients who can afford it pay roughly $80,000 a year to stay at the hospice.

Citing privacy laws, hospice spokeswoman Louise Cleary would not answer questions about the Schiavo case but said, "We never turn anyone away. If they need our care, we take care of them."

Terri Schiavo's medical costs - which Bushnell says are relatively small - have been paid for the past couple of years by the state's Medicaid program for needy people.

"She's a healthy female," Bushnell said. "The problem is that she doesn't have a cerebral cortex."

Bushnell said she has been paid $80,309 since getting involved in the case in 1993. George Felos, who was hired by Michael Schiavo around the time he began the effort to remove his wife's feeding tube in 1998, has been paid $358,434, according to Bushnell.

Neither attorney has petitioned the court for payment since 2002.

Although she did not have a specific accounting, Bushnell said more than half of the $700,000 earmarked from the malpractice award for Terri Schiavo's care was spent for that purpose, with the rest going toward litigation. Michael Schiavo got about $300,000 in the malpractice case, but Bushnell said she does not know how it was spent or if there is any left.

Michael Schiavo did not respond to a request for an interview through his attorney.

He had sued medical professionals who he said failed to recognize symptoms that caused his wife's heart to stop beating. Doctors said the heart failure was brought on by a chemical imbalance believed to be caused by an eating disorder.

Both sides have charged that the fight over Terri Schiavo's life is rooted in money.

The Schindlers accused Michael Schiavo of wanting Terri dead so he could inherit what was left from the malpractice award. Michael Schiavo has said the rift between him and his in-laws began because he refused to share with them part of the money he received in the malpractice case in 1993.

Rally at the Florida Capitol, Pinellas Park prayer vigil draw hundreds of Terri Schiavo supporters
By JONI B. HANNIGAN
Managing Editor
Published March 17, 2005

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/4000.article

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)-Family and pro-life leaders rallied in support of Terri Schiavo’s parents and lawmakers who have stepped up to the plate in seeking ways to prevent the court-ordered death of a 41-year-old disabled Clearwater woman Mar. 18. And Hollywood actor Mel Gibson lent his support via a message read by Teri’s brother, Bobby Schindler Jr.

Click on image for related coverage
Singing, praying and standing quietly holding small “We Love Terri” signs, the 500-strong crowd spent two hours on the windy, but sunny, Sunday afternoon listening to speakers talk about the sanctity of human life, the need for Terri’s life to be spared, and the gratitude Terri’s parents have for those who have joined them in the fight to save their daughter.

James Dobson, founder of Colorado-based Focus on the Family spoke to the crowd via a recorded message.

“It is an outrage that Terri’s life hangs in the balance today. We are going to do everything we can to protect her,” said Dobson. “Even though this is a somber day, we have a good reason for hope.”

Robert and Mary Schindler, Terri’s parents who have been fighting for over seven years to defend their daughter’s right to life, and Gary Cass, executive director of the Center for Reclaiming America, were joined by representatives of various pro-life organizations.

Bobby Schindler told participants that Mel Gibson, producer of The Passon of The Christ, telephoned his father, Bob, Mar. 11 and said he supported the family's efforts to save their daughter. In addition he faxed a statement which Bobby read:

"I fully support the effort of Mr. & Mrs. Schlindler to save their daughter, Terri Schiavo, from a cruel starvation," Mel Gibson wrote.

"Terri's husband should sign the care of his wife over to her parents so she can be properly cared for,” Gibson continued.

Co-sponsors for the Rose Rally were: The Center for a Just Society, the Center for Reclaiming America, Christian Law Association, Christian Coalition, Coral Ridge Ministries, Eagle Forum of Florida, Family Research Council, Florida Family Policy Council, Florida Right to Life, Focus on the Family, Liberty Counsel, and the National Right to Life Committee.

Single roses, without water and wilting under the Florida sun, lined a platform where pro-life speakers Mar. 12 joined Terri Schiavo supporters in a seven-hour prayer vigil at the Woodside Hospice in Pinellas where Terri resides.

At times the crowd swelled to nearly 300, with families lining the narrow strips of grass outside of the secluded, nicely landscaped facility and other supporters gathered across the street outside of the store-front of a storage facility rented by the Terri Schindler-Shiavo Foundation.

“We love you Terri,” one rally leader directed the crowd to yell after turning to face the hospice on the count of three.

Across the street, a smiling young girl, the eldest child amongst six siblings sitting in the shade with their parents, rolled around on tennis-shoe skates offering people free lunch—and advice.

“Terri Sciavo deserves life like any of us,” Rosy Kimball, 10, told Florida Baptist Witness. “We are praying.”

Lorraine Guerrier, who attends Liberty Baptist Church, an independent church in St. Petersburg, held signs encouraging Gov. Jeb Bush to step in and place Terri in protective custody. She said in addition to the moral questions in the case, there is also a question of Terri’s constitutional right to life under the law.

“I believe this is a turning point for our nation,” Guerrier said. “Just because someone is disabled, doesn’t mean they aren’t a human being or less deserving of food and water.”

A slate of pro-family and Catholic leaders expressed sympathy for Bob and Mary Schindler and disdain for Judge George W. Greer and for Robert Lynch, an area Catholic leader.

Thomas Droleskey, founder, president of Christ the King College, in California, called for Lynch to come alongside the Catholic Church’s teaching on the issue of nutrition and hydration—and the sanctity of human life.

“Rome has clearly spoken on this issue,” Droleskey said, referencing Lynch. “Are you a Roman Catholic or an American Catholic?”

Joseph Magri, a Tampa Bay area attorney who has previously represented the Schindler family in this case, called on listeners to remember the lessons of the Bible.

“You can get misled about the love of neighbor,” Magri said. “You have to ground love of neighbor in a love of God to make sure that decisions we make are good ones.”

Col. Gritz will arrive in Pinellas Park later today

Press Release

16 March 2005

TRUE GRIT(Z) RIDES AGAIN: FILES CITIZEN’S ARREST IN SHIAVO CASE

Former Green Beret Commander Bo Gritz is charging-in once again. The 66 year-old retired Army Lt. Colonel with his wife, Judy, drove straight through from their Southern Nevada home to Pinellas Park, Florida in their own effort to rescue Terri Schindler-Shiavo. In his typically unconventional fashion, Gritz is arresting Pinellas Circuit Judge George Greer and Terri Schiavo’s estranged husband, Michael Schiavo, plus anyone else who would aid or abet in removing Terri’s feeding tube.

Bo and Judy arrived this evening, after furnishing a notarized “Citizen’s Arrest Warrant” to Governor Jeb Bush and Florida Attorney General Charlie Crist. Gritz intends on “papering” State and Federal enforcement offices with his warrant on Thursday, one day before Judge Greer has ordered the denial of food and water to Terri Schiavo. Gritz says the “arrest” is meant to allow officials additional options as the Florida State Executive and Legislative Branches maneuver to secure Terri Schiavo from starvation. “It’s just another arrow in the quiver which may help pro-Terri forces to counter Judge Greer’s death-order,” says Gritz.

The “Gritz-effect” remains to be seen, but he successfully used the arrest-tool against federal law enforcement in August 1992 when he intervened in the siege at Ruby Ridge, Idaho and brought what was left of the Randy Weaver family down the hill without further bloodshed. Sammy, the 14 year-old Weaver boy, was killed along with his mother, Vicki, and U.S. Marshal William Degan. Randy Weaver and another man, Kevin Harris, were wounded by police gun-fire. Gritz secured the services of renowned defense lawyer Gerry Spence, and the U.S. Department of Justice paid the Weavers $3.2-million in an out-of-court settlement. Harris was awarded more than $300,000.

Gritz was also present during the longest FBI-siege at the Montana Freemen compound, and helped in the failed-search for Olympic bombing suspect Eric Rudolph -- due for prosecution in Birmingham this month.

Gritz says while he doesn’t want to “cause trouble,”he gets involved when it appears Americans are in needless life-and-death situations with the law. Citing his officer’s oath of allegiance to “defend the Constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic,” Gritz says while he doesn’t know Terri Schiavo personally, she nevertheless represents an American in danger of citizen-rights abuse, and he feels an obligation to act while she remains alive. Says Gritz: “Amer-I-cans will always fight for freedom. Millions of our military place their life on the line to keep tyranny away from our shores.” He acknowledges and supports the broad-front of Americans who have for years stood-up in saving the life of Terri Schiavo. Besides a “Terri-Bill” under consideration in the U.S. Congress, the Florida Legislature votes Friday on a modified-measure to keep Terri’s life-support in place. A previous Florida Bill was ruled un-Constitutional barring further intervention by Governor Bush. “We all do what we can. Most people wisely don’t arrest important officials, it can be non-habit forming. It’s my contribution, as I see it,” says Gritz.

While threatened with arrest at Ruby Ridge and Jordon, Montana, when the smoke-cleared, the much decorated war hero instead walked away with FBI letters of appreciation. Time and events will soon tell if his presence is thus appreciated in Florida.

A copy of the Gritz Warrant language is attached.

CITIZEN’S ARREST NOTICE

I, James G. “Bo” Gritz, a private citizen, being an American by birth in Enid, Oklahoma, on 18 January 1939, and possessing personal knowledge (reasonable cause) that certain individuals and agencies in and around Pinellas Park, Florida have committed, or will soon commit, specific felony violation of U.S. and Florida State laws, do hereby issue and publish this Citizen’s Arrest Notice requesting government agencies responsible for enforcement, including the Pinellas County Sheriff, Florida Attorney General, State Police, FBI, district attorneys and local police departments arrest the identified person(s) for crimes already committed and restrain them from committing further violations identified in this document.

The focus of this action is to secure the personal safety of Theresa “Terri” Marie Schindler-Schiavo, a natural-born U.S. Citizen currently being held in the Woodside Hospice (727-541-4199) at 6774 102nd Avenue N in Pinellas Park, FL 33782-2909 (Scott Kistler, Vice President of Operations, 727-586-4432). Terri is paralyzed and in need of care by the Woodside staff – specifically the provision of nourishment and hydration at meal times through a feeding tube.
The specific threat is the wrongful withholding of nourishment from Terri Schiavo beginning at 1:00 p.m. local-time on 18 March 2005 with the specific purpose of her death through starvation and dehydration, as ordered by Circuit Judge George W. Greer (727-464-3933) in the Probate Division of the Circuit Court for Pinellas County, Florida at 2:50 p.m. on 25 February 2005; to be executed by Michael Schiavo (Marrie Ct, Clearwater, FL). This is a felony conspiracy to cause the wrongful death of an innocent person. The conspiracy will become a homicide if carried through to completion.

With the exception of the feeding tube at meal time, Terri Schiavo is on no other form of life support-system. She is not in a comma – she opens and moves her eyes; she is aware, recognizes and reacts to people and other stimuli. She is paralyzed, but more than 17 physicians and medical specialists have signed affidavits believing her condition will improve with proper therapy. Nobel Prize nominee Dr. William Hammesfahr has examined Terri and states her injury is a type of stroke that he treats everyday with success. Terri’s parents, Robert and Mary Schindler are prepared to assume responsibility for continued care of their daughter. The American people, the U.S. Congress, Florida Legislature, Governor Jeb Bush, Florida Department of Children and Families, the Vatican, numerous public interest groups, and luminary Americans are making public their adamant interest sustaining Terri’s life.

As an American, Terri Schindler-Schiavo is protected under both U.S. Constitutional Laws and Florida Statutes which have been over-ridden by Judge George Greer. The 8th Amendment forbids cruel and unusual punishment. Not even the most heinous criminals are starved to death! The 14th Amendment protects her human rights as an American.

Florida Statute 744.3215 (Rights of Persons Determined Incapacitated) forbids depriving Terri of food and water, a felony.

Florida Statute 765.404 requires the diagnosis of “persistent vegetative state” be determined as “permanent” prior to withdrawal of life prolonging means. Judge Greer has refused any further definitive tests (MRI) to ascertain Terri’s current status.

Florida Statute 765.309 prevents mercy killing and assisted suicide.

Florida Statute 765.404 calls for clear and convincing evidence of a ward’s intent concerning life and death medical decisions. Terri is a Catholic (suicide and assisted termination not an option); Judge Grer ruled-out pro-life testimony and accepted instead Michael Schivo’s self-serving hearsay that he had heard Terri refer to ceasing life-support on one occasion (violation of FL Statute 90.602).

This Citizen’s Arrest Warrant becomes null and void upon transfer of guardianship for Terri Schindler-Schiavo to her mother and father, or the Florida Department of Children & Families, prior to 1:00 p.m. on 18 March 2005.

As the plaintiff, I will physically be present in Pinellas Park at the Woodside Hospice. I am causing this complaint to be widely distributed so appropriate officials are made aware and may act to prevent this cruel death. As previously stated: The sole purpose of this document and resulting action(s) is to safeguard a helpless Terri Schindler-Schiavo. Any action that accomplishes this objective satisfies this Citizen’s Arrest Notice.

Sworn to and Certified before a Notary Public on this date

I am James G. “Bo” Gritz, a Private Person and U.S. Citizen,
resident address: HC-37, Box 472, Sandy Valley, NV 89019.

‘Engage the culture,’ Bunkley tells Florida Baptists
By JAMES A. SMITH SR.
Executive Editor
Published March 17, 2005

http://www.floridabaptistwitness.com/3998.article

TALLAHASSEE (FBW)—As Florida’s political leaders prepare to gather March 17 for the annual Florida Leadership Prayer Breakfast, Florida Baptists’ legislative consultant is urging Christians to be in prayer for the state’s leadership—and to keep their eyes on Tallahassee during the annual legislative session, scheduled to run through May 1.

In an interview with Florida Baptist Witness, Bill Bunkley—a Tallahassee veteran and Florida Baptist Convention legislative consultant—outlined legislation Christians should be aware of as the Legislature is picking up speed in its second week of the 60 day session.

Bunkley, a long-time member of Tampa’s Idlewild Baptist Church, cited five priorities for the 2005 legislative session: Enacting legislation following adoption of Amendment 1, concerning parental notification, and Amendment 4, concerning slot machines in South Florida; the Woman’s Health and Safety Act; funding for a new pregnancy support services initiative; and legislation that would defend Terri Schiavo—a bill regarding the withdrawal of nutrition and hydration and a bill regarding guardianship for persons like Schiavo.

[For more on legislative developments in the Schiavo matter, see “Terri Schiavo’s mom cites power of prayer after denials” and “Rally at the Florida Capitol, Pinellas Park prayer vigil draw hundreds of Terri Schiavo supporters”. For more on legislative developments on Amendment 4 and slot machines, see “Split Decision: Slots lose in Miami-Dade, win in Broward,”.]

After Florida’s voters resoundingly adopted Amendment 1—with nearly 65 percent support—the Legislature is now empowered to write legislation requiring parental notice before girls may have an abortion, Bunkley said Florida Baptists need to watch how Tallahassee writes the bill.

Bunkley expects some legislators will attempt to “insert as many exceptions as possible to render the amendment useless and of no effect.” Noting that legislators have long argued for exceptions for rape, incest and to allow a judicial bypass for minors who fear for their safety, Bunkley said that he is concerned that pro-abortion advocates will attempt to allow a health-of-the-mother exception that is so broad that “abortion clinic doctors can justify all sorts” of abortions.

Pro-life advocates will try a third time to pass the Woman’s Health and Safety Act (HB 1041/SB 1862) introduced by Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, and Sen. Paula Dockery, R-Lakeland. The bill would require abortion facilities to meet the same health and safety regulations as other medical facilities. The bill failed to pass beyond the House of Representatives last year.

Bunkley also lauded Gov. Bush’s new Pregnancy Support Services Program initiative that has been included in the governor’s budget request to the Legislature this year. The new program will be managed out of the governor’s office and will be funded at $4 million if the Legislature approves the governor’s request.

Lt. Gov. Toni Jennings announced the new program at a Jacksonville news conference Feb. 28 and gave a Mar. 3 interview to the Witness about the new program, which will provide assistance to women in crisis pregnancies and encourage those women to reject abortion.

Citing as an example that there are 55 abortion providers in Miami while only five entities that offer pro-life alternatives, Jennings told the Witness, “We’re way outnumbered and we don’t need to be.” [For more on the program, see, “Lt. Gov. touts new pregnancy support program” Mar. 10 issue].

As the legislative session continues throughout March and April, Bunkley urged Florida Baptists to stay informed. The Florida Baptist Convention electronically publishes a survey of bills of interest on its Web site, available at: www.flbaptist.org/news/capitol_concerns.htm. Interested persons also may sign-up to receive the information via e-mail.

“We are one of many groups of ‘stakeholders’ among the population of our state,” Bunkley said. “Losing the vote on Amendment 4 last November should be a giant wake up call that we are losing key battles. No longer can we be satisfied in huddling with other church family members and not positively engage the culture.

“If we shy away, one day it just might be illegal to share or preach our convictions in an open manner, like our brothers and sisters in Canada are currently experiencing,” Bunkley warned. “Many oppose the Lord’s principals. We all must be ready to stand in the gap if we are to maintain our Christian way of life as we enjoy it today.”

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